Betting WWE Fastlane 2017: Goldberg Shrinks As Favorite, Roman Reigns A Big Underdog

WWE betting odds are as volatile as they come, and WWE Fastlane 2017 has proven to be no exception. WWE's history of last-minute changes and on-the-fly booking means no lead is safe when it comes to favorites. One minute, The Undertaker is a lock to win his 22nd consecutive WrestleMania match, the next, Brock Lesnar shocks the world by handing him his first loss at the event.

Money has been flying every which way, causing major swings in odds for key matches. In WWE betting, there are usually caps of $50 to limit payouts since it is pre-determined. A plus sign (+) indicates an underdog, while a minus (-) sign indicates a favorite. So, for example, a $100 on an underdog like Bayley will yield a cash prize of $850 (with no cap) since, at +850, she is considered unlikely to win. More on that later.

Below is a breakdown as we head into the WWE event, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg (-900) vs. Kevin Owens (+500) 

Goldberg has long since been considered a favorite to win the Universal Championship, making his headlining bout with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33 a world championship affair. But after being a near-lock at -1350 just four days ago, money has been coming in on Kevin Owens as Goldberg's lead has shrunk to -900. Though it is still a pretty sizable margin, perhaps sharp bettors are wary of interference from Chris Jericho—who has not been seen since being beaten down by his former best friend—or Brock Lesnar, Goldberg's chief rival.

Betting on Owens could be a shrewd way to win $500 on a $100 bet if possible outside interference results in a disqualification victory, as was the case in Owens' Universal title defense against Roman Reigns last year at WWE Roadblock. Owens was a slight underdog at +180 in that contest.

WWE Raw Women's Championship: Charlotte (-900) vs. Bayley (+500) 

Bayley is yet another champion walking into WWE Fastlane as a big underdog, and rightfully so. WWE has really gotten behind Charlotte's undefeated streak on pay-per-view, where she is 16-0 in singles matches, and it seems unlikely that it will end in a tune-up event before WrestleMania.

Charlotte's lead has also seen some erosion over the past week, however, after being favored at -1750 as recently as Wednesday. At the time, she was the second-largest favorite. Perhaps money coming in on Bayley is the result of her pinfall loss on Raw to Nia Jax. WWE Superstars who come up short on the go-home show typically rise to the occasion on the pay-per-view. With Charlotte's undefeated streak intact and the looming possibility of a Sasha Banks heel turn, however, the smart money is still on Charlotte.

WWE Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (-350) vs. Enzo and Cass (+250)

Gallows and Anderson were listed as a huge favorite, at -1700, once the smart money came in for their Tag Team Championship match against Sheamus and Cesaro at the Royal Rumble. They are now just slightly favored over lovable losers Enzo and Cass who, despite their immense popularity, have never won tag team gold dating back to their days in NXT.

It's really anybody's guess as to how this one shakes out. Enzo and Cass are actually a real candidate for best bet, since $100 can turn into $250 by wagering on the slight underdogs. Still, Enzo and Cass' coronation seems like a better fit for WrestleMania.

WWE Raw Cruiserweight Championship: Neville (-400) vs. Jack Gallagher (+300) 

Neville and Gallagher have shown much-needed chemistry in a beleaguered cruiserweight division as two Englishmen with extreme personality differences. Neville has held steady as a favorite, going from -420 to -400 in the past week.

Braun Strowman (-2000) vs. Roman Reigns (+1000) 

This one is very interesting. Braun Strowman has gotten the better of Roman Reigns in back-to-back weeks, but after practically being in a dead heat—with The Big Dog slightly favored in early odds—huge money has come in on Strowman. At -2000, Strowman is a runaway favorite, and currently the biggest favorite on the board. One would need to spend $2,000 to make $100 from a Strowman victory.

The Undertaker's possible appearance, which is currently favored at -200, makes this match even more volatile as it could potentially end in a disqualification victory for Reigns, similar to Undertaker's interference in Seth Rollins' WWE Championship defense against Brock Lesnar at WWE Battleground. At such a heavy underdog, Reigns is worth a serious look as an upset special, but smart money suggests Braun will remain undefeated.

Samoa Joe (-1500) vs. Sami Zayn (+700) 

This one is pretty much the lock of the night. Once upon a time, Joe was the biggest favorite on the board. It's very rare to see somebody lose their WWE pay-per-view debut, which is why Joe has hovered between -1500 and 2000 all week. Currently aligned with Triple H, who is feuding with Seth Rollins, it's very unlikely WWE will book Joe to falter tonight.

Nia Jax (-1700) vs. Sasha Banks (+800) 

Nia Jax's surge from a +170 underdog to a -1700 favorite was the biggest swing in betting odds this week. Sharp bettors seem to be keying in on a potential Sasha Banks heel turn, which would make more sense if frustrated Banks continues her losing ways to Jax.

Last time these two linked up on pay-per-view, Jax was a -1200 favorite over Banks (+600), and made quick work of the former WWE Raw women's champion.

Rich Swann and Akira Tozawa (-215) vs. The Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar (+165)  

There has been no movement in this pre-show tag team match, between WWE cruiserweights, where the babyface tandem is slightly favored.

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