Smark Out Moment

The WWE Fastlane 2018 pay-per-view is presented by SmackDown and scheduled for March 11, 2018 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Follow along here for spoilers and information on the event's card, lineup of matches and news regarding the pay-per-view.

The following are my predictions for the 2018 WWE Fastlane PPV. Check back for Fastlane 2018 results and review coverage here when the time comes..

SmackDown presents WWE Fastlane 2018 Spoilers

WWE Championship Six-Pack Challenge Match: AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. John Cena

The Triple Threat was something I thought was a definite possibility, even though I assumed it would just be Sami Zayn getting a solo title shot with Shinsuke Nakamura fighting Kevin Owens. The switch over to the Fatal 5-Way, on the other hand, was something I totally didn't see coming. Then, we just added John Cena, too, and I'm just waiting to update this AGAIN soon with 7 people with the way things are going.

Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin both not being involved in the title scene ahead of time makes me think the reason they changed it was because they realized they didn't want Styles to pin either part of Zayn/Owens, nor did they want to have Zayn/Owens fighting each other any more than necessary, but it's so hard to decipher what their plans are for the duo at WrestleMania outside of the possibility of Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan teaming up to fight them.

In any fashion, I can see Styles pinning Corbin/Ziggler to retain here, as I highly doubt we'll see a title change. Even in a scenario where WWE doubts Shinsuke Nakamura's drawing power and wants to make it a Fatal 4-Way at WrestleMania with Zayn and Owens in the mix, I don't think that will happen, as they wouldn't do a six-person match here just to have another multi-man match at WrestleMania.

PREDICTION: AJ Styles retains the title.


SmackDown Women's Championship Match: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ruby Riott

This was the match that made the most sense, as we've seen everything else before, but I have no interest in it whatsoever, and since I think Ronda Rousey is no longer an option for Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania, I'm hoping Asuka jumps ship. SmackDown doesn't have any interesting options going forward without bringing in an outsider. Riott doesn't do it for me.

PREDICTION: Charlotte Flair retains the title.


United States Championship Match: Bobby Roode (c) vs. Randy Orton

Very curious why this isn't a Triple Threat match with Jinder Mahal involved. I would have thought if anything, the singles match against Orton would have been saved for WrestleMania. Now, this is starting to make me think we'll get a 3-10 man ladder match type scenario as we had with the Intercontinental Championship at Mania, with Roode, Orton, Mahal, maybe Ziggler, Corbin, Owens, Zayn, etc.

PREDICTION: Bobby Roode retains the title.


SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (c) vs. The New Day

Everything seemed like it was heading toward The Bludgeon Brothers, so I'm curious about The New Day getting the title shot. I wouldn't be surprised at all if The Bludgeon Brothers interrupt this match and cause it to be a no-contest, setting up a Triple Threat at WrestleMania.

PREDICTION: The Usos retain.


Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev

Poor Rusev. He stands no chance here. It's weird WWE decided to pair up the guy who won the Royal Rumble and hasn't really been on television and isn't quite over enough for that prime spot against a guy who has been getting massive babyface pops but they refuse to turn heel. I can't imagine this will be a good thing for Nakamura, and it's definitely not going to give Rusev any bit of momentum.

PREDICTION: Shinsuke Nakamura is victorious.


Naomi and Becky Lynch vs. Natalya and Carmella

This is so, so pointless...

PREDICTION: Who cares? Flip a coin. It doesn't matter in the slightest bit.