WWE: Ranking the Fastlane 2018 matches by projected quality

5. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev

No matter how loud fans chant “Rusev Day”, there is no way that Nakamura loses this match. The predictable finish takes away 99.99999% of the suspense for this match, and it might cause the fans in attendance to sit on their hands until Nakamura drives his knee into Rusev’s temple. Alternately, the fans could add something extra with possible dueling chants for each wrestler. The fans love and respect the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, but Rusev–along with Aiden English–has caught fire over the last couple of months. I’m curious to see how the audience reacts to this match.

This bout is an interesting styles clash between the athletic powerhouse in Rusev and Nakamura’s strike heavy offense. The mesh in technique could lead to either a surprisingly entertaining strike-fest or a sloppy mess. “The Bulgarian Brute” has acquitted himself well against top-level opponents in the past, but his last major singles match against Randy Orton was a rather forgettable affair. Nakamura has also piled up some mediocre bouts since his call-up last year, but his non-Jinder Mahal and Baron Corbin matches were all entertaining.

These two could deliver a great match that helps both men or a stinker that slows their momentum. I think the match will end up somewhere in the middle.