WWE Fastlane Predictions: Daniel Bryan vs. Roman Reigns – Winner Challenges Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31
By Mike Smith
At WWE Fastlane, in the main event, Roman Reigns will put his spot in the main event of WrestleMania on the line, when he goes one-on-one with Daniel Bryan. The winner goes on to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
At WWE Royal Rumble, both men competed in the Royal Rumble Match. While Reigns won, Bryan entered 10th, stayed in for a little over 10 minutes, before being the 11th man eliminated.
Two weeks later, on Raw, Bryan came out and said that he wanted his title shot against Lesnar, since he never lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and he was only stripped due to injury. The Authority wouldn’t give him a title shot. Instead, they decided that since The Rock interfered in the Rumble on Reigns’ behalf, that he would have to defend his spot at WrestleMania.
The Authority put Bryan in a match with their golden boy, Seth Rollins, which Bryan won, sending him to face Reigns in the main event of Fastlane.
There has been a lot of animosity shown between these two, as the WWE Universe has been about 70-30 in favor of Bryan, but both guys have received mixed reactions.
Which one will go on to face Lesnar at WrestleMania? Rob Wolkenbrod, Jordan Campbell, Callum Wiggins, Tim Sherry, and Mike Smith have some predictions:
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Rob’s Take: After the brawl that these two had to close out Monday Night Raw, I am really looking forward to what kind of match they will put on in the main event.
This will be Reigns’ first real test of if he can carry his load in a long match, as this one will likely go 15-20 minutes. If he can perform adequately and show that he has become a better wrestler, he may end up winning over some of the fans.
I do indeed think that Reigns wins this match and moves onto the WrestleMania 31 main event. However, I think it will be from Sheamus returning and costing Bryan the match in some way. They will set up WrestleMania round three between Sheamus and Bryan, which many will not want to see, but will happen.
Rob’s Prediction: Roman Reigns
Jordan’s Take: WWE’s hand-picked next top guy against the guy that WWE fans want to be the next top guy. Is Reigns’ ready to carry the top spot? Probably not. Is the WWE Universe’s obsession with Daniel Bryan unhealthy? Probably. So what is going to happen in this match–Will WWE admit that Reigns is not ready and have Bryan win? Or, will WWE stick to their plan and have Reigns win? The answer to both questions is yes. I don’t know how but this match will end in a draw, likely coming via a double count out. Reigns and Bryan will both advance to the WrestleMania main event and take part in a Triple Threat match with Brock Lesnar.
Jordan’s Prediction: Draw via double countout
Callum’s Take: With the opportunity at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania at stake, this is clearly the biggest match of the night. It has also been built remarkably well, balancing the respect of Reigns and Bryan towards each other with a determination to prove which one is the best. This will likely prove Reigns’ best match to date as he steps in the ring with one of the best professional wrestling has to offer, and will hopefully silence any doubters over his ability to have an awesome main event bout.
This has the potential to be match of the night, especially if Bryan carries the brunt of the work. But, in terms of the result it could go many different directions. The only result I can’t imagine is Bryan winning cleanly, as Reigns as winner of the Royal Rumble was clearly the creative choice for the main event. So, I expect Reigns to win via some interference by the person who will face Bryan at WrestleMania.
Callum’s Prediction: Roman Reigns
Tim’s Take: I don’t see any type of a clean finish here. WWE is going to ride this feud all the way to Mania possibly turning the main event into a 3 way match, possible even a 4 way. Look for Lesnar and/or Rollins to get involved causing a double DQ leaving a ton of questions and angles to explore on The Road to Wrestlemania. As far as the action goes, this will be the best Reigns you’ll see to date. Bryan has a way of bringing the best out of his opponents and this will be no different.
Tim’s Prediction: Draw via double DQ
Mike’s Take: There are two ways this one likely goes: 1) Reigns wins clean. b) Draw, and they both go to WrestleMania.
I understand why some people are predicting somebody like Sheamus interferes and costs Bryan the match to set up a WrestleMania feud, but that doesn’t put Reigns over as much as a clean win would, and anybody getting set to face Lesnar needs clean wins.
I think we’re going to see a draw, when both guys get counted out, as they brawl to the outside, much like on Raw, and both end up laid out on the floor.
Reigns is the guy WWE wants on top, but they can’t risk him looking bad in the biggest match of the year. That risk is too high in Reigns-Lesnar, they need the added variable of Bryan.
Mike’s Prediction: Draw via double countout
Three of us are predicting some sort of draw, setting up a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania, while two of us are taking Reigns. Who do you think will be in the ring with Lesnar for the main event of WrestleMania? Let us know in the comments section below.
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