# Fastlane (2018) > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fastlane_(2018) > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fastlane_(2018).md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastlane_(2018) > Source revision: 1319229100 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming event}} {{Infobox Wrestling event |name = Fastlane |alt = |image = WWE Fastlane 2018 Poster.jpeg |caption = Promotional poster featuring [AJ Styles](/source/AJ_Styles) |tagline = |promotion = [WWE](/source/WWE) |brand = [SmackDown](/source/SmackDown_(WWE_brand)) |date = March 11, 2018 |attendance = 15,119 |venue = [Nationwide Arena](/source/Nationwide_Arena) |city = [Columbus, Ohio](/source/Columbus%2C_Ohio) |wwenlast = [Elimination Chamber](/source/Elimination_Chamber_(2018)) |wwennext = [NXT TakeOver: New Orleans](/source/NXT_TakeOver%3A_New_Orleans) |event = [Fastlane](/source/WWE_Fastlane) |lastevent2 = [2017](/source/Fastlane_(2017)) |nextevent2 = [2019](/source/Fastlane_(2019)) }} The 2018 '''Fastlane''' was the fourth [Fastlane](/source/WWE_Fastlane) [professional wrestling](/source/professional_wrestling) [pay-per-view](/source/pay-per-view) (PPV) and [livestreaming](/source/livestreaming) [event](/source/List_of_WWE_pay-per-view_and_livestreaming_supercards) produced by [WWE](/source/WWE). It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's [SmackDown](/source/SmackDown_(WWE_brand)) [brand division](/source/WWE_brand_extension). The event took place on March 11, 2018, at the [Nationwide Arena](/source/Nationwide_Arena) in [Columbus, Ohio](/source/Columbus%2C_Ohio). The 2018 event was the final SmackDown-exclusive pay-per-view and subsequently the final brand-exclusive pay-per-view under the second brand split as following [WrestleMania 34](/source/WrestleMania_34) in April, WWE discontinued brand-exclusive PPVs. Seven matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, [AJ Styles](/source/AJ_Styles) retained the [WWE Championship](/source/WWE_Championship) in a [six-pack challenge](/source/six-pack_challenge) against [Kevin Owens](/source/Kevin_Owens), [Sami Zayn](/source/Sami_Zayn), [Baron Corbin](/source/Baron_Corbin), [Dolph Ziggler](/source/Dolph_Ziggler), and [John Cena](/source/John_Cena). In other prominent matches, [Randy Orton](/source/Randy_Orton) defeated [Bobby Roode](/source/Bobby_Roode) to win his first [United States Championship](/source/WWE_United_States_Championship), becoming the eighteenth [Grand Slam Champion](/source/Grand_Slam_(professional_wrestling)) in the process, and [Charlotte Flair](/source/Charlotte_Flair) retained the [SmackDown Women's Championship](/source/SmackDown_Women's_Championship) against [Ruby Riott](/source/Ruby_Riott), after which, women's [Royal Rumble](/source/Royal_Rumble_(2018)) winner [Asuka](/source/Asuka_(wrestler)) from the Raw brand made her SmackDown debut to challenge Flair for the title at WrestleMania 34. ==Production== ===Background=== [[File:Nationwide Arena exterior.jpg|thumb|The event was held at the [Nationwide Arena](/source/Nationwide_Arena) in [Columbus, Ohio](/source/Columbus%2C_Ohio).]] [Fastlane](/source/WWE_Fastlane) was a [professional wrestling](/source/professional_wrestling) [event](/source/List_of_WWE_pay-per-view_and_livestreaming_supercards) first produced by [WWE](/source/WWE) in 2015. The name of the event was a reference to its position on the "Road to [WrestleMania](/source/WrestleMania)", being held in the two-month period between the [Royal Rumble](/source/Royal_Rumble) and WWE's flagship event;{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=WWE News: February PPV gets a new title (w/Poll)|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_82165.shtml|website=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 8, 2014|access-date=December 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115022953/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_82165.shtml|archive-date=January 15, 2015|url-status=live}} the first two Fastlane events were held in February before moving to March. While the [2017 event](/source/Fastlane_(2017)) was a [Raw](/source/Raw_(WWE_brand))-exclusive [pay-per-view](/source/pay-per-view) (PPV), the 2018 event exclusively featured wrestlers from the [SmackDown](/source/SmackDown_(WWE_brand)) [brand division](/source/WWE_brand_extension). Announced on December 4, 2017, the fourth Fastlane was held on March 11 at the [Nationwide Arena](/source/Nationwide_Arena) in [Columbus, Ohio](/source/Columbus%2C_Ohio). The event aired on pay-per-view worldwide and was [livestreamed](/source/livestreamed) on the [WWE Network](/source/WWE_Network). Tickets went on sale December 8 through [Ticketmaster](/source/Ticketmaster).{{cite web|last=Ravens|first=Andrew|title=Date And Location Officially Announced For 2018 WWE FastLane PPV|url=https://www.pwmania.com/date-and-location-officially-announced-for-2018-wwe-fastlane-ppv|work=PWMania|access-date=December 4, 2017|date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206005758/https://www.pwmania.com/date-and-location-officially-announced-for-2018-wwe-fastlane-ppv|archive-date=December 6, 2017|url-status=live}} ===Storylines=== The event comprised seven matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed [heroes](/source/Face_(professional_wrestling)), [villains](/source/Heel_(professional_wrestling)), or [less distinguishable characters](/source/Tweener_(professional_wrestling)) in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the SmackDown brand,{{cite web|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|date=January 13, 2006|work=HowStuffWorks|publisher=[Discovery Communications](/source/Discovery_Communications)|access-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2013}}{{cite web|title=Live & Televised Entertainment|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|work=[WWE](/source/WWE)|access-date=March 21, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218142749/https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|archive-date=February 18, 2009}} while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television show, ''[SmackDown Live](/source/SmackDown_Live)''.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|title=WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (Exclusive)|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|date=May 25, 2016|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=May 25, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526113045/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|archive-date=May 26, 2016}} At the [Royal Rumble](/source/Royal_Rumble_(2018)), [AJ Styles](/source/AJ_Styles) defeated [Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn](/source/Kevin_Owens_and_Sami_Zayn) in a [handicap match](/source/handicap_match) to retain the [WWE Championship](/source/WWE_Championship), although [Owens](/source/Kevin_Owens), who was pinned, was not the legal man.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Royal Rumble Report 1/28: Ongoing results of Men's and Women's Rumbles, Lesnar-Kane-Braun, Styles-Owens/Sami, more|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/28/kellers-wwe-royal-rumble-report-1-28-ongoing-results-mens-womens-rumbles-lesnar-kane-braun-styles-owens-sami/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216084941/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/28/kellers-wwe-royal-rumble-report-1-28-ongoing-results-mens-womens-rumbles-lesnar-kane-braun-styles-owens-sami/|archive-date=February 16, 2018|url-status=live}} On the following episode of ''SmackDown'', Owens and [Zayn](/source/Sami_Zayn) interrupted 2018 Men's [Royal Rumble](/source/Royal_Rumble_match) winner [Shinsuke Nakamura](/source/Shinsuke_Nakamura) and said that they should be the co-WWE Champions, but the referee failed at his job. Styles and Nakamura then teamed up and defeated Owens and Zayn. During the match, there were tensions between Owens and Zayn as a result of General Manager [Daniel Bryan](/source/Bryan_Danielson) scheduling them to face each other the following week to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/30/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-1-30-nakamura-celebrates-winning-rumble-owens-sami-controversial-styles-finish/|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 1/30: Nakamura celebrates winning the Rumble, Owens & Sami controversial Styles finish|date=January 30, 2018|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075516/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/30/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-1-30-nakamura-celebrates-winning-rumble-owens-sami-controversial-styles-finish/|archive-date=February 1, 2018|url-status=live}} Their match ended in a double disqualification, however, as Styles was provoked by Zayn and attacked both men, leading to Bryan scheduling a [triple threat match](/source/triple_threat_match) between the three for the title.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/6: Sami vs. KO for a right to face Styles, Shane takes issue with Bryan's decision-making|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/06/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-6-sami-vs-ko-right-face-styles-shane-takes-issue-bryans-decision-making/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 6, 2018|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207123042/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/06/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-6-sami-vs-ko-right-face-styles-shane-takes-issue-bryans-decision-making/|archive-date=February 7, 2018|url-status=live}} Commissioner [Shane McMahon](/source/Shane_McMahon) then announced on [Twitter](/source/Twitter) that the winner of a match between [Dolph Ziggler](/source/Dolph_Ziggler) and [Baron Corbin](/source/Baron_Corbin) the following week would be added to the championship match to make it a [fatal four-way](/source/Fatal_four-way_match).{{cite web|last=Martin|date=February 8, 2018|first=Adam|title=Shane McMahon adds big stipulation to Ziggler vs. Corbin on next week's SmackDown Live|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/97845-shane-mcmahon-stipulation-fastlane-ziggler-corbin/|work=WrestleView|access-date=February 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209063234/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/97845-shane-mcmahon-stipulation-fastlane-ziggler-corbin/|archive-date=February 9, 2018|url-status=live}} Before that match started, Owens and Zayn attacked Corbin in the backstage area and later went after Ziggler to prevent either from being added. In response, Shane scheduled Owens to face Corbin and Zayn to face Ziggler, with both Corbin and Ziggler being added if they won their respective matches, while also threatening that if Owens or Zayn interfered in the other's match, that person would be removed from the title match. Corbin and Ziggler won their respective matches, thus making it a [fatal five-way](/source/Fatal_five-way_match) for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/13: Sami and KO don't like Shane's decision to have Corbin vs. Ziggler for a slot in their title match|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/13/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-13-sami-ko-dont-like-shanes-decision-corbin-vs-ziggler-slot-title-match/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 13, 2018|access-date=February 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222173548/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/13/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-13-sami-ko-dont-like-shanes-decision-corbin-vs-ziggler-slot-title-match/|archive-date=February 22, 2018|url-status=live}} On the February 27 episode, [John Cena](/source/John_Cena), a non-exclusive wrestler who could appear on Raw and SmackDown, who was unsuccessful in becoming the number one contender for Raw's [Universal Championship](/source/WWE_Universal_Championship) at [Elimination Chamber](/source/Elimination_Chamber_(2018)) two nights prior,{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Elimination Chamber PPV Report 2/25: First-ever women's Chamber match, Ronda Rousey signing, Asuka vs. Jax, Men's Chamber, Raw Tag Title match, more|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/25/kellers-wwe-elimination-chamber-ppv-report-2-25-first-ever-womens-chamber-match-asuka-vs-jax-mens-chamber-raw-tag-title-match/|date=February 25, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=February 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112157/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/25/kellers-wwe-elimination-chamber-ppv-report-2-25-first-ever-womens-chamber-match-asuka-vs-jax-mens-chamber-raw-tag-title-match/|archive-date=May 12, 2018|url-status=live}} made his return to ''SmackDown'', determined to earn a match at [WrestleMania 34](/source/WrestleMania_34). Bryan gave him the opportunity to be added to the WWE Championship match at Fastlane if he could defeat Styles in a non-title match. Cena defeated Styles, turning the championship match into a [six-pack challenge](/source/six-pack_challenge). A brawl then ensued between all six competitors.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/27: Cena makes first appearance on Smackdown in months as he seeks Path to WrestleMania|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/27/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-27-cena-makes-first-appearance-smackdown-months-seeks-path-wrestlemania/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 27, 2018|access-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228162620/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/27/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-27-cena-makes-first-appearance-smackdown-months-seeks-path-wrestlemania/|archive-date=February 28, 2018|url-status=live}} To keep himself from being interrupted, Cena appeared on the March 5 episode of ''[Raw](/source/WWE_Raw)'' and said that he would break his and [Ric Flair](/source/Ric_Flair)'s tied record and become a 17-time world champion, and said that Styles should use his rematch clause to make the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania a triple threat match with Nakamura.{{cite web|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 3/5: Angle stands up for himself and calls out Triple H leading to mixed tag being set, plus Asuka-Jax, Cena|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/05/kellers-wwe-raw-report-3-5-angle-stands-calls-triple-h-leading-mixed-tag-set-plus-asuka-jax-cena/|last=Keller|date=March 5, 2018|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=March 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306083419/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/05/kellers-wwe-raw-report-3-5-angle-stands-calls-triple-h-leading-mixed-tag-set-plus-asuka-jax-cena/|archive-date=March 6, 2018|url-status=live}} On the final ''SmackDown'' before the pay-per-view, Owens and Zayn caused a double disqualification in a match between Styles and Ziggler; a five-way match with the addition of Corbin was scheduled, which saw Zayn score the win by turning on and pinning Owens.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 3/6: Charlotte-Riott open show, Styles vs. Ziggler, Orton vs. Mahal, final Fastlane hype|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/06/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-3-6-charlotte-riott-open-show-styles-vs-ziggler-orton-vs-mahal-final-fastlane-hype/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=March 6, 2018|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508200742/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/06/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-3-6-charlotte-riott-open-show-styles-vs-ziggler-orton-vs-mahal-final-fastlane-hype/|archive-date=May 8, 2023|url-status=live}} Immediately following the Royal Rumble, General Manager Daniel Bryan announced that there would be a first-ever "SmackDown Top Ten List" as voted on by the SmackDown roster. Bryan said the list would show who the wrestlers thought should get a title opportunity, but a wrestler could not vote for themselves. The Top Ten List was revealed on the February 6 episode of ''SmackDown''. The following week, [United States Champion](/source/WWE_United_States_Championship) [Bobby Roode](/source/Bobby_Roode), [Jinder Mahal](/source/Jinder_Mahal) with [Sunil Singh](/source/The_Singh_Brothers), and [Randy Orton](/source/Randy_Orton) all exchanged words as Mahal made fun of their spots on the list despite Mahal not ranking at all; Orton and Roode were 9th and 5th, respectively. The segment ended after Orton attacked Sunil with an RKO, and Mahal performed the Khallas on Roode and Orton. The next episode, Mahal again called out Roode and Orton, and a brawl broke out in which Roode attacked Orton with a Glorious DDT, but suffered a Khallas from Mahal, who stood tall once again. Despite this, Commissioner Shane McMahon scheduled Roode to face Orton for the United States Championship at Fastlane.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/20: Styles talks about Fastlane title defense, Charlotte & Becky & Naomi vs. Riott Squad, New Day vs. Gable & Benjamin|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/20/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-20-styles-talks-fastlane-title-defense/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 20, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023184537/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/20/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-20-styles-talks-fastlane-title-defense/|archive-date=October 23, 2021|url-status=live}} The following week in a backstage interview, Roode said that in order to be the greatest United States Champion of all time, he would have to beat the best, and said that Orton was one of the best of all time. Orton interrupted and said the U.S. title was the one title he had never held during his WWE career and would be taking it from Roode at Fastlane. On the final ''SmackDown'' before Fastlane, Mahal defeated Orton due to an interference by Roode. Throughout 2017, [The Usos](/source/The_Usos) ([Jey Uso](/source/Jey_Uso) and [Jimmy Uso](/source/Jimmy_Uso)) and [The New Day](/source/The_New_Day_(professional_wrestling)) ([Big E](/source/Big_E_(wrestler)), [Kofi Kingston](/source/Kofi_Kingston), and [Xavier Woods](/source/Xavier_Woods)) wrestled at numerous events over the [SmackDown Tag Team Championship](/source/SmackDown_Tag_Team_Championship), with the original feud ending at [Hell in a Cell](/source/Hell_in_a_Cell_(2017)) with The Usos victorious.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=October 8, 2017|title=Keller's WWE Hell in a Cell PPV Report 10/8: Mahal vs. Nakamura, Shane vs. Owens, Usos vs. New Day, Natalya vs. Charlotte|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/08/kellers-wwe-hell-cell-ppv-report-108-mahal-vs-nakamura-shane-vs-owens-usos-vs-new-day-natalya-vs-charlotte/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223223751/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/08/kellers-wwe-hell-cell-ppv-report-108-mahal-vs-nakamura-shane-vs-owens-usos-vs-new-day-natalya-vs-charlotte/|archive-date=February 23, 2023|url-status=live}} The Usos' next feud were with [Chad Gable](/source/Chad_Gable) and [Shelton Benjamin](/source/Shelton_Benjamin), who were unsuccessful in gaining the titles at the Royal Rumble. On the February 20 episode of ''SmackDown'', Gable and Benjamin had another opportunity to become the number one contenders against The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at Fastlane, but were defeated by The New Day's Big E and Woods, thus reigniting an old feud. The following week, The New Day said that they wanted to be the SmackDown Tag Team Champions going into WrestleMania 34. The Usos interrupted and said that they had been with the WWE for a number of years, but had never had a spot on the main card at WrestleMania and said that would not be the case at WrestleMania 34. As the two teams had a confrontation, they were interrupted by [The Bludgeon Brothers](/source/Luke_Harper_and_Erick_Rowan) ([Harper](/source/Brodie_Lee) and [Rowan](/source/Erick_Rowan)) and retreated. At the Royal Rumble, [Asuka](/source/Asuka_(wrestler)) of the Raw brand won the inaugural women's Royal Rumble match for the right to challenge for either the [Raw Women's Championship](/source/WWE_Raw_Women's_Championship) or [SmackDown Women's Championship](/source/WWE_SmackDown_Women's_Championship) at WrestleMania 34. The following night on ''Raw'', Raw Commissioner [Stephanie McMahon](/source/Stephanie_McMahon) convinced Asuka to wait until after Raw's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to make her decision.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 1/29: Royal Rumble fallout including Ronda Rousey announcement, Asuka's Rumble victory, Reigns's next move|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/29/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-29-royal-rumble-fallout-including-ronda-rousey-announcement-asukas-rumble-victory-reignss-next-move/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 29, 2018|access-date=January 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225162150/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/29/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-29-royal-rumble-fallout-including-ronda-rousey-announcement-asukas-rumble-victory-reignss-next-move/|archive-date=February 25, 2019|url-status=live}} On ''SmackDown'', this left SmackDown Women's Champion [Charlotte Flair](/source/Charlotte_Flair) to wonder who her WrestleMania opponent would be. [The Riott Squad](/source/The_Riott_Squad) ([Ruby Riott](/source/Ruby_Riott), [Sarah Logan](/source/Sarah_Logan), and [Liv Morgan](/source/Liv_Morgan)) interrupted and said Flair would not make it to WrestleMania before attacking her. Over the next couple of weeks, Flair defeated Morgan and Logan in non-title matches. On the February 20 episode, Flair teamed with [Becky Lynch](/source/Becky_Lynch) and [Naomi](/source/Naomi_(wrestler)) in a six-woman tag team match against The Riott Squad where Riott pinned Lynch. Later that episode, Flair offered to put her title on the line at Fastlane against Riott, who accepted. On the February 27 episode of ''SmackDown'', Shinsuke Nakamura defeated [Aiden English](/source/Aiden_English). The following week, English and [Rusev](/source/Miro_(wrestler)) interrupted a backstage interview with Nakamura, with Rusev challenging Nakamura to a match at Fastlane for damaging English's vocal cords and Nakamura accepted. On the March 6 episode of ''SmackDown'', Becky Lynch defeated [Ms. Money in the Bank](/source/Money_in_the_Bank_ladder_match) [Carmella](/source/Carmella_(wrestler)) by submission. Later, a tag team match between Becky Lynch and Naomi against [Natalya](/source/Natalya_Neidhart) and Carmella was scheduled for Fastlane. ==Event== {|class=wikitable style="font-size:90%; margin: 0.5em 0 0.5em 1em; float: right; clear: right;" |+ '''Other on-screen personnel''' !|Role: !|Name: |- |rowspan=3|English commentators |[Tom Phillips](/source/Tom_Phillips_(wrestling)) |- |[Corey Graves](/source/Corey_Graves) |- |[Byron Saxton](/source/Byron_Saxton) |- |rowspan=2|Spanish commentators |[Carlos Cabrera](/source/Carlos_Cabrera) |- |[Marcelo Rodríguez](/source/Marcelo_Rodr%C3%ADguez) |- |rowspan=2|German commentators |Tim Haber |- |Calvin Knie |- |[Ring announcer](/source/Ring_announcer) |Greg Hamilton |- |rowspan=4|[Referees](/source/Referee_(professional_wrestling)) |Danilo Anfibio |- |[Jason Ayers](/source/Jason_Ayers) |- |[Mike Chioda](/source/Mike_Chioda) |- |Ryan Tran |- |rowspan=3|Interviewers |[Renee Young](/source/Renee_Young) |- |[Charly Caruso](/source/Charly_Arnolt) |- |[Dasha Fuentes](/source/Dasha_Fuentes) |- |rowspan=4|Pre-show panel |Renee Young |- |[Booker T](/source/Booker_T_(wrestler)) |- |[Sam Roberts](/source/Sam_Roberts_(radio_personality)) |- |[David Otunga](/source/David_Otunga) |- |rowspan=2|''Talking Smack'' panel |Renee Young |- |Sam Roberts |} ===Pre-show=== During the Fastlane Kickoff pre-show, Breezango ([Fandango](/source/Fandango_(wrestler)) and [Tyler Breeze](/source/Tyler_Breeze)) teamed with [Tye Dillinger](/source/Tye_Dillinger) to battle Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin, and [Mojo Rawley](/source/Mojo_Rawley). Dillinger performed a ["Tye Breaker"](/source/Professional_wrestling_attacks) on Rawley for the win. ===Preliminary matches=== The actual pay-per-view opened with Shinsuke Nakamura facing Rusev. In the end, Nakamura performed the ["Kinshasa"](/source/Professional_wrestling_attacks) on Rusev to win the match. Next, Bobby Roode defended the United States Championship against Randy Orton. After catching Roode, who dove off the top rope, with an ["RKO"](/source/RKO_(professional_wrestling)), Orton won his first United States Championship, and became the eighteenth [Grand Slam Champion](/source/Grand_Slam_(professional_wrestling)) in the process. After the match, Jinder Mahal came out to taunt Orton. Roode then performed a ["Glorious DDT"](/source/DDT_(professional_wrestling)) on both Mahal and Orton. After that, Becky Lynch and Naomi faced Natalya and Carmella. After Natalya distracted Lynch with Carmella's Money in the Bank briefcase, Carmella performed a [superkick](/source/superkick) on Lynch for the win. In the fourth match, The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso) defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against The New Day (represented by Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods). In the end, after an evenly contested match and with all four men outside the ring, the match ended in a no contest after The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) came out and severely attacked both teams, with Woods being taken to a local medical center. [[File:Asuka WrestleMania Axxess April 2018.jpg|thumb|left|upright| Inaugural women's Royal Rumble winner [Asuka](/source/Asuka_(wrestler)) made an appearance at the event and challenged [Charlotte Flair](/source/Charlotte_Flair) for the [SmackDown Women's Championship](/source/WWE_SmackDown_Women's_Championship) at [WrestleMania 34](/source/WrestleMania_34).]] In the penultimate match, Charlotte Flair defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Ruby Riott. During the match, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan of The Riott Squad ran down to help Riott. Becky Lynch and Naomi came out to even things up, but would all end up being ejected from ringside. In the end, Flair forced Riott to submit to the ["Figure-Eight Leglock"](/source/Professional_wrestling_holds) to retain the title. After the match, Asuka from Raw made her SmackDown debut. As the women's Royal Rumble winner, she decided to challenge Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania 34. ===Main event=== In the main event, AJ Styles defended the WWE Championship in a six-pack challenge against John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler. The match immediately began with Cena performing consecutive ["Attitude Adjustments"](/source/Professional_wrestling_throws) on everyone except Styles, working out as a total of four finishers from him in the early going. Later on in the match, Cena performed an "Attitude Adjustment" on Styles through a broadcast table. Owens and Zayn turned on each other, with Zayn seemingly lying down for Owens. Zayn ultimately tricked Owens and pinned him with a [roll-up](/source/Roll-up_(professional_wrestling)) for a near-fall. SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon, who sat at ringside for the match, continuously got involved by breaking up pinfalls that involved Owens and Zayn after Owens performed a superkick on Shane. In the climax, Cena performed an "Attitude Adjustment" on Ziggler. As he was attempting a second on Ziggler, Owens performed a [pop-up powerbomb](/source/Powerbomb) on Cena. Styles then performed a ["Phenomenal Forearm"](/source/Professional_wrestling_attacks) on Owens to retain the WWE Championship, solidifying his match-up against Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania 34. ==Aftermath== [[File:Orton US Champ crop.jpg|thumb|upright|[Randy Orton](/source/Randy_Orton) defeated [Bobby Roode](/source/Bobby_Roode) to win the [United States Championship](/source/WWE_United_States_Championship) for the first time in his career. With this win, he became the eighteenth [Grand Slam Champion](/source/Grand_Slam_(professional_wrestling)).]] On the following episode of ''SmackDown'', WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura began the show and said that they respected each other. Nakamura then promised to deliver a Kinshasa to Styles at WrestleMania 34 and become WWE Champion. They were interrupted by Rusev, who then had a match with Styles, which ended in a disqualification after Aiden English interfered. Nakamura would save Styles from the 2-on-1 attack by delivering a Kinshasa to both Rusev and English.{{cite web|date=March 13, 2018|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 3/13: Fastlane fallout, Shane has a big announcement, Asuka vs. Charlotte hype, Styles vs. Nakamura hype|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/13/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-3-13-fastlane-fallout-shane-big-announcement-rousey-vs-charlotte-hype-styles-vs-nakamura-hype/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=March 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416200555/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/13/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-3-13-fastlane-fallout-shane-big-announcement-rousey-vs-charlotte-hype-styles-vs-nakamura-hype/|archive-date=April 16, 2018|url-status=live}} Nakamura and Rusev had their Fastlane rematch on the March 20 episode, where Nakamura was again victorious. After the match, Rusev and English attacked Nakamura. As Styles was about to save Nakamura, Nakamura recovered and fended off Rusev and English.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 3/20: Daniel Bryan to appear live day he was medically cleared, Styles-Nakamura hype, U.S. Title hype, more|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/20/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-3-20-daniel-bryan-appear-live-day-medically-cleared-styles-nakamura-hype-u-s-title-hype/|date=March 20, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=March 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321131146/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/20/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-3-20-daniel-bryan-appear-live-day-medically-cleared-styles-nakamura-hype-u-s-title-hype/|archive-date=March 21, 2018|url-status=live}} Also on the show, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn blamed each other for not winning the WWE Championship, as well as Commissioner Shane McMahon. Later, Shane recapped his feud with both Owens and Zayn over the past several months. He said his actions towards the two were not that of a SmackDown Commissioner. He then announced that he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from SmackDown. Before he left, however, he scheduled Owens and Zayn to face each other at WrestleMania 34. Owens and Zayn then teamed up and brutally attacked Shane. The following week, General Manager Daniel Bryan, who was forced to retire in 2016, revealed that he was medically cleared to compete again. Later, he fired Owens and Zayn for their attack on Shane, and the two gave Bryan a beat down. Bryan then scheduled a tag team match pitting himself and Shane against Owens and Zayn at WrestleMania 34, where if Owens and Zayn were to win, they would be rehired.{{cite web|date=March 27, 2018|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 3/27: WrestleMania developments including Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon, Charlotte vs. Natalya, Shelton vs. Shinsuke|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/27/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-3-27-wrestlemania-developments-including-daniel-bryan-and-shane-mcmahon-charlotte-vs-natalya-shelton-vs-shinsuke/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407192452/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/27/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-3-27-wrestlemania-developments-including-daniel-bryan-and-shane-mcmahon-charlotte-vs-natalya-shelton-vs-shinsuke/|archive-date=April 7, 2023|url-status=live}} Asuka appeared on the March 12 episode of ''Raw'' to explain why she had chosen to challenge Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship instead of Raw Women's Champion [Alexa Bliss](/source/Alexa_Bliss). Bliss and [Mickie James](/source/Mickie_James) interrupted, stating that Asuka was afraid to challenge Bliss, however, Asuka said she chose Flair because she wanted to challenge the best women's champion in WWE and said that was Flair, not Bliss.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 3/12: Reigns complains about being disrespected by Vince McMahon for Lesnar situation, plus Asuka, Miz TV with Seth and Balor, Tag Team Battle Royal|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/12/kellers-wwe-raw-report-3-12-reigns-complained-disrespected-vince-mcmahon-lesnar-situation/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=March 12, 2018|access-date=March 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628182716/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/03/12/kellers-wwe-raw-report-3-12-reigns-complained-disrespected-vince-mcmahon-lesnar-situation/|archive-date=June 28, 2018|url-status=live}} Asuka then made her debut appearance on ''SmackDown'' the next night where she confronted Flair, who vowed to end Asuka's undefeated streak at WrestleMania 34. Asuka further explained that she wanted a challenge, and that was another reason why she chose to challenge Flair instead of Bliss. As Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Jey Uso were still ailing from injuries sustained by The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) attack at Fastlane during the SmackDown Tag Team Championship match, Big E and Jimmy Uso teamed up to exact revenge. The Bludgeon Brothers, however, defeated Big E and Jimmy. This led to a triple threat tag team match for the titles at WrestleMania 34. Bobby Roode invoked his rematch clause against Randy Orton for the United States Championship at WrestleMania 34. Jinder Mahal interrupted and defeated Roode in a match, after which, Orton attacked Mahal with an RKO. The following week, Orton was scheduled to defend his title against Roode and Mahal at WrestleMania. Rusev was then added to the championship match for pinning Orton in a tag team match on the March 27 episode. John Cena went back to ''Raw'' following Fastlane. He said that he would not be able to contribute to WrestleMania 34 as a performer, but instead as a fan. However, he decided that although he was told it was impossible, he put out another challenge to [The Undertaker](/source/The_Undertaker) for WrestleMania. This Fastlane would in turn be the final SmackDown-exclusive pay-per-view as well as the final brand-exclusive pay-per-view under the second brand split as following WrestleMania 34 the following month, WWE discontinued brand-exclusive pay-per-views.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-eliminates-single-branded-ppv-shows-shuffles-ppv-schedule|title=WWE Eliminates Single-Branded PPV Shows, Shuffles PPV Schedule|date=February 17, 2018|last=Sapp|first=Sean Ross|work=Fightful|access-date=February 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518060403/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-eliminates-single-branded-ppv-shows-shuffles-ppv-schedule|archive-date=May 18, 2021|url-status=live}} ==Results== {{Pro wrestling results table |times = {{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Fastlane Kickoff Show live review: Shelton Benjamin, Chad Gable, and Mojo Rawley vs. Tye Dillinger, Fandango, and Tyler Breeze|date=March 11, 2018|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/03/11/wwe-fastlane-kickoff-show-live-review/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312024526/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/03/11/wwe-fastlane-kickoff-show-live-review/|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Fastlane 2018 live review: AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. John Cena in a six-way for the WWE Championship, The Usos vs. New Day for the Smackdown Tag Titles, Charlotte Flair vs. Ruby Riott for the Smackdown Women's Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/03/11/wwe-fastlane-2018-live-review-aj-styles-vs-kevin-owens-vs-sami-zayn-vs-baron-corbin-vs-dolph-ziggler-vs-john-cena-six-way-wwe-championship-usos-vs-new-day-sm/|date=March 11, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312045809/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/03/11/wwe-fastlane-2018-live-review-aj-styles-vs-kevin-owens-vs-sami-zayn-vs-baron-corbin-vs-dolph-ziggler-vs-john-cena-six-way-wwe-championship-usos-vs-new-day-sm/|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live}} |match1 = Breezango ([Fandango](/source/Fandango_(wrestler)) and [Tyler Breeze](/source/Tyler_Breeze)) and [Tye Dillinger](/source/Tye_Dillinger) defeated [Mojo Rawley](/source/Mojo_Rawley), [Chad Gable](/source/Chad_Gable), and [Shelton Benjamin](/source/Shelton_Benjamin) by [pinfall](/source/pinfall) |stip1 = [Six-man tag team match](/source/Six-man_tag_team_match){{cite news|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Breezango & Tye Dillinger def. Mojo Rawley, Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/six-man-tag-team-match-results|work=[WWE](/source/WWE)|date=March 11, 2018|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312143902/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/six-man-tag-team-match-results|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live}} |note1 = pre |time1 = 7:25 |match2 = [Shinsuke Nakamura](/source/Shinsuke_Nakamura) defeated [Rusev](/source/Miro_(wrestler)) (with [Aiden English](/source/Aiden_English)) by [pinfall](/source/pinfall) |stip2 = [Singles match](/source/Singles_match_(professional_wrestling)){{cite news|last=Benigno|date=March 11, 2018|first=Anthony|title=Shinsuke Nakamura def. Rusev|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/shinsuke-nakamura-rusev-results|work=[WWE](/source/WWE)|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312144257/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/shinsuke-nakamura-rusev-results|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live}} |time2 = 14:50 |match3 = [Randy Orton](/source/Randy_Orton) defeated [Bobby Roode](/source/Bobby_Roode) (c) by [pinfall](/source/pinfall) |stip3 = [Singles match](/source/Singles_match_(professional_wrestling)) for the [WWE United States Championship](/source/WWE_United_States_Championship){{cite news|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Randy Orton def. Bobby Roode to become the new United States Champion|date=March 11, 2018|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/bobby-roode-randy-orton-results|work=[WWE](/source/WWE)|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312110024/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/bobby-roode-randy-orton-results|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live}} |time3 = 19:15 |match4 = [Natalya](/source/Natalya_Neidhart) and [Carmella](/source/Carmella_(wrestler)) defeated [Becky Lynch](/source/Becky_Lynch) and [Naomi](/source/Naomi_(wrestler)) by [pinfall](/source/pinfall) |stip4 = [Tag team match](/source/Tag_team_match){{cite news|last=Benigno|date=March 11, 2018|first=Anthony|title=Natalya & Carmella def. Becky Lynch & Naomi|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/becky-lynch-naomi-natalya-carmella-results|work=[WWE](/source/WWE)|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312144142/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/becky-lynch-naomi-natalya-carmella-results|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live}} |time4 = 8:55 |match5 = [The Usos](/source/The_Usos) ([Jey Uso](/source/Jey_Uso) and [Jimmy Uso](/source/Jimmy_Uso)) (c) vs. [The New Day](/source/The_New_Day_(professional_wrestling)) ([Kofi Kingston](/source/Kofi_Kingston) and [Xavier Woods](/source/Xavier_Woods)) (with [Big E](/source/Big_E_(wrestler))) ended in a [no contest](/source/No_contest_(professional_wrestling)) |stip5 = [Tag team match](/source/Tag_team_match) for the [WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship](/source/WWE_SmackDown_Tag_Team_Championship){{cite news|last=Benigno|date=March 11, 2018|first=Anthony|title=SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. The New Day ended in a No Contest|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/the-usos-the-new-day-results|work=[WWE](/source/WWE)|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312110037/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/the-usos-the-new-day-results|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live}} |time5 = 9:00 |match6 = [Charlotte Flair](/source/Charlotte_Flair) (c) defeated [Ruby Riott](/source/Ruby_Riott) by [submission](/source/Submission_(professional_wrestling)) |stip6 = [Singles match](/source/Singles_match_(professional_wrestling)) for the [WWE SmackDown Women's Championship](/source/WWE_SmackDown_Women's_Championship){{cite news|last=Benigno|date=March 11, 2018|first=Anthony|title=SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair def. Ruby Riott; Charlotte to battle Asuka at WrestleMania|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/charlotte-flair-ruby-riott-results|work=[WWE](/source/WWE)|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313031345/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/charlotte-flair-ruby-riott-results|archive-date=March 13, 2018|url-status=live}} |time6 = 13:45 |match7 = [AJ Styles](/source/AJ_Styles) (c) defeated [Baron Corbin](/source/Baron_Corbin), [Dolph Ziggler](/source/Dolph_Ziggler), [John Cena](/source/John_Cena), [Kevin Owens](/source/Kevin_Owens), and [Sami Zayn](/source/Sami_Zayn) by [pinfall](/source/pinfall) |stip7 = [Six-Pack Challenge](/source/Six-Pack_Challenge) for the [WWE Championship](/source/WWE_Championship){{cite news|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|date=March 11, 2018|title=WWE Champion AJ Styles def. John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin (Six-Pack Challenge)|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/six-pack-challenge-match-results|work=[WWE](/source/WWE)|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313031513/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2018/six-pack-challenge-match-results|archive-date=March 13, 2018|url-status=live}} |time7 = 21:55 }} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane|Fastlane Official Website}} {{2018 WWE Network events}} {{WWEPPV|Fastlane}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Fastlane, WWE}} Category:2018 WWE Network events Category:2018 WWE pay-per-view events 2018 Category:Professional wrestling shows in Columbus, Ohio Category:2018 in Ohio Category:2010s in Columbus, Ohio Category:March 2018 in the United States Category:WWE SmackDown --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fastlane (2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastlane_(2018)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastlane_(2018)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.