WWE Fastlane 2015: Date, Start Time, Matches, Live Stream, PPV Info

WWE Fastlane serves as the precursor to WrestleMania, a pay-per-view designed to entertain as it builds toward the company's marquee event.

The first-ever Fastlane begins on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. ET. Fans packed inside the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, will get to see Rusev take on his toughest opponent to date, an appearance from Sting and Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan determines who gets the honor of facing Brock Lesnar. 

All those showdowns have WrestleMania implications.

Fans expect this to just be the first battle of many between Rusev and John Cena. Sting's confrontation with Triple H will essentially be an advertisement for their WrestleMania bout. To close the show, the winner of Reigns vs. Bryan assures himself a spot in the main event of The Showcase of the Immortals.

Will Fastlane just be a WrestleMania warm-up or can the Superstars and WWE's writing team make this a memorable debut for the new addition to the PPV calendar?

Live Stream, PPV Info

Fastlane is the key lure for WWE's attempt to add to its number of total subscribers. The WWE Network, including Fastlane, is free all of February for new subscribers.  

Once they have signed up for the streaming service, fans in the United States can stream the show on the network via Xbox and Playstation consoles, Amazon Fire TV, WWE.com, Apple TV and other devices.

The WWE Network recently expanded its global reach. In January, the United Kingdom and Ireland joined the list of countries to get the service.

North Africa, the Middle East and Canada will be not too far behind the U.K. As Variety reports, "WWE has locked down new distribution deals for its WWE Network in Canada and the Middle East." For Canadian fans, that means that Rogers Communication will expand service via deals with various cable companies.

Unfortunately, these deals don't go into place until WrestleMania time. Fans from those regions will need to find alternative means to tune into Fastlane.

The same goes for WWE heads in Germany or India. The network isn't running there yet either. Check out the network help section on WWE.com to check availability in your country.

For U.S. fans who choose not to go the WWE Network route, Fastlane will also be available through various cable companies. The show will run you about $50 dollars this way, though, as opposed to it being free on the WWE Network.

OSN will provide the PPV for fans in Egypt. Maxdome has German folks covered. To check viewing options in other countries, visit WWE.com's How to Watch section. 

Pre-Show, Sting and Triple H Confrontation

Before Fastlane begins, a panel will discuss all the night's big matches. At the Royal Rumble, Renee Young, Corey Graves, Booker T and Byron Saxton filled this role. 

Also, look for a stockpile of hype videos to try and sell fans on ordering the WWE Network. As an added incentive to start watching early, Paul Heyman will be The Miz's guest on Miz TV.

This all kicks off at 7 p.m. ET.

In addition to the WWE Network, fans can check out the pre-show via the WWE App, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pheed and Pinterest. WWE has yet to announce a pre-show match for the event.

Once Fastlane begins, there will be one special attraction that will involve no official wrestling. Triple H called out Sting to meet him face-to-face in Memphis; The Stinger accepted in memorable fashion.

This promises to be a noteworthy meeting as the two former world champs continue on their collision course. WWE will be looking to hook fans for WrestleMania. How it increases anticipation for this bout will be a big key to that goal.

Match Card

• Cesaro and Tyson Kidd vs. The Usos (Tag Team Championship)
• Dean Ambrose vs. Bad News Barrett (Intercontinental Championship)
• Paige vs. Nikki Bella (Divas Championship)
• John Cena vs. Rusev (United States Championship)
• Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan (Winner faces Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania)

The Usos' Reign Set to End?

Cesaro and Kidd have quickly climbed into contention in a thin tag team division. They provide an exciting energy, eye-catching double-team moves and appeal to the diehard fan. 

Strangely enough, it's been Kidd's wife who has helped get them into this spot.

Natalya's animosity toward Naomi (Jimmy Uso's wife) has been at the heart of this feud. A double date that went wrong was the spark that set this feud afire. 

Usually it's the women who have to be a part of soap-opera stories like this. If this leads to Cesaro and Kidd getting a run with the tag titles, they won't be complaining how they got there.

The Lunatic Fringe Is Championship Crazed

Ambrose got it in his head that he wants to be IC champ. He has since become obsessed with that goal, calling out Barrett, demanding a crack at his belt.

It took tying the champ to the ropes and a contract signed under duress to get Ambrose the match he sought.

Credit: WWE.com

Ambrose's fans can't be thrilled that he is no longer in the main event picture. This rivalry feels like the company tossing him scraps.

That's no knock on Barrett. The IC title scene hasn't been relevant in years. As The Englishman himself has found out, the crown usually just leads to suffering a string of non-title losses.

This should still be a fun match with both men so good at brawling. 

Paige Seeks Another Divas Championship

The story here has been that The Bella Twins are the mean, superficial and pretty heels. Paige has played the hard-nosed chick who doesn't care so much about looks.

WWE hasn't committed to this narrative, often giving it only cursory additions. The two biggest moments to date include Brie and Nikki covering Paige's torso in tanning spray and the sisters later stealing Paige's clothes.

Nikki has held the title since November. There's no clear direction for her heading into WrestleMania unless WWE turns up the volume on this rivalry going forward.

Paige can win her third Divas Championship in less than a full year of competing on the main roster.

Can Rusev Be Stopped?

No one has pinned Rusev or forced him to submit. That streak is now heading into historic territory.

Here comes Cena, though, a man who has ended many an impressive run over the years. The expectation here is that WWE saves the decisive finish for WrestleMania. Why give away Rusev's first true loss or his biggest win to date before the biggest show of the year?

Count on this being a double count-out or some kind of no-contest. With as intense as their confrontations have been, it's not hard to imagine them brawling in the stands or losing focus on victory.

Regardless of how it finishes, this promises to be one of Fastlane's best bouts. 

Cena and Rusev's styles fit well together. There is a lot at stake here with Rusev's title and undefeated streak on the line. Plus, Rusev will be looking to prove that he belongs on the same tier as his opponent.

This could well be his magnum opus. 

Winner Headlines WrestleMania

Fan backlash at the Royal Rumble left WWE scrambling. This is the result.

Rather than Reigns taking down a heel en route to Lesnar, he faces the beloved Bryan. The Authority spiced things up as well, convincing Reigns to put his WWE title shot on the line.

This gives him a chance to prove himself both in real life and in terms of storyline. Beating Bryan solidifies his status as a top contender. The match itself offers him a chance to have a marquee bout, to add the singles classic that has been missing from his resume.

Otherwise, WWE can choose to reroute the main event altogether, letting Bryan take on Lesnar or ending things at Fastlane with a non-finish in order to make the WWE title match next month a Triple Threat.

Bleacher Report's Dan Pecoraro discusses why Bryan shouldn't defeat the big man in Memphis:

There's been plenty of aggression between these two combatants leading up to Fastlane. Expect lots of sizzle when they collide again. 

As for the result, WWE has a major decision on its hands here, as it will surely anger one man's fanbase with this match's outcome. WrestleMania glory awaits the victor. A slide down the card awaits the other man.