7 Major Twists that could happen at Fastlane 2018

Fastlane may seem like an unwanted roadblock to WrestleMania at this point but it's still packed with some underrated gems that could make for a very entertaining watch.

The haphazardly put six-pack challenge for the WWE title not only promises to be a solid in-ring affair but also a swerve-worthy one.

That, and an underwhelming undercard requires a handful of unanticipated twists to elevate itself into a top quality show.

SmackDown has had the habit of overcoming the odds in the past and with Fastlane being the final PPV before the show of shows, creative is expected to bring their A-game to the B-show.

In this list, we take a look at the biggest swerves to expect at the PPV no one seems to care about:

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#1 Asuka shows up and challenges the Queen

An unlikely WrestleMania classic

The recent past in the WWE has all been about making HISTORY with the women. First ever Hell in a Cell, women's main eventer, Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and now, it could be the first ever five-star women's match.

Charlotte Flair is expected to retain the SmackDown Women's title against Ruby Riot at Fastlane but what happens after that?

There's clearly no WrestleMania direction for the Queen and the only path that seems logical now has the Empress of Tomorrow waiting at the end.

WWE seems to be shifting to a Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss WrestleMania match and has hinted at giving the fans the match they deserve to see. Asuka vs. Charlotte for the SmackDown Women's Champion at WrestleMania!

Considering how stylistically compatible their in-ring styles are, Asuka and Charlotte could force Big Ol' Dave Meltzer to take some of those NJPW-reserved stars in favor of this potentially historic women's match.

Alright, that's the last time you see historic in the article.

#2 Randy Orton creates HISTORY!

A dream match with a nightmarish build.

Randy Orton was never a mid-card champion in the eyes of the WWE top brass.

Apart from his 13 world titles, the Viper doesn't have anything else to boast about and what's even more surprising is that he has never held the US title in his 18-year career.

That could all change this Sunday. Orton is currently as stale as an overplayed song on the radio and could still become the 10th Grand Slam champion in the current format if he manages to beat Bobby Roode.

The Glorious US Champion doesn't have the momentum to speak of but a loss would surely hurt his stock.

However, a heel champion in Orton on the road to WrestleMania could make Roode the face WWE wants him to be.

But there's another predictable booking decision...

#3 Jinder Mahal does NOT Interfere

It could be a similar scene this Sunday.

The Modern Day Maharaja's interference in the US title match, to in turn, set up a triple threat match at Mania seems set in stone at this point.

Mahal making his presence felt at Fastlane protects both Roode and Orton but it's as boring as Curtis Axel on the mic.

WWE could instead, have Orton win dirty and progress towards a heel turn while they could lure Rob Gronkowski for a celebrity match against Mahal.

The former WWE Champion has called out the NFL Linebacker in recent weeks and if the price is right then it could see the light.

#4 Rusev beats Shinsuke Nakamura

Because why not...

WWE didn't have anything in store for two of their most popular stars on the blue brand and thought putting them against each other would be a good idea. In hindsight, it very well maybe.

Possessing a guaranteed WWE title shot in his kitty, a loss of Nakamura at this stage wouldn't necessarily be a blunder and while conversely, a win to the red-hot Rusev could be the beginning of a well-deserved push.

The match itself between the two should be one of the more entertaining bouts of the night and a shocking win for Machka would do wonders for Rusev Day.

Rusev Day all the way!

#5 Becky Lynch turns heel

And for the 1000th time.

One-half of the four Horsewomen is going through a breakdown on Raw as either Sasha Banks or Bayley are all set to turn on each other for a big match at WrestleMania.

Their potential clash will be the first non-title singles women's match in WrestleMania history -- quite a commendable feat, to say the least.

While the Boss and the Huggable one will get a prominent Mania spot, Charlotte should expectedly go into the show as the Champion.

It's safe to say that poor Becky Lynch has gotten the short end of the stick.

Becky Lynch and Naomi will team up yet again to face Natalya and Carmella in a match that is better off on an episode of SmackDown.

A heel turn from Lynch and a subsequent programme with Charlotte for the Women's title solves the conundrum in the Women's division on SmackDown.

Also, a reminder that Carmella still holds the Money in the Bank briefcase.

#6 AJ Styles loses the WWE Championship

Too many cooks shouldn't spoil the broth here.

AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura is the popular choice to supposedly main event WrestleMania but is that what Vince McMahon actually wants?

The Phenomenal Champion is an all-out company guy and would do anything that's asked of him.

With a certain John Cena in the match and the record-breaking 17th world title in the shadows, WWE would be tempted at pulling the trigger on having a triple threat match between Cena, Styles, and Nakamura at Mania.

But you also have the Undertaker lurking the corresponding shadows as well seemingly ready for a dream match against the Cenation leader.

Styles is the favorite to retain but stranger things have happened before.

Styles losing is one thing but Dolph Ziggler winning the title would be the mother of all swerves. Hopefully, WWE just sticks to the plan.

#7 Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn don't turn on each other

The curious case of two confused Canadians.

The jam-packed WWE title match comes with a host of intriguing sub-plots and one of them is the never-ending saga between Owens and Zayn.

The mismanaged reunion between the real-life best friends seems destined to end sour, possibly culminating in a WrestleMania match.

The incoming turn is inevitable but it could also be avoided. The SmackDown Live tag team division needs some reinforcements and diversity and that's exactly where the Canadian duo should be slotted after Fastlane.

The perennial indy darlings winning the tag team titles together at the grandest stage of them all is a great story waiting to unfold.

When all's said and done, WrestleMania is all about the moments and this one is absolutely worthy of the glorious occasion.