Episode 173 is almost all about Fastlane ’17, the final stop on the Road To WrestleMania 33. On this Episode, we recap all the events that took place leading into the Raw exclusive PPV, review the actual event itself, and add on an interview just to make certain your content cravings are satiated.
We begin by reviewing the go-home episode of Raw from February 27, 2017. Kevin Owens and Goldberg met face to face (sort of) in anticipation of their Universal Championship match at Fastlane. Samoa Joe and Cesaro renewed their long-standing rivalry but, this time, on Raw. Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns had yet another knock down, drag out brawl leading into their match at Fastlane. Seth Rollins gave the WWE Universe an update as to his condition and whether or not he thought he was going to make it back for WrestleMania 33. Charlotte and Nia Jax teamed up to take on Bayley and Sasha Banks. All along the way, Mick Foley’s job as Raw General Manager was being called into question by Stephanie McMahon and others. We fill you in on all the details here on Episode 173.
We then move on to Smackdown Live which featured blistering promos from The Miz and John Cena. Which superstar was the better talker? We let you know on Episode 173. Becky Lynch met Mickie James in a best 2 out of 3 falls match. In the Main Event, AJ Styles took on Luke Harper with the winner being granted the shot at Bray Wyatt’s WWE Championship at WrestleMania 33. Who won this massive match…and did it really matter? Why? Well that would lead us to Bray Wyatt’s invocation and Randy Orton’s stunning betrayal of The Eater of Worlds. What made the final segment of Smackdown Live so good and where does this leave us as far as the Main Event of WrestleMania? We let you in on all the details on Episode 173.
We then recap 205 Live, which saw a hell of a good 6-man Tag Team match between Drew Gulak, Tony Neese and Ariya Daivari vs TJ Perkins, Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander. Neville came out to give his state of the Cruiserweight Division address and, as expected, was interrupted by Jack Gallagher. Suffice it to say, things got heated between the two men vying for the Cruiserweight Championship at Fastlane and we fill you in on the details here on Episode 173.
We then move on to NXT from March 1, 2017. Asuka defended her NXT Women’s Championship against Peyton Royce. Could Peyton actually defeat The Empress of Tomorrow and what happened at the conclusion of that match that may have heralded the next contender for the NXT Women’s Championship? DIY took on the Authors of Pain in a rematch from San Antonio for the NXT Tag Team titles. What went down that left the NXT tag Team Championship picture more cloudy than it was when the two teams entered that match? We let you know on Episode 173.
It is then on to Fastlane 2017 as Dave and Ol’ Gator recap the final PPV before WrestleMania. Could Sami Zayn defeat Samoa Joe? Could Bayley end Charlotte’s undefeated PPV streak…and retain the Raw Women’s Championship at the same time? Could Enzo & Cass finally break through and capture their first titles against The Good Brothers? Could Jack Gallagher dethrone the King of The Cruiserweights? Could Roman Reigns find a way to stop the Monster Among Men? And could Goldberg cap an incredible comeback story be beating Kevin Owens and capturing the Universal Championship? We have all the results, details and analysis for you including our thoughts as to why so many people were thoroughly disappointed with the PPV.
We then close out Episode 173 with an interview Dave conducted with Pat Napolitano of the Wrestling IQ 101 Podcast. Dave and Pat discuss the Wrestling IQ 101 Podcast and other topics, such as Fastlane, WrestleMania, the state of the industry and much more. You can listen to it all right here on Episode 173.