Injuries continue to affect season two of Mixed Match Challenge.
On last night’s episode, it was officially confirmed that Kevin Owens will have to be replaced in the tournament. Owens had been teaming with Natalya as “Team Pawz.” Natalya’s new partner hasn’t been revealed, but Natalya & Owens’ replacement will be facing Mickie James & Bobby Lashley on next week’s episode.
The Miz & Asuka vs. Rusev & Lana is also set for next Tuesday’s Mixed Match Challenge.
As was noted in yesterday’s daily update, the injury angle from Monday’s Raw was a cover because Owens needs knee surgery. The severity of Owens’ knee problems won’t be known until he goes into surgery.
Owens is the third wrestler to have to withdraw from Mixed Match Challenge season two. James replaced Sasha Banks in the tournament, and Ember Moon replaced Alexa Bliss.
Here are the updated standings for Mixed Match Challenge:
Finn Balor & Bayley vs. Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox and Jimmy Uso & Naomi vs. Rusev & Lana are the matches that will be taking place on week three of Mixed Match Challenge season two.
With this being a round-robin tournament, Mahal & Fox will be wrestling on Mixed Match Challenge for the second straight week. They lost to Bobby Lashley & Mickie James last night. The Miz & Asuka also defeated R-Truth & Carmella on this week’s episode.
WWE started building to Balor & Bayley vs. Mahal & Fox with Balor defeating Mahal in a singles match on Monday’s Raw.
Uso & Naomi wrestled on the season two premiere of Mixed Match Challenge, losing to AJ Styles & Charlotte Flair.
This season of Mixed Match Challenge will culminate with the finals being held at TLC on December 16, where the team that wins the Raw block will face the winners of the SmackDown block. Here are the updated standings:
Another Mixed Match Challenge season two participant has had to be replaced.
WWE posted a video with Cathy Kelley today where it was announced that Mickie James will be replacing Sasha Banks in the tournament and will be teaming with Bobby Lashley. It was noted that Banks had to step down from Mixed Match Challenge due to injury, but further details weren’t provided.
James & Lashley vs. Alicia Fox & Jinder Mahal is set for next Tuesday. SmackDown’s match for the episode will be Asuka & The Miz vs. Carmella & R-Truth.
Before this week’s season two premiere, WWE announced that Ember Moon would be replacing Alexa Bliss due to Bliss suffering an arm injury. Moon & Braun Strowman defeated Natalya & Kevin Owens on the episode, and Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles defeated Naomi & Jimmy Uso.
Banks teamed with Finn Balor in the first season of Mixed Match Challenge. They lost to Asuka & Miz before winning a second-chance fan vote and returning in the semifinals, where they lost to Becky Lynch (who was filling in for Charlotte) & Bobby Roode.
This season of Mixed Match Challenge features a round-robin tournament with a Raw block and a SmackDown block. It will culminate at TLC on December 16.
WWE has announced the two matches that will be taking place on next week’s episode of Mixed Match Challenge.
Bobby Lashley & Sasha Banks will be facing Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox in Raw’s match. On the SmackDown side, The Miz & Asuka will take on R-Truth & Carmella.
Miz & Asuka were the winners of Mixed Match Challenge season one.
Season two of Mixed Match Challenge premiered on Facebook Watch after SmackDown last night, with Braun Strowman & Ember Moon defeating Kevin Owens & Natalya and AJ Styles & Charlotte Flair picking up a win against Jimmy Uso & Naomi.
This season of Mixed Match Challenge is a round-robin tournament, with there being a Raw block and a SmackDown block. The tournament will conclude at WWE’s TLC pay-per-view in San Jose, California on December 16.
Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Vic Joseph are the commentary team for this season of Mixed Match Challenge.
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.
Alexa Bliss won’t be wrestling on tonight’s season two premiere of Mixed Match Challenge.
WWE posted a video this morning where Cathy Kelley announced that Ember Moon would be replacing Bliss on tonight’s episode and teaming with Braun Strowman against Natalya & Kevin Owens. The explanation given for Bliss not wrestling was WWE claiming that Bliss suffered an arm injury at Hell in a Cell, with Kelley saying that Bliss isn’t cleared to compete after seeking medical attention due to numbness in her left arm. Ronda Rousey submitted Bliss with an armbar in their Raw Women’s Championship match on Sunday.
The video also noted that Bliss hasn’t been cleared for this weekend’s house shows. Bliss was on Raw last night and accompanied Alicia Fox & Mickie James for their match against Moon & Nia Jax.
Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles vs. Naomi & Jimmy Uso is the other match that will be taking place on Mixed Match Challenge tonight.
Bliss & Strowman made it to the semifinals of Mixed Match Challenge season one before losing to Asuka & The Miz. This season will feature a round-robin tournament. There will be 14 episodes, with it culminating at TLC on December 16.
Braun Strowman & Alexa Bliss vs. Kevin Owens & Natalya is set for the episode, along with AJ Styles & Charlotte Flair vs. Jimmy Uso & Naomi. Season two will premiere on Facebook Watch at 10 p.m. Eastern time on September 18, and this season’s episodes will be 30 minutes long.
Strowman & Bliss and Uso & Naomi are both returning teams from season one. Strowman & Bliss defeated Uso & Naomi in the second round before losing to tournament winners The Miz & Asuka in the semifinals.
Charlotte and Natalya were also part of the first Mixed Match Challenge. Charlotte & Bobby Roode lost to Miz & Asuka in the finals, while Natalya & Shinsuke Nakamura were defeated by Sasha Banks & Finn Balor in the opening round.
Unlike season one, this edition of Mixed Match Challenge is a round-robin tournament. It will be a 14-episode series and culminate with the finals taking place at TLC on December 16.
Here are the teams for the tournament:
Raw: Strowman & Bliss, Owens & Natalya, Bobby Lashley & Sasha Banks, Finn Balor & Bayley, Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox
SmackDown: Styles & Charlotte, Uso & Naomi, Miz & Asuka, Rusev & Lana, R-Truth & Carmella
Out of the blue, Mixed Match Challenge is back for a second season.
WWE announced the new season on their website this afternoon. It will once again be streamed live on Facebook Watch in the United States and for the first time will also stream live in Germany, Mexico, Australia, France, Indonesia, the Philippines, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition, a Mixed Match Challenge pre-show will air ten minutes before the shows starts.
Instead of a single elimination tournament like last season, this time the tournament will be competed under round robin rules. Each episode will be 30 minutes long and will feature two matches. There will be 14 episodes in the season, with the finals culminating at WWE TLC on December 16.
Here are the ten teams competing this season:
Raw: Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss, Bobby Lashley and Sasha Banks, Finn Balor and Bayley, Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox, Kevin Owens and Natalya
SmackDown: The Miz and Asuka, Jimmy Uso and Naomi, Rusev and Lana, AJ Styles and Charlotte, R-Truth and Carmella
The second season will premiere Tuesday, September 18 following SmackDown.
Team Awe-ska won the mixed tag team tournament after defeating the Robe Warriors in the finals. The Asuka winning streak also remains alive.
Asuka & The Miz against Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roose was about more than just Mixed Match Challenge. Asuka and Charlotte were on opposing sides days ahead of their singles title match at WrestleMania.
The winning streak of Asuka continued as momemtum builds heading into the Smackdown Women’s Championship showdown on Sunday. In arguably one of the best matches of the tournament, the highlight was Asuka and Charlotte squaring off in the ring before their title match.
The charity represented by Team Aweska — Rescue Dogs Rock — gets $100,000 for their team winning the tournament. All other charities involved in Mixed Match Challenge each get $10,000.
As the show opened, the announce team strongly encouraged the audience to interact on social media. Carmella & Big E were also shown interacting in the comments section.
Asuka & The Miz defeated Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roode to win the tournament
Miz pinned Bobby thanks to an assist by Asuka. Bobby had Miz set up for a Glorious DDT when Asuka rushed into the ring to kick Bobby. That continued a theme throughout the tournament of Asuka making the save as Miz almost cost her the winning streak. Ironically, Miz then delivered the Skull Crushing Finale to score the deciding pinfall in winning the tourney.
The men started the match, which let anticipation build before Charlotte and Asuka squared off in the ring. Miz was begging to start only to regret it. After some walking and talking, Miz got the short end of an exchange. Asuka gladly tagged in to face off with Charlotte. They had a collar-and-elbow lock up go to a stalemate even after they spilled out to the floor. After the staredown, they got tagged out.
Miz mocked Flair only to quickly get mowed down by Roode. That led to a hot tag. Asuka ran wild with a flurry of kicks, followed by a near fall after a PK. Charlotte cut off Asuka with chops, and climbed to the top rope for a moonsault. The announcers sold it like the streak was over, but Asuka kicked out of a pinning attempt. Charlotte and Asuka traded more near falls before a double down.
Several times during the match, Miz taunted Flair as he worked over Bobby’s leg. Nonetheless, Bobby still hit a flying clothesline even while selling his leg. Miz later went back to working the leg. When Miz signaled for the figure four leglock, Charlotte rushed into the ring to break up the hold and apply the figure four on Miz.
Miz kicked out of another near fall in the closing moments. Bobby signaled for his finisher, but Asuka kicked him him the back. That allowed Miz to counter with his finisher for the pin.
Renee Young did a post-match interview with the winners. In a total babyface promo, Miz said this was the best week of his life with the birth of his child. Miz went on to put over all the charities involved — especially Rescue Dogs Rock. Miz vowed to retain the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania. Asuka chimed in to say she would win the women’s championship. The winners then closed the show with their “Awe-ska” catchphrase.
The finals are set for the mixed tag team tournament with the last semifinal match taking place on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. Becky Lynch subbed for Charlotte Flair to team with Bobby Roode as they defeated Sasha Banks & Finn Balor.
Charlotte & Bobby now advance to meet Asuka & The Miz in the finals next week. The tournament final has Charlotte and Asuka in the ring against each other on opposing sides just days ahead of their match at WrestleMania for the Smackdown Women’s Championship.
Charlotte Flair missed the semifinal match after undergoing minor dental surgery last week. Becky Lynch won a fan vote over Lana and Carmella to became the replacement for the match. Even though Becky scored the deciding pinfall for her team, the substitution is only temporary as Charlotte will once again team next week with Bobby Roode.
Balor & Banks won a fan poll of their own last week, with them getting 40 percent of the vote and earning their way back into the tournament. Last week’s edition of Mixed Match Challenge also saw Asuka & Miz advance to the finals after Asuka tapped out Alexa Bliss.
Becky Lynch & Bobby Roode defeated Sasha Banks & Finn Balor
Becky pinned Sasha with an inside cradle to win the match. Sasha & Finn were running wild in the closing moments when Becky cradled Sasha.
Though Bobby and Finn started the match, the story revolved more around the women. They were having a friendly competition until things got heated. An argument quickly turned into a slugfest.
When the men were tagged back in, Bobby began to work over Finn — building towards a hot tag. Sasha and Becky traded near falls. Becky gave Sasha a superplex that led into a double down. Finn ran wild after a hot tag. Becky made the save to break up Finn’s pinning attempt. Bobby executed a blockbuster for a near fall. Finn fired up and tagged Sasha.
Sasha jumped off the top rope to drop double knees on Becky. After knocking Bobby out of the ring, Sasha followed with a dive through the ropes on Bobby. Finn then dropicked Bobby into the barricade. With victory for her team seemingly near, Sasha rolled back into the ring only to get caught in a cradle by Becky for the pinfall.
Kurt Angle got a hometown pop when he came out on stage after the match. He plugged the finals next week before he put over the charities involved in Mixed Match Challenge.
Next Tuesday either Girl Up or Rescue Dogs Rock will gain $100,000. Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roode against Asuka & The Miz determines the winning charity. All other charities represented in the tournament will each receive $10,000.
The brackets for the tournament leading to the finals next Tuesday:
Sasha Banks and Finn Balor will be taking part in the semifinals of WWE’s Mixed Match Challenge tournament.
With 40 percent of the vote, Banks & Balor won a second chance fan poll over the eight other previously eliminated teams to get another chance in the tournament. It will be Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roode vs. Banks & Balor next week, with this being the first time Banks and Charlotte have faced each other since shortly after Charlotte moved to SmackDown in last year’s roster shakeup.
The team that wins next week’s match will advance to the tournament finals on April 3rd, where they’ll have Asuka & The Miz waiting for them. Asuka & Miz defeated Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman last night when Asuka tapped out Bliss with the Asuka Lock after Strowman crashed into Miz and they went through the barricade outside of the ring.
WWE has been playing up that Asuka is desperate to keep her undefeated streak alive in the tournament. She & Miz have already beaten Banks & Balor when they faced off in the second round on February 27th.
If Charlotte & Roode advance to the finals, Charlotte and Asuka will be sharing the ring together just days before their SmackDown Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 34.
Asuka & The Miz advance to the finals of the mixed tag team tournament after winning their semifinal match in Dallas. Team Awe-suka defeated Team Little Big in the semifinal match as Asuka’s winning streak remains intact.
Asuka & Miz team again in the tournament final scheduled for April 3rd — which is within the go-home week of programming before WrestleMania. The second semifinal match is set for next week, with Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roode against Sasha Banks and Finn Balor.
Sasha & Finn won a second-chance fan vote to re-enter the tournament. They were previously eliminated in week seven of Mixed Match Challenge by losing to Asuka & Miz. Fans overwhelmingly picked Sasha & Finn in the fan vote as they supposedly won by 40% to become the team chosen to face Charlotte & Bobby next Tuesday.
For the philanthropic aspect of the show, Asuka & The Miz represent Rescue Dogs Rock as their chosen charity. Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman supported Connor’s Cure. The winning team in the tournament gets $100,000 donated to their charity, and all other charites represented each receive $10,000.
Asuka & The Miz defeated Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman
Asuka submitted Alexa with an Asuka Lock. Beforehand, Braun tackled Miz through a barricade for a stunt in the timekeeper’s area. Meanwhile, Alexa cradled Asuka in the ring for a great nearfall that teased ending the streak. Asuka moments later countered into a submission hold and Alexa tapped out.
Asuka & Miz progressively show signs of dissent despite being focused on the winning streak. Miz keeps referring to the streak as “theirs” even though Asuka continually corrects him saying it is her streak. She made a save during the match to keep the streak alive. Asuka also had to save the team at the finish after Miz was laid out following a stunt.
Asuka first saved the team in the match when she broke up a pin attempt. Before trying to pin Miz, Braun threw a dropkick. Yep, Braun Strowman throws dropkicks nowadays. It is some sight to see.
During the match, a spot further played up sexual tension between the characters in Team Little Big. Much like in a previous match, Alexa was knocked off the apron into the waiting arms of Braun. He held her as they gazed into each other’s eyes for an enchanted moment. Later in the match, Alexa & Braun slowly went in for a kiss. Suddenly, Miz attacked Braun to ruin the mood. Miz would pay dearly.
Braun pummeled Miz throughout much of the match. Miz tried to attack a leg, but Braun soon hulked up. Miz breaking up the kiss sent Braun into a rage. Braun several times sent Miz into the barricade as he mauled him at ringside.
Dominating in the ring, Asuka ran wild in the closing minutes. A double-down led to Asuka & Alexa selling in mid-ring, which allowed the focus to shift towards ringside where a tackle from Braun sent him and Miz crashing through a barricade. Back in the ring, Alexa got a nearfall only to shortly thereafter tap out when trapped her in the Asuka Lock.
Asuka & Miz become the first finalists in Mixed Match Challenge. In the finals on April 3rd, they meet the winners of a semifinal match next Tuesday with The Robe Warriors (Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roode) against the Boss Club (Sasha Banks & Finn Balor).
The undefeated streak remains intact as Asuka teamed with The Miz to advance in the mixed tag team tournament. Asuka & Miz won their second round match by defeating Sasha Banks & Finn Balor on the seventh episode of Mixed Match Challenge from Los Angeles.
Asuka trying to protect her winning streak was the main story of the match — with her remainig undefeated since 2015. In a sub-plot, The Miz was looking to avenge a loss to Finn Balor from the previous night on Raw. Miz would eventually score the deciding the pinfall in the mixed tag match.
Asuka & Miz move on to a semifinal match in week ten of the tournament. Sasha & Finn are seemingly eliminated from the tournament, but an upcoming fan vote could possibly save them. The voting will save one team by adding them to the semifinal match in week eleven.
In a philanthropic aspect of the show, each team in the tournament competes on behalf of a charity. Asuka & Miz are representing Rescue Dogs Rock as their charity — while Sasha Banks & Finn Balor has the Special Olympics as their charity. The winning team gets $100,000 donated to their charity, and all other charities each receive $10,000.
Asuka & The Miz defeated Sasha Banks & Finn Balor
Miz pinned Finn after reversing a crossface into a cradle. The undefeated streak of Asuka continues as she and Miz advance to the next round in the tournament. With less gaga than in previous tournament matches, there was still plenty of walking and talking early on.
Miz tried to cut a promo after the bell rang to start the match. Finn swooped in to attempt several roll-ups. Though Miz kept kicking out, an animated Asuka showed concern for her winning streak. Finn kept out-wrestling Miz, so Asuka made a blind tag. Her and Sasha turned up the intensity in the match.
A hot tag saw Finn run wild on Miz. Asuka jumped in the ring to break up a pinning attempt to save her streak. Miz delivered the Skull Crushing Finale on Finn. Sasha broke up the pin to make a save. That led to Finn jumping off the top rope for the Coup de Grace. Asuka again jumped in to break up the pin.
Heading into the finish, Sasha caught Asuka to apply the Bank Statement. Meanwhile, Finn applied a crossface on Miz. Asuka countered to trap Sasha in the Asuka Lock. Seeing Sasha in peril distracted Finn, which allowed Miz to cradle him for the pinfall.
Next week the tournament rolls on with another second round match. Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman meet Naomi & Jimmy Uso in a second round match next Tuesday.
Charlotte Flair teamed with Bobby Roode to advance in the Mixed Match Challenge as the first round concluded in Phoenix, Arizona.
The “Robe Warriors” defeated the team of Nia Jax & Apollo in advancing to the next round of the tournament. Following the match was the first time an angle took place on the show when Nia turned on Titus Worldwide after her team lost.
Charlotte & Bobby move on to the quarterfinals where they meet Rusev & Lana in three weeks time. The quarterfinals begin next week with Sasha Banks & Finn Balor against Asuka & The Miz. Technically every team still has a chance to advance until week eleven in the tournament since a fan vote can save one team by adding them to a semifinal match.
Besides the novelty of a mixed tag team tournament, the series has a philanthropic aspect with each team choosing a charity to represent. Charlotte & Roode are supporting Girl Up as their charity, while Jax & Crews are representing Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The winners of the tournament will receive a $100,000 donation to their charity, though $10,000 will also be donated to every other team’s charity.
The show opened with Michael Cole claiming the Mixed Match Challenge was the “most interactive show in the world.” Well, there is a comments section. A team from the tournament is usually trolling in the thread. This week that team was Naomi & Jimmy Uso.
Viewers could also leave emoji responses during the show. Corey Graves even demonstrated this on the air. Cole might have a point with his previous claim. I remain skeptical.
Mashing up their entrances, Charlotte & Bobby went together like peanut butter and jelly. They both complimented each other — complete with matching robes. Thus, they are called the Robe Warriors.
Nia Jax & Apollo seemed to get along — but Nia and Titus Worldwide not so much. Titus O’Neil and Dana Brooke accompanied Nia & Apollo to the ring — and Nia bickered with them from the start.
Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roode defeated Nia Jax & Apollo
Bobby Roode pinned Apollo to win the match. Like most matches in the tournament, there was plenty of gaga. That began when Bobby Roode did a strut. Charlotte was having none of that. She proceeded to demonstrate the proper way to strut. Bobby kept doing his best Ric Flair, and Bobby’s “woo” needed work. Charlotte noted that in a running joke.
Dana Brooke interfered by tripping Charlotte, which allowed Nia to strike. Nia nevertheless scolded Dana for interfering — yelling “stay out of my business!” Nia soon found herself dropkicked out of the ring. Charlotte did the “glorious” pose.
“Not bad,” Bobby Roode remarked.
Something not so good, Charlotte and Nia ran through some spots with several hiccups. After another distraction by Titus Worldwide at ringside, Nia shoved Charlotte off the apron to the floor. Nia got in Dana’s face and yelled at her for interfering again. Apollo tried to play peacemaker. The argument allowed Charlotte to gain the advantage on a distracted Nia.
Charlotte went after a knee, and soon applied a figure four leglock. Nia escaped to set up a hot tag. The pace quickened.
As they went home, Bobby countered a standing moonsault by Apollo. At the same time, Charlotte did a moonsault off the top rope on to Nia. Bobby then delivered the Glorious DDT for the pinfall.
Renee Young interviewed the winners. Charlotte gave a “woo” and Bobby tried to do the same with mixed results. The running joke cotinued.
Following the post-match interview, Nia Jax cut a promo on Titus Worldwide. Apollo bent down to assist in giving Titus a classic schoolboy when Nia shoved Titus. Nia blocked a punch from Dana, and then she executed a Samoan Drop on Dana. While Nia clearly turned on Titus Worldwide, Apollo’s future with the group remained in question as the show closed.
As Nia stormed off, the announcers plugged her match this Sunday against Asuka. Not only was Asuka mentioned at that point in the show, she and Miz earlier had cut a promo hyping their match next week. Their opponents also cut a promo building towards Sasha Banks & Finn Balor against Asuka & The Miz when the quarterfinals begin next Tuesday.
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.
