Tag: WWE Fastlane

For maybe the first time ever, WWE Fastlane was actually consequential

A skippable premium live event? Maybe in past years, but WWE Fastlane was worth watching this time.

If you have watched WWE for as long as I have (about 30 years, give or take), you are familiar with the fact that there are tiers to the company’s premium live events.

You already know that at the very top is WrestleMania, for obvious reasons. Right below that are Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and even Money in the Bank. These events don’t feature the spectacle and grandeur of WrestleMania, but are certainly among the most consequential on the calendar.

And then there’s the rest of the events, which if you’re a diehard fan you’re watching regardless. However, if you’re more of a casual fan, you may skip here or there.

Fastlane firmly falls into the last category, as its usual placement in February/March typically made this a mere speed bump you quickly pass over on the road to WrestleMania.

But that wasn’t the case in 2023. 

WWE moved Fastlane to October this year, which still placed it right before a more marquee event — Survivor Series, in this case. 

But unlike in years past where Fastlane could have largely been ignored, this year’s show served its purpose better than it ever has. And because of it, Survivor Series, which may or may not feature WarGames, feels like an even bigger event.

If there is a WarGames at Survivor Series, it could be among the most intriguing in the match’s history. Having The Bloodline and The Judgment Day form a, dare I say, dangerous alliance, has already made for great television. And I love the fact that it’s Rhea Ripley leading the transaction from The Judgment Day’s side.

But who knows how longer The Judgment Day will last after Finn Balor and Damian Priest lost the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles to Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso? That will certainly add more cracks to the group’s already fragile foundation.

Then you got LA Knight and John Cena taking down Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa, which I’m sure will be addressed on the upcoming episode of Smackdown — which will feature an appearance from the Tribal Chief himself, Roman Reigns.

Seth Rollins retained his world title by defeating Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing Match, which should all but end their feud and open the door for a new challenger to step up to the plate. And we all know there has been a lot of intrigue around who that person might be. Also, the match was tremendous.

And let’s not forget that Jade Cargill made her WWE television debut during the event as well. Sure, it was merely walking out of a car (looking stunning, I might add) and being greeted by Triple H, but it is a sign that WWE has got major plans for the former AEW TBS Champion.

There are some good things brewing in WWE. Things are so good that even Fastlane proved to be an exciting chapter in WWE’s never-ending tale between good and evil.

WWE Fastlane 2023 results: Seth Rollins survives, plus new tag team champs

Seth Rollins and IYO SKY foiled strong title challenges, and WWE Fastlane was a bad night for The Judgment Day and The Bloodline.

Seth Rollins seems like he was made for the World Heavyweight Championship, priding himself on being a workhorse titleholder who defends the belt often and against all comers. But that’s only if his body can stand up to the grind, and Shinsuke Nakamura is going to try to show that it can’t tonight at WWE Fastlane in Indianapolis.

Nakamura has had one shot at the title already and come up short. But he has played Rollins masterfully over the past few weeks, essentially goading him into the stipulation he wanted: And he picked Last Man Standing.

WWE has done a nice job working Rollins’ real life back ailments into the narrative, creating a little doubt that he comes out of this with the championship. That’s perfect for a show like Fastlane, where fans wouldn’t normally expect a big title change.

A lot of attention is also on John Cena and LA Knight teaming up to face The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso (at least Jimmy says he’s in The Bloodline). It’s one of those past meets present moments WWE does so well, and while Knight certainly doesn’t need a rub from anyone right now, it can’t hurt to have a man WWE promotes as “The Greatest of All Time” paired with him for a high profile match like this.

With those bouts plus a men’s tag team title match on the card, the WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat bout could be one that will steal the show. There are only five matches total that are expected for Fastlane, so it wouldn’t be completely shocking if something got added on the fly.

Let’s hit the gas and see where we end up.

WWE Fastlane 2023 results:

(click on any match with a link for full details)

WWE Fastlane 2023 results: Seth Rollins outlasts Shinsuke Nakamura in wild Last Man Standing match

In a crazy, brutal affair, Seth Rollins was the Last Man Standing against Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE Fastlane.

The rules for this one are simple: The only way to win is to incapacitate your opponent so they can’t answer the ref’s 10-count. Both Shinsuke Nakamura and Seth Rollins are wearing some awesome entrance gear to add to the atmosphere.

Nakamura heads immediately for the outside and isn’t standing still for Rollins to dive on him, then messes with the champ’s head by going back into the ring. The challenger focuses on Seth’s back right away, smashing it into the apron and the barricade.

A fired up Rollins takes some of the padding off the floor and wants a powerbomb, then smashes Shinsuke into the steps instead. Seth keeps up his attack on the outside then throws a bunch of chairs into the ring, plus a trash can and finally a table.

Rollins cracks a smile as he pulls out a second table but walks into a kick when he tries to get his hands on his foe. Nakamura uses running knees to hammer Rollins’ back even more, then adds a kick to the chest for good measure.

Shinsuke leaves the ring and returns with a pair of nunchaku. That’s pretty sweet. The ref makes his first count of the match, but Shinsuke has to do more damage since Rollins clearly isn’t done yet. He uses the nunchaku to choke the champ, then applies a sleeper too.

Rollins fight back with the help of a kendo stick, which is always a smart idea. He lands a number of shots before grabbing a trash can and hitting his foe in the head before connecting on a suicide dive.

The kendo stick is back in his hands, and he plants it in Shinsuke’s gut, hits a running knee and a frog splash. The ref makes his count, and Shinsuke is up around eight.

Nakamura sets up a table in one corner, but Rollins moves when he charges in. Seth follows with a Stomp and the ref is counting again. When it’s clear Shinsuke isn’t staying down, Rollins heads over and clears off the announce table.

He takes a ladder out and uses it on Nakamura, then sets it up right next to the announce table. Shinsuke is set face down slumped over the table, but Seth sees him move away as he climbs. Rollins drives him into the barricade and the apron instead.

They battle away from the ring, where Nakamura gets the upper hand as they reach the stairs in a section of the crowd. A low blow gives the challenger the opening to kick Rollins down to the floor, which looks painful … and those chair shots aren’t going to feel good either.

Back in the ring, though, Rollins lands a superkick, then hits a Pedigree to get himself some breathing room. Nakamura has to beat the count again, and he does, though not convincingly. Rollins sets up a table but gets shoves back first into the apron. Rollins is laid out on the table, where he takes a double knee shot off the apron that drives him though it.

Nakamura is up, and Rollins uses the wreckage of the table to pull himself up at nine … but only to take chair shots to the back. Seth swings Shinsuke into the post and has eyes on the ladder again.

They make their way up the ladder, where Rollins is knocked down through the announce table after taking red mist to the eyes. Back in the ring, Nakamura slams Rollins back first on a chair, then gives the champ a Kinshasa through the table that is still in the corner. Seth smartly slides out of the ring so that he lands on his feet, but he’s still in big trouble.

The fight once again goes toward the crowd, where the two men are on a platform right in front of fans. Rollins counters whatever Nakamura had planned and hits a Pedigree, then a Stomp. The fans count along with the ref, but both men pull themselves up, so Rollins gives Shinsuke a Falcon Arrow through a table on the floor. Rollins is able to beat the count and Nakamura doesn’t, and this brutal affair is finally over.

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WWE Fastlane 2023 results: LA Knight, John Cena are too much for The Bloodline

LA Knight and John Cena formed a super team and took out Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso at WWE Fastlane; get all the details here.

LA Knight and John Cena get an introduction from Pat McAfee, who joins the announcers to help call this match. Jimmy Uso gets a early taste of Cena’s power and regroups with Paul Heyman.

Will Solo Sikoa fare better? He stares down Cena and then goes to work. Uso shows off his shadow boxing as he tags in with The GOAT already worn down a bit. He’s clearly enjoying this.

Cena is taking abuse from both of his opponents and stuck on the wrong side of the ring. Uso has a headlock on him, and the crowd is trying to urge him on. He’s inches away from a tag before getting hauled back into danger.

After what seems like forever, Cena manages to hit an Attitude Adjustment on Uso. He crawls for all he’s worth, but Sikoa blasts Knight off the apron as Heyman appears to be doing play by play to Roman Reigns on the phone.

The hot tag is finally made so that Knight can run wild. His burst of offense includes a neckbreaker on Uso and a DDT to Solo. Uso catches him off guard with a superkick for a two count, however.

The Uso Splash finds Knight not home, and the Megastar drops his signature elbow. Sikoa hits a Samoan Drop but is taken out in turn by a Cena high cross body, and an Uso Splash hits Cena in turn … and all four men are down.

Knight peppers both of his foes with right hands and plenty of “Yeah” chants. Cena is about to rock Sikoa but takes a superkick from Uso. Jimmy climbs up top again, but Knight hops up there too and delivers a superplex. That leaves Jimmy in position to take the Five Kuckle Shuffle, and LA follows with a Blunt Force Trauma for the win.

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WWE Fastlane 2023 results: IYO SKY gets valuable help from Bayley to hold off Asuka, Charlotte Flair

Check out how Bayley came through for IYO SKY to help her retain her WWE Women’s Championship at Fastlane.

This has a big fight feel, especially for IYO SKY as she faces two future Hall of Famers at once. Asuka tries to take full advantage of no DQs by spraying the mist in the face of Charlotte Flair, forcing SKY to break up the pin.

Asuka tries to take control against SKY but soon finds herself barely kicking out as the champ outmaneuvers her on the mat. A kick from the Empress turns things around, but Flair is back in the mix and nails Asuka with a big boot.

Flair unloads on Asuka in the corner until SKY jumps on her back. That only slows Charlotte down a second, as she delivers a back suplex to Asuka before taking a stomp to the chest from the champ.

SKY uses an acrobatic transition to apply a crossface on Flair, who also takes a head kick from Asuka. The champ hits a missile dropkick on Asuka but is greeted up top by the Empress, who is fired up after hitting a release German suplex. A sliding dropkick follows for a near fall.

Flair hits a high cross body on both her opponents as the crowd starts to “whooo” for her chops. There’s a double suplex as a reversal too, leaving Flair wondering which person to attack next. She drives SKY into the top turnbuckle, then hits her stepover clothesline on both foes, covering Asuka for a near fall.

With the challengers struggling with each other, SKY uses a sunset flip to set off a series of pinning attempts between her and Asuka. SKY takes her time before launching a suicide dive onto Flair, raising her arms in triumph.

Flair regains the momentum and has Asuka down and SKY outside … but only for a moment. Asuka returns and hits a double powerbomb, trying to pin Charlotte but only getting two.

Asuka gets Flair in an armbar but soon finds herself in a Boston crab. Back and forth they go until Flair goes for the Figure Eight, but SKY is back for a meteora on Charlotte for a near fall of her own.

Charlotte finds herself in two submissions at once from her opponents until SKY sets off some more fun three-person spots. Flair emerges from the chaos to spear Asuka, looking incredulous when that doesn’t end it.

Bayley makes her way to ringside, trying to revive SKY. Flair cares not for that, nailing IYO with a big boot but turning into a Codebreaker from Asuka that almost ends it.

The crowd has the “this is awesome” chant going now. Asuka is in the Figure Eight and looks like she is tapping out, but Bayley distracts the ref so it isn’t seen. SKY comes off the top with the Over the Moonsault and is able to pin Flair to retain her gold.

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WWE Fastlane 2023 results: Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes win gold as JD McDonagh’s aid backfires

See how Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso overcame the odds and won tag team gold at WWE Fastlane.

The announcers discuss the alliance between The Judgment Day and The Bloodline we saw on SmackDown and whether it will figure into this match at all. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso look like they’re fine with Jey starting things off against Damian Priest.

They feel each other out for a bit until Uso can back Priest into the corner with body shots, then stun his foe with a hard right hand. Rhodes tags in and hears cheers from the fans, dropping down for the famous Rhodes family right hand.

The faces make quick tags to keep the pressure on, but Priest hits a clothesline on Uso and drags him to the enemy corner. Finn Balor is legal for the first time, hammering Jey repeatedly with shoulders along the turnbuckles.

Rhodes returns and drops Balor into a gutbuster, following with a stalling vertical suplex. Priest is able to wipe out Uso from behind with a kick from the apron, putting him in trouble right after he tags in. Balor lands an ax kick to the back of the neck, covering Uso for a two count.

Jey has to kick out again after a low dropkick. Priest keeps the pressure on him, leaning a knee into the back of Uso’s neck. Balor follows his lead with elbows, but Jey finally gets Finn to miss a corner charge and makes a leaping hot tag to Cody.

A Disaster Kick at the end of a flurry gets Rhodes a near fall on Balor. Cody is stalking him but has to deal with Damian, so Finn rolls him up for two. They battle through counters until Balor can drive Rhodes down with an elbow across the chest for two.

Balor gets Rhodes in position for his finisher but gets crotched on the top turnbuckle. Cody hits a stalling vertical superplex from the middle rope in an impressive show of power.

Both men make tags so Uso and Priest can stand and slug it out. Jey gets in a step-up enzuigiri and fires up the crowd. Uso flies with a high cross body but is answered by a head kick and slammed down for a near fall.

With Priest out on the floor, Uso flies with a suicide dive that hits both of the champs. An Uso Splash follows in the ring, with Balor barely making the save of his partner at two.

Rhodes hits a Cody Cutter on Balor but also takes a hard landing. Uso spears Priest and heads back up top with fans urging him on. But Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio come out and confront Jey at ringside.

That gives the champs time to gather themselves, and Balor connects on the Coup de Grace … but Rhodes hustles over to make the save. All four men start brawling, except Uso has to pause to superkick JD McDonagh. Ripley sneaks in a shot with the MITB briefcase, yet Uso is able to kick out anyway.

Priest hits a chokeslam and clears off the announce table, but McDonagh accidentally nails him with the briefcase and takes a Cross Rhodes atop the table. Rhodes hits another Cross Rhodes on Balor in the ring, and we have new champs.

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WWE Fastlane 2023 predictions: Who walks out of Indianapolis with their hand raised?

WWE Fastlane is about to roll into Indianapolis. Here’s who we think will win every match.

Let’s be real for a second: Fastlane is typically one of WWE’s premium live events that I am not going out of my way to watch.

It’s placement was usually right before WrestleMania, which also usually meant there wasn’t going to be anything of tremendous consqeuence on the card unless it was setting up something for the much more important event the next month.

This year’s Fastlane has some of those same hallmarks. It’s still not considered to be a major premium live event, it’s taking place before a more consquequential event in Survivor Series, and WWE’s top champion, Roman Reigns, is not even scheduled to appear.

However, there is a different feel about this edition of Fastlane. Maybe it’s because John Cena is on the card. Maybe it’s because there are some unique tag team matches. Maybe it’s because Jimmy and Jey Uso are both on the card in tag team matches, but they are not teaming together.

Either way, the 2023 edition of Fastlane has the potential to be exponentially more fun than the Fastlane events of years past. 

One thing that hasn’t changed is that I’ve got predictions. Here’s what I believe will go down in Indianapolis:

Image credit: WWE.com

John Cena and LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso

When Cena was commonly referred to as “Super Cena,” the prediction for this contest would have easy. However, this is grizzled vet Cena, who has already lost to Austin Theory at WrestleMania this year.

That win has done very little for Theory, but it is not outside the realm of possibility that Cena takes another loss here, especially if Reigns gets involved to ensure a victory for his family. 

Reigns is not currently advertised for Fastlane, but he is advertised for next week’s edition of Smackdown (as is Triple H, for that matter). 

With all of that said, I think the one thing Cena and LA Knight have going for them is all of the momentum the latter currently has. Every week, the pops seem to be getting louder and louder for Knight. The people are clearly behind him, and I see no reason to hand him a loss at Fastlane. 

If anything, Knight needs this win to cement as main-event player. Because of that, I’m going with the babyfaces here. 

Winners: John Cena and LA Knight

Image credit: WWE.com

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Boy, is there a lot of speculating and theorizing going on around Seth Rollins at the moment. 

For the record, none of it has been confirmed, but that has not stopped fans from throwing them out there.

One thing I know for certain is Rollins is walking out of Fastlane with the world title. What’s next? I can’t wait to find out.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Image credit: WWE.com

WWE Women’s Championship: IYO SKY (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka

IYO SKY being put into a Triple Threat match she did not ask for is a good way to stack the deck against her heading into Fastlane. However, I believe she will overcome the odds of having to face two very accomplished wrestlers and retain her championship:

Winner: IYO SKY

Image credit: WWE.com

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Finn Balor and Damian Priest (c) vs. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso

What a unique a fun matchup this has the potential to be. While it should be fun, I believe the outcome is academic: The champs retain.

Winners: Finn Balor and Damian Priest

The LWO (and mystery partner) vs. Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits

Here is another unique match that has the potential to be a lot of fun.

As far as a winner, I have to go with Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits to further establish them as a unit to be reckoned with.

Winners: Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits

WWE Fastlane 2023 card: Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso to compete for tag team titles

See what WWE has planned for Indianapolis when Fastlane rolls into town Oct. 7.

WWE Fastlane is quickly approaching, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The build to this premium live event has been relatively quiet, and given this is a calm time of year for WWE anyway, this show has little fanfare surrounding it.

That could change in this final week leading up to the show, however. John Cena and AJ Styles were set to take on Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa at Fastlane, but an injury to Styles temporarily left Cena without a partner. That changed on the Sept. 29 episode of SmackDown, when LA Knight (who had been recovering from COVID-19) agreed to team with Cena in what should be a very popular pairing.

Shinsuke Nakamura will get his rematch for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Last Man Standing match after weeks of making Seth Rollins wait. This main event-worthy match will be interesting to see, with the possibility of any shenanigans happening during the match to spice things up.

Gunther and Tommaso Ciampa will sign a contract for a WWE Intercontinental Championship match at the Oct. 1 episode of Raw. While a date hasn’t been announced for their clash, Fastlane makes obvious sense. Each passing day extends the Imperium leader’s record-setting reign, so will Ciampa become the one to dethrone him?

Cody Rhodes is without anything to do for now. He has been relatively quiet since SummerSlam, but it would be surprising to not see him wrestle at another premium live event.

Fastlane goes down on Saturday, Oct. 7. As WWE announces more matches, they will be updated below.

Latest update: Oct. 2 2023, 9:07 p.m. ET.

WWE Fastlane 2023 card:

  • Seth Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – Last Man Standing match for the World Heavyweight Championship
  • John Cena and LA Knight vs. The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa)
  • IYO SKY (c) vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair – WWE Women’s Championship match
  • Damian Priest and Finn Balor (c) vs. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso – Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match
  • LWO (Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar and either Joaquin Wilde or Cruz Del Toro) vs. Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits

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How to watch WWE Fastlane 2023: Live stream US, international

Everything you need to know to catch WWE Fastlane this weekend from Indianapolis.

On Saturday, Oct. 7, WWE Fastlane will emanate from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This “B” show will be the culmination of multiple feuds with important stakes, including the World Heavyweight Championship being defended.

John Cena and AJ Styles looked set to team up to face Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline at one point, but an attack on Styles opened up a spot for LA Knight to team with WWE’s “Greatest of All Time.” It will be the former Max Dupri’s biggest spotlight yet, especially if this match closes Fastlane. Whether he earns the biggest win of his career, though, could impact his role at the remaining premium live events of 2023.

Shinsuke Nakamura will try to break Seth Rollins‘ back and keep him down for 10 seconds in a Last Man Standing match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Despite taking a few weeks to finalize, Nakamura challenged Rollins on his own terms for the title he failed to take at Payback, and with a win, the King of Strong Style would earn his first world title in WWE.

The unlikely team of Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso will challenge The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and Damian Priest for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. A win would break recent tension within Balor and Priest’s group, but if Rhodes and Uso claim gold, will Rhea Ripley’s unhappiness with her stablemates boil over?

IYO SKY puts her WWE Women’s Championship on the line against Asuka and Charlotte Flair. In a run that began at SummerSlam, the Genius of the Sky has overcome every obstacle despite some hints at issues with Bayley. Can Damage CTRL remain intact for one more premium live event?

These matches, and more, will grace Fastlane in Indianapolis. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the action this weekend.

WWE Fastlane 2023

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023
  • Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT
  • How to watch: On Peacock in the U.S., and on WWE Network in the rest of the world

Report: Jade Cargill scheduled to be at WWE Fastlane

WWE may or may not have Jade Cargill make her televised debut in Indianapolis, but she is expected to be on hand.

In late September, WWE announced the signing of Jade Cargill, who had been a homegrown AEW talent. She had reported to the Performance Center and recently teased that she knew which brand she would be on, but did not reveal where or when she would make her debut.

PW Insider reports that Cargill is set to be at WWE Fastlane on Saturday, Oct. 7. It remains unclear, however, if she will be on television at the event to officially debut.

Additionally, Cargill is “tentatively scheduled” to attend the Raw and SmackDown tapings next week, and the “early word” is that she will join the Raw brand.

Of course, plans could just call for Cargill to see how WWE premium live events and weekly shows work. She would get a chance to meet people and familiarize herself, just like anyone else starting a new job. If WWE wants, they can even have her appear for a crowd shot that creates some buzz and invests fans in wondering when she will become actively involved in storylines.

The juicier story would be Cargill making her actual WWE debut. During Monday’s episode of Raw, she tweeted, and if she does the same during SmackDown, it could further tease which brand she joins since she would be commenting during both shows.

Cargill, being relatively new to pro wrestling, has fresh matchups all over the place. Rhea Ripley, Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, Becky Lynch and others on Raw could make for intriguing feud pairings right away. Depending on how she fares, facing either Lynch or Ripley offers the most intrigue, but for a bigger stage.

Whether or not Cargill’s WWE debut will happen within the next 1-2 weeks remains to be seen, but those anticipating it might not have to wait much longer if she’s backstage for more than a greeting at Fastlane, Raw and SmackDown.

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