Early Predictions For WWE Fastlane 2023 Match Card After Payback
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WWE stages Fastlane on October 7 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, but little is known about the match card so far.
On the heels of a Payback pay-per-view that saw Seth Rollins retain his World Heavyweight Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura and the culmination of The Judgment Day's dominance over WWE, plus the events of Monday's WWE Raw, there are a few directions the lineup may take, including a return to the squared circle of one of the greatest of all time.
Predicted Card
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World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Jey Uso, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens vs. The Judgment Day
John Cena vs. The Miz
WWE Women's Championship: Charlotte Flair vs. Iyo Sky
United States Championship: Rey Mysterio vs. Grayson Waller
World Women's Championship: Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley
The New Day vs. Drew McIntyre and Matt Riddle
A definitive defeat will not stop Shinsuke Nakamura from targeting Seth Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship, as eluded to on Raw.
It also won't allow him to do the logical thing by taking advantage of an injured champion and accepting a rematch, but that is another argument for another time.
The rematch will likely headline a card that should also feature Jey Uso's first contest as a member of the Raw brand, a second showdown between Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez for the Women's World Championship, and Iyo Sky's first title defense on a premium live event since winning the WWE Women's Championship at SummerSlam.
John Cena Returns to the Squared Circle
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John Cena served as the guest referee for LA Knight's victory over The Miz at Payback and, predictably, The Hollywood A-Lister was not at all happy about the future Hall of Famer's officiating abilities.
That unhappiness will ultimately lead to the in-ring return of the 16-time world champion.
Cena and The Miz have competed against each other several times over the course of their careers and have an almost effortless chemistry. They can work a match that is safe and not nearly as physically taxing on the veteran, making it the perfect bout for the all-timer's first match back since WrestleMania 39.
Add to that the fact that The A-Lister can absorb losses without them adversely affecting him, thanks to his ability to garner heat from the crowd and remain relevant as a result, and it's difficult to find fault with that particular direction.
Is it the most exciting or desirable match for Cena in this brief comeback tour?
Probably not, but it allows him to get back into the ring in a decidedly low-risk contest and not risk an opponent's momentum, which is a perfect scenario for a returning legend.
Drew McIntyre Continues His Turn to the Dark Side
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Drew McIntyre has done everything there is to accomplish as a babyface in WWE.
He is a two-time WWE champion, has battled every top heel in the industry and has been a workhorse over his last three years in that role.
However, it's time to freshen things up, as much for him as anyone, and it appears those in WWE Creative recognize as much.
From the mounting tensions between him and The New Day to his promises to take out his frustrations on Cody Rhodes if Jey Uso ends up being a problem for him, the hints of a heel turn are a welcome change for a guy who is better than his creative of the last year.
That turn toward the dark side continues at Fastlane when McIntyre and Riddle settle their differences with New Day and the Scot shows off a renewed intensity and aggression that leaves no doubt as to the direction he is heading as WrestleMania 40 season draws near.
From there, his attention can turn toward Uso and Rhodes as his long memory proves both a welcome switch creatively and the emphasis for a change in character.
