Randy Orton Returns at Inaugural “Fastlane” Pay-Per-View

On Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, WWE held the inaugural “Fastlane” pay-per-view event. The show aired live on the WWE Network from Memphis, Tennessee at the FedEx Forum. The show’s opening bout saw Seth Rollins, Kane, and Big Show defeat Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, and Erick Rowan in a six-man tag team match by the way of pinfall.

Following the match, the three stars part of The Authority, in addition to Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble, J&J Security, launched a vicious attack on Ziggler, Ryback, and Rowan. Seth Rollins was made to look strong, hitting his “Curb Stomp” on the three babyface stars.

However, The Authority’s plans would be foiled by a returning star, none other than “The Viper” Randy Orton. Orton, 12-time world champion in WWE, had not been on WWE programming in more than four months. He was last seen on WWE programming during the Nov. 3 showing of “Monday Night Raw.” Orton, who was breaking away from The Authority and Seth Rollins, would be taken out by The Authority. 

With Orton’s return from a lengthy absence, in addition to the circumstances that led to his absence, many believe his return will kickstart a feud between him and Seth Rollins for WrestleMania 31.