WWE Fastlane 2023: 10 Nightmares That Could Come True
Now is NOT the time for unnecessary WWE title changes. That'd be a Fastlane to nightmares!
Originally, this PLE was a speed bump on the 'Road To WrestleMania'. It existed only to buffer between Royal Rumble and the grand weekender itself, but times have changed. Now, Fastlane has been shunted to a pre-Survivor Series slot. 'Road To Survivors' doesn't quite carry the same gusto, does it?
The show will be one of three things in the end.
Hopefully, it'll be a pleasant surprise akin to gems like Backlash in Puerto Rico or last year's Crown Jewel. If it isn't, it'll either be a middle-of-the-road plodder or an absolute nightmare fuel-fest littered with crappy outcomes that leave fans puzzled. Yep, it's the latter scenario that goes under the microscope here. "Nightmares", and all that!
Unwanted title switches for the sake of it, turns that happen far too early, lazy booking that dumps all over an already-sagging WWE gimmick and more - it's all here, and it could become reality on Saturday night. Exactly none of it will delight, especially if results erm...result in cherished stables vanishing, creative reverting to type and fans sitting on their hands in the stands.
Start getting worried. Here's why!
10. Charlotte Flair Resumes A Reign Of Terror
Pictured: Babyface Charlotte Flair as SmackDown Women's Champ earlier this year.
That version of Charlotte represents the worst version of Flair. Playing happy-go-lucky goodie doesn't suit her at all, because fans can see right through all of the smiles and high fives. That's faker than the piped-in noise WWE occasionally uses on pre-taped episodes. Charlotte is a natural heel, and that's that.
Cutting IYO SKY's own title reign short and going with Flair in the baby role again would be a disaster. Rhea Ripley ended the nightmare at 'Mania 39 last year, then WWE turned the SmackDown belt into the current Women's World Championship. IYO's WWE Women's Title (the old Raw Women's strap) is fine where it is.
Worried onlookers can see Flair potentially poaching that belt and ruling the roost on Friday nights for a while though. We've been here before, and people are right to be concerned. Holier than thou Charlotte is a painful exercise, but it's one WWE veers towards by default these days.