SmackDown Sees Two New Matches Added To Fastlane
Shinsuke Nakamura makes it onto the card.
Mar 7, 2018
Last night's SmackDown saw two new matches added to the card for Fastlane.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev clashed backstage in a promo segment, a result of Nakamura hurting Aiden English's throat during their match last week.
This has apparently rendered English unable to sing his signature 'Rusev Day' song, which angered the Bulgarian Brute, who challenged Nakamura to the match.
The Royal Rumble winner accepted the challenge in song, claiming that it would be 'Nakamura day' - to which Rusev replied that somebody can't simply make up their own holiday.
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/971199300452597760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cagesideseats.com%2Fwwe%2F2018%2F3%2F6%2F17088806%2Frusev-challenges-shinsuke-nakamura-to-match-at-wwe-fastlane-smackdown
This has been generally well-received online, although there was some befuddlement as to why Rusev - one of the most over Superstars on the SmackDown roster right now - has been matched with an opponent who will surely win.
Nakamura's status as number one contender heading into WrestleMania means that he will more than likely be kept strong, and it seems a shame that Rusev looks likely to lose as a result.
Elsewhere on last night's show, a tag match between Carmella, Natalya, Becky Lynch and Naomi was set up backstage, and confirmed on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/971202985312206848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Becky defeated Carmella in singles action on SmackDown, but it's worth noting that the latter still holds the Money in the Bank briefcase.
That leaves us with six matches confirmed for Sunday's Fastlane pay per view, the final big show before WrestleMania 34. It takes place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and the other four matches are as follows:
WWE Championship: AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. John Cena
SmackDown Women's Championship: Charlotte vs. Ruby Riott
United States Championship: Bobby Roode vs. Randy Orton
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Usos vs. New Day