Who will gain momentum on the Fastlane to WrestleMania?

Three days before Daniel Bryan will take on Roman Reigns at WWE Fastlane for an opportunity to headline WrestleMania against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar, the stakes could not be higher. Before their epic clash, however, Bryan will kick off Thursday’s SmackDown against The Miz, while Reigns will go head-to-head with former Intercontinental Champion Luke Harper.

One has to wonder whether these matches are the wisest course of action for either Superstar — considering not only what’s at stake this Sunday, but also in the wake of their intense brawl on Raw. After all, both WWE’s “Yes!” Man and The Big Dog were on the shelf only a few short months ago. Both grapplers have endured weeks of unbelievable opposition. And both Miz and Harper are capable of throwing a monkey wrench in their respective plans real quick.

While some would play it cautious, we expect Bryan and Reigns’ competitive nature — as well as their need to outshine each other — to lead them both into extreme action. But who will walk into Fastlane with supreme momentum when all is said and done? And will there be anything left of either one of them to face The Beast Incarnate on The Grandest Stage of Them All?

And Authoritative action?

Thursday night’s hottest show will also see three Authority associates go up against some of their biggest opposition in a trifecta of SmackDown showdowns. After J&J Security ruined an incredible match between Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins on Raw, The Showoff will reengage Mr. Money in the Bank with Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury banned from ringside. Also on SmackDown, longtime adversaries Ryback and Kane will clash and Big Show will take on Erick Rowan.

With The Authority’s energies already spread thin over COO Triple H’s face-to-face with Sting at WWE Fastlane and the huge match between Bryan and Reigns, will the powers-that-be somehow use the three SmackDown contests as a way to finally eliminate the major thorns out of their side?

Is Barrett competing on the Fringe?

On Monday, Dean Ambrose forced Bad News Barrett to “sign” a contract for an Intercontinental Title at WWE Fastlane. In the wake of this unprecedented action, WWE.com has learned that The Lunatic Fringe will be at ringside Thursday night for the angry titleholder’s SmackDown match against R-Truth.

Is it possible that there will NOT be fireworks when these two volatile adversaries get in close proximity to each other? Will Ambrose look to humiliate the titleholder to throw him off his game? Or will Barrett forgo his contest all together and unleash his unique brand of bare-knuckled brutality at ringside?   

How will Rusev retaliate?

After John Cena’s aggressive attack on Rusev Monday on Raw, one has to wonder how The Hero of the Russian Federation will respond. While there is no word as to whether the Cenation Leader will be on SmackDown, the clock is ticking toward their monumental WWE Fastlane showdown and The Bulgarian Brute is not one to sit on his hands. SmackDown beware!

Will Wyatt finally reveal whom he is talking to?

For weeks, Bray Wyatt’s mysterious rants seem to be focused on a one specific figure … but who is it? The Eater of World’s cryptic message on Monday seemed to reveal more than ever, only to leave more questions in its wake?

Could he be talking about one of the many enemies he has made throughout WWE? Could it be The Undertaker? Sting? Someone we haven’t even thought of yet? Watch Thursday’s SmackDown to see if Wyatt finally reveals the subject or his rage … or at least to see if he will drop some new clues to that end.