WWE Fastlane 2023 happened. It was a ppv that had a lot of people excited for the matches schedule. John Cena in a marque match, Seth and Shinsuke last man standing and a star studded tag title match. We also had a solid women's match in Charlotte Vs Asuka Vs Iyo Sky. And Carlito was Rey’s ringer for the six man tag match. Was this the best premium live event? No it wasn’t, but as a whole it was a solid show where the marque matches did deliver. We saw a shocking title change and a main event that delivered the brutality needed. The show delivered for the crowd an enjoyable and entertaining night of wrestling.
WWE Fastlane 2023 presents marquee matches with a lot of first time evers. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso look to team up to dethrone the reigning Judgment Day. The Megastar team of LA Knight and John Cena face Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso. Iyo Sky defends against future hall of famers Asuka and Charlotte Flair. The LWO are looking for a partner to face Lashley and the Street Profits. And in the main event, Seth Rollins has his first Last Man Standing match with a true threat to his back and championship, Shinsuke Nakamura.
AMAZING Judgment Day Vs Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso – Undisputed Tag Team Championships: WWE Fastlane 2023 Opening Match
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
As a whole this match had a basic tag team structure. We saw the faces start off well before The Judgment Day got in control. Finn and Damian do well as a heel team, especially getting heat for themselves. Both Cody and Jey were very much over with the crowd and it worked out well. Yes it might be repetitive but we had Dom and Rhea running down.Jey laid out Dom before getting into a staredown with Rhea. The commentary was great here calling Rhea a succubus and not wanting Jey to give in. I want to give a lot of credit to the set up for the coup de grace. The hurricanrana off of the top rope into the coup de grace not only provided a great nearfall but worked towards the story of Damian needing to sell his knee.
I think Damian does great selling the knee before Damian got hit in the same leg with his own briefcase worked as a way to advance the Judgment Day stuff. That 1D Cody Cutter was smooth like butter as well. Cody and Jey winning got a great pop and now after nearly winning over Rhea, JD McDonagh might have issues again.
Results: Cody Rhodes by Pinfall via Cross Rhodes On Finn Balor
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE LWO, Rey Mysterio. Santos Escobar and ??? Vs Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits:
Fundamentals: .75
Atmosphere: .50
Storytelling: .50
Psychology: .50
Innovation: .50
By far the match of the night that couldn’t get into second gear. The action was fine and worked for what it was but the entire match was just building to the reveal of who Rey called. Carlito made his return and quickly helped the LWO get the win in this match. This match felt pretty lifeless as a whole aside from the return. No juice in this one.
Results: The LWO by Pinfall via Carlito’s Backstabber on Montez Ford
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GOOD Charlotte Flair Vs Asuka Vs Iyo Sky – WWE Women’s Championship:
Fundamentals: 0.50
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.50
Innovation: 0.75
I don’t know why this match struggled to click also. We saw the summerslam multi-woman match get into another gear with the selling and the crowd got into it at that point. This match had a number of rough and clunky spots. The match had moments of story like Asuka misting Flair to make it a temporary one on one. Charlotte being the one that the crowd respects but doesn’t want to win. And the eventual Bayley arrival. This time Bayley very much helped Iyo retain after a lot of Damage CTRL whiffs where they lose. The finish was the same as In Your House 2020 with Iyo, Rhea and Charlotte. I will give them credit they had great spots and were getting a “this is awesome” chant. Not the best women’s match, not the worst.
Results: Iyo Sky by Pinfall via Moonsault on Charlotte Flair mid Figure 8.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GREAT LA Knight and John Cena Vs Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso:
Fundamentals: .75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: .75
Psychology: .75
Innovation: .50
I said this regarding MJF’s tag matches. Are they anything spectacular or over the top. No. That’s what we got here, We have John Cena selling for Solo and Jimmy and the build of the hot tag was done greatly. LA Knight had the crowd in the palm of his hand with the hot tag and it was great. John Cena’s reactions made the finish special and overall this was just a solidly worked match. Safe or not it was executed and worked well.
Results: LA Knight by Pinfall via BFT on Jimmy
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
MUST WATCH Shinsuke Nakamura Vs Seth Rollins – World Heavyweight Championship, Last Man Standing Match: WWE Fastlane 2023 Main Event
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
This is a mixed bag because we have great selling from Seth Rollins. A hot crowd and very solid storytelling. This match was built around how far was Shinsuke Nakamura willing to go to end Seth Rollins. There was a number of spots that fit the story and fit the violence. Seeing Shinsuke mist Seth before pushing him off the ladder and through the announce table. Seeing a kinshasa through a table. We got Shinsuke kicking Seth off a flight of stairs onto a platform. This had what you wanted, Shinsuke being the killer and Seth Rollins fighting back.
The story and psychology of this match goes hand in hand and worked very well in this case. While there were a number of rough bumps, the platform could have gone wrong, so could the double knees through the table. There were innovative spots but while it was a hot finish it wasn’t a perfect finish. Very solid main event and a step up from Payback.
Results: Seth Rollins by 10 Count via Falcon Arrow through tables in the crowd.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
Overall…
WWE Fastlane 2023 happened. It was a PLE that had a lot of people excited for the matches schedule. John Cena in a marque match, Seth and Shinsuke last man standing and a star studded tag title match. We also had a solid women’s match in Charlotte Vs Asuka Vs Iyo Sky. And Carlito was Rey’s ringer for the six man tag match. Was this the best premium live event? No it wasn’t, but as a whole it was a solid show where the marque matches did deliver. We saw a shocking title change and a main event that delivered the brutality needed. The show delivered to the crowd an enjoyable and entertaining night of wrestling.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 1/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – October 7 2023
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
