Images: WWE
Happy Rusev Day on the fifth week of Mixed Match Challenge as the team of Lana & Rusev advanced in the tournament.
Rusev & Lana will wrestle again on week nine against either Bobby Roode & Charlotte Flair or Apollo Crews & Nia Jax. Next week is the last first round match before the quarterfinals in two weeks time.
Rusev & Lana became the second married couple to move on into the next round of the tournament. Jimmy Uso & Naomi were the first husband-and-wife duo to advance when they won their match last week.
On commentary, Michael Cole claimed the win by Lana was her first in-ring victory in WWE. She certainly celebrated like it was a monumental win. The post-match celebration looked as if someone medaled in an Olympic event. Much like the Olympics, there was also an opening ceremony with music and ballyhoo.
The show opened with a concert by Bayley & Elias. They strummed their guitars as the announcers ran through their opening notes.
Screenshots showed highlights of the angle from Raw last night where Braun Strowman attacked Elias with what Michael Cole called a bass guitar. Others have called it a cello. Regardless, it is now in pieces. Selling the attack, Elias had his ribs bandaged.
After an instrumental intro, Elias & Bayley paused their strumming as they introduced themselves to the audience. They each were only able to say hello before the entrance of Rusev interrupted them.
Rusev waited so his wife Lana could join him on the stage. They wore matching gear and looked cute as a basket full of puppies. Video clips showed Rusev helping to train Lana for the tournament by having her break wooden boards and shout “Lana is number one!”
Lana & Rusev defeated Bayley & Elias
Lana pinned Bayley for the married couple to advance in the tournament. Much like other matches in the tournament, there was plenty of gaga. The story of the match revolved around Lana’s quest for victory.
The match began with Rusev leading a chant proclaiming Lana is the best and she is number one. Overconfident, Lana proceeded to beg off when Bayley started out-wrestling her on the mat. Rusev gave Lana some advice, and she hulked up. Moments later, she found herself backpedling again.
Taking a powder on the outside, Lana grabbed Elias’ guitar. She threatened to use it as a weapon, but Rusev stopped her. Rusev then dropped the guitar on the floor, and it landed with a thud. Elias was not happy. He retrieved the guitar, and anxiously strummed a chord. Relieved it still sounded good, he gently sit the guitar back down.
Back in the ring, Rusev wanted a test of strength. Elias did a classic heel cheapshot — acting as if he as going for the knuckle lock only to kick Rusev in the gut. Elias began to work over Rusev. Bayley taunted from the apron as she mocked the “number one” chants from earlier. Rusev made a comeback — and Rusev crush. Despite the crushing, Elias esacped the Accolade to tag out.
Lana ran wild, leading to an X-factor for a near fall. Bayley soon fired up. Perched on the turnbuckles, Bayley went to set up a high risk move only for Lana to trip her. Bayley smacked into the top turnbuckle, and Lana covered for the pinfall. Happy Rusev Day.
Lana celebrated like she won gold at the Olympics. She gave an impassioned victory speech in a foreign language during a post-match interview. Rusev closed the promo by declaring that today was offically “Ravishing Rusev Day” in honor of his wife. And they all lived happily ever after.
Next week on Mixed Match Challenge, Nia Jax & Apollo Crews meet Charlotte & Bobby Roode in the last first round match.
