5 superstars who could replace Kevin Owens in the Mixed Match Challenge

Injury has again doomed the second season of the WWE Mixed Match Challenge, as former Universal Champion Kevin Owens has been sidelined with an ankle injury that he suffered this past Monday on Raw at the hands of Bobby Lashley.

Owens, who was originally one half of Team Pawz alongside Natalya, now finds himself on the same list as Alexa Bliss, who pulled out of the MMC 2 due to an arm injury suffered at Hell in a Cell, and Sasha Banks who was set to team up with Lashley, but had to be replaced by Mickie James due to another last minute injury as well.

As noted, Kevin Owens is now likely to be out of action for at least the next four to eight months, depending on the seriousness of his ankle surgery, and this brings us to former SmackDown Live Women's Champion Natalya who now finds herself without a partner for the remainder of the Mixed Match Challenge II.

However, one thing is now sure, Nattie is definitely on the hunt of a new tag team partner, and here are five superstars from Monday Night Raw who could replace Kevin Owens in the Mixed Match Challenge, stepping up to the plate as Nattie's new tag team partner.

#5 Tyler Breeze

Tyler Breeze could use some in-ring action via the MMC

After suffering a left labrum tear in his shoulder back in July, Tyler Breeze's tag team partner Fandango is confirmed to be out for six months at least, meaning that there isn't much left for Breeze to do on Monday Nights (or even on Tuesday or Wednesday nights for that matter).

Therefore, instead of just having Tyler Breeze sit out of in-ring action, WWE could instead have the other half of The Fashion Police team up with Natalya, and at least get to make sure that Breeze is a regular in-ring competitor.

#4 Heath Slater

Much like Tyler Breeze, its definitely been a while since we saw Heath Slater compete in a WWE ring. I mean, during the past few months, Breeze at least had the opportunity to challenge for the NXT North American Championship in a recent NXT Live Event, whereas, Heath Slater hasn't been doing much since getting drafted over to Monday Night Raw.

All Slater asks for is an opportunity to shine on the big stage, and with Kevin Owens out injured, having 'The One Man Band' team up with Natalya will be absolutely perfect, as not only does it provide Slater with a big stage to compete on, but it also helps Nattie in a big way.

#3 Chad Gable

Chad Gable could make his MMC debut this year

Being a former NXT and SmackDown Live Tag Team Champion, it is safe to say that Chad Gable's career has been going downhill ever since WWE decided to infamously break up The American Alpha.

Gable who currently finds himself in the middle of a bizzare tag team with Bobby Roode, presently finds himself stuck in the Raw mid-card in a never ending feud with The Ascension of all tag teams.

There is no doubt in the fact that Gable is an outstanding singles and tag team wrestler, and could very well showcase his outstanding in-ring skills if he is given a chance at the on-going Mixed Match Challenge in a newly formed team with Natalya.

#2 Bobby Roode

Speaking of Chad Gable, it'll be an absolute crime if we decided to leave out his current tag team partner Bobby Roode, who also finds himself in a similar mess much like the former SmackDown Live Tag Team Champion.

Bobby Roode was arguably one of the hottest superstars in NXT, and was quite possibly one of the best heel NXT Champions we've ever had the chance of witnessing. However, since his call-up to the main roster, Roode has been forced to portray the role of a babyface, and hasn't lived up to the hype he had in NXT.

Much like Gable, Roode also finds himself in a meaningless feud with The Ascension, and could use some valuable in-ring competition by stepping into the ring with the likes of AJ Styles, Finn Balor, and Rusev, if WWE decides to book Roode as the new MMC II partner of Natalya.

After all, Roode was the finalist in the inaugural Mixed Match Challenge with Charlotte Flair, and could very well lead his team to a glorious victory on this occasion.

#1 Elias

Having already competed in the inaugural Mixed Match Challenge last year alongside Bayley, the omission of top Raw Superstar Elias from this year's edition was somewhat shocking, to say the least.

However, at the moment, Elias seems to be the only viable option to replace Kevin Owens in the Mixed Match Challenge, given that the two men have recently formed a brand new alliance on Monday Night Raw.

Elias' participation in this year's Mixed Match Challenge will almost guarantee a bunch of hilarious spots both inside the ring, and backstage as well, and you can certainly expect Elias and Nattie to be a force to be reckoned with.