The Voice Season 28 Knockouts Night One: Every Elimination Revealed

The Voice Season 28 just kicked off the Knockouts, which is the part where teammates battle each other and someone goes home. Night 1 delivered a few tough cuts, a couple of clear winners, and a brand-new save twist the show is clearly excited about.

Where things stand

Each coach — Niall Horan, Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg — started the Knockouts with eight artists on their teams. Win your matchup and you move closer to the Playoffs. Lose it and, unless a save hits, you are done.

Guest advisors with serious resumes

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and multi-Grammy winner Joe Walsh dropped in to advise Team Niall and Team Reba. Over on Team Bublé and Team Snoop, Grammy winner Zac Brown handled advisor duties. Not exactly minor-league help.

The new twist: Mic Drop

The Knockouts added a new toy: the Mic Drop button. Each coach can use it to pull one of their own singers back from elimination and flag up to four of those saved artists. Later on, the audience will vote to keep one of those picks. Translation: if your favorite stumbles, there is still a potential lifeline down the road.

Knockouts Night 1: who went home

• Leyton Robinson (Team Reba) lost her head-to-head with Aubrey Nicole, who delivered the more emotionally connected performance. Reba was clearly moved by Aubrey and talked about how that feeling jumps right through the mic. Result: Aubrey advances; Leyton is out.
• Kenny Iko (Team Snoop) was edged out by Ralph Edwards. Snoop spelled out why:

  "The thing is, Ralph has the it factor. The it factor is that he could actually win it, this competition. Ralph's performances have been groundbreaking, award-worthy, top-of-the-line, performing at his highest level."

  Result: Ralph moves on; Kenny goes home.
• Sadie Dahl (Team Niall) came up short against Ava Nat. Niall praised Ava as the show’s most consistent performer so far — rock solid every time and a strong storyteller — and said he feels confident taking her into the Playoffs. Result: Ava advances; Sadie is eliminated.

That is Night 1. More Knockouts ahead, plus those Mic Drop saves still hanging out there for the audience to weigh in on later.