It's The Last Stop Before WrestleMania! It's...FastLane!
WWE Hot Wheels: Beat That is on Sunday, and it’s the last show before WrestleMania. I typed out that first sentence and ended it with an exclamation point, but redacted it because I am NOT that excited. Most of the time that means the show will drastically exceed my expectations and I’ll look like an idiot, which I’d love! While the RAW build has left me unexcited, I won’t deny that some of these matches can deliver big time.
WWE Universal Championship: Kevin Owens (c) vs Bill
What could be a tremendous high profile matchup, between one of the most over wrestlers in history and one of the most over wrestlers of this generation could unfortunately be an under 2 minute squash. If Brock Lesnar was booked as a jobber to Bill (which I loved), Kevin Owens will face the same fate (which I hate).
The only scenario in which I can see Kevin Owens winning the match is with interference from Brock Lesnar, and that’s the most feasible option at this point. Ideally, I’d want Bill to run in for a spear, get caught in a Pop-Up Powerbomb, and build the (competitive) match around that crucial mistake. BUT, Brock and Bill is the marquee match for Mania, and apparently someone wants it to have the big red title. After the Owens/Jericho breakup, I think it’s clear which two deserve the shine of the strap.
Winner: Bill
Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman
I’m hyped as fuck for this one. Braun Strowman is the best big guy I’ve ever seen at his experience level. He did a god damn KIP UP on RAW!
This guy is a monster and he’s amazing. Roman Reigns, as I’ve mentioned in the past, is phenomenal and understands match flow better than some veterans. If for some reason you’re not absolutely stoked for the all out brawl this will be, watch RAW’s go-home segment:
To build to the rumored WrestleMania match I’m betting on The Undertaker showing up and costing Roman the match as revenge for the Royal Rumble. That way, Braun’s also protected enough to win the Andre The Giant Battle Royal at the show of shows (though he deserves better).
Winner: Braun Strowman
WWE RAW Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs Charlotte Flair
I think Charlotte is a fantastic wrestler and heel character, but the formula that’s been used for her title reign got stale almost a year ago, and they go back to the well on it every month. Wins the Women’s Championship at the pay per view, loses it at RAW, rinse and repeat. The pay per view win streak is one of the most transparent “history makers” they’ve ever done.
While the match will most likely be amazing, knowing the result so clearly makes it a little harder for them to succeed. I also wish Bayley’s big moment wasn’t wasted on RAW like Sasha’s was, making both forgettable, but that’s in the past. There’s still a big potential moment in breaking Charlotte’s streak, and that could make somebody’s career if done right.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Other thoughts:
I love Enzo and Cass, and with WWE loving to blow their load early, maybe this is their big moment!
Sami Zayn vs Samoa Joe could be great, and if you’re a casual fan, it probably seems like a dream match, but it happened multiple times in NXT, and it hasn’t been good at all. They just don’t have great chemistry with each other.
I can’t WAIT for Neville vs Jack Gallagher. They’re pretty clearly the two most over Cruiserweights since the division started, so maaaaaaaybe the crowd will be into it? Maybe?
*checks city*
Nope!
Let’s hope I’m wrong about this being a lackluster show, and right about it proving me wrong. Maybe Vince Jr. has a wild swerve up his sleeve. Heading into Mania and with Raw being the worse of the two shows, they really need a solid PPV. Will they pull it off? Guess that’s why we watch.
