WWE Fastlane 2016: Biggest X-Factors to Watch at PPV
The Fastlane pay-per-view is the last major WWE Network stop on the road to WrestleMania, and as a result, several of the Superstars and elements of that show are major X-factors that bear watching.
There is Roman Reigns and the fans who will either cheer him or mercilessly boo him at the event. What about Braun Strowman, who has stolen the spotlight and suddenly finds himself the subject of Internet speculation ahead of the event?
And how about AJ Styles, whose impact has been felt in very short order?
With so much planning going into WrestleMania 32 and the Superstars who will shine brightest on the grandest stage known to professional wrestling, the seeds are almost always planted at Fastlane, a show that serves as the last opportunity for the men and women of WWE's expansive roster to leave a lasting impression on management.
Who should fans keep an eye on? What surprises could WWE have for the live audience on February 21?
Take a look for yourself with these five tremendous X-factors leading into the company's February spectacular.
5. Braun Strowman
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Recent reports by F4WOnline (h/t Wrestling Inc) suggest that Braun Strowman will have a significant role in WrestleMania 32, squaring off with either Brock Lesnar or The Undertaker.
If that is the case, and the gigantic heavyweight is slated for such a high-profile match on the biggest card of the year, he will be an integral part of the Fastlane card.
Raw and SmackDown in the week of February 1 seem to suggest Strowman will find himself partnering with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan to do battle with three top babyfaces, with Big Show and Ryback looking like strong candidates for that contest.
How Strowman is booked in that match, should it happen, will be one of the biggest X-factors to watch.
He has already benefited from strong booking, using his size and strength to squeeze the consciousness out of anyone opposing The Wyatt Family. But can he deliver in such an important spot, despite having no previous experience in that position.
Strowman is an incredibly green worker whose influence on Vince McMahon lies almost exclusively in his size. But as Fastlane arrives, fans will expect to see more out of him if he plans on being a huge part of the Showcase of the Immortals.
If we make it to Fastlane and he still has not impressed, either in the way he is presented by WWE Creative or between the ropes, it will be time for McMahon to contemplate giving up on the big man.
At least for this year.
4. Bray Wyatt
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Strowman may bear watching, but so does the rest of his Wyatt Family brethren, especially when it comes to the main event of the evening at Fastlane.
At the Royal Rumble, Brock Lesnar saw his championship aspirations extinguished by Bray Wyatt and his followers. With The Beast Incarnate slated to compete in the main event of the February 21 extravaganza, expect the Reaper of Souls and his merry bunch of freaks to play an important part in the night's festivities.
WWE Creative has a habit of heating Wyatt up just in time for WrestleMania, where he has competed against John Cena and The Undertaker in recent years.
He will likely make his presence felt, probably as Lesnar attempts to earn a shot at Triple H's WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
How he does that, how effective his appearance is, will dictate how serious a threat fans believe him to be to the most dominant Superstar in professional wrestling as the company marches toward the biggest blockbuster event of the year.
3. AJ Styles
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"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shocked the wrestling world by making his debut in the Royal Rumble. Fans knew he was on his way to WWE but were still astonished as he walked through the curtain for his first match in a Vince McMahon-owned ring since 2001.
Thus far in his stint, Styles has taken down three former Intercontinental champions and engaged Chris Jericho in a competitive rivalry that will see the two critically acclaimed Superstars meet for the second time in the February 11 main event of SmackDown.
At Fastlane, though, Styles' WrestleMania prospects should become clearer than they currently are.
WWE could easily carry on with the Styles-Jericho program, but as of now, it feels like a starting point for the former TNA and IWGP champion as he continues to make the transition into the sports-entertainment empire.
Just how substantial a push he can expect entering WrestleMania, and whom he may work with, should be hinted at, if not outright revealed, come February 21.
2. Epic Returns
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With so many legendary stars figuring to be part of the build to WrestleMania 32, it would be no surprise whatsoever to see one or two make their return to WWE programming at Fastlane, where they would instantly inject the show with energy and excitement.
The prime candidate would be Undertaker, whom fans last saw at Survivor Series.
What better way to bring him back than on a major WWE Network presentation. It would serve to bring some buzz to an event that is typically a placeholder between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, all the while convincing fans to subscribe to the revolutionary network in hopes of never missing another major occurrence again.
What about a potential return by Daniel Bryan or even The Rock, who has already made it clear to fans via social media (h/t WrestleZone) he will be in Dallas for WrestleMania?
The potential for epic returns and significant contributions from those Superstars make for one of the most intriguing X-factors to keep an eye on at Fastlane.
1. Roman Reigns vs. the Fans
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Pay-per-view audiences are typically full of the most diehard, passionate and vocal fans in the WWE Universe, ensuring the most important X-factor to watch at Fastlane is Roman Reigns and the response he receives from the men, women and children in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Royal Rumble audience was not particularly welcoming of Reigns, the first real backlash he experienced since capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship last December. That negative feedback figures to continue, but just how boisterous will the audience be?
Given the fact that Reigns will be competing against the immensely popular Dean Ambrose and an incredibly compelling ass-kicker in Brock Lesnar, the answer is "plenty."
We know it will not faze Reigns. He has made a name for himself over the last 12 months by weathering the hostile reactions and delivering phenomenal in-ring performances dating back to this time a year ago.
How badly he is booed and whether WWE panics, opting to switch its plans for what should be one of the biggest WrestleManias of all time in Dallas, is the question.
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