Saturday, 27 February 2016

WWE Fast Lane 2016: Hits and Misses.

Fast Lane was broadcast on Sunday 21, February, 2016.

Fast Lane Hits

Triple threat main event: Roman Reigns vs HHH is the Wrestlemania main event and I’m not sure how to react. This will likely be the climax of their storyline that began at Survivor Series. If RAW was any indication, expect WWE to throw the kitchen sink at getting Reigns over, regardless of potential fan backlash. This 3-way also set up Ambrose vs Lesnar so it is hard to complain when new blood mixes with veterans.

Styles wins his first major feud: Styles vs Jericho III was must-see so I stopped writing notes throughout and enjoyed without distraction. The Styles Clash false-finish and subsequent submission victory added drama and their post-match handshake was an excellent endorsement. Overall, Styles looks like a bigger star than he did on his debut and if he continues to be booked strongly, gold will be round his waist very soon!

Owens vs Ziggler: This back and forth spectacle never had a dull moment. Owens is a worthy champ and these high quality matches will gradually help restore the prestige of the Intercontinental Title; similar to Cena with his United States open challenges. With any luck Owens and Styles will lock horns at the showcase of the immortals and produce a modern classic.

Six-man tag: A minor hit, slow to begin with but a strong final five minutes. The shine was firmly on Ryback as he dominated after receiving the hot tag and pinned Luke Harper with Shell Shocked. The Wyatt family didn’t attack Lesnar in the main event, as many predicted. After two big losses at Wrestlemania, Bray Wyatt needs a win to restore his credibility.

Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch: Their tag-team contest against Naomi and Tamina was a decent effort let down slightly by some blatant spot calling. The dominant, double submission finish made both ladies look equal and sets up a possible triple threat with Charlotte.

Fast Lane Misses

Charlotte vs Brie: I couldn’t get into this Divas Championship bout. Brie and her Daniel Bryan sympathy push was weak and didn’t have the desired reaction. Over-sentimental storylines can be forgiven if matches are well-executed; sadly this was very clunky so really dragged. They showed improvement in the last five minutes but this was too little, too late.

Edge and Christian: They have excellent chemistry and entertainment value. Unfortunately, we’ve seen numerous adverts on WWE programming all month for their network show. In this segment, New Day were charismatic but League of Nations totally reeked of awfulness. If they clash, New Day will hopefully retain and eventually make stars of new, worthier challengers.

Continuing drama with R-Truth and Goldust: Goldust has been pestering R-Truth to be his tag-team partner in a set of hit-and-miss skits. He inadvertently cost Truth his match against Social Outcasts member Curtis Axel. They need to have a resolution soon or fans will lose interest in the eventual payoff.
 

We can expect more twists and turns on the road to Wrestlemania. I'll have another hits and misses review up a few days after the big show on Sunday, April 3rd. See you then wrestling fans.

Philip

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