WWE Fastlane 2017: Reactions & Review

Here’s our final thoughts on Raw’s WWE Fastlane 2017!

Rich Swann and Akira Tozawa vs. The Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar (with Alicia Fox)

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Reactions: This was comparable to your usual Raw Cruiserweight tag bout. But we’re pretty satisfied with the fact it featured two of our favorite members of the division – the “Outlandish” Rich Swann and the loudest Cruiserweight in the WWE, Akira Tozawa. The action presented here was solid, but it wasn’t anything particularly different or better than what we see from the division on Monday nights. The good guys won after a pretty impressive finishing sequence from Swann and Tozawa. Side note – it looks like Austin Aries is ready to make a play for the Cruiserweight Championship. The return vignette that played before this match hints at that happening sooner rather than later.

Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars

Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe

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Reactions: This one was quite nearly a squash, but Zayn fought valiantly at certain points of the match. But this bout was clearly designed to show just how much of a monster Joe is. Joe’s WWE main show PPV debut did wonders for his already impressive stature. Zayn had a few spirited moments here and there (his Blue Thunder Bomb looked like it almost sealed the deal for Zayn). But Joe ran roughshod over Zayn in a decent matchup. This definitely felt like something that belonged on an episode of Raw, though. Which is kind of a letdown because we know these men can put on something even better than this “meh…” meeting.

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Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars

Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

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Reactions: When Jax is in control of any match, the action tends to be really slow and plodding. That was the case here as Jax played with her prey in the form of “The Boss” Sasha Banks. The opening portion of this match was putting us to sleep until Banks made a comeback with two submission attempts. Banks fought hard and made the live crowd get a little louder as she fought valiantly to take Jax down. Jax went back into domination mode after she fed Banks a Spinebuster and Running Leg Drop. But Jax met her downfall after getting too cocky, which led into Banks rolling her up for the shocking finish. This was fine for what it was. Banks got the rematch win and we’re pleased to see that happen, at least.

Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars

Jinder Mahal vs. Cesaro (with Sheamus)

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Reactions: Nothing really of note here to speak of besides the painful breakup of “Handsome” Rusev and the super jacked Mahal. Mahal’s surprise opponent was Cesaro, who ended up having your usual hour one Raw singles encounter with Mahal. Cesaro won to the shock of no one after a pretty tepid matchup.

Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars

Elton Jones is a senior contributor to Heavy who covers gaming, pro wrestling, movies and pop culture. He lives in New York City.
March 6, 2017 1:12 am