WWE: Ranking Every Pay-Per-View In 2018 From Worst To First

Credit: WWE.com

9. Fastlane

Ever since the initial brand split back in 2016, the pay-per-view format featured brand-exclusive shows that gave both Raw and SmackDown a chance to shine in a standalone way.  However, with the return of co-branded pay-per-views looming post-WrestleMania 34, March’s Fastlane pay-per-view would be the final brand-exclusive show.

The blue brand sent the brand-exclusive pay-per-view era out with a stellar show from start to finish.  Randy Orton won the United States Championship for the first time in a good match with Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura got more WrestleMania momentum after defeating Rusev in a pretty good match, and The Usos vs. The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship was solid, despite the non-finish thanks to The Bludgeon Brothers.

Charlotte Flair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship defense against Ruby Riott was very good as well and showcased Riott in a main event light for the first time since joining the main roster.  This was also where the first seed was planted for the huge WrestleMania match between Charlotte and Asuka after The Empress Of Tomorrow made her intentions clear on who she would challenge at WrestleMania after winning the women’s Royal Rumble match.

The main event was a six-pack challenge for the WWE Championship that saw AJ Styles defend his title against Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and John Cena in an action-packed match.  This was entertaining from start to finish with a lot of drama involved, but in the end, The Phenomenal One outlasted the odds and retained his title.  For a B-level type of pay-per-view, Fastlane was a stellar show from top to bottom.

The road to WrestleMania got kicked into a higher gear thanks to a night that saw the blue brand live life in the fast lane.