4 things WWE got right at Fastlane 2018
WWE’s 2018 edition of Fastlane was pegged as the last pitstop on the road to “The Showcase of Immortals”, and for all the deserved criticism the pay-per-view’s build up initially received, WWE managed to surprise fans with great wrestling and excellent storytelling
While Fastlane 2018 will never be known as the greatest pay-per-view the company produced in 2018, the SmackDown Live exclusive show did get most of its booking spot on, which resulted in thrilling action, exciting confrontations and a good progression of superstars narratives.
#4 Rusev doesn't go down without a fight
Going into Fastlane 2018, WWE exhausted all options for numerous matches, as most of their top stars were tied up in the main event, meaning it was going to be difficult in trying to fill a three-hour pay-per-view with exciting and relatively fresh matches.
Therefore, when the sole reason for the last minute match between Shinsuke Nakamura vs Rusev was based on Nakamura damaging Aiden English's 'beautiful' singing voice in their match, fans knew they were in for another wasteful bout.
As this match’s sole purpose was to get Nakamura another win on the road to WrestleMania, which was nothing eventful, the combination of a white-hot crowd, two white-hot babyfaces and WWE’s decision to let Rusev look like a true super athlete, gave this match the factors it needed to succeed.
Rusev looked like an unstoppable monster as he stood strike for strike with Nakamura, countered submissions and delivered a jaw-breaking superkick. There was no more evidence needed to show that Rusev was protected in defeat when it took two Kinshasa’s to put him down. WWE knew Nakamura needed the victory at this PPV, but on this night Rusev was finally given the chance to show to immense abilities.