10 WWE Fastlane 2018 Impulse Reactions

9. Sleeper

Shinsuke Nakamura Rusev
WWE

So Bobby Roode and Randy Orton worked some long restholds. Who knew?

Well, not this author, actually. Orton's title scoop was the one shock coming out of a otherwise dull affair, but the ramifications offer enough fodder for the pair to go again at WrestleMania alongside Jinder Mahal as the third wheel. In truth, the contest could find itself condemned to the pre-show, but it will at least spare the trio from what's looking set to be the most undignified Andre The Giant Battle Royal line-up thus far.

Randy's win signs him into WWE's newest 'Grand Slam' club, and marks the second new Champion to hold the gold since Dolph Ziggler abandoned it for no logically explained reason. More fool 'The Show Off' - even the secondary strap has left him behind.

The 'Glorious' one may be in better fettle as a result of his loss here, too. Furious at his loss in the post-match, Roode took out both Mahal and Orton with DDTs. Hopefully his frustration boils over in time for the 'Show Of Shows'. Triple Threats are always psychologically aided by the babyface's numerical disadvantage, and this one will need all the help it can get.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett