Skip to content

WWE SmackDown: John Cena beats AJ Styles to enter Fastlane title match

John Cena has the chance to take AJ Styles' title at Fastlane
Image: John Cena has the chance to take AJ Styles' title at Fastlane

John Cena beat WWE champion AJ Styles on SmackDown to make the Fastlane title match a six-pack challenge.

Just 24 hours after appearing on Raw, where he challenged The Undertaker to a match at WrestleMania, Cena was at SmackDown as he continued his bid to get on the card for the April extravaganza.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

To earn his way into the WWE Title Match at WWE Fastlane and get back on the Road to WrestleMania, John Cena must defeat WWE Champion AJ Styles

Cena told the crowd how he wanted to be in the Fastlane main event and his wish was granted by general manager Daniel Bryan, who booked him to face Styles later that night.

Styles almost had the match won but refused to accept a countout victory and that proved costly as Cena reversed his Calf Crusher into an Attitude Adjustment for the victory.

WWE Late Night Smackdown

That result means Styles will now defend his title against Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin at the March 11 Sky Sports Box Office event.

Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn will be in the Fastlane title match
Image: Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn will be in the Fastlane title match

Corbin gains Fastlane momentum

Baron Corbin scored a psychological boost for Fastlane with a victory over Sami Zayn, but it came at a cost.

Also See:

Dolph Ziggler superkicked Kevin Owens - who had been on commentary duties for the match - and that was enough to distract Zayn, allowing Corbin to finish him off with an End of Days.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

With Kevin Owens watching from the announcer's table and Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan keeping a close eye on things in the backstage area, Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn do battle

Ziggler then hit the ring to give Corbin a Zig Zag and stand tall at the end of a chaotic contest which proved alliances will be hard to come by at Fastlane.

Shinsuke Nakamura looked great in his match against Aiden English
Image: Shinsuke Nakamura looked great in his match against Aiden English

Nakamura produces strong show to sink English

Shinsuke Nakamura made sure it was an unhappy Rusev Day with a classy win over Aiden English in a high-quality match.

The King of Strong Style looked in great shape as he overcame the odds, with Rusev his usual daunting presence at ringside, to put another win on his record.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

In an interview with Renee Young, United States Champion Bobby Roode wonders what the issue is between himself and Randy Orton, but The Viper makes his intentions clear ahead of WWE Fastlane

As he left the ring, Nakamura - who has a title match at WrestleMania guaranteed as a result of winning the Royal Rumble - passed John Cena, who was on his way to the ring.

Cena could take AJ Styles' championship from him at Fastlane, which could mean it is Cena and not the Phenomenal One who faces Nakamura in New Orleans.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Following her victory over Naomi on SmackDown, the leader of The Riott Squad has strong words for the SmackDown Women's Champion ahead of their battle at WWE Fastlane

Around Sky