WWE Fastlane 2018: Preview and predictions

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match

Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ruby Riott

As I continue to write this, I’m thinking that the name of this pay-per-view should change from WWE Fastlane to WWE Holdover as the SmackDown Women’s Championship Match is yet another bout on this card that essentially doesn’t matter as it pertains to where we’ll be in a few weeks. That’s not knocking anyone, but is anybody really excited about this match, and does anyone really expect Ruby Riott to walk out with the strap?

With that being said, however, I really enjoyed Ruby Riott’s promo this past Tuesday night on SmackDown Live. When Paige showed up with some new friends in Absolution, I understood it and things were explained. But when another faction showed up with a leader wearing dark clothes and dark lipstick and brought some friends along, it just seemed like a ripoff.

But during the promo, Ruby actually explained why and how The Riott Squad came to be. It was an answer to what she called the myth of Charlotte Flair being the sole reason for the Women’s Revolution, and this program finally felt like it had some real emotion to it. Charlotte has already beaten Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan, and now Ruby wants her shot. This has a little potential, but most matches featuring Charlotte do.

Prediction: Ruby Riott will win a title at some point, but Sunday is not that day. Charlotte Flair will leave Fastlane with the SmackDown Women’s Championship, and the challenge from Asuka will come soon after to set up what should be an incredible match at WrestleMania 34.