Curtis Axel vs. R-Truth: Winner and Reaction from WWE Fastlane 2016

It wasn't on the card before Fastlane began, but Curtis Axel defeated R-Truth in a fill-in match before Sunday night's finale.

R-Truth, aided at ringside by Goldust, went against The Social Outcasts member in a match that had no buildup heading into the pay-per-view. Seemingly outnumbered 4-2, Goldust tried to even the odds by taking out Bo Dallas and Heath Slater.

Goldust threw Adam Rose into the ring, distracting R-Truth before Axel rolled him up for the 3-count and the win.

After the impromptu match wrapped up, Goldust apologized to Truth, but the former United States champion did not accept it right away.

The two veterans have been working together outside of the ring with humorous sketches, with Goldust even presenting the idea of forming a tag team with R-Truth. However, Truth declined because he thought Goldust was a "weirdo":

Given the placement—coming right before the Triple Threat match to determine the No. 1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship—this was a filler match to pass the time, as WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross pointed out:

Bleacher Report's Donald Wood thought the match should have taken place Monday on USA Network, not on the WWE Network:

It's uncertain whether this will turn into a match between Truth and Goldust at WrestleMania or Truth will give in and try to make a tag team with the former intercontinental champion work.

The match also indicated a cloudy future for The Social Outcasts, who have provided nothing but lackadaisical comedic relief for the last month.

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