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:
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).
NEXT WEEK on the SEASON PREMIERE of #SmackDown:
☝️ @WWERomanReigns returns…
🔥 @TripleH makes a special appearance!
😤 #PrettyDeadly battle The #BrawlingBrutes!
📺 FRIDAY at 8/7 on @FOXTV pic.twitter.com/XkjHoeC92n
— WWE (@WWE) October 7, 2023
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
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.
It’s safe to say CM Punk is returning to WWE, the question is when?
My vote is the Royal Rumble and have him face Seth Rollins for the title at Wrestlemania 40. pic.twitter.com/IkB3PnhRsA
— Dom (@Underrated_Dom) October 7, 2023
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
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
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