TJR WWE Mixed Match Challenge Review: Finn Balor and Sasha Banks vs. The Miz and Asuka – Week 7

This match took place in Los Angeles, California immediately following Smackdown on Tuesday, February 27th. Sorry for being a bit late with it. Busy week for me.

We were welcomed to the show by announcers Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Beth Phoenix at ringside. There was a shot of Shinsuke Nakamura and Natalya on their phones responding to fans in the locker room.

Sasha Banks was out first for her team. It was weird not hearing Michael Cole yelling “it’s boss time” as soon as she got out there. When Finn Balor got out there, Cole said it and that it was “Balor Club time” as well. Balor was wearing the blue gear he wore at the Elimination Chamber. They did a “too sweet” hand gesture on their way to the ring. They aired a pre-match promo from the team. They are wrestling for the Special Olympics.

Asuka made her entrance first for her team. The Miz was up next with the Intercontinental Championship on his shoulder. No Miztourage with them. They aired a pre-match promo from the team with Miz talking about their streak, she said it was her streak and she pointed out that Balor beat Miz on Raw. They are wrestling for Rescue Dogs Rock.

Finn Balor & Sasha Banks vs. The Miz & Asuka

The bell rang. Miz grabbed the microphone and did his “when my hand goes up, your mouth goes shut” catchphrase while getting mad at the fans when they chanted his line. Balor rolled up Miz for a two count and Balor got multiple rollups. Asuka yelled at Miz: “My streak!” The fans chanted for Asuka to go in the ring. Miz worked over Balor with kicks. Balor came back with a sunset flip for two. Miz decked Balor with a punch. Balor with a basement dropkick on Miz for two. Asuka went into the ring and yelled at Miz for nearly getting beat. Miz managed to slow down Balor with a boot to the face. Miz mocked Sasha’s taunt. Balor avoided a kick and Balor got another rollup for two. Asuka tagged herself in, which drew cheers.

Banks faced off with Asuka with Asuka hitting a shoulder tackle and Banks hit a hip toss. Banks with a hard slap to the face following an Asuka walk of her own. Asuka worked over Banks with strikes followed by the running hip attack in the ring and another hip attack against the turnbuckle. Asuka with a kick on Banks. Asuka with kicks to the chest, but Banks blocked one of them and hit a knee to the head. Asuka got back to her feet with a missile dropkick off the middle ropes. Banks worked over Asuka in the corner with a double knee strike to the ribs for a two count. Banks with a suplex for two. Banks with the double knees in the corner and double knees again got a two count. Asuka fought back against some Banks kicks by ducking one of them and Asuka hit a knee to the face of Banks. Miz and Balor got their tags at the same time. Balor with a double foot stomp to chest of Miz. Balor with a running chop on Miz against the turnbuckle. Miz with a boot to the face of Balor, but Balor came back with a harder kick to the face. Balor with an elbow drop to the chest of Miz leading to a slam for two as Asuka made the save. Banks threw Asuka out of the ring and Balor sent Miz out as well. Banks with the double knees on Asuka on the floor and Balor kicked Miz. Back in the ring, Balor got a roll through rollup on Miz for two. Miz came back with a Skull Crushing Finale for two as Banks broke up the pin. Miz argued with the ref about it. Balor took down Miz with Slingblade followed by the dropkick that sent Miz into the turnbuckle. Balor up top and he hit a Coup de Gras double foot stomp, but Asuka broke up the pin attempt. Banks with the Backstabber on Asuka and the Bank Statement. Balor slapped on a Crossface on Miz. Asuka countered Banks into the Asuka Lock and Banks was tapping out even though she wasn’t legal. Balor was distracted by that, so Miz rolled up Balor, Miz held onto Balor’s tights and that was enough to win the match. The match went for 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Miz & Asuka

Analysis: *** The match was pretty good. It was a bit slow at the start with some comedy from Miz doing the promo, but I liked the story of Asuka being worried that Miz might lose to end her streak. The stuff with Asuka and Banks was well done. They had a great match on Raw several weeks ago. I want to see them work more often. As for the finish, it was creative with Balor slapping on the Crossface and Banks with the Bank Statement, but Balor was distracted by what the girls were doing and Miz was the crafty heel that took advantage. The rollup was fine here because Miz also pulled the tights, so it made it even more cheap. No problem with that.

Next week: Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman vs. the husband/wife team of Jimmy Uso and Naomi. They aired promos from both teams.

The show ended with Miz and Asuka celebrated the win while Balor and Banks were disappointed in the ring. That’s it for this week of the Mixed Match Challenge.

Here are the brackets after 7 weeks.

That’s all for me. See ya next week for the MMC review of Strowman/Bliss vs. Jimmy/Naomi and all of our other reviews here on TJRWrestling as well.