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Fastlane (2018)
View on Wikipedia| Fastlane | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster featuring AJ Styles | |||
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Brand | SmackDown | ||
| Date | March 11, 2018 | ||
| City | Columbus, Ohio | ||
| Venue | Nationwide Arena | ||
| Attendance | 15,119 | ||
| WWE event chronology | |||
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| Fastlane chronology | |||
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The 2018 Fastlane was the fourth Fastlane professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's SmackDown brand division. The event took place on March 11, 2018, at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The 2018 event was the final SmackDown-exclusive pay-per-view and subsequently the final brand-exclusive pay-per-view under the second brand split as following WrestleMania 34 in April, WWE discontinued brand-exclusive PPVs.
Seven matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, AJ Styles retained the WWE Championship in a six-pack challenge against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, and John Cena. In other prominent matches, Randy Orton defeated Bobby Roode to win his first United States Championship, becoming the eighteenth Grand Slam Champion in the process, and Charlotte Flair retained the SmackDown Women's Championship against Ruby Riott, after which, women's Royal Rumble winner Asuka from the Raw brand made her SmackDown debut to challenge Flair for the title at WrestleMania 34.
Production
[edit]Background
[edit]
Fastlane was a professional wrestling event first produced by WWE in 2015. The name of the event was a reference to its position on the "Road to WrestleMania", being held in the two-month period between the Royal Rumble and WWE's flagship event;[1] the first two Fastlane events were held in February before moving to March. While the 2017 event was a Raw-exclusive pay-per-view (PPV), the 2018 event exclusively featured wrestlers from the SmackDown brand division. Announced on December 4, 2017, the fourth Fastlane was held on March 11 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The event aired on pay-per-view worldwide and was livestreamed on the WWE Network. Tickets went on sale December 8 through Ticketmaster.[2]
Storylines
[edit]The event comprised seven matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the SmackDown brand,[3][4] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television show, SmackDown Live.[5]
At the Royal Rumble, AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match to retain the WWE Championship, although Owens, who was pinned, was not the legal man.[6] On the following episode of SmackDown, Owens and Zayn interrupted 2018 Men's Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura and said that they should be the co-WWE Champions, but the referee failed at his job. Styles and Nakamura then teamed up and defeated Owens and Zayn. During the match, there were tensions between Owens and Zayn as a result of General Manager Daniel Bryan scheduling them to face each other the following week to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.[7] Their match ended in a double disqualification, however, as Styles was provoked by Zayn and attacked both men, leading to Bryan scheduling a triple threat match between the three for the title.[8] Commissioner Shane McMahon then announced on Twitter that the winner of a match between Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin the following week would be added to the championship match to make it a fatal four-way.[9] Before that match started, Owens and Zayn attacked Corbin in the backstage area and later went after Ziggler to prevent either from being added. In response, Shane scheduled Owens to face Corbin and Zayn to face Ziggler, with both Corbin and Ziggler being added if they won their respective matches, while also threatening that if Owens or Zayn interfered in the other's match, that person would be removed from the title match. Corbin and Ziggler won their respective matches, thus making it a fatal five-way for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.[10] On the February 27 episode, John Cena, a non-exclusive wrestler who could appear on Raw and SmackDown, who was unsuccessful in becoming the number one contender for Raw's Universal Championship at Elimination Chamber two nights prior,[11] made his return to SmackDown, determined to earn a match at WrestleMania 34. Bryan gave him the opportunity to be added to the WWE Championship match at Fastlane if he could defeat Styles in a non-title match. Cena defeated Styles, turning the championship match into a six-pack challenge. A brawl then ensued between all six competitors.[12] To keep himself from being interrupted, Cena appeared on the March 5 episode of Raw and said that he would break his and Ric Flair's tied record and become a 17-time world champion, and said that Styles should use his rematch clause to make the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania a triple threat match with Nakamura.[13] On the final SmackDown before the pay-per-view, Owens and Zayn caused a double disqualification in a match between Styles and Ziggler; a five-way match with the addition of Corbin was scheduled, which saw Zayn score the win by turning on and pinning Owens.[14]
Immediately following the Royal Rumble, General Manager Daniel Bryan announced that there would be a first-ever "SmackDown Top Ten List" as voted on by the SmackDown roster. Bryan said the list would show who the wrestlers thought should get a title opportunity, but a wrestler could not vote for themselves.[7] The Top Ten List was revealed on the February 6 episode of SmackDown.[8] The following week, United States Champion Bobby Roode, Jinder Mahal with Sunil Singh, and Randy Orton all exchanged words as Mahal made fun of their spots on the list despite Mahal not ranking at all; Orton and Roode were 9th and 5th, respectively. The segment ended after Orton attacked Sunil with an RKO, and Mahal performed the Khallas on Roode and Orton.[10] The next episode, Mahal again called out Roode and Orton, and a brawl broke out in which Roode attacked Orton with a Glorious DDT, but suffered a Khallas from Mahal, who stood tall once again. Despite this, Commissioner Shane McMahon scheduled Roode to face Orton for the United States Championship at Fastlane.[15] The following week in a backstage interview, Roode said that in order to be the greatest United States Champion of all time, he would have to beat the best, and said that Orton was one of the best of all time. Orton interrupted and said the U.S. title was the one title he had never held during his WWE career and would be taking it from Roode at Fastlane.[12] On the final SmackDown before Fastlane, Mahal defeated Orton due to an interference by Roode.[14]
Throughout 2017, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) and The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods) wrestled at numerous events over the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, with the original feud ending at Hell in a Cell with The Usos victorious.[16] The Usos' next feud were with Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin, who were unsuccessful in gaining the titles at the Royal Rumble.[6] On the February 20 episode of SmackDown, Gable and Benjamin had another opportunity to become the number one contenders against The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at Fastlane, but were defeated by The New Day's Big E and Woods, thus reigniting an old feud.[15] The following week, The New Day said that they wanted to be the SmackDown Tag Team Champions going into WrestleMania 34. The Usos interrupted and said that they had been with the WWE for a number of years, but had never had a spot on the main card at WrestleMania and said that would not be the case at WrestleMania 34. As the two teams had a confrontation, they were interrupted by The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) and retreated.[12]
At the Royal Rumble, Asuka of the Raw brand won the inaugural women's Royal Rumble match for the right to challenge for either the Raw Women's Championship or SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania 34.[6] The following night on Raw, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon convinced Asuka to wait until after Raw's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to make her decision.[17] On SmackDown, this left SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair to wonder who her WrestleMania opponent would be. The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, and Liv Morgan) interrupted and said Flair would not make it to WrestleMania before attacking her.[7] Over the next couple of weeks, Flair defeated Morgan and Logan in non-title matches.[8][10] On the February 20 episode, Flair teamed with Becky Lynch and Naomi in a six-woman tag team match against The Riott Squad where Riott pinned Lynch. Later that episode, Flair offered to put her title on the line at Fastlane against Riott, who accepted.[15]
On the February 27 episode of SmackDown, Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Aiden English.[12] The following week, English and Rusev interrupted a backstage interview with Nakamura, with Rusev challenging Nakamura to a match at Fastlane for damaging English's vocal cords and Nakamura accepted.[14]
On the March 6 episode of SmackDown, Becky Lynch defeated Ms. Money in the Bank Carmella by submission. Later, a tag team match between Becky Lynch and Naomi against Natalya and Carmella was scheduled for Fastlane.[14]
Event
[edit]| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| English commentators | Tom Phillips |
| Corey Graves | |
| Byron Saxton | |
| Spanish commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
| Marcelo Rodríguez | |
| German commentators | Tim Haber |
| Calvin Knie | |
| Ring announcer | Greg Hamilton |
| Referees | Danilo Anfibio |
| Jason Ayers | |
| Mike Chioda | |
| Ryan Tran | |
| Interviewers | Renee Young |
| Charly Caruso | |
| Dasha Fuentes | |
| Pre-show panel | Renee Young |
| Booker T | |
| Sam Roberts | |
| David Otunga | |
| Talking Smack panel | Renee Young |
| Sam Roberts |
Pre-show
[edit]During the Fastlane Kickoff pre-show, Breezango (Fandango and Tyler Breeze) teamed with Tye Dillinger to battle Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin, and Mojo Rawley. Dillinger performed a "Tye Breaker" on Rawley for the win.[18]
Preliminary matches
[edit]The actual pay-per-view opened with Shinsuke Nakamura facing Rusev. In the end, Nakamura performed the "Kinshasa" on Rusev to win the match.[19]
Next, Bobby Roode defended the United States Championship against Randy Orton. After catching Roode, who dove off the top rope, with an "RKO", Orton won his first United States Championship, and became the eighteenth Grand Slam Champion in the process. After the match, Jinder Mahal came out to taunt Orton. Roode then performed a "Glorious DDT" on both Mahal and Orton.[19]
After that, Becky Lynch and Naomi faced Natalya and Carmella. After Natalya distracted Lynch with Carmella's Money in the Bank briefcase, Carmella performed a superkick on Lynch for the win.[19]
In the fourth match, The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso) defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against The New Day (represented by Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods). In the end, after an evenly contested match and with all four men outside the ring, the match ended in a no contest after The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) came out and severely attacked both teams, with Woods being taken to a local medical center.[19]
In the penultimate match, Charlotte Flair defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Ruby Riott. During the match, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan of The Riott Squad ran down to help Riott. Becky Lynch and Naomi came out to even things up, but would all end up being ejected from ringside. In the end, Flair forced Riott to submit to the "Figure-Eight Leglock" to retain the title. After the match, Asuka from Raw made her SmackDown debut. As the women's Royal Rumble winner, she decided to challenge Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania 34.[19]
Main event
[edit]In the main event, AJ Styles defended the WWE Championship in a six-pack challenge against John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler. The match immediately began with Cena performing consecutive "Attitude Adjustments" on everyone except Styles, working out as a total of four finishers from him in the early going. Later on in the match, Cena performed an "Attitude Adjustment" on Styles through a broadcast table. Owens and Zayn turned on each other, with Zayn seemingly lying down for Owens. Zayn ultimately tricked Owens and pinned him with a roll-up for a near-fall. SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon, who sat at ringside for the match, continuously got involved by breaking up pinfalls that involved Owens and Zayn after Owens performed a superkick on Shane. In the climax, Cena performed an "Attitude Adjustment" on Ziggler. As he was attempting a second on Ziggler, Owens performed a pop-up powerbomb on Cena. Styles then performed a "Phenomenal Forearm" on Owens to retain the WWE Championship, solidifying his match-up against Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania 34.[19]
Aftermath
[edit]
On the following episode of SmackDown, WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura began the show and said that they respected each other. Nakamura then promised to deliver a Kinshasa to Styles at WrestleMania 34 and become WWE Champion. They were interrupted by Rusev, who then had a match with Styles, which ended in a disqualification after Aiden English interfered. Nakamura would save Styles from the 2-on-1 attack by delivering a Kinshasa to both Rusev and English.[20] Nakamura and Rusev had their Fastlane rematch on the March 20 episode, where Nakamura was again victorious. After the match, Rusev and English attacked Nakamura. As Styles was about to save Nakamura, Nakamura recovered and fended off Rusev and English.[21]
Also on the show, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn blamed each other for not winning the WWE Championship, as well as Commissioner Shane McMahon. Later, Shane recapped his feud with both Owens and Zayn over the past several months. He said his actions towards the two were not that of a SmackDown Commissioner. He then announced that he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from SmackDown. Before he left, however, he scheduled Owens and Zayn to face each other at WrestleMania 34. Owens and Zayn then teamed up and brutally attacked Shane.[20] The following week, General Manager Daniel Bryan, who was forced to retire in 2016, revealed that he was medically cleared to compete again. Later, he fired Owens and Zayn for their attack on Shane, and the two gave Bryan a beat down.[21] Bryan then scheduled a tag team match pitting himself and Shane against Owens and Zayn at WrestleMania 34, where if Owens and Zayn were to win, they would be rehired.[22]
Asuka appeared on the March 12 episode of Raw to explain why she had chosen to challenge Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship instead of Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss. Bliss and Mickie James interrupted, stating that Asuka was afraid to challenge Bliss, however, Asuka said she chose Flair because she wanted to challenge the best women's champion in WWE and said that was Flair, not Bliss.[23] Asuka then made her debut appearance on SmackDown the next night where she confronted Flair, who vowed to end Asuka's undefeated streak at WrestleMania 34. Asuka further explained that she wanted a challenge, and that was another reason why she chose to challenge Flair instead of Bliss.[20]
As Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Jey Uso were still ailing from injuries sustained by The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) attack at Fastlane during the SmackDown Tag Team Championship match, Big E and Jimmy Uso teamed up to exact revenge. The Bludgeon Brothers, however, defeated Big E and Jimmy.[20] This led to a triple threat tag team match for the titles at WrestleMania 34.[22]
Bobby Roode invoked his rematch clause against Randy Orton for the United States Championship at WrestleMania 34. Jinder Mahal interrupted and defeated Roode in a match, after which, Orton attacked Mahal with an RKO.[20] The following week, Orton was scheduled to defend his title against Roode and Mahal at WrestleMania.[21] Rusev was then added to the championship match for pinning Orton in a tag team match on the March 27 episode.[22]
John Cena went back to Raw following Fastlane. He said that he would not be able to contribute to WrestleMania 34 as a performer, but instead as a fan. However, he decided that although he was told it was impossible, he put out another challenge to The Undertaker for WrestleMania.[23]
This Fastlane would in turn be the final SmackDown-exclusive pay-per-view as well as the final brand-exclusive pay-per-view under the second brand split as following WrestleMania 34 the following month, WWE discontinued brand-exclusive pay-per-views.[24]
Results
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Caldwell, James (December 8, 2014). "WWE News: February PPV gets a new title (w/Poll)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ Ravens, Andrew (December 4, 2017). "Date And Location Officially Announced For 2018 WWE FastLane PPV". PWMania. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian (May 25, 2016). "WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ a b c Keller, Wade (January 28, 2018). "Keller's WWE Royal Rumble Report 1/28: Ongoing results of Men's and Women's Rumbles, Lesnar-Kane-Braun, Styles-Owens/Sami, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c Keller, Wade (January 30, 2018). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 1/30: Nakamura celebrates winning the Rumble, Owens & Sami controversial Styles finish". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ a b c Keller, Wade (February 6, 2018). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/6: Sami vs. KO for a right to face Styles, Shane takes issue with Bryan's decision-making". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ Martin, Adam (February 8, 2018). "Shane McMahon adds big stipulation to Ziggler vs. Corbin on next week's SmackDown Live". WrestleView. Archived from the original on February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
- ^ a b c Keller, Wade (February 13, 2018). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/13: Sami and KO don't like Shane's decision to have Corbin vs. Ziggler for a slot in their title match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
- ^ Keller, Wade (February 25, 2018). "Keller's WWE Elimination Chamber PPV Report 2/25: First-ever women's Chamber match, Ronda Rousey signing, Asuka vs. Jax, Men's Chamber, Raw Tag Title match, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Keller, Wade (February 27, 2018). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/27: Cena makes first appearance on Smackdown in months as he seeks Path to WrestleMania". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- ^ Keller, Wade (March 5, 2018). "Keller's WWE Raw Report 3/5: Angle stands up for himself and calls out Triple H leading to mixed tag being set, plus Asuka-Jax, Cena". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Keller, Wade (March 6, 2018). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 3/6: Charlotte-Riott open show, Styles vs. Ziggler, Orton vs. Mahal, final Fastlane hype". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
- ^ a b c Keller, Wade (February 20, 2018). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/20: Styles talks about Fastlane title defense, Charlotte & Becky & Naomi vs. Riott Squad, New Day vs. Gable & Benjamin". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ Keller, Wade (October 8, 2017). "Keller's WWE Hell in a Cell PPV Report 10/8: Mahal vs. Nakamura, Shane vs. Owens, Usos vs. New Day, Natalya vs. Charlotte". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ Keller, Wade (January 29, 2018). "Keller's WWE Raw Report 1/29: Royal Rumble fallout including Ronda Rousey announcement, Asuka's Rumble victory, Reigns's next move". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (March 11, 2018). "WWE Fastlane Kickoff Show live review: Shelton Benjamin, Chad Gable, and Mojo Rawley vs. Tye Dillinger, Fandango, and Tyler Breeze". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Powell, Jason (March 11, 2018). "WWE Fastlane 2018 live review: AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. John Cena in a six-way for the WWE Championship, The Usos vs. New Day for the Smackdown Tag Titles, Charlotte Flair vs. Ruby Riott for the Smackdown Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Keller, Wade (March 13, 2018). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 3/13: Fastlane fallout, Shane has a big announcement, Asuka vs. Charlotte hype, Styles vs. Nakamura hype". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- ^ a b c Keller, Wade (March 20, 2018). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 3/20: Daniel Bryan to appear live day he was medically cleared, Styles-Nakamura hype, U.S. Title hype, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ a b c Keller, Wade (March 27, 2018). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 3/27: WrestleMania developments including Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon, Charlotte vs. Natalya, Shelton vs. Shinsuke". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ a b Keller, Wade (March 12, 2018). "Keller's WWE Raw Report 3/12: Reigns complains about being disrespected by Vince McMahon for Lesnar situation, plus Asuka, Miz TV with Seth and Balor, Tag Team Battle Royal". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
- ^ Sapp, Sean Ross (February 17, 2018). "WWE Eliminates Single-Branded PPV Shows, Shuffles PPV Schedule". Fightful. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 11, 2018). "Breezango & Tye Dillinger def. Mojo Rawley, Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin". WWE. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 11, 2018). "Shinsuke Nakamura def. Rusev". WWE. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 11, 2018). "Randy Orton def. Bobby Roode to become the new United States Champion". WWE. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 11, 2018). "Natalya & Carmella def. Becky Lynch & Naomi". WWE. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 11, 2018). "SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. The New Day ended in a No Contest". WWE. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 11, 2018). "SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair def. Ruby Riott; Charlotte to battle Asuka at WrestleMania". WWE. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 11, 2018). "WWE Champion AJ Styles def. John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin (Six-Pack Challenge)". WWE. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
External links
[edit]Fastlane (2018)
View on GrokipediaBackground
Event history
Fastlane was established by WWE as a pay-per-view event in 2015, positioned as the final stop before WrestleMania to build momentum toward the flagship show.[6] The inaugural edition took place on February 22, 2015, at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, featuring matches that directly influenced WrestleMania 31 outcomes.[7] Following WWE's reintroduction of the brand extension in July 2016, Fastlane transitioned to a brand-exclusive format. The 2017 event became Raw-exclusive, while the 2018 edition shifted to SmackDown-exclusive, reflecting WWE's division of its roster into separate brands.[8] The 2015 Fastlane highlighted its role as a WrestleMania precursor through its main event, where Roman Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan to earn a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 31.[9] A key undercard bout saw Rusev defeat John Cena via submission to capture the United States Championship, marking a significant title change en route to WrestleMania. In 2016, held on February 21 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, the main event triple threat pitted Roman Reigns against Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar, with Reigns victorious to secure a title shot against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H at WrestleMania 32.[10] This match exemplified Fastlane's function in resolving contender disputes for WrestleMania's marquee attractions. The 2017 iteration, Raw-exclusive and occurring on March 5 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, culminated in Goldberg defeating Universal Champion Kevin Owens in 22 seconds to win the title, setting up a high-profile rematch with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33.[11] Such rapid, impactful results underscored the event's emphasis on advancing WrestleMania narratives efficiently. The 2018 Fastlane, the last SmackDown-exclusive pay-per-view under the brand split, took place on March 11 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, serving as the brand's concluding event before WrestleMania 34 on April 8.[1] This positioning allowed SmackDown storylines to reach pivotal points just prior to the joint-brands WrestleMania.Planning and announcement
The date and location for Fastlane 2018 were officially announced on December 4, 2017, scheduling the event for March 11, 2018, at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.[1] WWE positioned the show as the final pay-per-view on the Road to WrestleMania 34.[1] WWE elected to produce Fastlane 2018 as a SmackDown-exclusive event, adhering to the ongoing brand extension that separated the Raw and SmackDown rosters for dedicated programming and premium live events.[12] This decision supported SmackDown's narrative momentum toward WrestleMania by featuring its top talents in high-stakes matches without inter-brand interference.[13] Early planning efforts encompassed logistical preparations such as ticket sales commencing on December 8, 2017, via the venue's box office and online platforms.[14] Talent assignments drew exclusively from the SmackDown roster, with initial match teases centering on a Fatal 5-Way for the WWE Championship involving champion AJ Styles against Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn, as promoted by the arena in late December 2017.[15] These elements established the event's framework without disclosing the full card at the outset.[16]Promotion
Marketing campaigns
WWE's marketing efforts for Fastlane 2018 positioned the event as the pivotal final pay-per-view stop on the "Road to WrestleMania," emphasizing high-stakes matches that would shape WrestleMania 34 storylines. The campaign leveraged multiple channels to drive viewership and attendance, including television commercials and digital promotions that underscored the SmackDown brand's momentum toward the flagship event.[1] A key component involved bundling Fastlane with WWE Network subscriptions, where the live stream was included at no extra cost for subscribers, alongside traditional pay-per-view distribution; this strategy aimed to boost WWE Network sign-ups by highlighting exclusive access to the March 11 event at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Tickets went on sale December 6, 2017, starting at $25 through Ticketmaster, with presale codes distributed via WWE's official social media accounts and email newsletters to reward loyal fans and encourage early purchases.[17][18][19] Promotional trailers played a central role, including an official video package for the main event WWE Championship Six-Pack Challenge that spotlighted AJ Styles' dominant reign and the threats from challengers like John Cena, building narrative tension without revealing outcomes. Additional hype came through cross-promotions on SmackDown Live episodes in the weeks prior, featuring in-ring segments, backstage vignettes, and talent interviews that teased match stipulations and rivalries to maintain weekly engagement.Tie-ins with WrestleMania
Fastlane 2018 was positioned as a critical qualifier for WrestleMania 34, particularly through its main event, a six-pack challenge for the WWE Championship featuring champion AJ Styles defending against John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler.[5] The stipulation emphasized that the winner would secure the title and advance to face Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura in the WrestleMania championship match, thereby determining whether Styles retained his path to the event as champion or if a challenger claimed the opportunity.[20] This setup heightened the stakes, framing the bout as a pivotal hurdle on the Road to WrestleMania, with promotional materials highlighting the high-risk nature of Styles' defense against a field of top contenders vying for the WrestleMania spotlight.[21] Promotional narratives for Fastlane heavily leaned into its role as the final pay-per-view stop before WrestleMania 34, often billing it as the "last stop on the Road to WrestleMania" to build urgency and momentum.[17] Advertisements teased the advantages for the six-pack challenge victor, such as entering WrestleMania with the championship and narrative momentum against Nakamura, while underscoring the event's potential to reshape the blue brand's marquee matches.[22] WWE's marketing portrayed Fastlane as an unmissable prelude, with vignettes and hype videos focusing on the explosive chaos of the main event as a direct feeder to WrestleMania storylines, encouraging fans to witness the outcomes that would influence the biggest show of the year.[4] The event was integrated into broader WrestleMania promotions through its designation as a key Road to WrestleMania installment, with ticket sales explicitly tied to the overarching tour narrative to drive attendance and cross-promotion.[17] WWE offered Fastlane tickets starting at $25 via Ticketmaster, positioning the event alongside WrestleMania packages as part of the seasonal hype, allowing fans to bundle experiences leading up to the April spectacle in New Orleans.[17] This linkage extended to live event tours, where Fastlane served as a promotional anchor, amplifying WrestleMania ticket sales by showcasing potential qualifiers and building fan investment in the championship landscape.[23]Storylines
WWE Championship contention
AJ Styles won the WWE Championship from Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam on August 20, 2017, marking the beginning of a 231-day reign characterized by defenses against a variety of challengers on SmackDown Live. Among the most persistent threats were Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, whose alliance frequently involved unauthorized interference in Styles' matches, escalating tensions with SmackDown Live commissioner Shane McMahon and general manager Daniel Bryan. This disruptive behavior placed Owens and Zayn under constant threat of termination, yet they persisted, culminating in a WWE Championship Handicap Match at Royal Rumble on January 28, 2018, where Styles retained the title by pinning Owens following a roll-up.[24][25] The post-Royal Rumble period intensified the championship landscape on SmackDown Live, with Baron Corbin emerging as Styles' immediate challenger. Corbin, who had unsuccessfully attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Styles in August 2017, solidified his position by defeating Kevin Owens on the February 13 episode of SmackDown Live.[26] Meanwhile, Owens and Zayn continued their interference, demanding inclusion in the title picture due to their unresolved feud with the champion. On the February 20 episode of SmackDown Live, the bout was expanded into a Fatal 5-Way match to accommodate these claims, with Dolph Ziggler earning entry by defeating Bobby Roode earlier that night and Owens advancing by beating Ziggler in the main event.[27] The contention reached a boiling point on the February 27 episode, when John Cena made a surprise return to SmackDown Live following his appearance at Royal Rumble. Interrupting a contract signing between Styles and Corbin, Cena demanded a title opportunity to position himself for WrestleMania 34, citing his status as a free agent after the brand split. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan approved the addition, transforming the Fatal 5-Way into a Six-Pack Challenge at Fastlane on March 11, 2018, designed to definitively resolve the multiple claims on the championship while adhering to SmackDown's brand exclusivity.[28][29]United States Championship feud
The United States Championship was vacated on December 26, 2017, after Dolph Ziggler failed to defend it, following his win from Baron Corbin at Clash of Champions on December 17. A tournament was then held on SmackDown Live, culminating in Bobby Roode defeating Jinder Mahal in the final on the January 16, 2018, episode to become the new champion. Roode's reign faced immediate challenges, but the primary feud heading into Fastlane centered on Randy Orton. Orton, seeking to reclaim championship glory after a period of irrelevance, began targeting Roode following Roode's successful defense against Rusev on February 6. Orton's assaults escalated after Elimination Chamber on February 25, including a vicious post-match attack on Roode, prompting Shane McMahon to book their title match for Fastlane on the February 27 episode. This rivalry highlighted Orton's predatory instincts against Roode's glamorous persona, positioning the bout as a test of resilience for the champion.[30][31] Parallel to the title picture, Rusev had briefly positioned himself as a contender by winning a fatal four-way match against Mahal, Kofi Kingston, and Zack Ryder on the January 30 episode of SmackDown Live, capitalizing on the surging popularity of his "Rusev Day" catchphrase and persona alongside tag partner Aiden English. However, after losing to Roode for the title on February 6, Rusev's focus shifted following an attack by Shinsuke Nakamura. The feud between Nakamura and Rusev ignited on the February 27 episode of SmackDown Live, immediately following Elimination Chamber, when Nakamura defeated English in a singles match but continued the assault post-bell with a Kinshasa knee strike to English's throat, leaving the singer unable to perform his signature serenades. This act of aggression drew the ire of Rusev, who viewed it as a direct insult to the "Rusev Day" movement that had gained significant fan support through humorous promos and English's vocal contributions. The incident shifted Rusev's focus temporarily from his United States Championship pursuit against Roode, setting the stage for a personal vendetta against the self-proclaimed "Artist" and "Rockstar" Nakamura.[32][31] On the March 6 episode of SmackDown Live, Rusev confronted Nakamura during a backstage interview, issuing a direct challenge for a match at Fastlane to avenge the attack on English and assert "Rusev Day" dominance. Nakamura accepted with his characteristic flair, leading to a series of intense promos across the next two weeks on SmackDown that contrasted Rusev's powerhouse brutality and growing cult following with Nakamura's enigmatic, music-infused charisma. These segments, from late February into early March, emphasized clashing egos and physical confrontations, including staredowns and brawls at ringside, amplifying the bad blood without tying directly to the United States Championship hardware.[33][13] The stakes escalated as WWE positioned the Fastlane clash as a critical test for both men heading toward WrestleMania, with speculation in promos suggesting a no-disqualification stipulation to allow unrestrained aggression, though it ultimately proceeded as a standard singles match. Rusev framed the bout as a platform to propel "Rusev Day" into the WrestleMania spotlight, potentially earning a United States Championship opportunity in the aftermath, while Nakamura used it to maintain his undefeated streak and momentum as the Royal Rumble winner. The rivalry highlighted the midcard's depth on SmackDown, blending personal animosity with broader divisional implications.[22]Other divisional rivalries
In the buildup to Fastlane 2018, the SmackDown Women's Championship storyline centered on champion Charlotte Flair defending against Ruby Riott, the leader of the debuting Riott Squad, amid ongoing threats from Ms. Money in the Bank Carmella and the recent Royal Rumble developments. The Riott Squad had aggressively targeted Flair since their SmackDown debut in November 2017, culminating in a brutal post-match assault on January 30, 2018, that left the champion vulnerable and prompted Carmella to attempt her first cash-in of the Money in the Bank contract she won the previous June.[34] Although the cash-in was thwarted by Riott Squad interference, it heightened tensions, positioning Riott as a direct challenger while Flair sought to solidify her reign ahead of potential confrontations with Royal Rumble winner Asuka, who had declared her intention to target the title upon joining SmackDown.[35] This multi-layered feud emphasized Flair's resilience against upstart aggression and opportunistic threats, setting the stage for broader women's division intrigue at WrestleMania 34. The SmackDown Tag Team Championship rivalry between champions The Usos and challengers The New Day reignited an acclaimed feud from prior years, with The Bludgeon Brothers emerging as destructive interlopers through a series of invasions that showcased their brute strength. The Usos and New Day, who had delivered critically praised matches at events like SummerSlam 2017, renewed hostilities in early 2018 after The New Day mocked the champions' family-oriented promos, leading to intense verbal and physical confrontations on SmackDown.[36] Meanwhile, The Bludgeon Brothers (Luke Harper and Rowan), repackaged as a menacing force since their December 2017 return, began systematically dismantling tag teams in February invasions, including a post-match attack on The New Day that highlighted their hammer-wielding dominance and positioned them as the division's next big threat.[37] This dynamic created a powder keg at Fastlane, where the championship clash served as a battleground for longstanding rivals while foreshadowing the Bludgeon Brothers' path to gold. Complementing the title picture, a women's tag team match pitted Becky Lynch and Naomi against Natalya and Carmella, originating from personal animosities amplified by social media and in-ring skirmishes. The feud ignited when Lynch and Carmella exchanged heated barbs on Twitter in late February 2018, escalating after Lynch defeated Carmella in singles action and Naomi aligned with her to counter the alliance of the boastful Ms. Money in the Bank and the technically proficient former champion Natalya.[38] This unlikely pairing for Lynch and Naomi stemmed from their shared underdog status on SmackDown, contrasting with their opponents' claims to superiority, and provided an opportunity to inject midcard momentum into the women's division ahead of WrestleMania.[39]The Event
Venue and production details
Fastlane (2018) took place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, a multi-purpose venue with a capacity of approximately 18,000 for wrestling events.[40] The event was announced for this location in late 2017 as part of WWE's PPV scheduling. It drew a sold-out crowd of 15,119 attendees.[41] The production was overseen by Kevin Dunn, WWE's long-time executive producer and director responsible for live event telecasts during this era.[42] The commentary team consisted of Corey Graves, Tom Phillips, and Byron Saxton, providing play-by-play and color analysis throughout the broadcast.[43] The event was streamed live on the WWE Network worldwide, with traditional pay-per-view availability in select international markets, and had an approximate runtime of three hours.[12]Pre-show matches
The Fastlane 2018 Kickoff pre-show, streamed live on the WWE Network starting at 7 p.m. ET, served as a one-hour prelude to the main event, designed to energize the audience at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and build anticipation for the pay-per-view broadcast.[44][5] This segment included panel discussions and highlights from recent SmackDown LIVE episodes, but its centerpiece was a single six-man tag team match added to the card at the last minute.[45] In the featured bout, Tye Dillinger teamed with Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) against Mojo Rawley, Chad Gable, and Shelton Benjamin, stemming from Rawley's public mockery of the opponents' "The Fashion Files" web series, where he labeled them a "joke" and "perfect disappointment" for prioritizing entertainment over competition.[45] The match opened with high-energy exchanges and comedic elements, including Fandango playfully rolling with Gable while wearing amateur wrestling headgear and Breeze treating Gable like a pony, which drew cheers from the live crowd.[45] As the action intensified, Rawley, Gable, and Benjamin gained control, isolating Breeze and Fandango with power moves like Benjamin's suplexes and Gable's technical holds, putting the fan-favorite team on the defensive.[22] Dillinger's hot tag shifted the momentum, allowing him to deliver strikes and a suplex to Rawley, while Breezango cleared Gable and Benjamin from the ring through interference.[45] The finish came when Dillinger connected with a knee strike to Rawley's face, securing the pinfall victory for his team in approximately 11 minutes.[45][46] This upbeat opener effectively warmed up the 15,119 attendees, setting a lively tone for the evening without advancing major storylines.[5]Main card and main event
The main card of WWE Fastlane 2018 opened with a singles match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev, setting an energetic tone for the evening. Nakamura targeted Rusev's legs early with submissions like a heel hook, but Rusev countered with power moves, including a Machka Kick that flipped Nakamura mid-air. After escaping Rusev's Accolade submission attempt, Nakamura rallied and secured the victory with two Kinshasa knee strikes—one to the back of the head and one to the jaw—for the pinfall at 11:37. The crowd erupted in approval for Nakamura's resilience and finishing sequence, highlighting his strong start toward a WrestleMania opportunity.[47] Next, United States Champion Bobby Roode defended against Randy Orton in a competitive matchup. Roode relied on technical prowess and strikes, including a Glorious DDT, while Orton countered with powerslams and signature backbreakers. After a back-and-forth exchange featuring near-falls, Orton dodged a top-rope attempt by Roode and hit an RKO for the pinfall victory at 19:15, winning the title and becoming a Grand Slam champion. The live audience reacted strongly to the decisive finish.[48][49] The women's tag team match followed, with Natalya and Carmella facing Becky Lynch and Naomi. The bout featured quick tags and high-energy offense, including Naomi's splits-legged moonsault and Lynch's Bex-ploder suplex. Distractions from the heels allowed Carmella to land a superkick on Lynch, leading to a pinfall victory for Natalya and Carmella at 8:50. The match showcased the division's athleticism without major storyline progression.[39][50] The SmackDown Women's Championship defense saw champion Charlotte Flair against Ruby Riott. Riott controlled portions of the match with high-impact moves like a stage-dive senton and a modified straitjacket submission, creating several near-falls that had the audience on edge, briefly making a title upset seem possible. Flair fought back with a reverse Alabama Slam and, after interference from the Riott Squad was neutralized by Naomi and Becky Lynch—leading to all four being ejected—locked in the Figure-Eight leglock following a spear and turnbuckle smash for the submission win at 12:08. The Columbus crowd buzzed with excitement during the chaotic interference, but the post-match surprise arrival of Asuka, who challenged Flair for WrestleMania, shifted the focus dramatically.[51] The SmackDown Tag Team Championship match pitted champions The Usos against The New Day in a high-stakes renewal of their rivalry. The action featured fast-paced exchanges, including The New Day's sprinting stinkface and a superkick-Frog Splash combination, countered by The Usos' Boom Drop and an attempted Midnight Hour—from which Kofi Kingston kicked out at two. The Usos gained momentum with a Double Uce thwarted and stereo dives onto all three New Day members, drawing strong cheers from the live audience for the athleticism. However, the match ended in a no contest at 11:50 when The Bludgeon Brothers interfered, attacking both teams indiscriminately with brutal weaponized assaults, including a double powerbomb on Xavier Woods onto the steel steps post-match, leaving him injured and stretchered out amid stunned crowd silence turning to boos.[36] The main event was a Six-Pack Challenge for the WWE Championship, featuring champion AJ Styles defending against John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler. Chaos ensued from the outset, with Cena delivering multiple Attitude Adjustments, including one to Corbin onto the steel steps, while Owens hit a Pop-up Powerbomb on Cena and Corbin executed a Deep Six on Styles. Near-falls abounded, such as Ziggler and Owens' pin attempts broken up by Styles' timely interventions, and Cena's AA sending Styles through the announce table, eliciting massive pops from the 15,119 fans in attendance who chanted fervently for Cena's comeback. Interference peaked when Owens superkicked Shane McMahon, prompting the referee to intervene, but Styles capitalized amid the disorder by hitting a Phenomenal Forearm on Owens for the pinfall victory at 23:35, retaining the title and securing his WrestleMania path to face Nakamura. The crowd's explosive reaction underscored the match's intensity, though Cena's visible frustration added emotional weight to the finish.[20][5]Aftermath
Immediate fallout
Following AJ Styles' successful defense of the WWE Championship in the main event Six-Pack Challenge against John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler, Styles celebrated his retention atop the ring, confirming his WrestleMania 34 title match against Shinsuke Nakamura while leaving potential interference storylines open-ended.[5] The following night on SmackDown Live (March 13, 2018), the fallout from Owens and Zayn's failed title opportunities advanced when Shane McMahon attempted to fracture their alliance by booking them against each other at WrestleMania 34; they rejected the proposal, leading to a vicious double-team assault on McMahon that saw them hurl him through the announce table and announce his temporary suspension as commissioner.[52][53] Also on that episode, the New Day's tag team title pursuit gained momentum as Big E and Jimmy Uso—standing in for their injured stablemates Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso—challenged the Bludgeon Brothers to a non-title match; the challengers lost via pinfall after a double-team powerbomb, only for Harper and Rowan to continue the beatdown with a diving splash on Big E, signaling an ongoing rivalry heading into WrestleMania. No major real-life injuries were reported from Fastlane, though the event featured scripted "injuries" like Xavier Woods' thoracic spine contusion from the Bludgeon Brothers' post-match attack in the tag title bout; similarly, Rusev's in-ring frustration after submitting to Nakamura's Kinshasa led to heated backstage vignettes with Aiden English, amplifying his heel persona without physical harm.[54][55]Path to WrestleMania 34
AJ Styles' successful defense of the WWE Championship in a Six-Pack Challenge against John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, and Baron Corbin at Fastlane directly paved the way for his WrestleMania 34 main event title match against Shinsuke Nakamura.[5][56] By retaining the title amid intense competition, Styles solidified his status as champion and shifted the narrative toward a highly anticipated clash with the Royal Rumble winner, Nakamura, who had chosen Styles as his opponent earlier in the year.[4] This outcome eliminated immediate threats from the challengers, particularly Cena, and focused WWE's SmackDown storyline on building the Styles-Nakamura dream match as the centerpiece of WrestleMania.[57] Shinsuke Nakamura's victory over Rusev at Fastlane further cemented his trajectory toward a WrestleMania title opportunity.[5] Following his win, Nakamura's path led to the confirmed WrestleMania showdown for the WWE Championship with Styles, rather than pursuing the U.S. title, which Randy Orton won from Bobby Roode earlier in the night.[22] Meanwhile, the SmackDown Tag Team Championship match between The Usos and The New Day ending in a no-contest due to interference from The Bludgeon Brothers set up a triple-threat match at WrestleMania, integrating the dominant newcomers into the ongoing rivalry.[36] This chaotic finish elevated The Bludgeon Brothers as serious contenders, extending the tag division storyline across the two events.[58] John Cena's defeat in the Six-Pack Challenge not only barred him from the title picture but also ignited his personal feud with The Undertaker, culminating in an impromptu WrestleMania match.[59] Frustrated by the loss, Cena appeared on the following Raw to issue a direct challenge to The Undertaker, referencing their long-teased encounter and demanding closure at WrestleMania.[60] This pivot transformed Cena's setback into a high-stakes personal grudge match, bypassing traditional title pursuits.[61] In the women's division, Charlotte Flair's retention of the SmackDown Women's Championship against Ruby Riott positioned her for a marquee defense against Asuka, who made a surprise appearance post-match to signal her intent.[5] Asuka's confrontation, pointing emphatically at the WrestleMania sign, formalized their title clash and advanced the storyline of Flair facing the undefeated Empress of Tomorrow.[62] As a traditional precursor to WrestleMania, Fastlane's results streamlined these narratives into the grand stage.[63]Reception and Legacy
Critical reviews
Critical reviews of WWE Fastlane 2018 highlighted the event's role as a transitional pay-per-view on the road to WrestleMania 34, with praise centered on the high-energy main event but criticisms focusing on predictable booking and uneven mid-card execution. Professional wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter awarded the Six-Pack Challenge main event for the WWE Championship—featuring AJ Styles defending against John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler—4.25 stars out of five, commending its chaotic pace, star power, and effective integration of multiple ongoing storylines that built momentum toward WrestleMania.[64] This match was frequently cited as the highlight, with CBS Sports giving it an A grade for its frantic action and memorable spots, though noting that participants like Corbin were underutilized at times.[4] Critics pointed to the event's lack of surprises and filler-like quality in several mid-card bouts, which felt secondary to advancing WrestleMania feuds rather than delivering standalone excitement. The SmackDown Tag Team Championship match between The Usos and The New Day ended in a no-contest due to interference, earning 2.5 stars from Meltzer and a B- grade from CBS Sports, with reviewers describing it as solid but overshadowed by the post-match brawl.[64][4] Similarly, the United States Championship clash between Randy Orton and Bobby Roode received 3.5 stars from Meltzer but was critiqued for its straightforward progression without innovative twists.[64] Overall, the show garnered mixed assessments, with 411Mania calling it "far from a bad show" despite questionable booking decisions that prioritized predictability over shocks.[65] Fan reactions echoed professional sentiments, showing strong approval for the opener between Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev, which Meltzer rated at 3.5 stars for its physicality and late-match intensity, though it started slowly according to CBS Sports (B- grade).[64][4] The WWE Women's Championship defense by Charlotte Flair against Ruby Riott drew more divided responses, earning 2.75 stars from Meltzer and a B from CBS Sports for its physical exchanges and impactful post-match angle with Asuka, but some fans and reviewers noted sloppy execution in spots.[64][4] The event's viewership on the WWE Network reflected moderate interest, aligning with its transitional status.[66]Commercial performance
Fastlane (2018) demonstrated robust performance for a SmackDown-exclusive pay-per-view. Attendance totaled 15,119 paid fans at the Nationwide Arena, producing gate revenue of around $1.2 million and comparing favorably to prior Fastlane shows, such as the 2016 edition's lower figures.[66]Results
Match outcomes
The WWE Fastlane 2018 event featured six matches on the main card, plus one pre-show bout, with results as detailed below. No championships changed hands except for the WWE United States Championship.[64][4] Pre-show match:In the kickoff match, Tye Dillinger, Tyler Breeze, and Fandango defeated Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin, and Mojo Rawley by pinfall after a superkick and Tye Breaker on Rawley (7:26).[22][64] Main card matches:
- Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Rusev by pinfall with a Kinshasa (14:28).[4][64]
- Randy Orton defeated Bobby Roode (c) to win the WWE United States Championship by pinfall with an RKO (19:27).[4][64]
- Carmella and Natalya defeated Becky Lynch and Naomi by pinfall after a superkick by Carmella (8:51).[4][64]
- The Usos (c) vs. The New Day (Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston) for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship ended in a no contest due to interference by The Bludgeon Brothers (8:57).[4][64]
- Charlotte Flair (c) defeated Ruby Riott to retain the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship by submission with the Figure-Eight leglock (13:44).[4][64]
- AJ Styles (c) defeated Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, John Cena, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn in a Six-Pack Challenge to retain the WWE Championship by pinfall with a Phenomenal Forearm on Owens (21:52).[4][64]