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WWE Fastlane 2021: Rating and Ranking Every Match

by Robby Steven 0 Comments

Robby Steven
Latest posts by Robby Steven (see all)

WWE Fastlane 2021 is the final stop on the Road to Wrestlemania. WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends his title against Daniel Bryan in the main event. Randy Orton goes one on one in a controversial contest with Alexa Bliss. Several title matches will take place, as well as more WWE action.

Every match on WWE Fastlane 2021 will include highlights, what the storyline progression is, and a final analysis. Each match will be given a star rating and be ranked from worst to best.

Matches Ranked from Worst to Best

7) Braun Strowman d. Elias
Highlights: A Braun squash with the exception of a DDT and a top rope elbow by Elias. Braun quickly bounces back and finishes off Elias with a powerslam.

Storyline Progression: Over the last few weeks, Shane McMahon has found ways to mess around with Braun Strowman, leading to the former Universal Champion calling out the boss’ son. After embarrassing Strowman last week on Monday Night Raw, a rematch was made for WWE Fastlane. Shane claimed he was hurt earlier in the day and named Elias as his replacement.

Final Analysis: This might be the worst angle headed into Wrestlemania and I’m not sure of anyone that cares about it. Take a Pass. SQUASH.

WWE Fastlane: Tension Rising

6) WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler [c] d. Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks
Highlights: The rotating matches between these four haven’t been the best in recent weeks. Bianca and Sasha get the upper hand to start the match before Bianca is quickly on the receiving end of punishment from the champions. Jax and Baszler use their power until Sasha gets the hot tag to clean house. Bianca eventually finds her way in and hits a 450 splash on Baszler but Reginald distracts the referee to break up the count. Jax enters causing Bianca to bump into Sasha. They argue with each other allowing Baszler to roll up Sasha for the win.

Storyline Progression: After Bianca Belair won the women’s Royal Rumble to earn a shot at main eventing Wrestlemania, tension has been building. Belair and champion Sasha Banks have struggled in tag team competition as of late, but still received a shot at the titles at WWE Fastlane.

Final Analysis: The match was better than what we’ve been getting on WWE Smackdown as of late, but it was still nothing special. If you’re into this angle then Skim It. **

The Fiend Returns

5) Alexa Bliss d. Randy Orton
Highlights: Randy Orton comes to the ring and starts oozing black liquid from his mouth. Alexa Bliss enters as the ring is lit with pink/purple lighting. Orton slowly stalks Bliss before fire is set off the ring post and a lightning fixture drops from the ceiling. Back in the ring, The Fien rips through the ring mat as his mask and outfit are completely burned. The Fiend hits Sister Abigail that allows Bliss to get the win.

Storyline Progression: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, cinematic matches have been all the rage, for good or for bad. The WWE, however, took it a step further to create an entire cinematic feud between The Fiend and Alexa Bliss against Randy Orton. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is what it is. The Fiend was “burned alive” by Orton, and in recent weeks Bliss has played mind games inspired by her mentor. Bliss was matched up against Bliss at WWE Fastlane, where The Fiend made his return to plant the seed for a match at Wrestlemania.

Final Analysis: The WWE, at least on the main roster, is not a wrestling promotion. It’s an entertainment company that happens to have wrestling on its shows. Once people accept this, the sooner they will be able to watch segments like Orton/Fiend/Bliss and find some enjoyment. It’s a waste of time to try and compare WWE to pro wrestling promotions because it’s apples to oranges. As far as this segment goes, I don’t rate cinematic matches but I suppose it’s fine to Skim It. [NR]

Big E’s revenge

4) IC Title Match: Big E (c) d. Apollo Crews
Highlights: A Quick brawl to start before Big E spears Apollo Crews through the ropes and from to apron to the floor. Big E follows up with a splash as Crews continues to lay on the apron. Back inside and Big E continues on multiple overhead belly-to-belly suplexes. Crews sidesteps a charging Big E before connecting on three straight German suplexes. Big E makes a comeback and hits a fisherman suplex that awkwardly gets a three count. That was definitely a flat finish. Crews lays out Big E after the match.

Storyline Progression: After Apollo Crews tapped into his Nirigian roots to confirm his change of attitude, he quickly targeted Big E. After taking out Big E just a few weeks back on WWE Smackdown, it was only a matter of time before both men came face to face.

Final Analysis: The match started great but it was too short to get into the next gear and ended with a flat finish. Hopefully, they’ll be matched up for Wrestlemania where they can give it another try. Skim It. **1/2

WWE Fastlane: Rollin’s Message

3) Seth Rollins d. Shinsuke Nakamura
Highlights: Shinsuke Nakamura gets an early advantage but is soon on the receiving end of offense from Seth Rollins. Rollins his a diving knee strike from the apron to the floor, before getting a two-count in the ring after a rib breaker. Rollins attempts The Big Swing but gets caught in an armbar by Nakamura who doubles down on his offense in and out of the ring. They both exchange the advantage and high impact moves before Rollins gets the win after the curb stomp

Storyline Progression: Seth Rollins has been at odds with Cesaro as of late, with a likely Wrestlemania match on the horizon. In an attempt to get revenge for his tag team partner, Shinsuke Nakamura decided to try his hand at the so-called Messiah but was unsuccessful.

Final Analysis: Solid match between two of the better wrestlers on the main roster, but it did feel like they were holding back a bit. Still fun and Worth a Watch. ***1/4

Friends No More

2) No Holds Barred Match: Drew McIntyre d. Sheamus
Highlights: The match quickly heads outside as Drew McIntyre closelines Sheamus over the ropes followed by a belly-to-belly suplex on the floor. Back in the ring as both men take turns beating each other with a kendo stick. The fight moves throughout the Thunderdome, with Sheamus hitting a stiff suplex on the floor. McIntyre is tossed off part of the stage through a stretch of Thunderdome screens. Sheamus bounces back to hit White Noise from the barricade through the announce table. Back inside and McIntyre connects with the Future Shock DDT onto a piece of the announce table before a Claymore gets the win.

Storyline Progression: Over the last few weeks on Monday Night Raw, Drew McIntyre and Sheamus have put on some of the best matches in the WWE. After their last outing resulted in a no contest, they locked horns one final time to see who the better man was. After a McIntyre victory, his path to Wrestlemania and a shot at Bobby Lashley and the WWE Title is clear.

Final Analysis: Good match but having two similar matches over the last three weeks hurt the unique nature of it. It’s fun and Worth the Watch, but I’d still recommend their first match from WWE Raw earlier this month. ***3/4

WWE Fastlane: Main Event

1) WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns [c] d. Daniel Bryan
Highlights: Daniel Bryan starts at a methodical pace, attempt to strike Roman Reigns with leg kicks. Reign eventually is able to get ahold of Bryan and headlock him to the mat. Bryan is able to slip out quickly to lock in a tight wrist lock. Reigns once again powers out as Bryan is eventually thrown to the outside for a beatdown. Bryan makes a comeback and attempts an avalanche hurricanrana but Reigns reverses it into a Boston Crab. A Reigns miscue leads to another Bryan comeback who then targets the arm.

Daniel Bryan locks in the Yes Lock but Roman Reigns is able to fight his way to the ropes. A running knee by Bryan knocks out the referee leading to a spear by Reigns. Edge enters the ring to act as the new referee. Bryan gets Reigns in another Yes Lock, which prompts Jey Uso to run into the ring and superkick Edge and Bryan. Bryan grabs the chair to take out Uso but accidentally hits Edge in the arm. Another Yes Lock causes Reigns to tap out, but Edge hits both men with a chair and storms off. Reigns crawl over to Bryan to get the questionable win.

Edge’s Goes Full Heel

Storyline Progression: After winning the Elimination Chamber, Roman Reigns quickly arrived on the scene to defeat Daniel Bryan without much effort. With Edge set to face Reigns at Wrestlemania, Bryan was able to lobby himself into a rematch with Reigns on a more even playing field. Edge went on to defeat Jey Uso on WWE Smackdown to earn the right to be an enforcer on the outside of the ring. As the enforcer, Edge goes full selfish heel as it looks like we are getting a Triple Threat Match at Wrestlemania.

Final Analysis: Really good main event as both men worked hard from start to finish. Not everyone will like the finish, but it’ll lead to a Triple Threat Match at Wrestlemania and that’s the best way to go right now. Must-Watch. ****

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