– The 2018 WWE Fastlane Kickoff pre-show opens live from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH as Renee Young welcomes us. She’s joined by Sam Roberts, David Otunga and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. Sam is looking forward to the SmackDown Tag Team Title match, Booker is looking forward to the WWE United States Title match and Otunga can’t wait for the Six-Pack Challenge for the WWE Title. The panel hypes tonight’s show, WrestleMania 34 and the WWE Network.
Renee sends us backstage to Charly Caruso in the Social Media Lounge. Charly talks about how things were tense in catering earlier but she did catch up with Sami Zayn, who was in a great mood. She also talked with John Cena, who is looking forward to making it to WrestleMania 34. Charly will be joined later by Dolph Ziggler for a Twitter Q&A. Fans can submit their questions with the #AskDolph hashtag. We go back to the panel for a preview of tonight’s SmackDown Women’s Title match. The panel picks Charlotte Flair to retain over Ruby Riott. Renee plugs a six-man match just announced for the pre-show – Breezango and Tye Dillinger vs. Mojo Rawley, Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable. We go to a break.
Back from the break and Renee discusses Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. We get a backstage video from Baron Corbin to hype tonight’s Fastlane main event. Renee plugs tonight’s women’s tag team match. Sam goes with Carmella and Natalya but Otunga predicts Becky Lynch and Naomi will win. Booker agrees and Renee sends us to another break. We come back and get a look at the rivalry between The New Day and The Usos. We go backstage to Charly and The New Day, who have a platter of pancakes. The New Day gets fired up when talking about being the top tag team in WWE, taking shots at their opponents for tonight. Back from a break and Renee leads us to a preview for tonight’s WWE United States Title match. We come back and Sunil Singh interrupts the panel to introduce Jinder Mahal. Jinder rants on how he’s defeated Randy Orton and Bobby Roode, which is why he considers himself the uncrowned United States Champion. Fans chant “Jinder sucks” as he wonders why tonight’s match is not a Triple Threat. Jinder says he will be watching very closely tonight and may be on commentary for the match. We go split-screen as the panel interviews Ziggler with some questions from fans on Twitter. Ziggler is in the backstage area. Ziggler says he stopped caring about the WWE Universe a long time ago and started worrying about himself. Ziggler gets fired up and says we will see him go to WrestleMania with the WWE Title after tonight’s main event. Renee sends us to ringside with Tom Phillips, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton.
Mojo Rawley, Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable vs. Tyler Breeze, Fandango and Tye Dillinger
We go to the ring and out first comes Breezango for tonight’s six-man Kickoff match. We see Fashion Files video from earlier with these two teams facing off backstage to set up the match. Tye Dillinger is out next to join Tyler Breeze and Fandango. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin are out first for their team. Out next comes Mojo Rawley.
Gable starts off with Breeze. Gable talks trash and tosses Breeze as he approaches. Fandango comes in and puts on wrestling headgear that Tye hands him. Fans pop. Fandango looks to try and tangle on the mat with Gable but he gets slammed. Breeze tags back in. Gable drops to the mat and invites Breeze to try and out-wrestle him. Breeze hops on Gable’s back like a horse. They go at it and Breeze nails a dropkick. Shelton comes in but he also gets dropkicked. Mojo comes in but Tye and Fandango assist to clear the ring. Shelton and Mojo recover on the floor before Gable floors Breeze. Gable looks down at Breeze as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Shelton works Breeze over. Shelton drops knees over Breeze’s arm and keeps him grounded by the arm. Breeze tries to make a tag but Benjamin drops Breeze by his arm and covers for a 2 count. Gable tags in and they double team Breeze with several moves. Gable with a 2 count. Gable keeps Breeze grounded now. Gable ends up hitting an overhead belly-to-belly but Fandango breaks up the pin attempt.
Mojo tags in and stalks Breeze before going to work on him. Fans chant “you can’t wrestle” at Mojo. Mojo says he didn’t come out here to wrestle. Mojo rams Breeze back into the corner and hits him with shoulder thrusts. Mojo knocks Fandango off the apron after taunting Dillinger. Mojo turns around and Breeze drops him. Tye and Gable tag in. Tye unloads, knocking Shelton off the apron. Mojo comes in but Tye also takes him out. Tye goes back to work on Gable and gets fired up as fans pop and do the “10!” chant. Tye exposes his knee and goes for the Tye Breaker but Shelton runs in. Fandango takes out Shelton. Gable blocks a superkick and rolls Tye up for a close 2 count. Gable with an overhead kick. Shelton tags in and lifts Tye as Gable goes to the top. Tye fights out. Gable lands on his feet but Breeze hits him with a Beauty Shot. Shelton gets sent to the apron and brought down by Tye. Mojo and Tye go at it now with a near fall. Tye ends up dropping Mojo with a shot to the face and covering for the pin.
Winners: Breezango and Tye Dillinger
– After the match, Tye and Breezango celebrate in the middle of the ring.
– We go back to the panel for more comments on tonight’s card. They talk about tonight’s main event and Booker believes Baron Corbin will win. Otunga picks John Cena to win and Sam believes AJ Styles will retain. Renee agrees with Otunga. That’s it for the Kickoff.
– The 2018 WWE Fastlane pay-per-view opens with Tom Phillips, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton welcoming us.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev
We go right to the ring and out comes Shinsuke Nakamura to a pop. Greg Hamilton does the introduction. Out next comes Aiden English. He sings and raps about Rusev Day and Nakamura, taking a shot at Columbus. English introduces Rusev and out he comes to a pop.
Rusev marches to the ring with English as we see some of the international announce teams at ringside. Fans do dueling chants for both Superstars as they lock up and get a feel for each other. Rusev takes Nakamura down and covers for a 1 count. They trade holds now with Rusev taking control. Nakamura nails a kick and stops Rusev in his tracks. Nakamura with some offense and a knee drop for a quick pin attempt. Rusev rocks Nakamura with right hands as the dueling chants start back up.
They trade holds and Nakamura turns it around. Nakamura ducks a shot and shows off some. Nakamura taunts Rusev and tells him to bring it. Rusev rolls out of the ring for a breather with English. Fans boo. Nakamura taunts Rusev as he takes his time on the outside. Rusev makes it back in at the 9 count but goes right back to the floor for more boos. Nakamura follows and unloads on the floor. Nakamura brings Rusev to the apron and hits a high knee. Nakamura drops down with a knee to the back of the neck now. Nakamura rolls Rusev back into the ring as fans do dueling chants. Rusev drops Nakamura on the apron as he tries to come back in as Nakamura was staring at English. Rusev knocks Nakamura to the floor, sending him into the barrier and then the apron. Rusev rams Nakamura back into the apron again. Rusev brings it back into the ring for a close 2 count.
Nakamura tries to fight back now but Rusev keeps him tied up. Nakamura finally counters and takes Rusev down with a heel hook. Rusev makes it to the bottom rope and breaks the hold. Rusev catches Nakamura with a big slam for a close 2 count. Rusev drops an elbow and keeps Nakamura down. More dueling chants as Rusev slows the match back down. Nakamura looks to make a comeback but Rusev rocks him with big shots to the gut. They run the ropes and Nakamura drops Rusev with a big flying kick.
Nakamura with kicks while Rusev is on his knees now. Nakamura drops Rusev. Rusev crawls to the corner. Nakamura runs with a big knee into the corner. Nakamura places Rusev across the top rope and runs in with the high knee for another 2 count. Nakamura with more knees. Nakamura keeps Rusev grounded now. Rusev powers up while in a submission but Nakamura brings him right back down. Rusev nails a fall-away slam. Rusev with more offense and a huge kick to drop Nakamura on his face. Rusev only gets a 2 count. Rusev goes for the Machka Kick but Nakamura blocks it. They trade big shots and Rusev takes the leg out. Nakamura comes right back and drops Rusev. More back and forth and counters now. Rusev goes for The Accolade but can’t get it locked. Nakamura drops Rusev and goes to the corner to wait for him to get up. Nakamura goes for Kinshasa but Rusev shuts him down with the Machka Kick. Nakamura kicks out at 2 and Rusev can’t believe it.
Rusev stomps on Nakamura’s spine and goes for The Accolade but it’s blocked. Nakamura drops Rusev and nails the Kinshasa for the pin.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
– After the match, Nakamura stands tall and points at the WrestleMania 34 sign as his music hits. We go to replays. Nakamura stands on the top rope and points up at the WrestleMania sign as fans pop.
– Back from a break and we get a promo for the next match.
WWE United States Title Match: Randy Orton vs. Bobby Roode
We go to the ring and out first comes Randy Orton. WWE United States Champion Bobby Roode is out next. We get formal ring introductions from Hamilton.
They lock up and trade holds in the middle of the ring. Roode works on the arm but Orton drops Roode. Roode gets right back to his feet and we have a stalemate. They go at it again and Orton gets the upperhand. They run the ropes and Roode drops Orton. Roode poses some after getting the upperhand again. Roode runs the ropes and Orton drops him with a back elbow. Fans chant for the RKO as they face off and lock up again. Orton takes control again and we get another face off. Roode with a headlock. Orton takes it to the corner. Roode with a chop but Orton uppercuts him. Orton avoids a Glorious DDT and scrambles to the floor.
Orton goes to the floor for a breather. We see Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh watching on a screen backstage. Orton comes back in, tangling on the ropes with Roode but Orton takes control and drops Roode over the top rope. Orton covers for a quick pin attempts. Orton works Roode around the ring now. Roode comes out of the corner with a big clothesline for a 1 count.
Roode keeps control and drops a knee for a quick 1 count. Orton tries to break free from a hold but Roode keeps him down. Orton blocks a suplex and nails one of his own. Roode with more offense, including a big shot out of the corner. Roode goes to the top and nails a flying clothesline and a neckbreaker. Roode misses the Glorious DDT. Orton comes back and unloads. Orton with a powerslam. Roode goes to the apron to avoid a pin. Orton goes for the second rope draping DDT but Roode avoids it. Orton drops Roode over the top rope. Orton runs into a boot in the corner. Roode stands up and nails the Blockbuster for a close 2 count.
More back and forth now. Orton finally hits the second rope draping DDT. Orton gets fired up and looks up at the WrestleMania banner. Orton drops down and goes for the RKO but it’s blocked. Orton blocks Roode before a quick pin attempt. Roode dumps Orton over the top rope to the floor. Roode follows. They go at it on the floor again. Orton drops Roode over the barrier hard. They end up back in the ring and Orton takes Roode to the top. Orton rocks Roode a few times. Orton climbs up for a superplex but Roode fights back.
Roode counters and goes for the sunset flip but Orton counters. Roode keeps trying and slams Orton to the mat for a close 2 count. Roode goes back to the top but Orton crotches him by taking his leg out. Orton climbs up for a superplex and nails it this time. Orton is slow to make the cover and Roode kicks out at 2. We get a replay of the superplex. They trade shots in the middle of the ring now. Roode counters an uppercut and goes for a backslide but Orton kicks out at 2. Orton blocks the Glorious DDT and Roode blocks the RKO. Roode catches Orton with a big spinebuster for a close 2 count.
Orton runs into a boot int he corner. Roode goes to the top for a Blockbuster but Orton catches him on the way down with the RKO for a huge pop. Orton covers for the win and the title.
Winner and New WWE United States Champion: Randy Orton
– After the match, Orton takes the title and stands tall as fans pop. We get replays and come back to Orton celebrating. The music interrupts and out comes Jinder Mahal. Orton stares him down. Jinder enters the ring, kicks Orton in the gut and then drops him. Roode comes over and fights Jinder, dropping him with the Glorious DDT. Roode grabs Orton and hits him with the DDT next. Roode stands tall and leaves the ring as his music hits.
– We get a WrestleMania 34 promo for Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.
– Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are backstage in the locker room. Owens isn’t happy and asks if Sami is just here to lie to him again. Sami downplays what happened on SmackDown and says he’s still Owens’ guardian angel. Sami says Owens can still count on him for tonight and he will not let him down. Owens walks away while Sami is still talking.
Becky Lynch and Naomi vs. Carmella and Natalya
We go to the ring and out first comes Naomi, followed by partner Becky Lynch. Carmella is out next with her Money In the Bank briefcase. Natalya is out last for her team.
We see more of the international announce teams in the arena as Natalya makes her way to the ring. Carmella starts off with Becky and they go at it. Becky with an early 1 count. They talk trash and Becky shoves Carmella. Becky tries to take Carmella down with the Dis-Arm-Her but Carmella goes to the bottom rope. Carmella takes Becky to the corner and in comes Natalya for some double teaming. Natalya takes Becky down and walks on her. Natalya taunts Naomi, allowing Becky to roll her up from behind for 2.
Becky takes control of Natalya and in comes Naomi for some double teaming. Naomi with a big slap to the face for a 2 count. Natalya shoves Naomi but Naomi comes back with low kicks. Naomi charges and floors Natalya. Naomi misses in the corner and Natalya drops her. Natalya runs the ropes but Naomi hits the modified stunner. Naomi goes for the split-legged moonsault from the corner but Carmella comes over and Naomi has to kick her off the apron. Natalya takes advantage and powerbombs Naomi to the mat for a 2 count.
Natalya wastes some time and covers for a 2 count. Carmella tags in and works over Naomi, taking it to the corner. Carmella shows off some and hits a Bronco Buster in the corner. Carmella with another pin attempt and more offense, grinding Naomi’s face into the mat. Carmella keeps Naomi grounded now and talks trash. Naomi fights up and goes for a slam but it’s blocked. Naomi goes for a tag but Carmella brings her down by her hair. Natalya tags back in and keeps Naomi grounded. More back and forth now. Carmella tags in and uses the ropes for a submission on Naomi. The referee counts and she breaks it. Carmella with more use of the hair as the referee warns her. Carmella goes wild on Naomi and beats her while she’s face down on the apron. Carmella with a 2 count.
Natalya tags in but Naomi spears Carmella back into the corner. Natalya grabs Naomi but Naomi brewaks free and tags in Becky. Becky unloads Natalya, running her over and dropping her with a kick. Becky with the Bexploder suplex. Becky gets fired up as fans pop for her. Natalya sends Becky to the apron but Becky hits her with strikes. Becky goes to the top and nails a missile dropkick. Carmella tags in but Becky kicks her. Carmella with a jawbreaker. Naomi tags in and kicks Carmella from the apron. Naomi brings it in with the sunset flip but Carmella kicks out at 2. Carmella avoids a Rear View. Naomi botches her springboard kick a bit but drops Carmella with it. Becky tags in and leaps from the top but Natalya breaks the pin attempt. Naomi tries to tangle with Natalya but Natalya sends her to the floor. Becky sends Natalya to the floor. Carmella and Becky go at it now. Natalya gets on the apron and provides a distraction, allowing Carmella to bring Becky from the top with the scissors. Naomi breaks that pin attempt just in time.
Natalya tries to hand in the MITB briefcase to Carmella while the referee is distracted by Naomi. Becky pushes Carmella to the side and knocks Natalya off the apron. Becky turns around to the big kick from Carmella for the pin.
Winners: Natalya and Carmella
– After the match, Carmella and Natalya celebrate on the ramp as their music hits. We get a replay and come back to the heels leaving as Carmella raises the briefcase.
– We get a backstage comedy promo from The New Day to promote the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, which will be hosted by John Cena later this month.
– The announcers lead us to a video package on the rivalry between The New Day and The Usos.
SmackDown Tag Team Title Match: The New Day vs. The Usos
We go to the ring and out comes The New Day first. They’re throwing down with pancakes. Out next come SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos. No formal ring introductions.
The bell rings and Xavier Woods faces off with Jimmy Uso in the ring. Kofi Kingston waits on the apron as Big E looks on from ringside. They talk trash and start unloading on each other. Jey Uso tags in but Woods doesn’t see it. He continues to go at it with Jimmy but Jey comes in and they level Woods. Jey stomps away on Woods in the corner and makes a quick tag to Jimmy. They unload in the corner with stomps, mocking the Unicorn Stampede. More quick tags and stomps from The Usos. The Usos with a big double team in the corner for a 2 count.
Kofi finally gets a tag and springboards in, unloading on Jey. Jimmy comes in but also gets taken down. Kofi works over Jey and nails the Boom Drop. Fans rally for Kofi as he waits for Trouble In Paradise. Jey blocks it and drops Kofi, sending him into the corner. Jimmy tags in as Kofi drops Jey. Kofi sends Jimmy to the floor. Kofi with a big running Rikishi splash in the corner, talking trash and mocking Uso. Jimmy runs back in and takes down Kofi. Jimmy with a Samoan Drop. Kofi looks to come back but Jimmy drops him. Jimmy mocks Kofi now, hitting the Boom Drop. Jimmy goes for a Trouble In Paradise but Kofi ducks. Kofi goes for the move now but misses. The Usos take another move from their opponents and hit a Midnight Hour. Jey covers for a close 2 count.
Jey waits for Kofi to get up now. He runs for a splash int he corner but Kofi moves and Jey hits the ring post. Woods is finally back on the apron and ready for a tag now. Kofi makes it and Woods runs in to knee Jimmy off the apron. Jey rolls Woods up for 2. They go at it and Jey hits a big superkick. Woods comes back with kicks of his own. Woods with more superkicks to both opponents as Kofi provides a distraction. Kofi tags in and goes to the top. Woods superkicks Jey and Kofi follows up, stealing the splash from The Usos. Jey kicks out at 2 and The New Day can’t believe it. Woods and Kofi go to steal another move but it backfires and they get sent to the floor. Big E checks on them. The Usos run the ropes and take out all three members of The New Day with dives.
The music hits and out come Harper and Rowan, The Bludgeon Brothers, while all 5 of the others are down at ringside.
Harper blasts Big E and then they attack the participants for the bell.
No Contest
– Harper and Rowan destroy both teams at ringside, using the ring post and the sledgehammers. They drive Uso into the floor. They roll Big E into the ring and double suplex Woods from the apron to the floor. Rowan rolls his partner into the ring. Harper stares down Big E and splashes him in the corner. Rowan drops Kofi on the floor. Harper sends Big E to the floor and Rowan follows up, destroying Big E on the outside. They slam The Usos into each other and then slam them on top of each other on the floor. Rowan scoops Harper and slams him on top of The Usos. Harper slams Rowan on top of The Usos next. Graves asks for the police to come stop Harper and Rowan. Fans chant for tables. Rowan brings the mallets over and hands one to Harper. Rowan sends Uso into the steel steps and Harper crosschecks him over the barrier into the crowd. The Bludgeon Brothers go to leave as some fans boo but they’ve also received some cheers. They stop at the bottom of the ramp and turn back around, taking apart the steel steps. Rowan grabs Woods and they double powerbomb him on top of steps. Trainers check on The Usos and The New Day as The Bludgeon Brothers march up the ramp while their music plays. Paramedics bring stretchers out now. The announcers play up the seriousness of the situation as we see The New Day and The Usos suffering around the ring. Woods is shaking as he’s put onto a stretcher.
– We get a WrestleMania 34 promo for Roman Reigns vs. WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.
– We get another look at The New Day and The Usos being checked on.
– Renee Young is backstage with WWE Champion AJ Styles, asking him about the odds in tonight’s main event. AJ talks about how he’s been overcoming hardships his whole life, turning impossibles to phenomenal. AJ goes on about how his WrestleMania 34 moment begins tonight but Shinsuke Nakamura walks up. Nakamura says he hopes AJ wins tonight so he can beat… AJ tells him to stop. AJ says he will retain tonight and make it to WrestleMania, then it will be Nakamura that gets beat. AJ walks off.
– We go back to the ringside area as The New Day and The Usos are being helped away. The announcers lead us to replays. Woods is stretchered away while Kofi and Big E are assisted by referees. Jimmy and Jey are also being helped to the back.
– We get a promo for the next match.
SmackDown Women’s Title Match: Ruby Riott vs. Charlotte Flair
Back to the ring and out comes the leader of The Riott Squad by herself, Ruby Riott. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair is out next. We get formal ring introductions from Hamilton.
They go at it and Riott goes for an early Riott Kick but it’s blocked. They go at it again and Flair tries for an early Figure Four but has no luck. They go at it again and end up on the ropes. Ruby kicks the top rope to make it clothesline Flair. Flair catches Ruby with a fall-away slam. Flair charges into the corner and gets kicked back. Ruby is on Flair’s back in the corner now. Flair rams her back but can’t knock her off. Ruby stays locked o Flair’s back and causes them to tumble to the apron and then out to the floor.
Flair breaks it and sends Ruby into the barrier a few times. Flair brings it back in the ring and is distracted by Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan, who have appeared at ringside. Flair is distracted as Ruby kicks her in the back of the head from the apron. Ruby works Flair over and brings her back into the ring. Ruby drops Flair with a Riott Kick and covers for a very close 2 count. Ruby distracts the referee and says something is in her eye. Liv and Logan stalk Flair on the outside but Naomi and Becky Lynch run down to even the odds. Ruby brings Flair back into the ring as the other 4 argue at ringside. Ruby mounts Flair with strikes.
Ruby tries to overpower Flair but Flair hits a slingshot suplex to turn it around. Flair gets dropped face first in the corner now. Ruby with a cannonball senton out of the corner for a 2 count as Liv and Logan cheer her on. Ruby works Flair over with more offense and keeps her grounded in the middle of the ring now. Ruby keeps Flair down with a submission as Liv and Logan look on taunting her. Ruby bends Flair back as Becky and Naomi cheer her on. Riott continues to work Flair around the mat and talk trash about her failing while tightening the holds.
Ruby breaks the hold and drops Flair with a STO for a 2 count. Ruby goes to the top but it backfires. Flair looks to make a comeback now and hits a neckbreaker. Flair goes to the top for the moonsault but Ruby comes back and knocks her out to the floor. Ruby runs the ropes for a dive but Flair catches her on the floor and launches her into the barrier. Flair stands on top of the barrier and nails a moonsault for a pop. Flair brings it back into the ring for a 2 count. Flair with a single-leg takedown. The Figure Four is blocked but Flair charges with a knee to the jaw.
Flair misses in the corner and hits a boot. Ruby comes right back and climbs to the top with Flair. Flair fights back. Riott climbs up and hits the hurricanrana for a 2 count. We get a replay of the move. Ruby with chops to the chest as they work their ways up to their feet, mocking Flair. Flair takes them and gets fired up, delivering chops back of her own as fans do the “Wooo!” with her. Flair counters with a backbreaker and sends Ruby into the middle rope. Ruby counters and sends Flair face first into the corner. Liv and Logan try to enter the ring but it’s just to bait Becky and Naomi into the ring. The referee is distracted. He ejects Naomi and Becky, allowing Liv and Logan to run over and beat on Flair. The referee turns around and sees something is up. He also ejects Liv and Logan. Ruby isn’t happy.
Fans sing “goodbye” and Liv screams as they head to the back. Flair takes advantage of the distractions and makes a comeback on Ruby. Ruby rolls her up for a 2 count out of nowhere. Flair blocks the Riott Kick. Flair catches Ruby and catapults her face first into the corner. Ruby smacks her face hard on the turnbuckle. Flair spears Ruby and goes for the Figure Four in the middle of the ring. Flair bridges into the Figure Eight and Ruby immediately taps.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
– After the match, Flair stands tall with the title as we go to replays. We come back and out comes RAW Superstar Asuka as the music hits and fans pop. Asuka marches in the ring and stares Flair down. Asuka faces off with Flair and points up at the WrestleMania 34 sign. The Empress of Tomorrow is cashing in her Royal Rumble title shot against Flair at WrestleMania 34. Asuka leaves as her music plays. Flair points at her and Asuka smiles back while heading to the back. Flair looks up at the WrestleMania banner.
– The announcers give an update on The New Day and The Usos as they are being checked on. Xavier Woods is suffering from some sort of spine contusion and has been taken to a local hospital.
– We get a video package for tonight’s main event.
Six-Pack Challenge for the WWE Title: Kevin Owens vs. John Cena vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. AJ Styles
We go to the ring for tonight’s main event and out comes SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon, who will be watching from ringside. John Cena is out first to a mixed reaction. Baron Corbin is out next, followed by Dolph Ziggler. Kevin Owens is out next but Sami Zayn’s music hits before he reaches the ring. Sami heads to the ring and acts like Owens isn’t there. WWE Champion AJ Styles is out last for a pop. We get formal ring introductions from Hamilton.
The bell rings and Cena hits Attitude Adjustments on Sami, then Owens, then Corbin, then Ziggler. AJ charges and Cena puts his brakes on. They face off as fans pop. Cena and AJ are alone in the ring now. They go at it and Cena gets the upperhand. They trade shots in the middle of the ring now. Cena goes for the AA but AJ counters. AJ nails Cena and goes for the Styles Clash but it’s avoided. AJ goes to the apron but the other 4 Superstars jump up on the apron now and stare at Cena & AJ. They enter and surround Cena. AJ joins them and Cena gets beat down by all 5 opponents. Cena gets sent to the floor to regroup.
AJ and Owens go at it while Sami and Corbin work on Sami. AJ and Owens brawl to the floor. Corbin works over Sami and Ziggler joins him, also on the floor. Corbin runs over and decks Owens & AJ, going from man to man with strikes. Corbin rolls AJ in but Owens decks Corbin from behind. Corbin launches Owens into the barrier as Shane looks on. Corbin returns to the ring but AJ rolls him up for 2. AJ sends Corbin over the top. Sami runs in and tangles with AJ for a 2 count. AJ tosses Sami to the floor. AJ turns around to a knee from Owens. AJ counters Owens for a roll-up for 2. AJ plants Owens on his face. Corbin comes back in and goes at it with AJ but he gets dropped. Ziggler runs but AJ hits him with a neckbreaker. AJ avoids a Helluva Kick and nails the inverted DDT from the corner for a 2 count as Owens breaks it up.
Fans chant for AJ as Owens gets the best of him. Owens goes to the top but AJ rocks him. AJ climbs up but Owens fights him and headbutts him to the mat. Corbin comes in and tosses AJ to the floor. Sami kicks Corbin but Corbin floors Sami. Cena runs in and drops Corbin. Ziggler with a DDT on Cena. Owens with a Frogsplash on Ziggler but AJ breaks it up at 2.
Owens and AJ go at it as fans do dueling chants for Cena. AJ with a pele kick. Styles goes for the Clash but gets sent to the floor. Corbin runs in and goes at it with Owens. Corbin with a chokeslam backbreaker. Ziggler with a Zig Zag on Corbin. Cena runs in and plants Ziggler, then Cena. Cena calls for a Five Knuckle Shuffle on Sami and Ziggler. Cena hits it. Cena goes for the AA on Ziggler but it’s turned into a Fame-asser for a close 2 count. Ziggler cranks up the band as Cena gets up. Cena ducks the superkick and applies the STF on Ziggler.
AJ runs in and breaks the submission. AJ goes for the Clash on Cena but it’s blocked. AJ tries again and nails the Clash but Sami breaks the pin at 2. Sami mounts AJ with strikes now. Corbin comes in but Sami rocks him. Corbin knees Sami and sends him to the apron. Sami keeps fighting and rams Corbin into the turnbuckle. He springboards but Corbin drops him and sends him to the floor. Corbin ends up hitting the Dream Crusher clothesline on Owens. Corbin catches AJ with a Deep Six but Styles rolls to the floor. Corbin drops Ziggler but misses End of Days. Corbin and Ziggler go to the floor. Corbin tosses Ziggler over the barrier into the crowd. Corbin follows Ziggler over into the crowd and slams him into a barrier. Corbin charges to put Ziggler through a set of hockey glass boards but they both go through them and go down.
Owens rocks AJ at ringside now. Owens takes apart one of the announce tables as fans cheer. Owens talks trash and goes to put AJ through an announce table but Styles turns it around. Styles clotheslines Sami over the barrier into the timekeeper’s area as Shane looks on. Cena comes over and joins Owens on top of the announce table. Cena goes for the AA but Owens scrambles away. Cena grabs AJ and puts him through an announce table with the AA. Cena rolls Owens into the ring but runs into a big boot in the corner. Sami runs in and drops Cena. Cena rolls to the floor. Sami and Owens face off in the middle of the ring now.
Sami says he’s a man of his word and will do it. Fans boo as it looks like Sami is about to lay down for Owens. Sami lays down but Owens hesitates. Sami suckers Owens in and rolls him up for a 2 count. They unload on each other in the middle of the ring now. Sami gets the upperhand and Owens goes to the floor. Sami follows and Owens launches him hard into the barrier. Owens goes to powerbomb Sami on the floor but he jumps to the apron. Owens goes for a powerbomb on the apron but Sami dodges it and they both end up on the floor. Sami crawls over towards Shane and talks some trash to him. Shane stands up and faces off with Sami. Owens goes for a superkick but Sami moves and Owens takes out Shane with the kick.
Sami jumps through the ropes and hits the big corner DDT on the floor that he’s known for, taking Owens down. Fans chant “this is awesome” now. Sami brings Owens back into the ring and waits for him to get up. Sami goes for the Helluva Kick but Owens superkicks him. Ziggler runs in on Owens but it’s countered. Owens with a pop-up powerbomb on Ziggler for a close 2 count as Shane pulls the referee out of the ring. Owens can’t believe it. Sami takes advantage of a distracted Owens and hits the Helluva Kick. Sami covers Owens but Shane pulls him out of the ring. Sami and Shane argue. Ziggler covers Owens for a 2 count but Sami runs in and breaks it up.
Corbin takes out Cena with the steel steps on the outside. Corbin brings the steps in and drops Sami with them, then Ziggler and Owens. Cena stumbles to his feet in the ring and Corbin goes for the steps shot but Cena blocks it. Cena grabs the steps and rocks Corbin with them twice, knocking him down. Cena grabs Corbin for the AA on the steel steps and he hits it. Cena covers but Ziggler breaks it up at the 2 count. Cena launches the steps out of the ring at Corbin. Ziggler superkicks Cena but Cena drops him with the AA. Cena goes for another AA but Owens runs in and stops it. Owens with a pop-up powerbomb on Cena. AJ springboards in out of nowhere and hits the Phenomenal Forearm on Owens for the pin.
Winner: AJ Styles
– After the match, AJ stands tall with the WWE Title as we go to replays and his music plays. Shane stops and looks at Sami before making his exit. Cena watches from the corner as AJ celebrates with the WrestleMania 34 banner hanging high. The announcers hype Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles for WrestleMania. AJ looks up at the WrestleMania banner and talks about being champion. AJ heads to ringside and raises the title while looking up at the banner. Fastlane goes off the air.
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