WWE Fastlane 2016 Matches: Odds, Full Card and Bold Predictions for PPV
Sunday night is the last stop on the Road to WrestleMania—and there's plenty left to be decided as we approach the Showcase of the Immortals.
Given the changeable nature of WWE in recent months, thanks in no small part to a raft of injuries, the WrestleMania card is shrouded in uncertainty. On Sunday, we'll finally start to see which bouts are expected to headline the show.
Between matches with major consequences for next month's enormous pay-per-view and some title defences that should prove gripping on the night itself, Fastlane looks set to be a can't-miss show during an exciting period for WWE fans.
Here are the latest odds for every match on the card, as well as full predictions for the winners of each bout.
Pre-Show: Alberto Del Rio (+220) vs. Kalisto (-300)
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Despite typically being presented as an underdog on WWE television, Kalisto is entering this United States Championship match as the odds-on favourite to win, according to Odds Shark.
Of course, given that this is a 2-out-of-3 Falls match, it's reasonable to expect that we'll see each man pick up one decision. Based on the way we usually see these matches unfold, a whitewash only seems to take place when the winner is considered to be leagues ahead of his opponent.
Kalisto seems to have a bright future ahead of him, but he's up against a former world champion. Del Rio could fill any number of roles at WrestleMania, so letting him save face is a smart move.
If there's a plan to extend this rivalry up until the Showcase of the Immortals, it seems a title switch will be necessary to give it some staying power. Otherwise, Kalisto is poised to retain and move onto new opposition next month.
Prediction: Kalisto retains.
Ryback, Big Show and Kane (+300) vs. the Wyatt Family (-420)
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After briefly teasing a program with the Beast Incarnate, The Wyatt Family has turned its attention toward the "titans" of WWE—namely Ryback, Big Show and Kane.
On paper, this looks set to be a fairly straightforward squash match to keep the Wyatts looking fearsome on the Road to WrestleMania. Given that their opponents are not being featured too heavily at the moment, they're unlikely to put up much of a fight.
We'll perhaps see this one follow the standard layout of the stable's recent in-ring output; Braun Strowman will have opportunities to show off his size and strength, while the ever-reliable Luke Harper will be on hand to add some depth to proceedings.
Given that Bray isn't officially sanctioned to be physically involved in the match, we can perhaps expect him to make his presence known—whether it's via interference or one of his trademark sermons.
This one will be kept short and sweet with plenty of brawling. Expect Strowman to get the win, likely over Big Show or Kane.
Prediction: The Wyatt Family wins.
Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks (-900) vs. Team B.A.D. (+500)
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This tag team match is a fairly transparent setup toward the Divas Championship match at WrestleMania; however, given the bout it could lead to, few will be upset about that fact.
It would be a huge upset if Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks don't manage to see off Tamina Snuka and Naomi. In fact, with the result so heavily telegraphed during the build, the more pertinent question is how the duo will pick up the win.
If Lynch is presented as being on an even keel to Banks, it could be a signal that WWE is planning a Triple Threat match for WrestleMania where both women challenge Charlotte. Otherwise, it seems more than likely that The Boss will take on the champion in a singles match.
This will be a showcase for Lynch and Banks, but the action on offer is likely to be leagues ahead of the standard throwaway Divas tag match.
Prediction: Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks win convincingly.
Dolph Ziggler (+500) vs. Kevin Owens (-900)
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A successful title defence for Kevin Owens is one of the two safest bets on this card, based on information gathered from Odds Shark.
Given that Owens only reclaimed the WWE Intercontinental Championship a few days ago, this is not too surprising. It would be a huge shock to see him lose that prize so quickly, particularly to the directionless Dolph Ziggler.
The Showoff is in this match because he's been steadily building a satisfying program with Owens in recent weeks. It seems like a rivalry that will only benefit KO when all is said and done, but Ziggler fits into the feud because he's skilled enough to hang with the champion.
This bout serves to re-establish Owens as the reigning intercontinental champion. However, expect him and Ziggler to draw on their lengthy conflict, producing a great match in the process.
Prediction: Kevin Owens retains.
AJ Styles (-675) vs. Chris Jericho (+425)
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Since AJ Styles debuted at the Royal Rumble, he's largely been embroiled in a feud with Chris Jericho. The two men share several similarities; the WWE brought them in after they found success with a rival company, they're big in Japan, and they're excellent wrestlers.
There's a lot of pressure on Styles vs. Jericho to deliver. Even ignoring the reputation both men carry with them, they've already had two good matches on weekly television over the past month. They'll have to build on those performances to satisfy high expectations ahead of the bout.
It would be a huge surprise to see anything other than a Styles victory. If there are plans to extend this program out until WrestleMania, we might see Jericho pick up a nefarious win, but all signs point toward The Phenomenal One coming out on top.
This one is less about the end result and more about the action from bell to bell. Jericho has been the perfect opponent to show off Styles' abilities so far, and there's every indication that we'll see these two knock their third match out of the park at Fastlane.
Prediction: AJ Styles wins via Styles Clash.
Brie Bella (+350) vs. Charlotte ( -530)
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Since making a mostly smooth transition to the main roster and dethroning Brie Bella, Charlotte has spent most of her time as Divas champion aligning herself with her father, Ric Flair, and shifting her persona away from the clean-cut fan favourite she was introduced as post-NXT.
It's been a hugely successful method of establishing Charlotte as a convincing champion. The intent here is to create a seemingly insurmountable opponent for a challenger to rally against, which would gain the contender widespread support from audiences in the process—but that individual is not Brie Bella.
This bout is designed to hold off on one of the more appealing matches brewing in the Divas division until WrestleMania. Brie should put up a decent fight and be backed by the crowd thanks to her recent appearances in support of Daniel Bryan, but she stands little chance of heading home with the title.
Prediction: Charlotte retains.
Roman Reigns (-600) vs. Brock Lesnar (+640) vs. Dean Ambrose (+800)
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This is the match that many will be tuning into Fastlane to see—and with good reason, as it looks set to be an early contender for match of the year.
With the in-built narrative of Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns prioritizing their personal aspirations over their long friendship, and the disruptive, engaging presence of Brock Lesnar, we're sure to see something special. What's more, we'll have a good picture of one or more of the top matches set for WrestleMania.
The winner of Sunday's main event will face Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the Showcase of the Immortals. All signs point toward Reigns facing The Game to round off a program that is now years in the making—but that's not etched in stone.
You would be forgiven for thinking that Ambrose is a rank outside, as he's a long shot based on information supplied by Odds Shark. However, a win for The Lunatic Fringe would set up a fresh match for WrestleMania, with plenty of potential for a feud with Reigns in the aftermath.
That being said, it's easy to understand why Reigns is the favourite to win. His ascendancy has been on the cards for a long time now, and a one-way ticket to WrestleMania seems like the most probable outcome of Fastlane for the Big Dog.
For once, Lesnar seems like something of an outsider—but there will almost certainly be outside interference to remove him from contention. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see Bray Wyatt and his followers make an unwanted appearance during Sunday's main event.
Prediction: Roman Reigns advances to WrestleMania.
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark.
What are your last minute predictions for Fastlane? Let us know in the comments section below.
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