WWE Fastlane 2018: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades

Photo Source: WWE.com

United States Championship Match

Bobby Roode (c) vs. Randy Orton

Result: Randy Orton defeated Bobby Roode via pinfall to become the new United States Champion

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I liked this match more than I thought I would. So there’s that. But you know who I think really liked this match? Vince McMahon. Because this match was the epitome of “WWE sports entertaining” as opposed to actual professional wrestling.

Normally, I’d say that’s a bad thing. I mean, this is still a wrestling show, right? But it works here. In the year 2152, if someone heads to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, this match would be the definitive representation of the WWE style. It would be sandwiched between Omega and Okada for NJPW, and Steamboat/Flair for JCP. While the quality of this one doesn’t necessarily touch those, it’s the most representative of what each company is/was known for.

This was two guys with similar styles that are different enough to allow for some variety. With the exception of Roode’s Blockbuster (and ring entrance), there isn’t a whole lot of flash to either guy. They’re dressed mostly the same, they even have mostly the same hairstyle – neither one stands out.

I wasn’t a fan of the narrative of the “veteran” Randy Orton using his “experience advantage” over a guy who’s wrestled for 20 years and is actually three years older. Yeah, Roode’s only been a WWE superstar for a year or so, but it’s a dumb way to call a match. Let’s be honest with ourselves – there are other companies outside of WWE.

And of course, the whole match was built around the finish – we needed 15 minutes to get to a Blockbuster reversed into the RKO from outta nowehre for the win. So Orton gets the victory, and is the latest WWE Grand Slam Champion. Whoopity doo!

After the match, Jinder Mahal comes down to the ring to attack Orton, because that makes sense. Roode recovers enough to fight off Jinder – but then hits Orton with a Glorious DDT because reasons. A triple threat match at WrestleMania seems likely.