Predicting the Mixed Match Challenge

First Round Predictions

With the first match of the Mixed Match Challenge already decided, now would be a good time to make predictions for the rest of the tournament, since we have now seen the booking style that WWE will be going within this tournament. With that said, let's get underway.

Note: Boss Club vs Nakamura and Natalya has already happened with the Boss Club winning, so we will not be covering that match.

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Asuka and The Miz vs Big E and Carmella

The second match in the bracket is Asuka and the Miz vs Big E and Carmella. It seems unlikely that Asuka will take her first loss on a Facebook live event, so I doubt she will be the one getting pinned if her and the Miz were to lose. This poses a question: Will Big E pin the Miz? I don't believe so. In fact, the men will probably not be a part of the end result in the match. It seems WWE will be doing its best to protect the men in most of the matchups, with a few exceptions. I can see Miz getting pinned down the line possibly against more capable teams, but not this early in the tournament.

Looking at the women's side now, Carmella has essentially been a jobber on Smackdown Live, ignoring the fact that she is Ms. Money in the Bank. Carmella's main finisher is the Code of Silence, a submission maneuver. I don't see Asuka tapping out as her first ever loss in the WWE.

Prediction: Asuka submits Carmella with an armbar.

Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman vs Becky Lynch and Sami Zayn

The week three match of the Mixed Match Challenge pits the team of Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman vs Becky Lynch and Sami Zayn. Let's take a look at the women's side first. This is one of the cases where I see WWE protecting the women superstars rather than the men. With Bliss being champion and Becky being the most over babyface on Smackdown, the women will probably not be the ones involved in the decision.

Having said that, which seems more likely: Braun pins Sami or Sami pins Braun? Both men are set to compete for their respective world titles so this is a little closer than you might think, but when you factor in that Sami is competing in a handicap match for the title and Braun is in a triple threat, the result becomes a little more obvious.

Prediction: Braun pins Sami after a running powerslam.

Alicia Fox and Goldust vs Jimmy Uso and Naomi

The week four matchup is Naomi teaming with her husband Jimmy Uso against Goldust and Alicia Fox. This is probably the easiest match to predict, but WWE has been known to throw curve balls, so let's analyze anyway. Looking at the men's side, Goldust has transitioned into more of a manager role for Cedric Alexander. It is possible that Goldust gives up his spot to his new protege and we see Uso vs Alexander.

On the women's side, we have Naomi vs Alicia Fox. Fox, like Carmella, has more or less been a glorified jobber. Naomi rivals Lynch in popularity and WWE would not have had a Smackdown team win up to this point if my predictions are correct. I think that makes the result a little easier to predict.

Prediction: Naomi pins Fox after the Split Legged Moonsault in unison with Jimmy doing an Uso splash on Goldust

Bayley and Elias vs Rusev and Lana (/w Aiden English)

The week five match up is Elias and Bayley vs Rusev and Lana. Let's take a look at the men's side of the match up first. Rusev and Elias are about the same when it comes to their status in the company, despite Rusev Day being overwhelmingly popular. This is probably the hardest first round match to predict and the men's side is about equal. Aiden English will most likely be ringside, meaning they could win via distraction. That does give Rusev a slight edge of Elias.

Looking at the women's side, though, the answer becomes clear. Though Lana is a decent wrestler, it appears WWE does not fully trust her in the ring as she has been mainly in a managerial role. Bayley, on the other hand, despite being booked rather poorly as of late, is still consider a highly featured talent in the Raw's women's division. I don't think she will be pinned by Lana. Seeing as the men's match up is nearly even, this proves to be a deciding factor.

Prediction: Bayley pins Lana after a Bayley to Belly.

Side Note: This really could go either way, mainly due to the fact Aiden English is at ringside.

Nia Jax and Apollo Crews vs Bobby Roode and Charlotte

As of this writing, Roode is the United States Champion and Charlotte is the Women's champion. They will be facing off against Nia Jax and Apollo Crews with Titus Worldwide in their corner. Looking at the men's side, Roode has a clear advantage over Apollo Crews, even with Titus Worldwide. He is a riding a decent push, and while Apollo and Titus have scored two upset victories over The Bar, I don't see their push going much further.

On the women's side, Nia has just started to show her fangs again and is a favorite to win the women's Royal Rumble. I rank her and Charlotte evenly, so I don't think either of them will be eating the pin in the match. That more or less makes the result obvious.

Prediction: Bobby Roode pins Apollo after a Glorious DDT.

Summary and Looking Forward

Teams advancing to the Second Round:

Raw: Sasha Banks and Finn Balor, Asuka and the Miz, Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss, Bayley and Elias

Smackdown: Jimmy Uso and Naomi, Bobby Roode and Charlotte Flair

Second round match-up predictions will be delayed for two reasons: firstly, if Asuka does not win the Royal Rumble, it means WWE is okay with her losing non-singles matches as long as she is not the one pinned or submitted; secondly, we will have Royal Rumble winners which will be a factor in booking decisions. Moving forward, coupled with the fact that there is a chance for a fan favorite team to come back and compete in the semi finals, you have a lot that can change in six weeks.