5 Superstars who needed wins at Fastlane

WWE Fastlane offered the WWE Universe several matches that took storylines forward for WrestleMania 34, and also provided some surprises with a title change and an unexpected title challenge issued from Asuka.

Some of the SmackDown Live roster needed W's in the win/loss column to ensure they stayed as strong as possible into WrestleMania, as well as provide them concrete match opportunities in April in New Orleans.

Here are five such Superstars, who needed to win at Fastlane 2018.

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#5 Carmella - Won

Princess of Staten Island

The first ever woman's Money in the Bank winner has been struggling to make her mark on WWE TV since winning the briefcase, and a rumoured cash in at WrestleMania means Carmella will need to prove herself a main event player on SmackDown Live, especially as it now seems like Asuka or Charlotte Flair will be in her way.

Luckily for Carmella, a pin on Becky Lynch enabled her to continue looking stronger, than if she had lost the tag match. Now it remains to be seen if Carmella will carry the momentum she gained towards WrestleMania and finally cash in her MITB contract.

#4 Ruby Riott - Lost

Leader of the Riott Squad

Although beating the Women's champion Charlotte Flair seemed like an insurmountable task for Ruby, she did have the Riott Squad around her to ensure she still seemed menacing during her defeat.

The squad hasn't lived up to expectations so far on WWE TV, with Absolution on Raw doing a much better of job of looking threatening and putting on good matches. Ruby, in defeat, must now focus her attention on beating the lower card members of the women's roster whilst Charlotte and Asuka fight at 'The Grandest Stage of them All' for the SmackDown Women's Championship.

#3 Bobby Roode - Lost

Simply Glorious

The former WWE US Champion has had the WWE Universe on his side since his debut but is still relatively new to the audience. He had not been champion for long before Fastlane and needed a longer run with the title, as well as a successful defence at WrestleMania, to solidify himself in the upper card.

Giving 'The Viper' the belt at Fastlane set up a re-match with Roode and possibly Jinder Mahal at WrestleMania in a triple threat bout, but the damage might have already been done to the 'Glorious One'. Roode is used to being in the main event and the former NXT Champion should have his sights on Styles and Nakamura for the future, not Jinder and an ageing Orton.

#2 Dolph Ziggler - Lost

'The showoff' Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler has been here to show the world his skills for over 10 years, and has made it clear he is not happy with the fact he has never had a WrestleMania singles match. For someone who likens himself to Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart, the Showoff is severely lacking the WWE Universe's support and quite clearly does not have Vince McMahon fully behind him.

A bumper new pay deal behind the scenes does show promise in his career not just petering out, but without a showcase match and win soon, Ziggler may soon find himself back on the mid-card.

#1 AJ Styles - Won

The Phenomenal AJ Styles

It may seem odd that the WWE Champion required a win at the PPV before WrestleMania, but Styles is a 2-time WWE Champion, and has won high level matches against John Cena, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens. This CV in his short career in WWE means he has the support of the office, but hasn't had the chance to show it on the grandest stage.

At this point in his career, the 'phenomenal one' needs a WrestleMania match against Shinsuke Nakamura to cement his spot as one of "the guys" in WWE. With Nakamura likely to win at 'the show of shows' and a possible move to Monday Night Raw for The Phenomenol One, Styles will need to have as much momentum as possible before making that jump to go head to head with the likes of Reigns, Rollins and Braun Strowman over on Raw.