Fastlane (2021)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Fastlane
Promotion
WWE
Brand(s)Raw
SmackDown
DateMarch 21, 2021
CitySt. Petersburg, Florida
VenueWWE ThunderDome at Tropicana Field
Attendance0 (behind closed doors)[Note 1]
WWE Network event chronology
← Previous
Elimination Chamber 		Next →
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Fastlane chronology
← Previous
2019 		Next →
2023

The 2021 Fastlane was the sixth

event produced by WWE. It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The event took place on March 21, 2021, from the WWE ThunderDome, hosted at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was WWE's final pay-per-view presented from Tropicana Field during the COVID-19 pandemic as the ThunderDome was relocated to the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida due to the start of the 2021 Tampa Bay Rays season. It was the first Fastlane event held since 2019 and the last until 2023. It was also WWE's first pay-per-view event to air on Peacock in the United States, and the last to be available on the standalone version of the American WWE Network
before its shutdown on April 4.

Eight matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event,

"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt
following a three-month storyline absence.

Production

Background

event first produced by WWE in 2015. The name of the event was a reference to its position on the "Road to WrestleMania", being held in the two-month period between the Royal Rumble and WWE's flagship event;[1] the first two Fastlane events were held in February before moving to March. The event was held annually until 2020 when Fastlane was removed from the schedule to allow WWE to hold that year's Super ShowDown pay-per-view, but on January 17, 2021, Fastlane was reinstated in 2021. The sixth Fastlane was held on March 21, 2021, and featured wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions.[2]

On January 25, 2021, WWE announced that the WWE Network would become exclusively distributed by

Monday Night Raw and NXT on the USA Network. On March 18, the WWE Network became a premium channel under Peacock, with premium subscribers to the service receiving access to the WWE Network at no additional cost. As a result, Fastlane was the first pay-per-view to air on Peacock's WWE Network channel.[3][4] After a brief transitional period, the standalone version of the WWE Network in the U.S. shut down on April 4, with future events only available via Peacock's WWE Network channel and traditional PPV, which in turn also made Fastlane the very last in-ring event to air on the standalone version of the American WWE Network before its shutdown. This did not affect other countries, which maintain the separate WWE Network service distributed by WWE.[5][6]

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Main article: WWE ThunderDome

As a result of the

Amway Center,[11] the ThunderDome was relocated to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida in December.[12][13]

Due to the start of the 2021 Tampa Bay Rays season, as Tropicana Field is the home venue of the Tampa Bay Rays, on March 24, 2021, WWE announced that they would relocate the ThunderDome to the Yuengling Center, located on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa, beginning with the April 12 episode of Raw. Fastlane was in turn the final WWE pay-per-view produced from the ThunderDome at Tropicana Field.[14][15]

Storylines

The event comprised eight matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed

Friday Night SmackDown.[18]

At

special guest enforcer during the championship match,[22] which was won by Edge.[23]

After failing to defeat Big E for the Intercontinental Championship in January,[24][25] Apollo Crews turned heel and began to embrace his royal Nigerian roots, including speaking with a Nigerian accent.[26][27] On the February 19 episode of SmackDown, after Crews' loss against Shinsuke Nakamura where Big E was on commentary, Crews attacked Nakamura after the match. Big E aided Nakamura, however, Crews attacked Big E with the steel steps, taking him out of action for a couple of weeks.[28] Big E returned on the March 12 episode and called out Crews, who did not answer. Big E then issued an open challenge for the Intercontinental Championship where he retained the title against Sami Zayn. After the match, Crews blindsided Big E and attacked him with the steel steps once again.[22] Big E was subsequently scheduled to defend the Intercontinental Championship against Crews at Fastlane.[29]

On the February 1 episode of Raw,

No Holds Barred match.[33][34]

At

intergender match at Fastlane, and Orton accepted in the hopes of ridding Bliss from his life.[33]

Incensed at being left out of Raw's Elimination Chamber match,

Raw Tag Team Championship. Strowman had the match won, however, after performing a Running Powerslam on Benjamin, Shane signaled to Pearce to tag in for the pin only for Benjamin to perform a roll up on Pearce to retain the titles, which enraged Strowman further.[31] Shane then began to insult Strowman's intelligence.[31] Strowman then challenged Shane to a match on the March 15 episode of Raw. The match, however, never officially started and the two instead brawled with Shane calling Strowman stupid. This led to a match being scheduled between the two at Fastlane.[33]

At Elimination Chamber, Riddle won the United States Championship.[19] On the March 1 episode of Raw, Retribution's Mustafa Ali defeated Riddle in a non-title match.[31] Ali then received a United States Championship match against Riddle on the March 15 episode where Riddle retained.[33] Following the show, Ali posted a video on Twitter challenging Riddle to another title match, which was scheduled for the Fastlane Kickoff pre-show.[36]

At Elimination Chamber,

Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair to retain the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.[19] On March 4, a championship rematch between the two teams was scheduled for Fastlane.[37]

On the March 19 episode of SmackDown, while Seth Rollins was talking about Cesaro being the biggest waste of talent in WWE, Shinsuke Nakamura appeared and laid out Rollins. A match between Rollins and Nakamura was subsequently scheduled for Fastlane.[23]

Event

Other on-screen personnel
Role: Name:
English commentators Michael Cole (SmackDown)
Corey Graves (SmackDown)
Tom Phillips
(Raw)
Samoa Joe (Raw)
Byron Saxton (Raw)
Spanish commentators Carlos Cabrera
Marcelo Rodriguez
Ring announcers Greg Hamilton (SmackDown)
Mike Rome (Raw)
Referees Danilo Anfibio
Shawn Bennett
Jessika Carr
John Cone
Dan Engler
Darrick Moore
Chad Patton
Rod Zapata
Interviewer Sarah Schreiber
Pre-show panel Kayla Braxton
Jerry Lawler
Peter Rosenberg
Booker T

Pre-show

During the Fastlane Kickoff pre-show, Riddle defended the United States Championship against Mustafa Ali (accompanied by his Retribution stablemates

T-Bar, Mace, Slapjack, and Reckoning). In the end, Riddle performed a Bro-Derek on Ali from the top rope to retain the title. Following the match, Ali yelled at Reckoning and Slapjack, causing them to walk out on him, after which, Mace and T-Bar attacked Ali with a double Chokeslam.[38]

Preliminary matches

The actual pay-per-view opened with Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (accompanied by

roll-up on a distracted Banks to retain the titles. Following the match, Banks blamed Belair for their loss and slapped Belair before departing backstage.[39]

Following the match, the commentators spoke about the scheduled match between Shane McMahon and Braun Strowman, after which, footage was shown from earlier in the day that Shane injured his leg during his training. After the footage, Shane came out of the trainer's room wielding a crutch and with his knee wrapped up. Elias and Jaxson Ryker then approached Shane about doing a concert at WrestleMania. Shane then stated that he has an idea.[39]

Next, Big E defended the Intercontinental Championship against Apollo Crews. Big E reversed a pin attempt by Crews into his own pin attempt to retain the title. Following the match, Crews attacked Big E.[39]

Backstage for an Old Spice advertisement, Akira Tozawa was in search of 24/7 Champion R-Truth, who was hiding in the Old Spice display. Old Spice representative Joseph Average (portrayed by NXT and WWE Performance Center trainee Erik Bugez) then accidentally pinned R-Truth to win the championship after the shelf of deodorants fell over. R-Truth then performed a roll-up on Average to win back the title for his record 51st 24/7 Championship.[39]

After that, Shane McMahon came out to the ring and introduced Elias (accompanied by Jaxson Ryker). Shane allowed Elias to preview his WrestleMania concert, however, after Elias began playing his guitar, Shane cut him off and announced that Elias would be taking his place in his scheduled match against Braun Strowman, who then made his entrance. Strowman performed a Running Powerslam on Elias to win the match.[39]

In the following match, Seth Rollins faced Shinsuke Nakamura. In the climax, Rollins performed a Black Magic Kick and a Curb Stomp on Nakamura to win the match.[39]

After this, Drew McIntyre faced Sheamus in a No Holds Barred match. McIntyre performed a Future Shock DDT on Sheamus onto a television monitor before performing the

Claymore Kick to win the match.[39]

In the penultimate match, Randy Orton faced Alexa Bliss in an intergender match. Before the match started, Orton began to spit up a black liquid. During the match, Bliss used supernatural powers, such as causing a lighting rig to fall which nearly landed on Orton and shooting a fireball at Orton. In the end, "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt—who had not been seen since Orton set him on fire at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs in December 2020—tore through the ring canvas, appearing very grotesque with charred skin. Bliss, who was perched atop the turnbuckle, pushed Orton into The Fiend, who then attacked Orton with a Sister Abigail, allowing Bliss to pin Orton to win the match.[39]

Main event

In the main event, Roman Reigns (accompanied by Paul Heyman) defended the Universal Championship against Daniel Bryan with Edge as the special guest enforcer. In the climax, Bryan accidentally incapacitated the referee, after which, Reigns performed a

Spear on Bryan, which prompted Edge to take over as the official. While Bryan applied the Yes! Lock on Reigns, Jey Uso entered the ring and performed a superkick on Edge and Bryan, after which, Jey retrieved a steel chair. As Jey attempted to attack Bryan, Bryan countered and attacked Jey with the chair. Bryan tried to attack Reigns with the chair, however, Reigns ducked and Bryan accidentally struck Edge. As Bryan then applied the Yes! Lock on Reigns once again, Reigns visibly tapped out, however, there was no referee to notice and in response, an enraged Edge attacked both Bryan and Reigns with the steel chair before departing backstage. A second referee came down and Reigns pinned Bryan to retain the title.[39]

Aftermath

In October 2021, WWE revealed their PPV calendar for 2022 and Fastlane was not included.[40] While there had been a to be announced event for February, this event was later revealed as Elimination Chamber.[41] After a two-year hiatus, Fastlane was reinstated for 2023, but for October, subsequently dropping its "Road to WrestleMania" theme.[42]

Raw

On the following night's episode of Raw, Randy Orton attempted to summon "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt after what had transpired at Fastlane. Alexa Bliss appeared on the stage holding a jack-in-a-box signaling the return of The Fiend, after which, the lights went out. When they returned, The Fiend was standing in the ring. Orton performed an RKO on The Fiend, after which, Bliss walked to the ring to taunt Orton. The Fiend then rose to his feet and attacked Orton with a Sister Abigail. Bliss then pointed to the WrestleMania sign and a match between The Fiend and Orton was scheduled for WrestleMania 37.[43]

Also on Raw, Shane McMahon, along with Elias and Jaxson Ryker, continued to taunt Braun Strowman, who came out and defeated Elias in a rematch. Shane then attacked Strowman with his crutch, revealing that Shane had feigned his injury. Shane then retreated and Strowman challenged Shane to a match at WrestleMania 37 and Shane accepted.[43] The following week, Strowman chose a Steel Cage match as the stipulation.[44]

SmackDown

On the March 26 episode of SmackDown, Adam Pearce announced that Roman Reigns would defend the Universal Championship against both Edge and Daniel Bryan in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 37.

street fight, where Bryan was victorious. After the match, Bryan rammed Edge into the ring post before applying the Yes! Lock on Reigns to stand tall.[46] On the WrestleMania edition of SmackDown, Reigns, Edge, and Bryan gave their final WrestleMania messages, while Jey Uso won the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.[47] At WrestleMania 37, Reigns defeated Edge and Bryan to retain the Universal Championship.[48]

Also on SmackDown, Apollo Crews pinned Big E in a

Commander Azeez.[48]

Seth Rollins faced and defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a rematch on the following SmackDown. Afterwards, Rollins was attacked by Cesaro, leading to a match between Rollins and Cesaro at WrestleMania 37,[45] which Cesaro won.[49]

Results

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
special guest enforcer
.		30:00
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

Notes

  1. ^ The event was held without a paying audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, though it featured a live crowd of virtual fans via WWE's ThunderDome viewing experience.

References

  1. ^ Caldwell, James (December 8, 2014). "WWE News: February PPV gets a new title (w/Poll)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  2. ^ Johnson, Mike (January 17, 2021). "WWE Fast Lane PPV update". PWInsider. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  3. ^ Spangler, Todd (January 25, 2021). "NBCU's Peacock Pins WWE Network Exclusive U.S. Streaming Rights". Variety. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  4. ^ Hayes, Dade (January 25, 2021). "Peacock Adds Wrestling In WWE Network Streaming Exclusive". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  5. ^ "FAQs about the Peacock and WWE Network Announcement". WWE. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  6. ^ WWE.com Staff (March 8, 2021). "WWE Network to launch on Peacock March 18". WWE. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  7. ^ Johnson, Mike (March 21, 2020). "WWE taping updates". PWInsider. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  8. ^ Casey, Connor (May 25, 2020). "WWE Fans Are Thrilled to See Crowds Back on WWE Raw". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  9. ^ Oestriecher, Blake (June 17, 2020). "WWE Live Events With Fans Could Reportedly Return Very Soon". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  10. ^ WWE.com Staff (August 17, 2020). "WWE introducing new state-of-the-art viewing experience with WWE ThunderDome". WWE. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  11. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (August 17, 2020). "WWE Announces ThunderDome Arena; Enhanced Fan Experience, Residency At Amway Center; First Look Video Shown". Fightful. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  12. ^ WWE.com Staff (November 19, 2020). "WWE ThunderDome will head to Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field beginning Friday, Dec. 11". WWE. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  13. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 19, 2020). "WWE ThunderDome Moving To Tropicana Field On December 11". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  14. ^ Williams, Randall (March 24, 2021). "WWE Moves ThunderDome to USF's Yuengling Center". Sportico.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  15. ^ "WWE ThunderDome takes over Yuengling Center". WWE. March 24, 2021. Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  16. Discovery Communications. Archived
    from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  17. ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  18. ^ Steinberg, Brian (May 25, 2016). "WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  19. ^ a b c d Powell, Jason (February 21, 2021). "WWE Elimination Chamber results: Powell's live review of Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus vs. Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy in an Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship, Roman Reigns faces an Elimination Chamber match winner for the WWE Universal Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  20. CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  21. CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  22. ^
    CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  23. ^
    CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on March 20, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  24. CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  25. CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  26. ^ Barrasso, Justin (March 12, 2021). "New Character Gives Apollo Crews an Added Dimension". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021. As his new character—accompanied to the ring with two guards and speaking in a Nigerian accent—presents Crews in an entirely new light.
  27. ^ Blanchard, Matthew (April 3, 2021). "WWE Fans Still Puzzled About Apollo Crews Sudden and Illogical Nigerian Accent Change". The Overtimer. Archived from the original on April 3, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  28. CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  29. ^ Guzzo, Gisberto (March 13, 2021). "Intercontinental Championship Match Set For WWE Fastlane". Fightful. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  30. CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  31. ^
    CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  32. CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  33. ^
    CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  34. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived
    from the original on March 20, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  35. ^ Powell, Jason (December 20, 2020). "WWE TLC results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens in a TLC match for the WWE Universal Championship, Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles in a TLC match for the WWE Championship, The Fiend vs. Randy Orton in a Firefly Inferno Match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  36. 411Mania. Archived
    from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  37. ^ Jenkins, H (March 4, 2021). "WWE adds title match to Fastlane". Ringside News. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  38. ^ Moore, John (March 21, 2021). "WWE Fastlane Kickoff Show results: Moore's live review of the pre-show". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Powell, Jason (March 21, 2021). "WWE Fastlane results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Universal Championship with Edge as special enforcer, Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus in a No Holds Barred match, Big E vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Title, Randy Orton vs. Alexa Bliss". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  40. ^ Labert, Jeremy (October 25, 2021). "WWE Announces Pay-Per-View Schedule For 2022, WrestleMania 38 Set To Be Two Nights". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  41. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (January 17, 2022). "WWE Confirms Elimination Chamber Event In Saudi Arabia". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  42. ^ Keller, Wade (June 20, 2023). "WWE bringing back Fastlane event, date and location announced". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  43. ^
    CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  44. CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  45. ^
    CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  46. ^
    CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on April 3, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  47. CBSSports. Archived
    from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  48. ^ a b Keller, Wade (April 11, 2021). "4/11 WWE WrestleMania 37: Keller's report on Reigns vs. Bryan vs. Edge, Orton vs. Fiend, Asuka vs. Ripley, Owens vs. Sami". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  49. ^ Keller, Wade (April 10, 2021). "4/10 WWE WrestleMania 37 results: Keller's report on Banks vs. Belair, Lashley vs. McIntyre, Bad Bunny & Damien Priest vs. Miz & Morrison, Strowman vs. Shane McMahon". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  50. ^ Garretson, Jordan (March 21, 2021). "United States Champion Riddle def. Mustafa Ali (Kickoff Match)". WWE. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  51. ^ Garretson, Jordan (March 21, 2021). "WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler def. SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair". WWE. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  52. ^ Garretson, Jordan (March 21, 2021). "Intercontinental Champion Big E def. Apollo Crews". WWE. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  53. ^ Garretson, Jordan (March 21, 2021). "Braun Strowman def. Elias". WWE. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  54. ^ Garretson, Jordan (March 21, 2021). "Seth Rollins def. Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  55. ^ Garretson, Jordan (March 21, 2021). "Drew McIntyre def. Sheamus (No Holds Barred Match)". WWE. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  56. ^ Garretson, Jordan (March 21, 2021). "Alexa Bliss def. Randy Orton, The Fiend re-emerged". WWE. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  57. ^ Garretson, Jordan (March 21, 2021). "Universal Champion Roman Reigns def. Daniel Bryan". WWE. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fastlane_(2021)&oldid=1209651075"