Mixed Match Challenge
Date: November 13, 2018
Location: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Commentators: Michael Cole, Renee Young, Vic Joseph
Things have suddenly gotten more interesting around here as the winners of the tournament now get to be #30 in the Royal Rumbles. That means a lot more to WWE than what was on the line last season (though that was really cool too) and it opens a lot of doors around here. Tonight it’s all about the undefeated teams and that could make for something very interesting. Well as interesting as it gets around here. Let’s get to it.
Since Daniel Bryan might have crushed his skull, AJ Styles won’t be competing tonight. There is a replacement though.
We open with Bryan leaving the arena, which is quite the moment.
Raw Division: Mickie James/Bobby Lashley (3-0) vs. Braun Strowman/Ember Moon (3-0)
The women start things off with Mickie flipping her down but Moon popping to her feet for a standoff. A battle over a backslide somehow turns into an abdominal stretch on Ember. With that going on, we cut to Paige telling Charlotte that she has a replacement. Back with Moon escaping and bringing in the men.
Lashley isn’t worried and gets shoved into the corner with Strowman brushing off his shoulder. A boot to the chest takes Lashley down and Strowman picks him up for a release gordbuster. The hot tag goes through but Rush offers a distraction, meaning it’s time for Strowman to give chase, which is quite the visual. Strowman shoulders Lashley down, leaving Moon to superkick James. The Eclipse gives Ember the pin at 5:45.
Result: Ember Moon/Braun Strowman b. Bobby Lashley/Mickie James – Eclipse to Moon (5:45)
The announcers say even the teams with no wins can make the playoffs. They also talk about the prize, which is a big help.Bobby Roode and Natalya are ready to beat Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox.
Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox are ready to beat Bobby Roode and Natalya.
Smackdown Division: Charlotte/Jeff Hardy (3-0) vs. Miz/Asuka (3-0)
Miz and Hardy lock up to start with Miz making fun of the DELETE chant. That earns him some rapid fire rams into the buckle so we’ll go back to Wrestlemania with Asuka vs. Charlotte. Asuka takes her down by the arm but it’s way too early for the Asuka Lock. Instead Charlotte drops down with Asuka diving over her for a standoff. Charlotte kicks Miz off the apron, only to get taken down by the hip attack. Back in and we hit the armbar as R-Truth and Carmella are in the comments.
Asuka misses the running knee and gets rolled up for two before it’s back to the men. Jeff gets two off a quick rollup and the Whisper in the Wind is good for the same. The Twist of Fate is countered into the DDT for two with Charlotte making the save. Asuka kicks Charlotte down and backfists Hardy for two more. It’s legally back to Asuka, who joins Miz for some YES Kicks. Miz’s big one is countered into the Twist of Fate and Charlotte spears Asuka down. The Figure Eight makes Asuka tap at 9:15.
Result: Charlotte/Jeff Hardy b. Miz/Asuka – Figure Eight to Asuka (9:15)
Rusev and Lana are ready to win and advance to the playoffs.
Carmella and R-Truth are ready to win and advance to the playoffs.
Thomas Hall has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 50,000 wrestling matches. He has also been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 full shows covered. You can find his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or check out his Amazon author page with 28 wrestling books. His latest book is the the Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews.
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