WWE brings Fastlane to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday. There are some big matches on the card, including the return of John Cena for his first televised match since WrestleMania.
Cena will team with LA Knight to take on Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso of The Bloodline. Knight and Cena previously had some tense arguments as Cena reflected on Knight’s match with The Miz at Payback. Despite this, Knight came to Cena’s aid after The Bloodline injured AJ Styles, ousting him from his scheduled spot as Cena’s tag partner.
Another Uso will be in action at the event as Jey Uso teams up with Cody Rhodes to challenge Finn Balor and Damian Priest of The Judgment Day for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles.
There are also two other exciting encounters on the card. The WWE Women’s Championship is on the line when IYO SKY takes on Asuka and Charlotte Flair in a triple threat match. SKY captured the title after cashing in her Money in the Bank contract against Asuka at SummerSlam. Ironically, this was also a triple threat match with flair. An interesting tag match is also planned as LWO takes on Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits.
Let’s take a look at who the CBS Sports experts are picking to win every match at WWE Fastlane, which airs live on Peacock at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday and begins with a kickoff show an hour earlier.
WWE Fastlane card 2023 predictions
World Heavyweight Championship – Seth Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE has done a good job making Nakamura a threat for a top championship again. It wasn’t believable that Nakamura would beat Rollins for the belt, but the story that Nakamura knew Rollins’ back was hurt and that he was targeting the injury has been a top-tier program for months. Rollins losing the belt will happen at the right time for a man who can be trusted to be the face of Raw. This is not now and this is not Nakamura. Pick: Seth Rollins retains the title – Brent Brookhouse (also Shakiel Mahjouri)
John Cena & LA Knight vs. The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa)
It appears that WWE is finally ready to give Knight his break. Knight has garnered some of the biggest reactions from WWE audiences all year, and fans were eager to see his rise. Pairing him with 16-time world champion and Hollywood star John Cena is a fitting coming out party. The Bloodline group has promoted each of its members, but Sikoa and Uso’s place in the pecking order requires them to lose occasionally. Cena’s two-month association with the company ends at the end of the month. The Heroes’ victory sets the stage for both Cena and Knight to face Roman Reigns in the final quarter of 2023. Pick: Cena & Knight win — Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship – The Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damian Priest) (c) vs. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso
Judgment Day continues to be the focus of Raw most weeks and there is a slow-moving storyline with tension between Balor and Priest. Still, Saturday is probably a completely different story. Drew McIntyre has shown signs that he is about to turn away and has had issues with Uso in particular. It seems the most sensible approach is for McIntyre to show up and cost Rhodes and Uso the win. This would be a solid program for Rhodes’ next rival as he continues his story and looks to work towards a world title win. Pick: The Judgment Day retains the titles — Brookhouse (also Mahjouri)
WWE Women’s Championship – Iyo Sky (c) vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair
Sky is a breath of fresh air in a women’s division that desperately needs it. Asuka’s fight for the champion wasn’t spectacular and Flair’s performance has unfortunately become stale. Sky has plenty of new encounters and storylines ahead, including an eventual split from Damage CTRL and Bianca Belair’s revenge tour. Sky is full of talent and radiates charisma. Let them shine. Pick: Iyo Sky retains the title — Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)
Latino World Order vs. Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits
The union of Lashley and the Street Profits immediately caught people’s attention. It was the perfect mix of a Hurt Business reunion and a much-needed character change for the Profits. It’s clear from WWE booking that LWO is designed to be a midcard stable: one that can win important matches, but is generally used to promote others. The Lashley Profits organization is far too new to take a loss on a major trade show. This should be competitive at times, but overall it’s a strong showing for SmackDown’s new tyrants. Pick: Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits win — Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)