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Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing WWE Fastlane coverage from Columbus, Ohio.
To read the Fastlane Tip Sheet and check out predictions for how tonight's show may go, click here.
To check out last year's WWE Fastlane coverage, click here. To read Mike Johnson's Fastlane 2017 blog, click here.
WWE FASTLANE KICKOFF SHOW
The panel is Renee Young, David Otunga, Booker T and Sam Roberts. They reviewed the top matches on the card.
They are going to have Dolph Ziggler answering Twitter questions on the Kickoff show.
They aired a video feature on Ruby Riott vs. Charlotte Flair.
Jinder Mahal showed up as the panel discussed the United States championship match with Bobby Roode defending against Randy Orton, teasing he would be watching (and obviously, intimating he could be getting involved.)
The panel talked with Dolph Ziggler, who pushed that he was going to win tonight and go on to the title. Sam Roberts accidentally called if the WWF title. I still do that sometimes too.
Fandango & Tye Dillinger vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin & Mojo Rawley
Fandango put on amateur wrestling headgear to mock Gable. They did some comedy with him offering his back to Breeze, who then tried to ride him like a horse. The babyfaces had complete control as they went to commercial, pushing Ronda Rousey in WWE.
When they returned, Gable was all over Breeze, working him over. Mojo tagged in. The crowd chanted, “You can’t wrestle!” Tye Dillinger got the hot tag and cleaned house and the crowd was really into it. Dillinger and Gable had some nice chemistry in the ring.
Benjamin and Gable tried to double team Dillinger but Gable was nailed with a kick by Breeze. As everyone fought on the outside, Dillinger nailed a knee to the face and scored the pin on Mojo.
Your winners, Fandango & Tye Dillinger!
Really good six-man tag with a lot of energy and good work across the board. Very entertaining even with the limited time they had.
The panel discussed the Six Way main event as the Kickoff show ended.
WWE FASTLANE 2018
Rusev (with Aiden English) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Rusev had control early on, working over Nakamura’s arm. Nakamura tried to wear Rusev down with a headlock. They ended up in the ropes and Nakamura broke clean. Rusev went to hit him but Nakamura avoided him and danced around the ring, playing to the fans. Rusev left the ring, trying to slow down the pace.
There were back and forth “Nakamura/Rusev Day” chants. Rusev gained control, knocking Shinsuke off the apron to the floor. He drilled Nakamura into the guard rail on the floor, but only garnered a two count. Nakamura went for a heel hook but Rusev got to showcase his power by grabbing the Rumble winner and slamming him to the mat for a two count.
Rusev continued to methodically work over Nakamura. Nakamura made a comeback with several kicks and an enziguiri. He charged with a knee in the corner and followed up with a second, scoring a two count. Solid match thus far.
Nakamura cinched on a front facelock. Rusev kept trying to power out but was unable, dropping back down to one knee. He finally accomplished the escape, scoring with a fall away slam. Nakamura fired back with strikes but Rusev nailed him with a big kick to the head. Rusev went for the Machka Kick but Nakamura avoided. They fired back and forth with strikes, with Nakamura getting the better of the exchange.
Rusev went for the Accolade again but Nakamura slipped out underneath him and nailed a big kick to the back of the head. He nailed the Kinshasa and scored the pinfall.
Your winner, Shinsuke Nakamura!
A very good opening match with Rusev showing his strength and work as a heel while giving Nakamura a great person to have to fight from underneath to overcome. This was the best Nakamura has looked since the Royal Rumble and this was really, really good, especially the last few minutes.
They noted during Bobby Roode’s ring entrance that Daniel Bryan was not there tonight due to a family function.
They went back and forth, feeling each other out, but neither really gained the advantage early before they faced off. Orton grabbed a side headlock but was sent into the ropes. He shoulderblocked Roode down. Roode tried to work over Orton’s shoulder while Roode’s ribs were targeted by Orton.
Orton took control, slammed Roode down across the top rope for a two count. Roode fought back and nailed a clothesline for a two count. Orton reversed a suplex attempt and nailed one of his own. Roode began building some offense, including nailing a neckbreaker. He went to the top and nailed a flying lariat.
Roode went for the Glorious DDT but Orton avoided and rolled up Roode for a two count. He snapped Roode over with a powerslam. Roode rolled to the outside of the ring. Randy pulled him in for the hanging DDT but Roode avoided it. Orton snapped across the top rope. He charged Roode, who kicked him off. Roode sailed off the ropes with a Blockbuster for a two count.
They battled back and forth until Orton nailed the hanging DDT. He set up for the RKO but Roode blocked it and went for a sunset flip. Orton dropped down for a two count but when Roode kicked out, Orton backed off to the floor. Roode followed him outside the ring.
They battled back into the ring, attempting a superplex, the move his father made famous but Roode battled back. Roode nailed a sunset flip powerbomb into the ring and covered Orton for a two count. Roode went to the top but Orton crotched him, pushing his leg out from under him. Orton attempted the superplex again and this time, was successful but the brunt of the move took the air out of both men.
Orton finally recovered and made the cover but Roode got his shoulder up. Orton drilled Roode with right hands and kicks. Roode fired back. Orton nailed a kick to the ribs. Roode went for a backslide but Orton kicked out. He went for the Glorious DDT, but Orton countered and attempted the RKO. Roode sent him off into the ropes and nailed a great looking spinebuster.
Roode went to come off the ropes but Orton nailed him with the RKO coming off the ropes, scoring the pin.
Your winner and new WWE United States champion Randy Orton!
Very good, methodical match with some nice back and forth sequences and a nice logical and physical story told. Good match.
Jinder Mahal made his way to the ring, dressed to wrestle. He attacked Mahal, but Roode hit the ring and nailed the Glorious DDT on Mahal. He then grabbed Orton andn nailed a Glorious DDT on the new champion as well.
WWE all but announced Roode vs. Mahal vs. Orton at Wrestlemania 34.
They aired a long video featuring pushing Ronda Rousey’s Wrestlemania debut.
Sami Zayn walked into Kevin Owens’ locker room. Owens was upset that Zayn pinned him at Smackdown after saying he would lay down for him tonight. Zayn tried to plead his case and told Owens he would be his ”guardian angel” tonight. Owens walked off disgusted.
Coverage will continue on Page 2!
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