WWE Fast Lane 2015: Biggest X-Factors to Watch at Massive PPV

The Road to WrestleMania in 2015 is taking a different route than usual with the inaugural Fast Lane pay-per-view, and the WWE Universe can't quite predict what's going on.

For the past few years, there was a set pattern, with one champion defending his title in the Elimination Chamber while a top contender was chosen for the other belt, making things somewhat predictable.

This time around, Fast Lane will be a filler event in many ways, but it could still have a huge impact on the landscape of WWE for 2015.

WWE markets itself with the concept that anything can happen at any time, so what are some potential things that could create detours and really make an impact?

Emergency Evacuation Title Changes

While there are still going to be episodes of Raw, SmackDown and more between Fast Lane and WrestleMania in which titles could change hands and last-minute decisions could alter the direction, pay-per-views always up the ante for things like that to happen.

What if WWE wants to put more focus on Dean Ambrose and less on Bad News Barrett come WrestleMania, meaning the Intercontinental Championship could switch hands here?

Seeing as how there aren't many big matches that can happen in the Divas division, and the biggest one—Brie Bella vs. Nikki Bella—doesn't seem to be as much of a lock as it did before, does Paige win the title just for something different?

This will be the last event before the biggest one of the year, so if the belts aren't currently on the people that WWE wants to build matches for, this will be as good a time as any for some swerves and new champions.

Credit: WWE.com

Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins?

Speaking of title situations, just because Daniel Bryan defeated Seth Rollins to earn his spot in this No. 1 contender's match does not mean you should count Mr. Money in the Bank out just yet.

Not only is Rollins the heel aligned with The Authority—who have the power to just bend the rules and allow him to be placed in the match due to their wishes—he is also someone who has consistently been featured for months.

Very few events have gone by without Rollins being an integral part of the main event or secondary main event in some fashion, whether it be an interference or him actually wrestling in the match.

Over the next two weeks, there can easily be a situation that comes up wherein Rollins sneaks his way into making this a Triple Threat match.

Not only would that give Rollins something to do at the event, as well as a heel for either Bryan or Reigns to pin without hurting the other babyface, it would also act as a proper incident to rekindle another feud.

Credit: WWE.com

Randy Orton's Return

The storyline between Rollins and Randy Orton was never resolved, which either means WWE can forget it ever happened or reignite the spark when the time is right.

Judging by how his name was brought up by Rollins this week, it would be safe to say the latter is the most likely option.

Having Orton return before Fast Lane would be rushing things and give away what could easily be a midcard match at WrestleMania, so what's the next best alternative?

The simple answer to that is for Orton to return at Fast Lane to screw Rollins out of his match, acting as the refresher catalyst to build up their WrestleMania match for those who don't think there's enough steam to draw from with their previous encounters.

Rollins wants to be champion, and for Orton to take that away from him is a perfect motivator, as well as a means to an end for the match that would come as a bit of a surprise and keep the suspense factor high.

Throwaway Events with Throwaway Finishes?

A big factor that could come into play at this event is how, when you boil it down, it actually is just a big stall.

It's unlikely that Brock Lesnar will be showing up in any capacity, let alone wrestling and opening himself up to a potential cash-in or anything that would truly change the game plan for WrestleMania in a monumental way.

In fact, there's a good chance that this ends up being mostly all hype when things are said and done.

WWE knows that the big money is in WrestleMania, so everyone would be foolish to think the biggest things will be given away during a free month for new subscribers.

For the most part, fans will get to whet their appetites but still need to feel hungry for the entree that will come up in March.

Unfortunately, that could lead to WWE's creative team stalling in the way that it is so incredibly comfortable doing: not having actual resolution.

If the plan is for John Cena and Rusev to have another match at WrestleMania, then Rusev is either going to win through some dubious fashion, or Cena will win via disqualification or count-out, as a pinfall or submission victory kills any excitement for a rematch.

What if there is an issue in the title shot match wherein there is a draw, leading to more than one challenger for Lesnar's title?

This could end up being an event filled with referee bumps, distractions, bouts being ruled a no-contest outcome or anything else of the sort just to eat up time in the month before WrestleMania.

The optimistic point of view for this event is that every match will deliver and it will be filled with surprises that can have a big impact on WrestleMania.

The pessimists will go into this show expecting nothing but the worst, where nothing is accomplished and WWE goes back to square one, or perhaps even further than that, dooming WrestleMania to be a disaster.

Realistically, though, there will be a mix of the obvious outcomes taking place and a few surprises along the way—all of which will greatly depend on what WWE has planned for WrestleMania more than anything else.

If things are virtually set in stone with Reigns facing Lesnar, Orton facing Rollins and a rematch between Rusev and Cena being three matches at WrestleMania, then that will influence much of the above happening.

However, if history has taught us anything, it's that the biggest X-factors are things that nobody will be able to see coming.

What elements of WWE's storytelling will you be looking out for at Fast Lane?

Are there any particular signs that are pointing in a certain direction for swerves, title changes, match outcomes or anything else?

Cast your predictions and tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Anthony Mango is the owner-operator of the wrestling website Smark Out Moment as well as the host of its podcast show Smack Talk on YouTube, iTunes and Stitcher. You can follow him on Facebook and elsewhere for more.