WWE Mixed Match Challenge Season 2 Episode 1 Review and Results
Credit: WWE.com
The second edition of WWE’s Mixed Match Challenge kicked off Tuesday after Smackdown Live with a pair of fun match-ups: the makeshift combo of Moon and Strowman vs the quirky Team Pawz and the dream team of Charlotte and Styles vs the returning Day One Glow.
Ember Moon & Braun Strowman vs Natalya & Kevin Owens
Kevin and Braun are jaw-jacking before the bell. The crowd starts chanting “get these hands”, so Natalya covers KO’s ears. I knew I loved this pair. The bell rings with the men legal, but KO tags in Natty and yells “you’re lucky I’m a gentleman” at Braun. Kevin’s the best, and I’m already having a great time.
Ember and Natty lock up and start going back and forth, each attempting a pair of pinning combinations. Neither woman can get the advantage ,and they start their own war of words. Kevin yells “Stop arguing about flips! Punch her in the face! Don’t let her tag!” HE IS THE BEST.
Ember finally gets some good offense in and goes up for the Eclipse, but Natty knocks her off and hits a nice powerbomb, followed by the sharpshooter. Ember is almost to the ropes, but looks like she could tap at any second. Braun pulls her the rest of the way and makes the tag, looking like he wants to eat poor Kevin.
Strowman hits some of his classic big man offense, and Owens rolls to the outside. The monster follows and hits the big running shoulder tackle. He goes for a second, but the opportunistic KO hits a superkick out of nowhere, throws the big man over the announce table, and rolls back in the ring as the ref starts the count.
Braun barely makes it in time, and is met with another superkick. For the first time in a long, Kevin is holding his own against the Monster Among Men. KO cannonballs, but the target rises to his feet at the last second and avoids. Kevin takes his chance, and tags Natty back in. She goes for another sharpshooter, but Ember fights out and hits the enziguri. Strowman lays out Kevin, Ember climbs onto his shoulders, and the Eclipse connects from way up high for the 1 2 3.
Monster Eclipse def Team Pawz
This was a ton of fun, a perfect balance of comedy and good ol’ fashioned graps. Braun and Kevin played off their history well, and Ember and Natalya’s exchanges made me want to see the pair in a singles match. The Monster Eclipse is a force to be reckoned with, and Natty and Kevin are hilarious together. Kevin being the absolute worst and barking nonsense while Natty calmly did her thing was great. I’m happy that the Mixed Match Challenge is round robin this time around, so we’re guaranteed to see Team Pawz a few more times. Also, the Eclipse from Strowman’s shoulders was awesome stuff. This was a great way to kick off the tournament.
Rating: ***
(yes I’m giving star ratings to Mixed Match Challenge matches. Get over it, haters.)