March 5, 2017
(aired live)
#WWEFastlane
City: Milwaukee, WI
Venue: Bradley Center
Panel: Renee Young, Peter Rosenberg, Booker T
Social Media Lounge: Charly Caruso
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Austin Aries
Ring Announcer: Jojo
Panel
Renee Young welcomes everyone to the show and introduces the panel. They talk about the excitement in the arena, and Rosenberg thinks some young superstars will make an impression tonight. Booker is thinking about the road to Wrestlemania.
Renee welcomes Charly Caruso in the Social Media Lounge. Booker wants to know where his “dirty bird” Tom Phillips is, and Charly says he “graciously” passed on the reigns for the evening. Her guest later tonight: Somoa Joe.
** Whoever made the titles apparently misspelled Rosenberg’s name. The screen showed his last name as “Rosenburg,” including as part of his Twitter name. Also, I enjoyed Booker making a point of calling out Tom Phillips who has reportedly been in trouble for some explicit social media messages. **
Video
Buildup for the Reigns/Strowman match.
Panel
Renee wonders how terrified Reigns must be of Strowman. Rosenberg picks Strowman, Booker and Renee pick Reigns.
Backstage
Noam Dar wants to have something to celebrate with Alicia Fox tonight. Brian Kendrick just hopes Noam Dar doesn’t disrespect him like Akira Tozawa did.
Panel
Cesaro and Sheamus join the panel. Sheamus is upset that they aren’t competing for the titles tonight. Cesaro knows the people want to see him and Sheamus in the ring and not sitting at a table. Booker tells them they can’t cry over spilled milk. Rosenberg wonders if they’re scared that they’ll miss Wrestlemania. The entire panel picks Gallows and Anderson to win tonight.
Backstage
Mick Foley tells Stephanie (who is on the phone) not to worry about tonight. As she talks, Jinder Mahal walks in and tells Foley that he and Rusev are no longer a team. He wants singles competition. Rusev walks up with Lana and says he wants the same thing. Foley tells them that he’ll give them matches, but they have to decide between themselves who will go first.
Panel
The panel briefly talks about how dangerous Samoa Joe is.
Social Media Lounge
Charly Caruso asks Samoa Joe some questions from Twitter. He talks about taking an opportunity and destroying Sami Zayn.
Video
Buildup for the Charlotte/Bayley match.
Panel
Rosenberg says there is no chance that Charlotte loses tonight. Booker thinks Bayley’s determination shouldn’t be underestimated. Rosenberg picks Charlotte, Booker and Renee pick Bayley.
Video
A promo video for Austin Aries.
Match 1
Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa vs Brian Kendrick & Noam Dar w/ Alicia Fox
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Rich Swann pins Noam Dar after a Phoenix Splash
Time: 8:08 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Good action from both teams. There wasn’t a lot that really stood out as extraordinary, but it was a solid match with a rather good ending.
Video
Buildup for Goldberg versus Owens.
Show Impressions
This was a fine Kickoff show. The match was good, and I always appreciate it when they do some decent backstage segments to help build up the show.
Match of the Night
Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa vs Brian Kendrick & Noam Dar
No feuds were settled or even really furthered in the match, but it was entertaining.
(View the recap and review of Fastlane 2017)