Returning After 30 Months, Why Was WWE Fastlane 2022 Cancelled?

WWE’s upcoming PLE, Fastlane will take place on October 7th at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis. The PLE, which was introduced in 2015, is well-known among WWE fans and the next installment will be the seventh event under this name. However, WWE decided not to go ahead with the Fastlane PLE in 2022, as it was replaced by a new PLE ‘Day 1’ in January. It is quite unusual as Fastlane takes place around late March and is the penultimate PLE before WrestleMania.

So why did WWE drop the event for last year before bringing it back this time around? Let’s find out.

Possible reasons why Fastlane did not take place in 2022

This year, WWE has decided to bring back the PLE but without its theme that gave Fastlane its unique touch. Earlier it was known as the penultimate PLE before WrestleMania with the theme Road to WrestleMania, but now WWE has discontinued the theme and hence the timing of the PLE has also changed from March to October.

But it begs the question as to why the PLE was canceled last year. Let us try to look into possible reasons for the same.

1. WWE introduced Day 1 PLE: WWE got a golden opportunity to host a new PLE show on 1st January last year (a holiday and festive day for everyone). To create a new PLE for its market, WWE launched a new PLE and effectively replaced Fastlane.

2. Secondary PLE: Fastlane is not considered a top-tier PLE by WWE. WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series are top-tier PLEs due to their legacy and branding. While PLEs like Crown Jewel have mandatory business obligations to them and others like Money in The Bank carry gimmicks that excite the fans.

3. No uniqueness: PLEs like Extreme Rules and Elimination Chamber have a unique match-type history associated with them. Thus, it is easier for the audience to connect to these PLEs. Fastlane has no uniqueness to it. The only uniqueness attached to it was its theme, the Road to WrestleMania which WWE has already decided to change.

Read more: Away From the Title Picture for 6 Months, Is Cody Rhodes Finally Set to Enter the Race for Gold at WWE Fastlane?

4. Too many PLEs to handle: WWE has too many PLEs at the moment. For the calendar years 2022 and 2023, they have scheduled a total of 26 PLEs that include live streaming events for NXT as well. Hence, it is not easy for WWE to maintain their schedule with new PLEs coming in.

Fastlane has an opportunity to change all of it and build its legacy this time. The main event would feature John Cena and LA Knight up against The Bloodline while Cody Rhodes–Jey Uso will fight The Judgement Day. Seth Rollins will face Nakamura to defend his world title while Iyo Sky will defend her title against Charlotte Flair and Asuka in a triple-threat match.

Will this year’s Fastlane be memorable?

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