Mixed Match Challenge
Date: February 13, 2018
Location: Rabobank Arena, Bakersfield, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Beth Phoenix

It’s week….I’m not even sure at this point. Five maybe? Anyway tonight it’s the husband and wife duo of Rusev/Lana vs. Elias/Bayley in a match that seems like it would have a much better build than execution. The last few matches have been a lot of fun so hopefully the trend continues tonight. Let’s get to it.

We open with Elias and Bayley in the ring, of course both holding guitars. They introduce themselves (Bayley gets a bigger reaction as Cole AGAIN calls Elias the WWE’s Bob Dylan) but get cut off by their opponents.

We see some clips of Rusev teaching Lana to break boards.

First Round: Lana/Rusev vs. Bayley/Elias

Rusev, in a singlet for a very odd look, sings the Lana song from last week before we’re ready to get going. Elias has banged up ribs after last night’s string bass attack at the hands (get them) of Braun Strowman. With Big E. and Carmella live chatting the show in the back, the men start things off but the women come in after twenty seconds and no contact.

Lana seems scared of Bayley but takes her down for some right hands. A slam sends Lana scurrying to the floor where she grabs a guitar. Rusev calms her down but drops the guitar, freaking Elias out in the process. Back in and it’s off to the men with the fans being rather pleased at the latest Rusev Day. Rusev wants a test of strength but Elias elbows him in the face for two instead. A knee drop gets the same as the announcers discuss the definition of a troubadour. I think they explained that on Gilmore Girls once.

Rusev is right back up with a charge into the corner as the announcers read and react to Facebook comments. Elias slips out of the Accolade but gets suplexed down, allowing the double tag to the partners. Lana knees Bayley in the back and keeps control, including a shot to the neck for two.

The announcers are STUNNED at Lana beating Bayley up this much and a seated crossface chickenwing keeps Bayley in trouble. That’s enough to get Bayley all fired up and she snaps Lana’s throat across the ropes. Bayley hammers away in the corner but a distraction breaks up the super Bayley to Belly. Instead, Lana pulls her face first into the buckle and gets the upset pin at 9:37.

Rating: D+. I really wasn’t feeling this one as Bayley was barely a factor and Elias as a face (or at least neutral) is kind of weird. They needed to keep Rusev and Lana involved and Elias is red hot at the moment so of course, Bayley gets to take the fall. A countout or DQ would have made more sense, but I don’t think there’s a lot of thought being put into these matches.

Rusev says he knew it and declares today a Ravishing Rusev Day.

Charlotte and Bobby Roode are ready to prove that they’re the team to beat. They might be actually.

Nia Jax and Apollo Crews aren’t impressed. She won’t join Titus Worldwide though.

One more replay takes us out.

Overall Rating: D. This was pretty easily the weakest of the shows so far, which is quite disappointing when the last few weeks have put the show on a roll. There wasn’t much chemistry between Elias and Bayley (not surprising) and Lana winning (apparently her first win in WWE, which is almost amazing) was treated as a much bigger deal than the team advancing. Hopefully this is just a one off slip, which would be quite the relief.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the 2018 Updated Version of the History of the WWE Championship in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/01/26/new-book-kbs-history-of-the-wwe-championship-2018-updated-version/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Mixed Match Challenge Episode #4
Date: February 6, 2018
Location: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Beth Phoenix

We’re getting closer to the end of the first round and we already have a substitution. This week Goldust will team with Mandy Rose, who is a replacement for the injured Alicia Fox. Granted it’s not like this is probably going to mean much, but you never can quite tell around here. Let’s get to it.

The announcers show us how to interact with the show.

Earlier today, Jimmy and Naomi promise to put Goldust and Mandy in the Uso Penitentiary.

Goldust and Mandy have a penitentiary of their own. They can’t come up with anything better than that?

This week’s interactive gimmick: voting on the guest referee. Daniel Bryan is chosen over Kurt Angle with a 68-32 margin.

First Round: Jimmy Uso/Naomi vs. Goldust/Mandy Rose

Jimmy and Naomi dance a bit before the match. The men get things going and that means an early dance off. Jimmy starts running the ropes and Goldust asks for a breather because he’s too old for this stuff. A hiptoss puts Jimmy down but he kicks Goldust away, only to have him go over and kiss Mandy’s hand.

The teams take turns hugging but Jimmy one ups it by kissing Naomi, much to Goldust’s shock. Goldust isn’t sure what to do so Bryan starts the YES chant and Mandy doesn’t seem opposed. He goes for the kiss but gets rolled up. Bryan won’t count because that’s not right so it’s off to the women instead. Mandy messes with Naomi’s hair and the fight is on, including a sliding slap for one.

We cut to Lana and Rusev snarking on the match and come back to Mandy stomping away. Beth accuses Corey of reducing Mandy to eye candy. Wasn’t that what she came in as? Is that really reducing? Mandy slaps Jimmy for some reason, allowing Naomi to get in a clothesline. The hot tag brings in Jimmy for his clotheslines on Goldust.

The husband and wife hit stereo enziguris but charge into stereo powerslams. Goldust grabs the Final Cut on Jimmy but Naomi makes the save, followed by a big dive onto Mandy. The distraction lets Jimmy hit the superkick and Superfly Splash for the pin at 10:01. Bryan was a complete non-factor here and I forgot he was guest referee until way after the show was over.

Rating: C-. I’m starting to dig this show more and more every week. At the end of the day, there’s no story to these matches so really, the only option you have is to set up something like this in short order. The whole husband/wife vs. two random people being paired together was fine enough and the match was fairly entertaining. It’s the definition of getting what you can out of nothing and that’s often more fun than some lame story.

Post match Rusev and Lana come out to say they’re the best married couple around here. Next week they won’t be singing, unless it’s a song about Lana being #1. Lana promises to crush Bayley and Elias next week in celebrating of the ravishing Rusev Day.

Bayley and Elias can’t seem to agree on singing or hugging.

Overall Rating: C. This is actually becoming one of my favorite shows to watch every week. It’s not because of the quality obviously but there’s something to be said about such a laid back show with what seems like almost no interference from Vince and company. These are just four people out there having a little bit of fun and filling in some time. That’s a very nice change of pace over THIS IS THE MOST SERIOUS AND IMPORTANT SHOW EVER. More of the same here and that’s nice for a change.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the 2018 Updated Version of the History of the WWE Championship in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/01/26/new-book-kbs-history-of-the-wwe-championship-2018-updated-version/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Mixed Match Challenge Episode #3
Date: January 30, 2018
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Beth Phoenix

We’re back with another week and that means another mixed tag match, albeit after some entertaining promos. The interesting thing about this so far has been a pretty weak live audience but a rather strong audience of people watching later. That being said, the audience is tuning in to watch later, meaning there is an interest in the show. Let’s get to it.

You can vote on whether you want Becky Lynch or Sami Zayn to start the match. Gah with these people who don’t know wrestling making strategy decisions.

Earlier today, Lynch and Zayn met with some UNICEF representatives and did a little dance.

Earlier today, Braun Strowman gave Alexa Bliss, in a Braun sized shirt, car flipping lessons. Strowman broke down the physics of it and Bliss left, saying she had a better idea. What that idea is isn’t explained, but this was funny.

First Round: Sami Zayn/Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss/Braun Strowman

Sami is in full on face mode here, minus the dancing strut to the ring. Strowman and Bliss continue to be the most awesomely cute team ever, with Strowman holding his hand up for a high five so the short Bliss has to jump. Sami and Becky snap their fingers at them and it’s Becky winning the poll to start the match. Becky takes Bliss down to start and rubs her head but the Disarm-Her sends Bliss bailing to the ropes.

Back up and Becky does Sami’s dance, sending Sami into hysterics on the apron. Becky grabs a Tumbleweed and neither of them can stand up straight, sending Bliss to the wrong corner for a tag. For some reason isn’t not off to Strowman, even though the fans want to see him.

Bliss decides to slap Braun for a tag so Sami calls him a meathead. In the smartest thing he could do, Sami bails to the floor and calls Strowman a chicken for not following him. The chase is on but Sami gets caught, only to slip out and IMMEDIATELY tag Becky back in. Bliss’ cheap shot works well enough and we’re off to the chinlock. We use the time to look at Bobby Roode and Charlotte live chatting the show as a RUSEV DAY chant starts up.

Sami starts the crowd on a chorus of HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Becky (thankfully appropriate or it’s a rather odd choice), drawing her to her feet for the hot tag. Strowman misses a charge and falls to the floor, only to catch Sami’s dive without much effort. Sami gets launched over the barricade and Becky is posted, setting up the skyscraper Twisted Bliss (off Braun’s shoulders) for the pin on Becky at 11:13.

Rating: B. This was a lot of fun as the teams were clearly having a blast setting it up. Strowman and Bliss are as adorable of a team as you can get and Lynch and Zayn are basically the mirror images of each other. You could tell they were having a great time out there and that’s a lot easier to sit through than a boring by the numbers match.

Jimmy Uso and Naomi don’t care who Goldust has to replace the injured Alicia Fox because they’ll feel the Glow in the Uso Penitentiary.

Goldust’s new partner: Mandy Rose. Works for me.

Strowman and Bliss say this was a team effort, and they even find each other cute. Bliss: “We’re going all the way.” Braun’s face is hilarious as he has the biggest creepy smile ever until Bliss explains what she means. Again: fun.

Overall Rating: B+. This was probably more about the wrestlers involved but I had a great time with this show. They were having fun and the promos before the match made things even better. Also, just like the previous weeks, they were in and out in the span of twenty two minutes. Let these guys show some more personality and this show will be a lot easier to watch (even though it’s one of the easiest in wrestling at the moment).

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the 2018 Updated Version of the History of the WWE Championship in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/01/26/new-book-kbs-history-of-the-wwe-championship-2018-updated-version/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Mixed Match Challenge Episode #2
Date: January 23, 2018
Location: Capitol One Arena, Washington DC
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Beth Phoenix

Last week’s show was acceptable but it’s not exactly the kind of show where you can change up a lot of things. It’s pretty much going to be a one off show every week until we get closer to the finals, which is fine, but it’s not something that’s going to blow the doors off from week to week. Let’s get to it.

Before the teams come out for their matches, we see Carmella and New Day plugging their charity.

Miz and Asuka chant WE WILL WIN.

Raw and Smackdown GM’s Kurt Angle and Daniel Bryan thank us for watching last week. They’re not even hiding the fact that they’re trying to fill in time to stretch this out to twenty minutes.

First Round: Carmella/Big E. vs. The Miz/Asuka

Carmella has changed into a different outfit from earlier on Smackdown. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are with Carmella….and wearing the same one piece swimsuit style outfits. Big E. even has a mini Money in the Bank Briefcase. Before the match, Carmella and Big E. have a bite of a pancake and you can feel Carmella wanting to run to the gym from here. We also cut to the announcers at ringside where Corey has a stack of pancakes on his head, much to his annoyance.

The men start things off as Carmella plays cheerleader on the apron. Big E. gyrates his way out of a waistlock and we’re off to an abdominal stretch with Big E. throwing in a spanking (as he did to Miz in last year’s Rumble). Corey isn’t happy with Big E. goofing around but is a fan of Asuka coming in to face a seemingly terrified Carmella. With Carmella staying on the apron, Big E. goes to the floor and grabs a big L, so Carmella can give it to Asuka. You’ll get that one in a second.

Miz’s big one is of course countered into a powerbomb and let’s cut to Rusev and Lana chatting with fans on Facebook. Big E. fights out of a chinlock but gets Reality Checked for two. A front facelock doesn’t work either and it’s off to Carmella, which goes about as well as you would expect with Asuka kicking the heck out of her. The hip attack has Carmella in trouble until she superkicks her way to freedom. The Staten Island Shuffle into the Bronco Buster has Asuka in trouble but for some reason Carmella decides to slap her in the face. A cross armbreaker makes Carmella tap in a hurry at 9:50.

Rating: C. This was more entertaining than good with Carmella being the perfect cheerleader (for all possible reasons) and then getting destroyed by Asuka in short order, as should have been the case. Big E. continues to show crazy levels of charisma and the whole thing was perfectly fun, even if I’m not sure the right team won.

Next week: Braun Strowman/Alexa Bliss vs. Sami Zayn/Becky Lynch. Strowman promises to destroy Sami and Bliss is ready for Lynch, earning herself a pat on the head.

Zayn and Lynch aren’t sure who is going to be in charge but they’ll fight together.

Asuka celebrates in Japanese and Miz translates to Miz has taught her more than anyone ever. Miz promises to win the tournament.

Overall Rating: C-. The time situation is kind of a positive and a negative. They certainly don’t waste a ton of time here and you’re in and out in about twenty minutes. On the downside though, this is definitely a show that doesn’t feel important enough to watch. You really can just look at the results and maybe catch the finals, but until then there’s just nothing worth seeing here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume VI: July – December 1999 in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/11/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-and-thunder-reviews-volume-vi/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Mixed Match Challenge Episode #1
Date: January 16, 2018
Location: Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Beth Phoenix

No opening sequence here, which is quite the jarring difference.

Renee Young and Byron Saxton are on the floor as hosts.

the fans like a new audience.

We get some rapid fire vignettes from other teams, including Carmella eating pancakes and Nia Jax being presented with some lucky underwear.

First Round: Finn Balor/Sasha Banks vs. Shinsuke Nakamura/Natalya

Nakamura kicks Balor in the head though and hits the running knee for two. Kinshasa is countered with the Sling Blade but Natalya breaks up the Coup de Grace. Sasha throws Natalya outside but Kinshasa is countered again, this time with Nakamura being sent into the post. Stereo basement dropkicks set up the Bank Statement to make Natalya tap at 12:48.

Next week: Big E./Carmella vs. Asuka/The Miz.

New Day is fired up and Carmella is in a washing machine.

Miz speaks English and Asuka shouts in Japanese before they both speak English (BECAUSE ASUKA CAN FREAKING SPEAK ENGLISH!).

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume VI: July – December 1999 in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/11/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-and-thunder-reviews-volume-vi/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6