Reviews

TJR WWE Mixed Match Challenge Review: Rusev and Lana vs. Bobby Roode and Charlotte Flair – Week 9

By John Canton • Published 14th March 2018
TJR Wrestling

This match took place in Indianapolis, Indiana immediately following Smackdown on Tuesday, March 13th.

The announce team of Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Beth Phoenix welcomed us to the show. Like usual, they overrated the significance and importance of this show. It’s called being a paid shill, my friends.

Charlotte Flair made her entrance first for her team. Charlotte is the Smackdown Women’s Champion. Bobby Roode was up next for this team that calls themselves the Robe Warriors. The charity they are fighting for is called Girl Up. A pre-match promo was shown from Roode and Charlotte about how they are going to win. Graves was pushing the idea that Charlotte lights up when she sees Roode, so there may be something going on while Roode and Charlotte tried to downplay it.

The ravishing Lana made her entrance first for her team. She has barely been on television for the last few months. Rusev entered for this husband and wife team as they ripped off their “Happy Rusev Day” shirts at the same time and did a similar pose on the ramp. There was a pre-match promo from Rusev and Lana. Their team is called Ravishing Rusev Day and their charity is Global Citizen.

Rusev did the “Lana is the best, Lana number one” song before the match. Charlotte and Roode did the “woo” at him. Rusev shoved Roode, so Charlotte shoved Rusev back. Lana shoved Charlotte back. Lana threw a slap and hit Roode in the face. Charlotte and Roode attacked with chops. Rusev and Lana left the ring. The bell finally rang to start the match.

Bobby Roode and Charlotte Flair vs. Rusev and Lana

Lana started with Charlotte with stalling to start. Natalya and Nakamura were shown backstage on their phones interacting with the fans during the show. Lana with a kick to the gut. Charlotte picked her up with a back body drop, but Lana held on and Charlotte sent Lana into the turnbuckle. Lana kicked Charlotte into the turnbuckle and got a two count. Lana choked Charlotte over the middle rope with Cole saying this is the best Lana has ever looked in a match. Lana hit a sitout facebuster for a two count. Lana with chops, Charlotte no sold them, kick to the gut and an overhead suplex by Charlotte. Rusev tagged in, so Roode tagged in.

Roode hit Rusev with three clotheslines and Roode hit a Blockbuster off the ropes for a two count. Rusev came back with a kick to the head for a two count. Rusev kicked Roode in the back as he continued on offense. There was a shot of Natalya and Nakamura reading comments with Natalya reading a comment about somebody saying that Charlotte and Bobby are tanned and tall. Bobby’s not that tall. Rusev whipped Roode into the turnbuckle while Graves pointed out how concerned Charlotte was. Rusev slapped on a headlock. Roode came back with a punch, but Rusev recovered with a superkick on Roode. Rusev went to the middle rope, which he rarely does, he took way too long and of course Roode moved out of the way when Rusev jumped off with a headbutt. Charlotte fired up the crowd. Charlotte got the tag, so Lana had to go in. Charlotte worked over Lana with about five hard chops to the chest followed by the strut. Charlotte with a neckbreaker followed by a kick to the face. Rusev pulled to the corner during a Figure Four attempt from Charlotte, so Charlotte slapped Rusev. Lana tagged Rusev while Roode was on the floor. Charlotte chopped Rusev in the chest six times and Rusev didn’t even sell it while Charlotte sold her hand as if it was hurting. Roode went back in the ring behind Rusev, kick to the gut and Roode hit a Glorious DDT on Rusev for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Bobby Roode and Charlotte Flair

Analysis: **1/2 It was an average match. Most of these matches have been around that rating previously. Lana’s offense looked good while showing a lot of intensity when she was in there. That’s good to see from her and I hope she keeps improving. Some funny moments with Charlotte slapping Rusev and he was laughing at her. Rusev was very entertaining like usual. The finish was unique because Rusev wasn’t even worked over at all, then Roode showed up from behind and finished him off with the Glorious DDT. That result was no surprise just like every result in the entire tournament.

Roode and Charlotte celebrated the win while Rusev and Lana were sad about the loss.

Next week: The Miz and Asuka vs. Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss. Promos aired from both teams. That’s one of the semifinals.

The other semifinal is Roode and Flair against a team that gets a Second Chance that fans can vote for on the Mixed Match Challenge Facebook page.

The celebration continued for Roode and Charlotte as the show ended.

Here’s a look at the brackets.

Here’s info on how to vote for a team to get a second chance.

I voted for #ShinsukeNatalya of course. I think they might win the vote due to Nakamura, but it could be Balor and Banks since they are both popular faces.

That’s all for this week.

Check out all of my Mixed Match Challenge Reviews right here in case you haven’t been following along.