WWE Fastlane 2016 : 5 things that could go wrong at the pay-per-view

WWE Fastlane has to brave its share of potential pitfalls, in order to set a suitable tone for Wrestlemania 32Although this is the last pay-per-view pit stop for the company before the curtains are drawn on their grand designs for Wrestlemania 32, there is nevertheless a sense of concern permeating the WWE Universe heading into Fastlane this Sunday.Admittedly, while the WWE has been severely handicapped due to the dearth of big names that have been claimed by injury, what is even more perturbing is how there seems to be little more than an inkling of momentum attached to the other matches, in a lopsidedly top-heavy card.While the lion’s share of Creative’s efforts have been dedicated in ensuring all the bases have been covered as far as the Triple Threat main event match is concerned, the importance of other feuds have naturally paled in comparison heading into the pay-per-view.Without the buffer of other captivating storylines to prop the card up – despite comprising of a couple of potentially solid pro-wrestling matches – Fastlane hangs by a thread very much in danger of snapping, as we take a look at 5 potential pitfalls that could seriously derail the course that the WWE has charted en route to Wrestlemania 32.

#5 Predictability

A loss for either Kevin Owens or AJ Styles would be so counter-productive, that the WWE could only really book them to win

Although Creative has been calculated and poised in building up to the Triple Threat main event, if only to keep the audience guessing as to who will eventually emerge victorious, the outcome of the other matches on the card seem to be rather straightforward to a discerning fan base.

Despite both matches bearing the potential to be show-stealers in their respective right, the suspense factor in the Intercontinental Championship bout between Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler and the deciding rubber match between AJ Styles and Chris Jericho has been all but dispensed with going into Fastlane.

On one hand it is inconceivable that Triple H’s golden boy, Kevin Owens, would only be afforded a week long run with the Intercontinental Title while on the other, having AJ Styles lose the decider against Chris Jericho would render their recent investment on the Phenomenal One redundant.

Coupled with Brie Bella’s impending retirement – that effectively rules out a Divas Title change – and the worst kept secret that Braun Strowman is in line for a monster push heading into Wrestlemania, only the outcome of the Becky/Sasha vs Naomi/Tamina match can be debated upon with any real conviction.

While the card could still be salvaged should the matches themselves live up to their perceptible quality on paper, the WWE has to hope that the one directional booking, and the inherent compromise on suspense that it entails, doesn’t otherwise affect the pay-per-view too much.

#4 Staleness in booking

After already wrestling a handful of matches against one another, it would be hard for wrestlers to outdo themselves repeatedly

The Kalisto vs Alberto Del Rio, 2 out of 3 falls match may have been booted down into occupying the preshow slot, but it does not conceal that fact that 3 matches on the overall card are merely repetitions of what has already been served up to the audience on a weekly basis.

Although the crowd is likely to eagerly lap up every moment of Chris Jericho vs AJ Styles and Kevin Owens vs Dolph Ziggler, these are matches that have already been featured on Raw and Smackdown, thus surely infringing on the ‘big match’ feel the WWE would ideally associate with its pay-per-views.

One of the reasons why matches like Stone Cold versus The Rock were roof-raisers was largely due to the fact that the WWE preserved the novelty factor in those encounters by not over doing them; something that cannot be said about most of the matches on the Fastlane Card.

The WWE would likely be banking on the individual star power of Chris Jericho, AJ Styles, Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler – being the internet darlings that all of them are – to sustain audience interest, for it is surely too steep an ask based merely off the monotonous booking that the company is guilty of.

#3 Tag Team Championship?

Not having the New Day wrestle at Fastlane could turn out to be an ill-advised decision by the WWE

Even when The Rock – who is one of the few Superstars in today’s quasi-kayfabe dynamic that fulfils the role of a thoroughbred babyface – graced Monday Night Raw, the New Day that were supposed to be at the receiving end of his verbal volleys were cheered quite vocally by the fans.

Although portrayed as heels, albeit rib-tickling and entertaining ones, the New Day has been one of the most over factions in the WWE for a while now, regularly eliciting throaty “New Day Rocks!” chants from the audience week after week.

While there is undoubtedly an entertaining segment in the offing involving Edge, Christian and the New Day as advertised for Fastlane, not having the Tag Team Champions defend their titles and head full steam into Wrestlemania on the back of a victory is surely an opportunity that the WWE has otherwise missed out on.

On a day where all the other matches also carry serious undertones, while still appearing perfunctory when compared to the Triple Threat match, having the New Day wrestle could have provided the perfect foil to lighten up the mood of the audience, thus embossing the importance of the main event in the process.

#2 Snooze fest

The six man tag team match has been booked primarily to push Braun Strowman, heading into Wrestlemania 32

Especially when featured alongside matches replete with instances of athleticism and creative spots, watching slow-burning encounters between lumbering, mountain-esque men has historically almost always been a deal-breaker for the WWE Universe.

Understandably this time too, the fans seem none too pleased about the six man tag team match between the Wyatt Family and the team of Ryback, Kane and Big Show – who have been grandiosely dubbed as the Titans of the WWE – heading into their encounter at Fastlane.

With the audience smelling another potential squash match for the Wyatt Family from a mile away, it would be safe to assume that while this match is unlikely to throw up any curveballs as far as the result is concerned, even the manner of it seems to be rather telegraphed.

While a victory for the Titans would unnecessarily chip away at the momentum of the Wyatts that Creative has been carefully preserving, all expectations leading up to the match points to an utterly predictable Wyatt victory, with Braun Strowman coming out looking every bit a monster heel.

Regardless of whether this sets up a potential bout for him against the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 32 as the rumour mills seem to suggest, it doesn’t draw the attention away from the match itself, which is bound to be rather uneventful at best, or yawn-inducing at worst.

#1 Audience reaction

If indeed there is to be a heel turn in the main event, the WWE had better get it spot on

The Triple Threat match between Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose has been built up excellently with the Authority, and indeed a virtuoso promo from Paul Heyman, doing their best to widen the cracks that were appearing between the brothers.

Even apart from teasing a heel turn, the inclusion of Brock Lesnar into the match meant that predicting an outright winner for this match was always going to be a risky proposition; what with Dean Ambrose also dropping his Intercontinental Title and presumably setting himself up for something better.

Heading into Fastlane however, the rumour vines are all indicative of Roman Reigns picking up the victory, with Brock Lesnar there to add dimensionality to the proceedings and Dean Ambrose – arguably the most over Superstar in the WWE roster currently – reportedly eating the pin.

Whether the WWE follow through on this formula, or whether Triple H’s staredown from atop the ramp could have been a sign of things to come, the company has to tread carefully around tailoring the main event at Fastlane, especially when the odds-on favourite to triumph could also be the least favoured Superstar in the match.