‘WWE Mixed Match Challenge 2×09’ Review
Welcome to this week’s Mixed Match Challenge review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and the winners of the tournament get the 30th place in the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble and a vacation.
Match #1: Braun Strowman & Ember Moon def. Bobby Lashley & Mickie James
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
In the night’s first of two clashes between undefeated WWE MMC teams, Braun Strowman & Ember Moon overcame Bobby Lashley & Mickie James.
The bout started with a fiery exchange between Ember and Mickie. Then, when Strowman and Lashley tagged into the action, the titans instantly sized each other up with a series of collisions to test their opponents’ strength and power. Following a distraction from Lio Rush, Strowman sent Ember after the outspoken cruiserweight. Mickie intercepted her out of nowhere, taking down The Shenom by launching herself off the apron onto the ringside floor. The Monster of The Men then picked up the chase after Rush, only to take out Lashley mid-charge. As he did, Moon caught up with Mickie inside the ring and hit her with the Eclipse to pick up the huge victory.
My Take: 2 out of 5 – This was pretty boring, but it was serious, so there’s that.
Match #2: (Main Event) Jeff Hardy & Charlotte Flair def. The Miz & Asuka
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Prior to the second match of the night between undefeated teams, SmackDown General Manager Paige stated that AJ Styles was not going to compete following his WWE Championship loss to Daniel Bryan on SmackDown LIVE. As a result, Jeff Hardy subbed in as Charlotte Flair’s partner against defending Mixed Match Challenge winners and fellow undefeated team The Miz & Asuka. And The Queen and The Charismatic Enigma handed the WWE MMC teammates their first loss in two seasons!
Highlights included Hardy ramming Miz’s moneymaker into the turnbuckle numerous times with gusto, The Empress and The Queen renewing their rivalry and producing an intense back-and-forth, Charlotte taking Miz out on the apron (much to the approval of the WWE Universe), Asuka using that distraction to lock The Queen in a submission in the center of the ring, an all-out war between Hardy and Miz, and a series of double “It Kicks” by Miz and Asuka.
The A-Lister got too cocky for his own good and tried to show Asuka “how it’s done,” and Hardy made him pay for it with a Twist of Fate. Flair seized the moment, hitting Asuka with a Spear before locking her in the Figure-Eight Leglock and making her tap!
My Take: 2.5 out of 5 – This was the first loss for The Miz and Asuka. Considering that AJ STyles was replaced by Jeff Hardy, I think it’s safe to assume that AJ might be dealing with a little some-thing, which could explain the title change from Smackdown. Jeff and Flair looked fine together and this match turned out alright.
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This was a good night, even if it still felt dull.
