Fastlane 2016: The Scenic Route To Wrestlemania
Fastlane 2016
Date: February 21, 2016
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, John Bradshaw Layfield
Pre-Show: US Title: Kalisto vs. Alberto Del Rio
Kalisto is defending and this is 2/3 falls. Del Rio goes right after the arm to start but Kalisto kicks away at the knees for a breather. JBL talks about how Goliath wins in real life as Kalisto hits the hurricanrana driver to set up a big dive out to the floor. Back in and Del Rio gets two off a snap suplex with Ranallo (only calling the pre-show) comparing this to a feud between rappers. Kalisto sends him into the post but Del Rio blasts him with a chair for the DQ, giving Kalisto the first fall at 4:05.
The opening video is the Eva Marie racecar theme with a focus on the main event.
Sasha Banks/Becky Lynch vs. Tamina/Naomi
Earlier today, Naomi said she and Tamina put the BAD in Team BAD. Never let her speak again. Becky tries to start but Sasha tags herself in, only to have Becky do the same thing a few seconds later. The quick legdrops nail Tamina with the spinning version getting two. Naomi comes in for her dancing kicks bug Becky throws Tamina down with a suplex and BAD gets dropped on the floor. Naomi comes back with something like a Stunner over the top rope to drop Becky. Unfortunately this means we have to hear the racecar sound effects on every replay which are already old.
We look back at the Intercontinental Title changing hands on Monday.
Intercontinental Title: Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens
We recap the Wyatts being all evil and attacking the old guys, which of course includes that old rascal Ryback.
Wyatt Family vs. Kane/Big Show/Ryback
We recap Brie Bella vs. Charlotte, which is built around Daniel Bryan retiring and Charlotte mocking Brie for her husband having to quit. Brie pinned her in a non-title match to earn the shot tonight.
Divas Title: Brie Bella vs. Charlotte
The BRIE MODE running knee sets up a Nikki Bella forearm for two. Charlotte comes back with chops (because neither of them can do anything but tribute moves) but the Figure Eight is broken up. A dropkick knocks Charlotte outside, followed by a missile dropkick back inside. As is so often the case in a Flair match though, Brie comes up holding her knee.
We recap AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho, which is basically Sami Zayn vs. Cesaro from NXT minus the 2/3 falls stipulation because Kalisto vs. Del Rio needed to go six or seven falls. They split the first two matches and AJ convinced Jericho to do it again here tonight. This is almost guaranteed to be one of the better matches on the card.
AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho
Post match Jericho does the false heel turn into the handshake.
Kickoff recap.
We look back at New Day dancing a lot on Smackdown.
R-Truth vs. Curtis Axel
Post match Truth walks away again, as he should after that stupid move.
Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar
Winner gets the title shot at Wrestlemania so we get some Big Match Intros. Brock drives Ambrose into the corner before throwing Reigns with the first suplex. A second German suplex sends Reigns flying but Dean comes back in with a missile dropkick to stagger Brock. Dean tries a German suplex on Brock but gets a hard glare and a belly to belly for his efforts.
Reigns gets a lot of pyro until HHH comes out for the staredown to end the show.
Results
Becky Lynch/Sasha Banks b. Naomi/Tamina – Bank Statement to Tamina
Kevin Owens b. Dolph Ziggler – Pop Up Powerbomb
Ryback/Big Show/Kane b. Wyatt Family – Shell Shock to Harper
Charlotte b. Brie Bella – Figure Eight
AJ Styles b. Chris Jericho – Calf Crusher
Roman Reigns b. Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose – Spear to Ambrose
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the Complete Monday Nitro Reviews Volume IV at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AXP08DK
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at: