WWE Fastlane 2017 Review

WWE Fastlane 2017
Brand: Raw
Milwaukee, WI
Bradley Center
3/5/17

Kick Off Match #1
Akira Tozawa & Rich Swann vs The Brian Kendrick & Noam Dar w/ Alicia Foooox
In a backstage segment prior to this match Dar teased that once his team won the match the two of them and Alicia Fooox were going to have a threesome, but Kendrick turned it down.

It looked at first like we were going to get Tozawa & Kendrick starting the match out, but Kendrick made a quick tag in to Dar. They lock up and Tozawa pushes Dar into the ropes and then breaks the lock up and screams at Dar. Tozawa hits some punches on Dar and then sends him into the ropes where Kendrick makes a blind tag and attacks Tozawa from behind. Kendrick and Dar try for a double suplex on Tozawa, but Swann comes in and grabs him and then the both of them hit double dropkicks. Swann & Tozwa look to hit dives to Dar & Kendrick on the floor, but Foxy gets in front of them to shield her team as we go to commercial.

We come back from commercial and see that Kendrick is in control of Tozawa. Kendrick hits Tozawa with a suplex and then tries to lock in a rear naked choke, but Tozawa quickly gets out of it with back elbows and then runs off the ropes and is met with a big boot from Kendrick, but Tozawa comes back with a hurricanrana. Tozawa finally makes the tag to Swann who comes in with a series of clotheslines and then a spinning kick to the mid section of Dar, Swann hits a modified curb stomp and then hits a big standing splash for 2. Swann is looking for some kind of double underhook move on Dar, but Kendrick runs at him so he backdrops Kendrick and this distraction allows Dar to backdrop Swann, but Swann rolls through and gets a 2 count. Swann hits a baseball slide dropkick on Kendrick on the outside and is then attacked and sent out of the ring by Dar.

Dar sends Swann into the ring post and then rolls him back in and goes to work on Swann's arm. Kendrick tags in and chokes Swann in the corner with his boot and then hits him with a drop toe hold followed by a suplex that gets a 2 count. Dar comes in and hits a double underhook suplex for a 2 count. Dar hits some european uppercuts on Swann and then is caught in a backslide, but Dar rolls through and gets hit with a big kick to the head by Swann. Swann finally makes the hot tag into Tozawa who comes in with a boot to Kendrick's face and then rolls through a sunset flip and kicks Kendrick in the chest and then hits him with his senton back splash for 2. Tozawa looks to hit his german suplex, but Kendrick gets the tag into Dar. Tozawa sends Dar out of the ring and tags Swann back in and the both of them send Kendrick out and then they both dive to the outside on Kendrick & Dar.

Tozawa rolls Kendrick back into the ring and hits him with a shining wizard, but is taken out by Dar. Swann hits a kick to the back of Dar's head and then tries for something off the top, but Dar moves and Swann rolls through and tries to sunset flip Dar, but Dar sits down and gets a 2 count. Dar turns right around into a big kick from Swann. Kendrick runs in and eats the same kick that Dar did and then is hit with Tozawa's Snap German Suplex. Swann goes up top and hits the phoenix splash on Dar for the win.

Winners: Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa by Pinfall - Rating: **1/4

Really fun match to get the crowd hyped for the show. Tozawa is really getting over much better than a lot of the other baby face cruiserweights with the exception of Jack Gallagher. 

Match #1
Sami Zayn vs Samoa Joe
The match starts out with both men feeling each other out and hesitating to make the first move, but Joe finally does as he hits a kick to back of Sami's leg. Sami goes behind with a waist lock and puts on a side headlock, but Joe pushes him off into the ropes and Sami comes back and runs into a shoulder block from Joe followed by a big kick to the chest taking Sami down. Joe hits a couple of more kicks and then locks Sami in the knee bar, but Sami quickly gets to the ropes. Joe hits some repeated jabs and then sends Sami into the ropes, Sami springboards off the ropes and lands behind Joe and then tries an arm drag, but Joe blocks it and tries for a clothesline, but Sami ducks and hits Joe with a spinning head scissors.

Sami hits Joe with some weak looking strikes in the corner and then Joe turns it around and hits Joe with a big right hand that sends Sami to the mat. Sami slowly gets up and tries for a comeback landing some forearms to the face of Joe, but Joe reverses a whip into the corner and hits him with a running back elbow and a enziguiri to the head. Joe takes Sami down with a waist lock takedown and then applies a bow and arrow submission hold. Sami gets out of the hold and flips over to pin Joe for a 1 count. Joe hits Sami with some more chops and jabs until Sami starts firing back with a few forearms of his own, but Joe cuts that off real quick with a leg sweep taking out the legs of Sami and this gets a 2 count. 

Joe puts Sami into a surfboard hold. Sami works his way out of the hold and hits a jumping mule kick on Joe followed by a big clothesline. Sami goes for a Blue Thunder Bomb and at first Joe elbows out of it, but Sami tries again and hits it getting a 2 count, it's amazing that even though that move never wins the match it's still believable every time he hits it and you think each time it's going to get him the win. The fans are really behind Sami now as they chant ole. Sami goes up to the top rope, but Joe meets him up there only to get pushed down by Sami, Joe runs at Sami so Sami leaps over Joe and runs into an inverted atomic drop and a big boot by Joe followed by a senton back splash for 2. Joe sends Sami into the corner and then hits him with a powerslam for 2. Joe hits some more jabs on Sami who then collapses to the mat, but he is playing opossum as he rolls Joe up for a 2 count. 

Sami goes back up top again, but is cut off by Joe who teases a Muscle Buster, but Sami fights it off only to be hit with another enziguiri by Joe. Joe goes up and attempts a superplex, but Sami blocks it and hits clubbing blows to the back of Joe. Sami tries for the sunset flip power bomb off the top, but Joe blocks it so Sami grabs the leg of Joe and jerks him down off the turnbuckle. Sami runs at Joe in the corner, but is caught with the uranage slam and then Joe locks on the Coquina Clutch to make Sami pass out as the referee calls for the bell.

Winner: Samoa Joe by Submission - Rating: ***1/2

Really good match that was better on second viewing and a really dominate yet predictable win by Joe after being taken to the limit by Sami. He is someone you could really build up as a bad ass and I wouldn't have him losing a match until way down the line.

Match #2
Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows (c) vs Enzo Amore & Big Cass (Raw Tag Team Championship)
Going into this show I couldn't care less about this match or the entire Raw tag division to be honest.  Enzo and Cass's schtick has gotten old and Enzo himself has gotten to be very annoying. Anderson & Gallows are tag champs after being treated like complete jokes for most of last year and never winning, so why should I care about them?

Karl Anderson and Big Cass start the match. Anderson tries to attack Cass from behind, but he is hit with a knee and then is hit with a couple of punches in the stomach before Cass tags in Enzo. Enzo & Cass hit their double team move where Cass throws Enzo into an opponent who is in the corner, Cass ducks a clothesline from Gallows and clotheslines him out of the ring. Cass picks Enzo up and press slams him to the outside onto Anderson & Gallows. Enzo rolls Anderson back into the ring and gets kicked in the head by Anderson after ducking a clothesline from Gallows. Anderson then hits a running knee on Enzo and hits some mounted punches. Anderson tags in Gallows who hits some punches and uppercuts on Enzo. Gallows then locks Enzo in a rear chin lock, Enzo gets to his feet and is then taken right back down with a knee to the gut. 

Anderson tags back in and hits a series of knee drops on Enzo for a 2 count and then he locks in a rear chin lock. Enzo tries to get to his feet and roll toward Cass, but Anderson keeps the chin lock on and pulls Enzo back to the middle of the ring. Enzo finally breaks the hold and reaches out to tag Cass, but Enzo holds on to the ropes and then sends a charging Anderson to the outside. Anderson grabs the foot of Enzo and drags him out of the ring only to get hit with an enziguiri. Enzo dodges some attacks from Gallows and sends him into the ring post. Enzo gets in the ring and is looking to make the hot tag, but as he leaps across to try and tag Cass he is cut off by Anderson who hits him with a running dropkick and this gets a 2 count. Anderson backs Enzo into the corner and tags in Gallows who hits some body blows in the corner and then an uppercut for 2. Gallows sends Enzo into the corner and misses a running splash in the corner and then misses an elbow drop. Anderson tags in and also misses a corner charge on Enzo and this allows Enzo to finally make the hot tag to Cass. 

Cass comes in with some clotheslines and some fall away slams on Anderson and follows them up by hitting a sidewalk slam and an Empire elbow. Cass hits a big boot on Gallows knocking him off the apron and this allows Anderson to sneak up from behind and roll Cass up for a 2 count. Cass hits a big boot on Anderson and then he launches Enzo into the air as they hit the Boom Shakalaka for 2 as Gallows pulls Enzo off of Anderson. Cass and Gallows fight on the outside with Gallows sending Cass into the barricade. Enzo comes off the apron and takes Gallows out with a clothesline. As Enzo is getting back in the ring he is hit with a running knee from Anderson, Anderson covers Enzo and gets the win, however while the ref was counting Enzo had his foot on the rope, but Gallows knocked it off so the referee never saw it.

Winners: Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows by Pinfall - Rating: **3/4

This match was another that was better on second watch. I really enjoyed Anderson during this match as I felt he carried most of the match and was the main one beating up on Enzo with Gallows coming in only to hit a few strikes and then tag back out. This has to be one of my favorite performances from Anderson & Gallows since their debut.

Match #3
Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax

Interesting that they chose to give this match a video package considering it felt like this match was just thrown on the card at the last minute. Cole mentions that Nia has a 3-0 record on PPV, which considering what happens later in the Women's Championship match why does this even matter.

As the bell rings Sasha runs at Nia and gets lifted up in the air, but Sasha elbows out of it and keeps hitting Nia with elbows and then a forearm shot, Nia shoves Sasha and tries for a clothesline, but Sasha ducks and hits some more forearm shots until she is headbutted by Nia. Nia misses a charge into the corner so Sasha hits a few mounted punches in the corner until she is pushed off. Sasha hits a couple of dropkicks and then tries to send Nia into the corner, but Nia isn't budging and she sends Sasha into the corner chest first. Nia picks up Sasha and hits her with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Nia then bends Sasha over her knee in the back breaker position and bends her in half. Sasha hits some knees to the head of Nia to get out of the hold and tries for a sunset flip pin, but Sasha picks her up by the throat and throws her into the ropes where Sasha runs into a clothesline for 2. 

Nia is in total control as she toying around with Sasha and trash talking her. Nia then puts Sasha in the second surfboard hold of the night. Sasha kicks Nia in the head a couple of times, but Nia picks her up and tosses her across the ring. Nia gets Sasha in another surfboard hold and this time Sasha gets to her feet only to be picked up and slammed hard right back down. Nia backs Sasha into the corner and tries to send her into the opposite corner, but Sasha hangs on and tries to get the best of Nia, but it's to no use as Nia slams her head first into the top turnbuckle. Nia puts Sasha in the torture rack and does some squats, Nia spins Sasha out of the rack and looks to slam her, but Sasha holds on and applies a guillotine choke on Nia. Nia tries to power out of it and hit a suplex, but Sasha counters and locks in a sleeper hold while she is on the back of Nia. Nia backs Sasha into the corner, but Sasha jumps off the turnbuckle and right back on Nia's back with a sleeper. Nia finally snapmares Sasha off and charges at her in the corner a few times only to be stopped with elbows and boots. Sasha finally takes Nia down with a head scissors into a DDT. 

Sasha locks in the Bank Statement (which looks more convincing than a STF by John Cena), but Nia powers out and looks for a samoan drop, but Sasha elbows out of it and runs off the ropes and is hit with a spinebuster by Nia. Nia hits a running leg drop on Sasha and then picks her up and rag dolls her around. Nia goes for the samoan drop, but Sasha gets out of it and gets Nia in the O'Connor roll and bridges to get the surprising win.

Winner Sasha Banks by Pinfall - Rating: **1/2

The outcome of this match was pretty surprising as I didn't expect Sasha to get the win at all. Nia looked dominant the entire match and Sasha got a quick roll up after being beat on the entire match. I have to wonder how Nia gets in the title match at WrestleMania assuming it's a 4 way after she lost this match. So much for that PPV win streak Nia was on. 

Bonus Match #1
Cesaro vs Jinder "Hard Body" Mahal

Earlier in the night during the Kick Off show Jinder Mahal comes in to GM Foley's office and says they team of himself and Rusev is no more. Rusev comes in and they start arguing so Foley at first teases putting them in a best of 7 series to which I'm sure everyone in the world screamed no to. Foley decides to put each of them in a match at Fastlane against suitable competition, but they have to decide who's match is first. It was after this that I knew the main event wasn't going long as they were adding matches to take up time. 

Jinder makes his entrance and then Rusev comes down and they start brawling with each other which was a bit confusing as I thought I head misheard what Foley said earlier in the night. Jinder sends Rusev into the timekeeper area with a running knee so that's how they decided who goes first. Cesaro comes out with Sheamus who is in street clothes and isn't even going to be in Cesaro's corner. 

They lock up and Cesaro goes behind Mahal, but Mahal reverses and gets a hammerlock on Cesaro only for Cesaro to get out if it quickly with a snapmare. Mahal knees Cesaro and lands some right hands before sending him into the corner and hitting with a couple of foreaarm shots to the back. Cesaro fires back with a forearm of his own to the face of Mahal that takes Mahal down. Cesaro hits the double stomp and then a gutwrench suplex for 2. Mahal sends Cesaro off to the ropes while in a headlock and tries to leapfrog him, but Cesaro catches him in mid air and hits him with a back breaker. Cesaro then starts selling his back. Cesaro tries for his dead lift suplex from the apron into the ring on Mahal, but his back is hurting too bad, Mahal takes advantage and pulls the leg of Cesaro causing him to fall to the middle rope. Mahal hits a dropkick to the back of Cesaro while he is stuck between the top and middle rope. 

Mahal hits a couple of rope assisted knee drops on Cesaro.  Mahal hits some back elbows and a short arm clothesline for a 2 count. Mahal puts Cesaro in a rear chin lock, but Cesaro gets to his feet and tries for a vertical suplex, but his back is too bad. Mahal hits Cesaro with a running knee for 2. Cesaro stops Mahal from sending him head first into the turnbuckle and hits a few uppercuts and again tries for the vertical, but still can't pull it off. Mahal tries for a vertical suplex of his own, but Cesaro blocks is and then using everything within him Cesaro lifts Mahal and finally hits that vertical suplex. Cesaro hits a series of uppercuts and then sends Mahal into the corner and starts up the uppercut train. Mahal reverses a whip into the corner, but Cesaro goes up and over him and hits a drop toe hold onto the middle rope and hits the Swiss-1-9 followed by the crossbody off the top for 2.

Cesaro signals for the big swing, but Mahal gets to the ropes and then hits a few knees taking Cesaro down. Mahal is then distracted as he sees that Rusev has gotten to his feet at ringside, Mahal turns around and his hit with the pop up uppercut for the win. 

Winner: Cesaro by Pinfall - Rating: *3/4

I wasn't that into this match as Mahal does nothing for me in the ring and is really boring so considering he was in control for most of the match I was pretty bored.

Bonus Match #2
"Handsome" Rusev w/ Lana vs The Big ShowRusev gets in the ring and beats the crap out of Mahal in the corner and then hits his running superkick to take Mahal out of the ring. The Big Show then makes his entrance.

Rusev runs right into a kick from Big Show, Show then delivers some body blows in the corner followed by a couple of big chops. Rusev rolls out of the ring for a breather and Big Show gives chase shoving him into the barricade. Big Show rolls Rusev into the ring and chokes him against the bottom rope with his foot. Big Show hits a headbutt on Rusev and then sends him into the corner where he hits him with a splash. Big Show hits the final cut on Rusev for a 2 count. Big Show talks some trash as he goes to pick up Rusev, but Rusev comes back with some right hands to the mid section of Big Show. Rusev tries to take Big Show down with a couple of clotheslines, but he barely moves the giant and when he goes for a third Rusev is the one who gets clotheslined. 

Big Show hits another corner splash and runs to the ropes, but Rusev clips the knee of Big Show taking him down. Rusev takes advantage with some kicks to Big Show that get him a 2 count. Rusev goes to work on the injured leg of Big Show driving the elbow into it. Big Show finally escapes Rusev's hold on the leg and hits him with a side slam for 2. Rusev rolls to the outside of the ring so Show reaches over the ropes to grab him, but Rusev hot shots Big Show's neck off the top rope. Rusev runs into a chokeslam attempt from Big Show, but he counters and jumps behind Big Show and takes him back down with a chop block. It takes three of Rusev's big running kicks to keep Big Show down and even then Rusev only gets a 2 count and Rusev is in disbelief. Rusev signals for The Accolade, but as he goes to put it on Big Show slides under Rusev's legs and pushes him out of the ring. 

Rusev runs right back into the ring and this time is hit with the chokeslam and then hit with another followed by a third. Big Show drags Rusev over the corner and sits him up against the bottom turnbuckle and then delivers the KO punch that finishes off Rusev.

Winner: The Big Show by Pinfall - Rating: **

While this match was better than the Mahal vs Cesaro match it wasn't by much. I do enjoy watching Big Show more now that he has lost the weight, but this match was nothing more than a time filler. If the Big Show vs Shaq match is in fact off for WrestleMania then I would have rather had Rusev get the win here and start building him back up especially if this team with Jinder Mahal is in fact finished.

Match #4
Neville (c) vs Jack Gallagher (WWE Cruiserweight Championship)
So on first watch of the show I didn't see this match as I haven't cared about the cruiserweights so I used this match as time to make popcorn. So I'm watching this for the first time to review it.

They go to lockup, but Neville quickly goes behind Gallagher and pushes him into the ropes. They lockup again and Neville gets control of the arm for a second until Gallagher counters and is grabs the leg of Neville. Neville keeps trying to get the best of Gallagher, but he is unable as Gallagher has a counter for everything. Neville sends Gallagher into the corner, but he does his headstand on the top turnbuckle spot. Gallagher kicks Neville from the headstand position, Gallagher sends Neville off to the ropes, but Neville comes back with a shoulder block. Neville catches Gallagher in mid air off a leap frog and tries to get control of his leg, but Gallagher twists out of the grasp of Neville and hits a dropkick sending Neville out of the ring.

Neville grabs the legs of Gallagher and pulls him out of the ring and then sends him into the barricade. Neville rolls Gallagher back in the ring and comes off the top with a dropkick for 2. Neville chokes Gallagher with his boot in the corner, but then Gallagher fires out of the corner with a headbutt to the mid section of Neville followed by a couple of uppercuts. Neville quickly gets back in control with a knee to the mid section and a snap suplex. Neville hits a running forearm in the corner and gets a 2 count. Neville is getting really confident now as he is taking Gallagher lightly and playing to the crowd. Neville locks in a chin lock, but Gallagher quickly gets out of it and starts firing back with some repeated forearm shots and a couple of dropkicks that send Neville back to the outside. Gallagher dives out on Neville with what looks like a suicide dive at first, but he flips in mid air. 

Gallagher rolls Neville back into the ring and goes after Neville, but is hit with a very quick elbow to the mid section. Neville goes to slam Gallagher, but he is able to counter and get behind Neville and then set him up on the top rope backwards. Gallagher then hits a big super back suplex off the top rope and this only gets him a 2 count. Both men try to get to their feet and Neville hits Gallagher with a flapjack on the top rope and then slams his face into the mat. Neville tries for a german suplex, but Gallagher goes behind and rolls up Neville for a 2 count. Neville then sends a charging Gallagher into the ropes and connects with the snap german suplex (which is Tozawa's finisher by the way), Neville goes up the middle rope and hits Gallagher with a phoenix splash for a 2 count. Neville continues to play around with Gallagher hitting him with some kicks, but not trying to put him away. 

Gallagher moves out of the way of Neville and hits him with his signature headbutt and Neville responds with a boot to the face only for Gallagher to hit another headbutt and fall on top of Neville for a 2 count. Gallagher tries to hit his running dropkick in the corner, but Neville moves and Gallagher hits the turnbuckle and flips upside down and turns into a superkick from Neville that sends Gallagher out to the apron. Neville pulls Gallagher up the turnbuckles as he wants to hit a superplex, but Gallagher comes back with forearm shots knocking Neville down to the mat. Gallagher sits Neville up on the top rope and hits a third headbutt that knocks Neville out to the point he his leaning back on the top rope against the ring post. Gallagher wants to hit his own superplex, but Neville front suplexes Gallagher off the top and he lands awkwardly, but Neville hits the Red Arrow to beat the Gentleman Jack Gallagher.

Winner: Neville by Pinfall - Rating: ***  

This was a really fun match with a great finish and there were enough times during the match where you though Gallagher had a chance, but Neville was just a bit better. So far this was the match of the night.

Before the next match New Day came out to waste time as they debuted the New Day bicycle that is a bicycle with a cooler on the front that will have their New Day ice cream in it. This was pretty pointless, but was another sign that the main event wasn't going to last long at all. 

Match #5
Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman
Going in this match had the most intrigue for me as I wanted to figure out just how they were going to keep both men looking strong and how Braun would fare in a match against Vince McMahon's golden child. I have become a big fan of Braun since December and have enjoyed him more than anything else on Raw.

They lockup and Braun powers Roman into the corner and then easily tosses him across the ring. They look to lockup again, but Roman goes behind with a waist lock only to get a back elbow, Braun grabs Roman by his vest and sends him out of the ring. Roman tries to get in the ring, but Braun knocks him off the apron so Roman tries again and this time he hot shots Braun's head off the top rope and this allows Roman to get back in the ring. Roman hits some punches and then tries for a samoan drop, but Braun elbow him in the head and sends him into the corner. Braun charges at Roman, but eats a boot to the face and then Roman hits some more punches before hitting Braun with a clothesline taking him over the top rope, but Braun lands on his feet. Braun pulls Roman out of the ring under the bottom rope and goes to send him into the steps, but Roman flips over them instead of hitting them. Roman then runs and jumps off the steps onto Braun, but it does nothing to him. Braun charges at Roman, but he moves and Braun goes crashing into the steps.

Braun gets right back up and drives Roman back first into the apron and rolls him in the ring, Roman catches Braun with a knee as he is trying to enter the ring. Roman gets Braun in the corner and hits some corner mounted punches, but Braun grabs him and comes out of the corner with a spinebuster in the middle of the ring. Braun picks Roman up and sends him into the corner where he hits him with a running corner splash and then he biels him half way across the ring. Braun then biels Roman out of another corner into the middle of the ring where he applies a nerve hold to the traps of Roman. Roman is able to power out and tries for another samoan drop, but Braun elbows out of it again and then hits a samoan drop of his own. 

Braun hits a splash on Roman who is laid out on the mat, but only gets a 2 count. Braun then gives us our required rest spot of the match as he puts Roman in a rear chin lock that feels like it lasts forever. Roman finally powers out of the hold and hits some shots to the mid section of Braun, but is cut off with a knee to the gut and then sent into the ropes where Roman comes back with a clothesline and then another, but it doesn't knock the big man down. Braun grabs Roman and hits him with the reverse chokeslam for 2. Braun sends Roman out of the ring and follows him, but Roman tries to make a comeback again only to be cut off with a knee and an axehandle to the back. Braun takes apart one of the announce tables at ringside and wants to powerslam Roman through it, but Roman fights out of it and sends Braun into the ring post. Roman tries to hit the drive by, but Braun catches him and sends him into the ring post and then rolls him back into the ring.

Braun charges at Roman, but he moves and Braun goes shoulder first into the ring post. Roman hits some repeated punches on Braun and then a clothesline in the corner. Roman then does his ten mini clotheslines in the corner as he now has Braun dazed, Roman runs off the ropes and is caught by Braun in an attempted chokeslam, but Roman jumps out of it and finally hits the samoan drop, but it only gets a 2 count. Both men are down, but the referee isn't counting for some reason. We hear Roman giving himself a pep talk and then tries for a Superman Punch, but Roman sidesteps and sends Roman into the corner and then hits him with a clubbing blow to the chest. Braun picks Roman up and hits the Yokosuka cutter for a 2 count. Braun sets Roman in the corner and charges at him with a running big boot, but Roman moves and Braun goes over the top and to the floor where Braun starts selling his knee. Roman hits Braun with the Drive By and even though Braun is groggy he is still standing. Roman goes to spear Braun through the barricade, but Roman catches him and with really quick speed gets him up to his shoulder and powerslams Roman through the announce table. 

Braun sends Roman into the ring and is really selling the leg now. Roman hits a spear out of nowhere, but it only gets 2 as it didn't have as much power behind it. Roman tries for another spear, but Braun catches him by the throat and shoves him into the corner, Braun charges at Roman, but Roman moves and Braun hits the ring post hard. Roman hits two Superman Punches that take Braun down to the second rope and then Roman runs off the ropes and ducks a few clotheslines and is then hit with a shoulder block from Braun. Braun goes up top and goes to hit a splash, but Roman moves out of the way and Braun crashes to the mat. Roman then hits the spear with full force and gets the 3 count.

Winner: Roman Reigns by Pinfall - Rating: ***1/2

I really liked the match itself as it made Braun look unstoppable and Roman looked vulnerable at times. The match had the wrong finish as this should have ended in some kind of double count out or double DQ or something that made it where neither man's shoulders were pinned to the mat. If you look at the past few weeks of Raw though I guess the finish makes sense as Roman never got the best of Braun on any of the Raws leading up to this show so I guess it made sense for him to finally get the best of Braun here at the PPV, but even though it makes sense doesn't mean I have to like it.

Match #6
Bayley (c) vs Charlotte (Raw Women's Championship)
Going into this show I have been very critical of the Raw women's division and the way it has been booked on my podcast (@twf_podcast). I think it was a huge mistake having Bayley win the title on an episode of Raw as you could have gotten much more out of her winning at WrestleMania. They have been playing hot potato with the title just so Charlotte can keep winning it and raising her number of title reigns. The fact that we see the same four women every week has gotten stale and the women (with the exception of Charlotte) just don't feel special on Raw anymore.

As Charlotte is making her way to the ring she is accompanied by Dana Brooke, but she tells Dana to go to the back as she wants to take Bayley up on the challenge that she can beat her without Dana Brooke by her side. 

They go to lockup, but Charlotte goes behind and hits a waist lock takedown for a 1 count. Charlotte tries the waist lock again, but Bayley counters and takes Charlotte down and she gets a 1 count. Bayley sends Charlotte into the ropes off a headlock, but Charlotte comes back with a few shoulder blocks. Bayley takes Charlotte down and gets a jacknife pin for another 1 count and then gets Charlotte in a la magistral cradle for another 1 count. Bayley sends Charlotte into the corner and does the Flair upside down corner bump and then hits Bayley with a shoulder thrust to the mid section. Bayley slams Charlotte's head into the turnbuckle and then clotheslines her as Charlotte falls from the apron to the floor. Bayley comes off the apron with a diving hurricanrana and then rolls Charlotte back into the ring. Bayley comes off the top with a crossbody for a 2 count.

Bayley tries for the Bayley to Belly, but Charlotte grabs the ropes so she can't hit it and retreats to the outside of the ring. Bayley goes out after Charlotte and chases her, but Charlotte outsmarts her and hits her with a clothesline. Charlotte rolls Bayley in the ring and gets a 1 count. Charlotte hits some mounted punches on Bayley and then kicks her. Charlotte gets Bayley in a chin lock and rag dolls her around. Bayley gets out of it and hits Charlotte with a back elbow followed by a springboard arm drag. Bayley charges at Charlotte in the corner, but she moves and then charges at Bayley who is now in the corner, Bayley puts her feet up to block Charlotte, but Charlotte catches her legs and uses them to spin Bayley around so she can drive her knee into Bayley and slam her down to the mat.

Charlotte hits three knee drops on Bayley and gets a 2 count. Charlotte scissors the head of Bayley and slams her head first into the mat and then hits the rolling head scissor slams on Bayley and then nips up. Charlotte drives her knee into the neck of Bayley and drives her down to the mat for a 2 count. Charlotte does a great job of talking trash to Bayley asking her where Sasha is now to help her and while doing this keeps chopping Bayley down. Bayley gets pissed and hits some chops of her own and looks to be making a comeback until she gets an elbow from Charlotte and is hit with a neck breaker and then kicked into the corner, Charlotte drags Bayley into the center of the ring and gets a 2 count. Charlotte goes outside the ring and slams Bayley chest first into the ring apron. Charlotte gets back in the ring and hits a series of backbreakers on Bayley and then puts her in the dragon sleeper. Bayley tries to fight out, but Charlotte uses her long legs to slam Bayley to the mat for 2. 

Charlotte goes up top and hits the moonsault and follows it up immediately with a flipping senton splash for a 2 count. Charlotte then yells at Bayley that she is just a fan while it's in Charlotte's blood. Charlotte slaps Bayley around, but Bayley fires back with a chop only for Charlotte to send her into the corner and hit her with another chop. Charlotte sends Bayley into the corner again, but Bayley comes out of it with a clothesline that takes Charlotte down. Bayley comes back with a couple of knees to the gut and a series of chops, elbows, and a clothesline. Bayley sends Charlotte out to the apron and hits her with the twist of fate on the middle rope. Bayley then hits her running shoulder thrust and running back elbow in the corner combo followed by a back suplex for a 2 count. Bayley sends Charlotte into the corner and she does another Flair corner bump. but this time instead of landing on the apron Bayley catches her and puts her in the tree of woe. I don't know what Charlotte is doing here, but she keeps trying to raise up when its clear Bayley wants to do the little springboard off the bottom rope into an elbow that she does a lot, but Charlotte isn't having it and Bayley completely misses the elbow and this spot was terrible.

Bayley drags Charlotte into the middle of the ring and hits a couple of elbow drops before going up top, Charlotte goes out to the apron on the opposite side so Bayley comes down and they trade punches until Charlotte grabs the arm of Bayley and snaps it off the top rope. Charlotte then goes up, but Bayley cuts her off and hits her with a super hurricanrana off the top. Bayley then goes up and hits a diving elbow drop for a 2 count. Bayley goes after Charlotte who is laying in the corner, but Charlotte kicks her in the knee and dumps her to the outside. Bayley gets back on the apron and gets hit with a big boot from Charlotte, and then Charlotte hits the Natural Selection for 2. Bayley tries for a surprise crucifix pin, but only gets 2. Charlotte then tries to lock in the Figure 8, but Bayley kicks her off and sends her to the outside. Bayley is on the apron and goes to grab Charlotte, but Charlotte grabs her and throws her to the floor.

Charlotte goes up looking to hit the moonsault to the floor, but she sees Sasha running down so she gets down and meets her in the aisle and they brawl on the outside. Charlotte rolls Sasha in, but she rolls back out and then Bayley grabs Charlotte and hits her with the Bayley to Belly on the outside. Bayley rolls Charlotte in the ring, but Charlotte rolls her up and grabs the tights and tries to get the win, but Sasha sees Charlotte grabbing the tights and tells the referee so he stops the count. Charlotte is distracted by all of this and it allows Bayley to hit the Bayley to Belly in the ring and get the pin and end the PPV winning streak of Charlotte.

Winner: Bayley by Pinfall - Rating ***1/4

I really liked this match and thought it was pretty good except for the botch in the corner with the elbow. So Charlotte's PPV winning steak ends on a B level PPV and I have to say WTF this makes no sense and makes Bayley's title win even worse as you would thinks she would lose it here and then win it back at WrestleMania and end Charlotte's PPV streak there. I get that this furthers the story between Bayley & Sasha, but still made no sense for Charlotte to lose here and what about Nia she was a non factor in this match. I went from being critical of the booking of the Raw women's division to being confused by it.

Match #7
Kevin Owens (c) vs Goldberg (WWE Universal Championship)
I predicted how this match was going to go from a mile away and even though I predicted it I still hate that it happened.

So the match goes like this. KO bails to the floor and stalls before the bell rings and then as soon as he gets in the ring Jericho's music hits and this distracts KO and while this happens the bell rings and KO turns around and gets speared and jackhammered and we have a new champion.

Winner: Goldberg by Pinfall - Rating: DUD

I knew this was what was going to happen although I wish it didn't, this means the match between Goldberg and Lesnar will be for the Universal Championship. I have a theory that what they plan to do is put that match on last and have the show run long like it did last year and instead of having to sit through a full length main event they only have to sit through a sub 1 minute match where Goldberg wins and sends some fans home happy. I also still feel that the Goldberg vs Roman Reigns match will happen sometime within this year and that became even more clear when Roman beat Braun tonight and will also most likely beat Undertaker at WrestleMania. 

Overall this show wasn't very good at all and I definitely won't be re-watching it ever again, No match on the card was blow away excellent only really good. I would grade it a D+

Fastlane 2017 Match Ranking
10. Goldberg vs Kevin Owens
9. Cesaro vs Jinder Mahal
8. The Big Show vs Rusev
7. Tozawa/Swann vs Kendrick/Dar
6. Gallows/Anderson vs Enzo & Big Cass
5. Nia Jax vs Sasha Banks
4. Neville vs Jack Gallagher
3. Bayley vs Charlotte
2. Braun Strowman vs Roman Reigns
1. Samoa Joe vs Sami Zayn

I hope you enjoyed this review of Fastlane 2017 and you can always contact me on twitter @MTW3589 for any questions, complaints, or suggestions on making this blog better. I will be back to review the entire WrestleMania weekend (Hall of Fame, NXT Takeover, & WrestleMania)