As a full show, WWE Fastlane 2016 is just not the very best show on the planet. During this time period, the pay-per-view between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania was one which mainly blew off any unnecessary TV feuds that weren’t going to get near the WrestleMania card, while also being fairly inconsequential within the foremost storylines as every little thing had largely been set in stone for WrestleMania. It was the last word filler event, and it’s only ever felt prefer it has some weight to it each time the Elimination Chamber is involved. With all that said, Styles/Jericho part three was easily some of the anticipated matches on the whole show, and yet, it just got here out feeling effective.
When you watch the 2 previous matches from “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown,” you’ll be able to see some natural progression in how each men scout one another’s offense. For instance, Jericho can see The Phenomenal Forearm coming halfway through the bout and times a counter to perfection as he delivers a Drop Kick to Styles’ legs while Styles is balanced on the highest rope. Styles can be on high alert for the Partitions of Jericho as “Y2J” tries to lock it in early, but Styles is in a position to snatch a fast Hurricanrana from his back to maintain his distance. Little moments like this rewards the loyal audience for keeping track of the story leading as much as the show.
Nonetheless, in a vacuum, this match is perfectly effective. In comparison with the remaining of the matches that happened beforehand, it was easily the very best match on the show, and it began off thoroughly, but as time went on you’ll be able to see the pace decelerate dramatically, and each guys are sucking wind heavily by the ten minute mark, especially Jericho which is surprising as 2016 is looked back on as certainly one of his strongest years. Even Styles looks a bit all over at times here, and yes he does try his best to get the gang going, but moves that may get a much greater response on different nights don’t even register a response at times.
There are a few slip-ups here and there, with Jericho not being in position for when Styles springboards off the center rope to hit his Phenomenal Reverse DDT, something he would actually stop doing against guys he hadn’t shared the ring with because the years went on. Thankfully, the gang does get up when each men bust out the large guns just like the Partitions of Jericho, the Styles Clash, and the Codebreaker. They weren’t falling over themselves with excitement by the tip of the bout, however the visual of seeing Jericho tap out to the Calf Crusher not only put the move over well, but gave Styles an enormous victory this early into his WWE run.
A effective match all things considered, and if you should seek it out then by all means, but in case you don’t, you are not missing much either.