WWE Fastlane 2016: Superstars Who Will Shine Under PPV Spotlight

WWE Fastlane 2016 is quickly approaching, and with WrestleMania 32 also right around the corner, everyone is eager to make an impact at the February 21 pay-per-view. A memorable performance would surely increase their chances of being prominently featured on the Mania card.

Since January's Royal Rumble, a slew of Superstars have stood out from the rest of the pack as they look to punch their ticket to WrestleMania. Regardless of whether they are scheduled to compete at Fastlane, they intend to leave a lasting impression at the event that will carry their momentum to the grand stage.

As Fastlane draws near, let's take a look at the athletes who will shine brightest and ensure they are a part of history at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Sasha Banks

Credit: WWE.com

Banks has been the center of controversy in the Divas division since her return at the Royal Rumble. Following a month-long layoff, she came back with a bang by confronting Divas champion Charlotte and staking her claim for a shot at the title.

However, her championship pursuits were interrupted by her fellow Team B.A.D. members Naomi and Tamina, whom she said she no longer needed by her side. They responded by attacking Banks during her match with Becky Lynch on the Feb. 1 edition of Raw, cementing her split from the group.

Truthfully, this is the way it should have been since the beginning: Every woman for herself. The faction wars were a complete flop, but now Banks is on her own, she can finally solidify herself as the star she truly is.

As it stands, it looks like she will be involved in a tag team match with Lynch against Naomi and Tamina at Fastlane. Although Banks and Lynch have a storied history, both as partners and as rivals, they will have to put their differences aside to take a common enemy in Team B.A.D.

Banks will be Divas champion before long, but she first needs to prove herself as a worthy contender to the championship by knocking off her former friends at Fastlane. If she is able to do so, she would surely earn herself a future opportunity at the gold.

Dean Ambrose

Credit: WWE.com

Ambrose has flitted in and out of the main event picture since branching out into singles competition in June 2014. He was sparingly featured around this time one year ago, but he finds himself on the verge of going back after the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

At Fastlane, he, Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar will meet in a Triple Threat match to determine who advances to WrestleMania 32 to face Triple H for the title. Reigns is the strongest candidate to win, but there is always the possibility Lesnar gets another shot at the title he technically never lost.

That leaves The Lunatic Fringe. He has always been the odd man out, but he should never be underestimated. He has been hotter these past few months than he has been in quite some time, so a surprise win at Fastlane isn't completely out of the question.

He has been ripping it up as Intercontinental champion since TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs in December, and while his title won't be up for grabs in this match, Fastlane should be his time to shine.

Even if he were made to look strong in defeat, that would do wonders for his stock going into WrestleMania 32. He is in need of a breakout performance at the pending PPV, and that would guarantee him a top spot at The Show of Shows.

AJ Styles

Credit: WWE.com

It had been rumored for weeks, but there is no denying that AJ Styles' debut at the Royal Rumble made for a monumental moment. Entering the annual Battle Royal at No. 3, he wasted no time in stealing the show with an outstanding outing in the Rumble match.

The next night on Raw, he furthered his momentum by scoring a major victory over Chris Jericho, but that was far from the end of their feud. Following a win against The Miz on the Feb. 4 SmackDown, Jericho confronted Styles and challenged him to a rematch on the subsequent episode of the Thursday night program.

Whether Styles can best Y2J for a second straight time remains to be seen, but what isn't uncertain is a third match between them is almost a lock for Fastlane. Their rivalry has been among the highlights of WWE programming as of late, and having them square off on the PPV stage would only be fitting.

WWE is typically hit or miss with the talent that gets called up from NXT, but they have handled Styles perfectly since his arrival on the main roster from New Japan Pro Wrestling. They have treated him like a major deal so far, and if they can stay the course with him, he is primed for big things in WWE.

But it starts with a win against his adversary at the February event. When he goes up against Jericho, Miz or another individual, look for The Phenomenal One to deliver the goods on the final stop on the Road to WrestleMania.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, is a journalism major at Endicott College. Visit his website, Next Era Wrestling, and "like" his official Facebook page to continue the conversation on all things wrestling.

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