Tag: mixed match challenge results

WWE Mixed Match Challenge results: Jeff Hardy fills in for Styles

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Images: WWE

Jeff Hardy filled in for AJ Styles in one of two matchups featuring undefeated teams on an episode of Mixed Match Challenge from St. Louis. The late replacement and some other changes gave the show a different dynamic in some ways.

In the aftermath of losing the WWE Championship on SmackDown, Styles was pulled from his scheduled match later that night teaming Charlotte Flair in the tournament. Hardy instead teamed with Flair to give Asuka & The Miz their first loss in Mixed Match Challenge.

Losing on this episode snapped a winning streak that began when Asuka & Miz won the inaugural season of Mixed Match Challenge earlier this year.

Hardy was only a one-time replacement, so Flair & Styles now remain the only undefeated team in the SmackDown block. Over on the Raw block, Ember Moon & Braun Strowman defeated Mickie James & Bobby Lashley in another clash of undefeated teams.

Adding a new prize in the tournament, the Mixed Match Challenge winners will enter as number 30 in their respective Royal Rumble matches. They will also receive an all-expenses paid vacation. This is getting more grand than Wheel of Fortune.

A notable change in the presentation of the show was no references to the wacky team names previously used throughout the tournament. No remarks were made relating to the team names they spent eight weeks trying to get over. Graphics for the standings even listed the names of team members instead of the amalgamated names used in prior weeks.

Kayla Braxton and Vic Joseph hosted a pre-show that ran approximately 10 minutes — which was mostly pre-taped promos and wrap-around segments. The interviews on the pre-show for some reason reminded me of Randy Hales interviewing wrestlers on Memphis TV to plug cards for the Evansville loop.

Much of the pre-show was lame duck anyway. The live stream opened with the aftermath of Daniel Bryan winning the WWE Championship on SmackDown. AJ Styles was still down selling in the ring. Production personnel were also changing the ring skirting to represent the change in programming. Bryan smirked and sneered at the crowd as he walked up the ramp with the WWE title belt draped over his shoulder.

Michael Cole returned for commentary alongside Renee Young and Vic Joseph.

Ember Moon & Braun Strowman defeated Mickie James & Bobby Lashley (w/ Lio Rush)

Moon pinned James after The Eclipse. Moon & Strowman improve their undefeated streak to four wins. James & Lashley drop to the second spot in the Raw block standings with three wins and one loss. During the match, a cutaway showed Paige informing Charlotte Flair that an unnamed person would replace AJ Styles later in the show.

Strowman and Lashley looked horns in the match for what Gorilla Monsoon might have called “the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object.” Strowman was positioned as a monster. Neither would go down until Strowman finally knocked Lashley off his feet with a kick. Lio Rush caused a distraction that allowed for Lashley to spear Strowman. Easily reversing a suplex, Strowman gave Lashley a gourdbuster.

Moon chased Rush around the ring and James cut her off by leaping off the apron with a flying knee. Back in the ring, Moon superkicked James as she leapt off the top rope. Moon then climbed the turnbuckles to deliver The Eclipse for a pinfall.

Charlotte Flair & Jeff Hardy defeated Asuka & The Miz

Flair submitted Asuka with the Figure Eight. The men started the match with some basic spots. The women tagged in to trade holds and chain wrestle. Flair went up-and-over the turnbuckles where she proceeded to boot Miz off the apron. Asuka hit Flair with a hip attack that in turn knocked her off the apron.

Charlotte made a comeback leading to a hot tag. Hardy ran wild on Miz even as Miz tried to counter. Hardy used Whisper in the Wind for a two count. Miz cut him off as they traded near falls. Miz gave Hardy a DDT, but Flair jumped in to break up the count on a lateral press. Asuka hit Flair with a series of kicks that sent her out of the ring. Asuka hit Hardy with a backfist of fury that allowed Miz to schoolboy for a two count.

Asuka and Miz throw stereo Yes Kicks. Miz told Asuka to “watch and learn.” Hardy then proceeded to duck a kick and execute a Twist of Fate on Miz. Flair then speared Asuka and applied the Figure-Eight for a submission.

Next week on Mixed Match Challenge, the four teams with the worst records face off in their respective blocks. Natalya & Bobby Roode meet Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal in a battle of winless teams within the Raw block. Likewise, Lana & Rusev face Carmella & R-Truth in the SmackDown block.

Whichever teams lose next week, those teams are apparently eliminated from the tournament. That is an unexplained new development in the rules. There is still supposedly a playoff of sort. Maybe that will also be explained in due time — at least until plans change again.

Here are the updated standings after week nine:

Raw —

  • Ember Moon & Braun Strowman — 4-0
  • Mickie James & Bobby Lashley — 3-1
  • Bayley & Finn Balor — 2-2
  • Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal — 0-3
  • Natalya & Bobby Roode — 0-3

SmackDown —

  • Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles — 4-0
  • Asuka & The Miz — 3-1
  • Naomi & Jimmy Uso — 2-2
  • Carmella & R-Truth — 0-3
  • Lana & Rusev — 0-3

WWE Mixed Match Challenge results: Day One Glow vs. Fabulous Truth

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Mixed Match Challenge went overseas during the eighth week of the round-robin tournament. Streamed on Facebook Watch hours earlier than usual, the show from Manchester, England was arguably one of the best episodes of the second season in the mixed tag team tournament.

The show from England featured a rap battle and dance breaks much like other gaga in Mixed Match Challenge. However, a hot crowd helped to create a much better atmosphere than previous weeks.

Kayla Braxton and Vic Joseph hosted a 10-minute pre-show before the live stream began. Joseph was also on commentary at ringside with Renee Young calling the matches. No Michael Cole on the show this week.

Highlights from the pre-show included promos from The Fabulous Truth and Day One Glow. Carmella vowed that Naomi would be “snatched bald” in their tag match. Naomi clapped back saying the only person that will be snatched bald is Carmella.

The Fabulous Truth also interrupted a segment on the pre-show to issue a challenge. They wanted a rap battle against Day One Glow during their match later on. Carmella and R-Truth then had a dance break with Braxton and Joseph.

Before taking part in the dance break, Braxton and Joseph did a breakdown of the recent backstory between Finn Balor and Bobby Lashley on Raw. They would once again be on opposing sides — only this time in a mixed tag team match when Country Dominance faced B’N’B in the opening bout this week.

Mickie James & Bobby Lashley (w/ Lio Rush) defeated Bayley & Finn Balor

James pinned Bayley in the aftermath of interference by Lio Rush. Country Dominance continues their undefeated streak — improving to three wins in the tournament. B’N’B dropped to an even record of two wins and two losses. The crowd chanted and sang for Bayley before the match started.

Bayley cradled James for near falls in the opening minutes. Lashley tagged in and wanted to have a pose down with Balor. The WBF lives on in Mixed Match Challenge. When Balor was posing, Lashley jumped him. Lashley clubbed Balor, then he paused to pose and flex.

Lashley continued fighting dirty until Balor struck back by cutting him off with a dropkick. Balor sent Lashley outside. Rush jumped into the ring and Balor threw him outside. Rush still managed to cause a distraction that shifted Balor’s attention. Lashley capitalized before applying the dreaded nerve hold.

A hot tag led to Bayley running wild. James cut her off with a superkick. Balor rushed into the ring to break up a pinning attempt. Balor then ran into a brick wall — but he fought back to drop Lashley with a slingblade. Lashley posted himself when missing a charge into a corner. With Lashley down selling, Rush was left one-on-one with Balor after weeks of interference and trash talk in matches on Raw.

Rush begged off and ran around the ring playing cat-and-mouse. Balor caught up to Rush, and Balor climbed to the top rope looking to pounce on his prey. Lashley shoved Balor off the top rope to save Rush from a Coup de Grace. That still could not save Rush from a Bayley-to-Belly.

Bayley suplexed Rush, and the crowd popped. With Bayley distracted with Rush, James swooped in to deliver a swinging DDT for the deciding pinfall.

Kayla Braxton interviewed Country Dominance in a post-match promo backstage. James cut a promo saying they are greater than Monster Eclipse. Lio Rush added that they would dominate, win, and collect — which he said was their formula for success.

Both Country Dominance and Monster Eclipse are undefeated heading into their match next week. Jimmy Uso suddenly burst onto the scene getting hyped before his entrance for the SmackDown block match in the mixed tag tournament.

Naomi & Jimmy Uso defeated Carmella & R-Truth

Naomi pinned Carmella in a match that included a rap battle and a dance break. The Fabulous Truth remain winless in the tournament, while Day One Glow improve to an even record of two wins and two losses.

Carmella made a blind tag as Uso and Truth were walking and talking. Carmella and Truth started dancing together. Uso called them out asking what is up with the rap battle. Uso shoved Truth as he gave him a microphone.

Day One Glow then slayed in the rap battle. The freestyling turned into a dance break where the lights dimmed and everybody danced. Breaking up the dance party, Carmella superkicked Naomi with a cheap shot for a two count.

Naomi fought out of a headlock only to get trapped in an airplane spin combined with a headscissors takeover by Carmella. The finish came out of nowhere when Naomi springboarded into an enzuigiri to score a pinfall on Carmella.

No hard feelings afterwards as the show closed with Fabulous Truth and Day One Glow dancing on the stage.

Next week undefeated teams from each block face off in the round-robin tournament. Team Awe-ska meet Fenomenal Flair in the SmackDown block match, and Country Dominance face Monster Eclipse in the Raw block.

Raw block standings —

  • Ember Moon & Braun Strowman  (3-0)
  • Mickie James & Bobby Lashley  (3-0)
  • Bayley & Finn Balor  (2-2)
  • Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal  (0-3)
  • Natalya & Bobby Roode  (0-3)

SmackDown block standings —

  • Asuka & The Miz  (3-0)
  • Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles  (3-0)
  • Naomi & Jimmy Uso  (2-2)
  • Carmella & R-Truth  (0-3)
  • Lana & Rusev  (0-3)

WWE Mixed Match Challenge results: Fenomenal Flair vs. Rusev-Lana

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The mixed match tag team tournament continued from Atlanta with two more round-robin matches. Two teams improve their undefeated records in the tournament with three wins each in their respective blocks. Two other teams drop to three losses as their winless streaks continue.

Ember Moon & Braun Strowman defeated Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal (w/ The Singh Brothers)

Strowman pinned Mahal after delivering a powerslam. Monster Eclipse remain undefeated, and Mahalicia are still winless in the tournament.

Strowman was overpowering Mahal at every turn when the women tagged in. For some reason, Fox began running the ropes with Moon just watching her do so. Fox gassed out and drank water. The Singhs then caused a distraction that allowed Fox to give Moon a neckbreaker.

The next few minutes were the heat spot, a hope spot, and the babyface comeback. Strowman cleaned house on Mahal. Moon wiped out the Singhs with a tope to the outside. Meanwhile, Strowman was mauling Mahal when Fox confronted him in the ring.

Fox was wearing a hat when she rhetorically asked Strowman, “Who do you think you are?” Fox started chest bumping Strowman while also proclaiming herself as captain. Strowman stole her hat, put it on his head, and proclaimed himself captain. This spot would have been much funnier if it took place on the Jericho cruise — or at least somewhere on water. Here it was just wacky and nonsensical.

Leading into the finish, Moon swooped in to hit Fox with the Eclipse. Strowman then powerslammed Mahal to score the pinfall.

On the next episode in the Raw block, Country Dominance (Mickie James & Bobby Lashley) meet B’N’B (Bayley & Finn Balor) in the tournament.

Raw block standings —

  • Ember Moon & Braun Strowman  (3-0)
  • Mickie James & Bobby Lashley  (2-0)
  • Bayley & Finn Balor  (2-1)
  • Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal  (0-3)
  • Natalya & Bobby Roode  (0-3)

Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles defeated Lana & Rusev

Flair submitted Lana with the Figure Eight leglock. Fenomenal Flair improves to three wins, and Ravishing Rusev Day dropped to three losses.

The match began with Rusev and Styles grabbing signs from fans at ringside. They held up the signs in a “yay/boo” spot. A chop-off developed next in the match. Rusev earlier in the week had challenged Styles to a chop-off. They all traded chops. Charlotte then challenged Rusev to a chop-off.

Charlotte was chopping Rusev when Lana attacked her from behind for a cheapshot. Lana hit an X-factor for a two count. Lana was mocking Charlotte when she fired up on Lana. Styles was a house of fire when he tagged in. He executed an ushigoroshi on Rusev, but Rusev kicked out at two on a subsequent lateral press.

Lana jumped in at one point for a Russian leg sweep on Styles. Charlotte cut off Lana and climbed the turnbuckles. Rusev sacrificed himself to save his wife by stepping in to take the moonsault from Charlotte. Lana tried for a schoolboy, but Charlotte kicked out. For the finish, Charlotte applied the Figure Eight, and Lana then tapped out.

Next week in the SmackDown block, Fabulous Truth (Carmella & R-Truth) face Day One Glow (Naomi & Jimmy Uso).

SmackDown block standings —

  • Asuka & The Miz  (3-0)
  • Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles  (3-0)
  • Naomi & Jimmy Uso  (1-2)
  • Carmella & R-Truth  (0-2)
  • Lana & Rusev  (0-3)

WWE Mixed Match Challenge results: Awe-ska vs. Ravishing Rusev Day

Posted on by Chris Aiken

WWE’s mixed tag team tournament continued with two teams improving their unbeaten records. Two other teams remained winless with their losses.

Bobby Roode became the new member of Team Pawz after an injury to Kevin Owens left Natalya without a partner. Team Pawz had already lost their first match in the tournament — and they would remain winless in spite of the change in tag team partners.

Mickie James & Bobby Lashley (w/ Lio Rush) defeated Natalya & Bobby Roode

Lashley pinned Roode after hitting a spear. Country Dominance has a much better dynamic with both being heels. Nonetheless, this was a meeting of odd couple teammates. A member of each team was a substitute tag partner.

The match began with a lot of walking and talking. Natalya and James tried to lead “Bobby” chants. The joke was both of their teammates were named Bobby. Natalya took off her cat ears headband and placed it on Lashley. He flexed while wearing the cat ears. Lashley then heeled on Natalya by throwing the headband down and stomping on it. Roode jumped in to defend the honor of cat ears.

As Natalya and James locked up, a random shot showed The Miz & Asuka warming up for their match. Meanwhile, Natalya and James were having a match in the ring. They collided with each other on a double crossbody. That led to a hot tag.

Lashley was dominant until he posted himself. An argument began in the middle of the match. That led to Natalya and Roode applying stereo sharpshooters. Lio Rush jumped on the apron to cause a distraction. Roode and Lashley countered each other’s finisher. Lashley then gored Roode with a spear to score the pinfall.

In a backstage interview after the match, Natalya urged Roode to stay positive. Roode did so. Asuka interrupted as she ranted in Japanese. Asuka then said “we will win” before she walked out for her entrance.

Asuka & The Miz defeated Lana & Rusev

Asuka submitted Lana with the Asuka Lock. This match had plenty of gaga. Rusev was hilarious as he talked trash and narrated his own offense. The crowd cheered everyone in the match except Miz. They did a “yay/boo” spot based on that. Lana and Rusev kissed. They dared Asuka and Miz to kiss each other. They chose to fight instead.

Lana jumped off the apron with a flying crossbody at one point. Asuka got heat on Lana until Asuka missed a splash off the top. Rusev ran wild while he narrated his house cleaning. Both Lana and Rusev got near falls. Miz mimicked Aiden English in a ploy to cause a distraction. That led to a series of cartoonish spots. Asuka made the save when Lana tried to apply the Accolade on Miz. A moment later, Miz saved Asuka on a pinning attempt by Lana.

More gaga ensued as Miz began provoking Lana to slap him. The distraction by Miz allowed Asuka to catch Lana in the Asuka Lock. Lana tapped out for the submission.

Awe-ska remain undefeated since the inaugural mixed tag team tournament. They improve to two wins for this season. Next week in the SmackDown block, Asuka & Miz in their third match this season face Day One Glow (Naomi & Jimmy Uso).

Also next week, Team Pawz (Natalya & Bobby Roode) take on B’N’B (Bayley & Finn Balor) in the Raw block match

Raw block standings —

  • Ember Moon & Braun Strowman (2–0)
  • Mickie James & Bobby Lashley (2–0)
  • Bayley & Finn Balor (1–1)
  • Natalya & Bobby Roode (0–2)
  • Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal (0–2)

SmackDown block standings —

  • AJ Styles & Charlotte Flair (2–0)
  • Asuka & The Miz (2–0)
  • Naomi & Jimmy Uso (1–1)
  • Lana & Rusev (0–2)
  • Carmella & R-Truth (0–2)

WWE Mixed Match Challenge results: Fenomenal Flair vs. Fabulous Truth

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The fourth week of the ongoing mixed tag team tournament continued the round-robin gaga. For the second week in a row, one of the two matches on Mixed Match Challenge featured a dance-off. On this week’s episode from Indianapolis, things got groovy — but not for everyone.

Injuries continue to plague the tournament. A most recent development is an injury to Kevin Owens. An announcement of him being injured leaves Natalya without a tag team partner for the tournament. In a promo on the show, Natalya said she needed two new paws for Team Pawz. She wondered out loud who would be her mystery partner for a match next week.

In matches on this show, Fenomenal Flair faced Fabulous Truth. Likewise, B’N’B met Monster Eclipse in the show opener. Once again, gaga was prevalent in what had the tone of house show matches.

Ember Moon & Braun Strowman defeated Bayley & Finn Balor

Strowman pinned Balor with a running powerslam. The women started the match before Strowman began mauling Balor. Trying to chop down a proverbial redwood, Balor fought back to no avail. Strowman toyed with him like a cat playing with a ball of yarn. That built to a hot tag. Strowman missed a charge into a corner — and Balor tagged out.

Bayley ran wild on Moon — but Moon soon turned the tables to gain an advantage. Moon springboarded into a flying crossbody for a near fall. Bayley used a running knee strike for a two count. Moon went to the top rope, but Bayley tripped her up. A Bayley-to-Belly led to Strowman breaking up a pinning attempt.

Strowman posted himself when missing a charge into a corner. Balor jumped off the top rope to deliver a double foot stomp onto Strowman’s back. The monster fell for the first time in the match. Bayley dispatched Moon at ringside. Meanwhile, Strowman recovered to powerslam Balor for the pinfall.

Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles defeated Carmella & R-Truth

Styles pinned Truth with a roll-up. Carmella and Truth rapped a duet together before the match. Charlotte was selling her injuries from a stunt at the finish of her match with Becky Lynch on SmackDown. In storyline, she was medically cleared but “banged up” for this match.

They all played to the crowd early on with dueling chants of “Wooo” and “What’s up” going back and forth. Truth and Styles started the wrestling match when a dance-off developed.

The lights dimmed and the ring turned into a nightclub. Everybody was dancing to the music. They all did the splits. Styles was last — and he sold his groin upon trying the splits. He blamed it on his age and having kids. Everyone laughed at him.

Carmella caught Styles with a flying headscissors to break up the dance party. Carmella begged off from Charlotte. A chase ensued around the ring. Moments later, Carmella applied a headscissors submission — only for Charlotte to power out for a tag to Styles.

Styles cleaned house on Truth. They traded near falls with Carmella and Charlotte each making a save. Styles attempted a sunset flip, and Carmella grabbed Truth’s hands to keep him from going over into a pinning combination. Charlotte rushed over to pull Carmella off the apron. Truth lost his grip and Styles then rolled him up for a pinfall.

SmackDown block standings —

  • Flair & Styles (2-0)
  • Asuka & Miz (1-0)
  • Naomi & Jimmy Uso (1-1)
  • Lana & Rusev (0-1)
  • Carmella & R-Truth (0-2)

Raw block standings —

  • Ember Moon & Braun Strowman (2-0)
  • Mickie James & Bobby Lashley (1-0)
  • Bayley & Finn Balor (1-1)
  • Natalya & ??? (0-1)
  • Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal (0-2)

WWE Mixed Match Challenge results: Season two premiere

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Season two of WWE Mixed Match Challenge kicked off on Tuesday night. Unlike the inaugural season being single elimination, the latest mixed tag tournament is round-robin style. Two blocks representing Raw and SmackDown will decide which teams advance to the finals.

The commentary team consisted of Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Vic Joseph. A short pre-show had Joseph and Kayla Braxton hyping the debut of season two.

Ember Moon & Braun Strowman defeated Natalya & Kevin Owens

Moon pinned Natalya after an Eclipse off the shoulders of Strowman. That finish played off the previous finisher of Strowman and Alexa Bliss when they teamed in the tournament. This match pitted “Monster Eclipse” against “Team Pawz” in the first round. They started off doing some walking and talking as they all argued back and forth. 

Moon and Natalya chain-wrestled to a stalemate. Moon was gaining ground when she climbed the turnbuckles. Natalya tripped Moon up to send her crashing down off the top rope. After powerbombing Moon, Natalya applied the Sharpshooter in the center of the ring. Strowman grabbed Moon’s hand to pull her to safety — breaking the hold.

Strowman tagged in to maul Owens. Strowman was mowing down Owens when Owens caught him with a superkick on the outside. Owens rammed Strowman into the ring post — and then he shoved Strowman over the announce desk. They teased a countout like this was on a New Japan show. Strowman barely broke the count.

The women tagged back in for the finish. Moon hit Natalya with an enzuigiri. Moon then ordered Strowman into the ring. Moon leapt off the shoulders of Strowman into an Eclipse for a pinfall on Natalya. Monster Eclipse start the tournament at 1-0 — while Team Pawz are now 0-1.

Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles defeated Naomi & Jimmy Uso

Flair submitted Naomi with the Figure Eight leglock. This match — with “Phenomenal Flair” against “Day One Glow” — had a lot of gaga early on. That is understandable considering Styles was working double-duty after defeating Andrade “Cien” Almas in a match on SmackDown. Charlotte was also pulling double-duty in a sense. Though she was not in an actual match, she was involved in a physical angle with Becky Lynch during the closing segment on SmackDown.

Styles and Uso did some comedy at the outset. Both went to kick the other when teasing a knuckle lock. They both had a hold of each other’s leg, and eventually they both agreed to let go after some bickering. They shook hands. They bickered about that too — arguing over the firmness of the handshake. Both angry, they tagged out instead of fighting. Interesting strategy in a combat sport.

Flair and Naomi paired off for some exchanges. Flair twerked at one point. She also strutted. They had a callback to the comedy spots done earlier by the men. Flair was sent outside. Naomi went to dive, but Styles caught her. Uso got upset at Styles for touching his wife. Flair then did a pescado onto the married couple. From there, the pace quickened and the intensity increased.

Naomi missed a split-legged moonsault. Flair capitalized with a moonsault off the top. A hot tag brought in Styles to clean house. Uso countered a Styles Clash into a Samoan drop. After a double-down and an exchange of kicks, Naomi made a blind tag.

As a melee developed, Flair locked in a Figure Four leglock on Uso. Naomi splashed Flair to break the hold. Styles rushed in to make the save on a pinning attempt. Naomi hit Styles with a Rear View. Flair cut off Naomi to apply the Figure Eight. Naomi tapped out. Phenomenal Flair are 1-0, and Day One Glow drop to 0-1.

Next week on Mixed Match Challenge, the Raw block has Bobby Lashley & Sasha Banks against Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox. The SmackDown block has the inaugural tournament winners — Asuka & The Miz — facing Carmella & R-Truth.