By Jason Powell, Prowrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Fastlane 2018 Kickoff Show
Aired live March 11, 2018 on WWE Network and social media
Columbus, Ohio at Nationwide Arena
-Renee Young hosted the pre-show and was joined by the panel of Booker T, Sam Roberts, and David Otunga from their usual spot on the arena floor. They all ran through the pay-per-view lineup.
-Charly Caruso checked in from backstage and claimed she spoke with Sami Zayn, who was in a great mood when he arrived by himself. She claimed she also spoke with John Cena, who could be on the outside looking in if he doesn’t win the main event. Finally, she noted that Dolph Ziggler would be answering the very worst of the questions that fans submit via social media.
-A video package focussed on the Smackdown Women’s Championship match.
-Young corrected Booker mistakenly labeling himself as the first United States Champion when he was hyping the U.S. Championship match earlier. She noted that Harley Race was the first man to hold the title. Booker said he was talking about the modern era.
-The Kickoff Show will be Tye Dillinger, Fandango, and Tyler Breeze vs. Shelton Benjamin, Chad Gable, and Mojo Rawley.
-A Baron Corbin selfie style promo aired. He wants to be the face of disappointment for the other men in the main event. He wants to be remembered as the guy who took their dream of main eventing WrestleMania and turned it into a nightmare.
-Caruso interviewed New Day backstage. Kofi Kingston had a big tray of pancakes, but all three members spoke about how they put the tag division back on the map and hold the record for being the longest reigning champions.
-A WrestleMania video aired. We are 28 days away.
-A video package aired on Bobby Roode and Randy Orton.
-Sunil Singh introduced Jinder Mahal, who joined the panel briefly. He said he beat Randy Orton and stood tall over Bobby Roode for the last month. He said he’s the uncrowned champion and questioned why he’s not in the match. The fans chanted “Jinder sucks. Young brought up the Smackdown Top 10 List (so that’s still a thing). Mahal said he should be the U.S. Champion and the No. 1 contender. Huh? Jinder said he might be on commentary for the match, but either way he would be watching very closely.
-Dolph Ziggler was interviewed from backstage by the hosts. Ziggler said he felt like a million bucks. He said he’s been waiting his entire life for an opportunity to headline WrestleMania. Booker read a fan question that asked whether he regretted forfeiting the U.S. Champion. Ziggler said he had no regrets and added something about some championships not meaning what they should. He said he has bigger fish to fry. Booker asked Ziggler if his best days are behind him. Ziggler laughed and said he hasn’t been hurt in 13 years. He said he comes to work to prove how good he is to himself added that he doesn’t care what anyone else things. Ziggler said he thinks he’s proven he’s the best. Ziggler was asked if he believes this is his last chance to win the WWE Championship. He said maybe and noted that WrestleMania could be the last time you see him. “You don’t know!” he closed…
1. Fandango, Tyler Breeze, and Tye Dillinger vs. Shelton Benjamin, Chad Gable, and Mojo Rawley. The broadcast team of Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton worked the match. Footage aired of Rawley telling the three babyfaces that they are clowns and disappointments. The babyfaces challenged the heels to a match, which Gable accepted on behalf of his team. Fandango wore amateur wrestling headgear to taunt Gable. However, Gable took him down and then Fandango stood up, tagged in Breeze, and removed the headgear. Gable got down on all fours and challenged Breeze to come at him. Breeze sat on his back and acted like he was riding a horse, which got some laughs. The heels were in control heading into a break. [C]
There were some ten chants for Dillinger as he was in offensive control at one point. In the end, Dillinger pulled the face of Rawley into his own knee and then pinned him clean…
Fandango, Tyler Breeze, and Tye Dillinger defeated Shelton Benjamin, Chad Gable, and Mojo Rawley in 7:25.
Powell’s POV: A mostly crowd pleasing babyface win on the pre-show. Same formula, different month.
-The panel hyped WrestleMania as being part of the free 30-day subscription for new users who ordered Fastlane today. They ran through the Fastlane card and discussed the main event to close the show…
Join me for live coverage of WWE Fastlane in a separate story on the main page.
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