Reviews

TJR WWE Mixed Match Challenge Review: Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss vs. Jimmy Uso and Naomi – Week 8

By John Canton • Published 8th March 2018
TJR Wrestling

This match took place in Green Bay, Wisconsin immediately following Smackdown on Tuesday, March 6th.

The announce team of Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Beth Phoenix welcomed us to the show. There was a shot of Rusev and Lana backstage on their phones as well as Bobby Roode and Charlotte Flair on their phones. They were responding to comments.

Braun Strowman entered to a huge ovation. He was wearing his “Get These Hands” tank top. Alexa Bliss, the Raw Women’s Champion, made her entrance as the other half of Team Little Big. A pre-match promo from Braun and Alexa aired. Their charity of choice is Connor’s Cure, which makes them a big favorite to win this tournament since WWE started that charity.

Jimmy Uso, one half of the Smackdown Tag Team Champions, made his entrance. Naomi made her “feel the glow” entrance to a nice reaction as she danced her way down to the ring to team with her husband. A pre-match promo aired from Jimmy and Naomi. Their charity of choice is the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Alexa tried to run at Naomi before the match, but Strowman pulled Bliss back and told her that he’s got this.

Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss vs. Jimmy Uso and Naomi

The bell rang. Naomi encouraged her husband with a hug because she was worried about him. Strowman whipped Jimmy into the corner. Strowman decked Jimmy with a clothesline followed by a running splash in the corner. Another splash in the corner for Strowman as the announcers talked about the flirting between Braun and Alexa. Jimmy avoided a Powerslam and tagged in Naomi, so Alexa had to go in to face her. Naomi avoided Bliss attacks, so Bliss slapped her in the face. Strowman yelled at Jimmy that he’ll slap him in the mouth. Naomi came back with a slap of her own to Bliss. Naomi with a running clothesline for a two count. Naomi grounded Bliss with an armbar. While the girls were battling, Jimmy ran across the ring and punched Strowman. Jimmy hit Strowman with two superkicks. Jimmy with a running kick that sent Strowman into the barricade. Bliss wanted to tag out, but Strowman was off the apron. Bliss kicked Naomi to put her down. Bliss went up top, Naomi kicked her and Bliss landed right in Braun’s arms. Strowman put Bliss on the apron. Naomi ran the ropes and shoved Bliss off the apron onto Strowman. Bliss landed on Strowman in a mounted position. The crowd loved that, so they chanted “yes” for it. Jimmy taunted Strowman by laughing about how Braun was acting all weird not sure if he wanted to touch her. Strowman chased after Jimmy while on the floor and Strowman shoved Jimmy into the barricade. That was a rough landing. Strowman tossed Jimmy down again. Strowman had the top half of the steel steps, but ref Mike Chioda told Braun to put the steps down. Naomi was distracted by this, so Bliss pulled her down by the hair. Bliss slapped on a chinlock. Bliss stomped away on Naomi, but Naomi came back with a kick to the head. Naomi came close to a tag, but it didn’t seem like Jimmy wanted in. Bliss kicked Naomi to keep her down. Bliss did her stand on the back move. Naomi came back with a jawbreaker on Bliss. Naomi with a running clothesline, dropkick, kicks and a knee to the face. Naomi with a leg drop for a two count. Naomi did two rollups for two counts. Bliss ran right into a Naomi clothesline. Strowman had enough of it, so he ran across the ring and knocked Jimmy off the apron. Strowman sent Jimmy into the barricade. Strowman cleared off the announce table. Strowman put Jimmy on his shoulders and hit a Running Powerslam through the announce table. Naomi was distracted by this, so Bliss hit the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! for the pinfall win. It went about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss

Analysis: **1/4 It was a decent match with the key moments being about the Strowman/Bliss flirtation when Bliss landed on top of him. It drew the loudest reactions of the match until Strowman put Jimmy through the table. When a match is Bliss on offense for most of it you’re not talking about a great match. Her stuff is pretty basic. This match was lacking in terms of believable nearfall spots that help a match. The guys were barely in the ring for the match. I’m tired of the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! finish although I’m not surprised by it since WWE loves it.

Post match, Strowman and Bliss celebrated with Braun putting Bliss on his shoulders. Meanwhile, Naomi checked on her fallen husband Jimmy Uso by the crushed announce table.

Next week: Rusev and Lana vs. Bobby Roode and Charlotte Flair. Promos aired from both teams.

The show ended with a shot of the victorious duo of Strowman and Bliss. Normally they have the winning team do an interview after the match, but not this week.

Here are the brackets so far although WWE hasn’t updated with a new one moving Strowman/Bliss ahead.

That’s all for me. See ya next week for the MMC review and all of our other reviews. Here’s the Mixed Match Challenge archive in case you’ve missed anything so far.

Let’s end it with this image.