WWE Fastlane 2016 : 5 things that could go wrong at the pay-per-view
WWE Fastlane has to brave its share of potential pitfalls, in order to set a suitable tone for Wrestlemania 32Although this is the last pay-per-view pit stop for the company before the curtains are drawn on their grand designs for Wrestlemania 32, there is nevertheless a sense of concern permeating the WWE Universe heading into Fastlane this Sunday.Admittedly, while the WWE has been severely handicapped due to the dearth of big names that have been claimed by injury, what is even more perturbing is how there seems to be little more than an inkling of momentum attached to the other matches, in a lopsidedly top-heavy card.While the lion’s share of Creative’s efforts have been dedicated in ensuring all the bases have been covered as far as the Triple Threat main event match is concerned, the importance of other feuds have naturally paled in comparison heading into the pay-per-view.Without the buffer of other captivating storylines to prop the card up – despite comprising of a couple of potentially solid pro-wrestling matches – Fastlane hangs by a thread very much in danger of snapping, as we take a look at 5 potential pitfalls that could seriously derail the course that the WWE has charted en route to Wrestlemania 32.
#5 Predictability
Although Creative has been calculated and poised in building up to the Triple Threat main event, if only to keep the audience guessing as to who will eventually emerge victorious, the outcome of the other matches on the card seem to be rather straightforward to a discerning fan base.
Despite both matches bearing the potential to be show-stealers in their respective right, the suspense factor in the Intercontinental Championship bout between Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler and the deciding rubber match between AJ Styles and Chris Jericho has been all but dispensed with going into Fastlane.
On one hand it is inconceivable that Triple H’s golden boy, Kevin Owens, would only be afforded a week long run with the Intercontinental Title while on the other, having AJ Styles lose the decider against Chris Jericho would render their recent investment on the Phenomenal One redundant.
Coupled with Brie Bella’s impending retirement – that effectively rules out a Divas Title change – and the worst kept secret that Braun Strowman is in line for a monster push heading into Wrestlemania, only the outcome of the Becky/Sasha vs Naomi/Tamina match can be debated upon with any real conviction.
While the card could still be salvaged should the matches themselves live up to their perceptible quality on paper, the WWE has to hope that the one directional booking, and the inherent compromise on suspense that it entails, doesn’t otherwise affect the pay-per-view too much.