WWE: Retro Review – Fastlane 2016 | February 21st 2016

Fans and critics alike were not exactly very thrilled with the WWE heading into Fastlane 2016. Roman Reigns had been getting shoved down the world’s throat and the writing was on the wall that he would be taking on HHH at Wrestlemania.

Other than the predictable main event there were six other matches on the card. They were all fairly good matches but did nothing to help sell Fastlane as a great pay-per-view on the Road to Wrestlemania.

Fastlane 2016:

Becky Lynch & Sasha Banks v Naomi & Tamina

During the Feb.1^st edition of Monday Night Raw, Sasha Banks turned face by breaking away from her partners in Team B.A.D. On that same night, Banks was involved in a match with Becky Lynch where Tamina and Naomi interfered to lay a beat down on the Boss. This set up a tag team match between the four women at Fastlane.

Becky Lynch

Becky relinquished the Raw Women’s Championship last year so she could take time off to give birth to her daughter. She is still currently on maternity leave.

Sasha Banks

Banks finally got one over on her former friend Bayley last October to win the Smackdown Women’s Championship. She has gone on a lengthy run with the belt and all signs point to her and Royal Rumble winner Bianca facing off at Wrestlemania this year.

Naomi

At the Royal Rumble, Naomi returned from injury and entered at number two, lasting over 47 minutes before getting eliminated. She is currently aligned with Lana on Raw and the two women have an upcoming tag team title match against the champs.

Tamina

Tamina has been seldom used on WWE television. She and Natalya have formed a heel partnership on WWE programming, with her last match being at the Royal Rumble this year.

Kevin Owens v Dolph Ziggler
(Intercontinental Championship)

Kevin Owens had just won his second Intercontinental Title a mere days before the Fastlane pay-per-view.  After Owens’s championship win, Dolph Ziggler, who had wins over Owens in the previous two weeks, demanded a title shot. Against Owen’s wishes, the contest was set for Fastlane.

Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens has been engaged in a brutal feud with Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Kevin is slated to be a participant in this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber with the hopes of once again challenging Reigns for the championship.

Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler has formed a tag team with Robert Roode on Smackdown, called the Dirty Dawgs. Together they wrestled the Smackdown tag titles away from the Street Profits and their reign continues today.

The Big Show, Kane & Ryback v The Wyatt Family

The Big Show, Ryback, and Kane had been feuding with the Wyatt family for close to a month before their Fastlane match took place. All three men had been involved in singles matches with members of the Wyatt Family. Every one of these matches ended with the remaining Wyatt Family members interfering in the contest.  Having enough of the interference the Big Show, Kane and Ryback asked for a six-man tag match to be booked for Fastlane.

The Big Show

Since 2016, the Big Show has transitioned into a more part-time role with the WWE. He has made various appearances on WWE television as either a heel or face, surprising right? His most recent television appearance was on the Legends Night edition of Raw.

Kane

After he retired from full-time competition Kane moved into the political arena, becoming the mayor of Knox County, Tennesse.

He also still shows up on WWE programming, most recently as a surprise entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble match.

Ryback

After parting ways with the WWE, in 2016, Ryback has remained active on the independent scene. He has also drawn the ire of many wrestlers today with his controversial comments on his social media accounts.

Braun Strowman

Strowman has been a fixture on WWE television since his debut back in 2015. Most recently he drew the number 30 entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble. He eliminated 3 men before being tossed out by eventual winner, Edge.

Erick Rowan

Rowan was released from the WWE in 2020, using the COVID-19 pandemic as their reason. Since then he has bounced around the country, most recently appearing on AEW for the Brodie Lee Celebration of Life.

Charlotte v Brie Bella (Diva’s Championship)

On the Feb.1^st edition of Raw, Brie defeated Charlotte in a non-title match earning her a shot at the championship at Fastlane.

Charlotte

Charlotte returned to the WWE this past December, winning the tag-team championships with Asuka. She has since been involved in a very odd angle involving her father and Lacey Evans.

Brie Bella

Brie remained an active wrestler with the WWE, after her championship loss, until she announced her retirement in 2019. Since then, she has been home raising her two children as well as launching her brand of activewear and beauty products.

A.J Styles v Chris Jericho

During the 2016 Royal Rumble, A.J Styles made his much-anticipated debut with the WWE. The following night on Raw Styles got a win over Chris Jericho. Then, on the Feb.11^th edition of Smackdown, Jericho faced off with Styles and got his win back. This set up the rubber match for Fastlane.

Chris Jericho

Jericho left the WWE in 2018, citing creative differences, and joined rival promotion AEW. Since then he has won the companies world title. He remains with AEW to this day, running his Inner Circle faction with an iron fist.

A.J Styles

A.J Styles has continued to be one of the best wrestlers in the world since his debut in 2016. Currently, he has earned a spot in the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship, which takes place this Sunday.

Curtis Axel v R-Truth

This was an unannounced match between the two men that was more than likely inserted to give the fans a chance to head to the bathroom before the main event.

Curtis Axel

Axel was released early in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His last match in the WWE was a losing effort against Daniel Bryan in Feb.2020.

R-Truth

R-Truth has been a staple in the 24/7 division since its inception. Most recently he was involved in Bad Bunny winning the title on Raw this past Monday.

Roman Reigns v Dean Ambrose v Brock Lesnar
(Winner Gets Title Shot At Wrestlemania)

At the Royal Rumble, HHH entered in the number 30 position to win it all and take home the WWE Championship.  The following night, on Raw, Stephanie McMahon scheduled a number one contenders match at Fastlane between the three men.

Roman Reigns

Since returning to the WWE, and winning the Universal Championship, Reigns has been at his absolute best. He has developed a long-standing feud with Kevin Owens and is set to defend his Universal Championship against the Elimination Chamber winner this Sunday.

Brock Lesnar

Lesnar’s last televised appearance was at Wrestlemania last year when he dropped the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre.  Since then there have been rumours of what he is up to but he is no longer under a WWE contract.

Dean Ambrose

After leaving WWE, in 2019, Ambrose returned to his old moniker, Jon Moxley. He has since competed with NJPW and has become a staple on the AEW roster. He has won championships in both organizations since his WWE departure.