It's time to roll up your sleeves: the battles have begun The voice!

Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé got to work on Monday's episode as they entered the next phase of the NBC singing competition show. With eliminations at stake in each battle, the four coaches were faced with the unenviable task of deciding which two artists from their teams would compete against each other in a duet. Whoever performed better—or, in some cases, showed the most potential—earned the right to move on.

But being eliminated during battles doesn't necessarily mean the end. When Steals are in play, other coaches can each grab up to two eliminated artists and add them to their teams, giving those singers a second chance at victory The voice.

The first battle episode of the season pitted six duel pairs against each other – two each from Team Snoop and Team Gwen, and one each from Team Reba and Team Bublé – setting the stage for two hours of impressive performances, surprising decisions and two dramatic coaches. steals.”

Outstanding fight of the episode

If there were any doubts about Snoop as a coach, his decision to pair veteran country singer Gail Bliss with natural talent Christina Eagle for the first battle of the season should put any concerns to rest. During the performance of Gretchen Wilson's “Redneck Woman” both played to their strengths – Bliss with her strong vocal tenacity, Eagle with her range and “sassy” stage presence. Her lively and energetic performance thrilled the audience and thrilled the coaches.

McEntire applauded their “entertaining” duet and thanked them for “bringing the party to town.” Stefani couldn't get over Eagle's immense talent and wondered why she wasn't signed to a record label. “You’re insanely good,” said the No Doubt frontwoman. “Charisma and stage presence cannot be taught. You're just being yourself.” Snoop thanked them for making their duet “feel like it was one, and not like I was competing against you,” an important reminder that Bliss and Eagle are at the end of the day sang their lives.

While the other coaches leaned toward Eagle, Snoop found it harder to make a decision. Ultimately, he based it on who showed “the most growth potential,” and that was Eagle. The rapper said it was Eagle's “strong” voice and her ability to “control” it that impressed him.

Surprising coaching decisions

Some battles weren't so easy. Case in point: the fight between Sloane Simon and Sydney Sterlace of Team Gwen. The singers were paired because both are teenagers, sing pop and have similar singing styles. Stefani gave them Billie Eilish's hit “Birds of a Feather” and knew that whoever “showed the most flexibility and personality and is ready now” would carry on.

Simon and Sterlace's voices blended so seamlessly that Snoop thought they sounded “as one.” Bublé said Simon was more confident on stage, while Sterlace was visibly nervous. McEntire agreed, saying Sterlace needed “more years to develop.” Stefani highlighted Sterlace's growth in rehearsals, noting that Simon was “more ready.” Although the judges preferred Simon Sterlace, Stefani chose the “strange inner voice” that told her to choose Sterlace, mostly because of her potential and not necessarily because of what she showcased on stage. Was this the end of Simon? The voice? Not exactly…

The fight between Latin American singer Kiara Vega from Team Bublé and compatriot Mor Ilderton also sparked a surprising coaching decision. Awarded the “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls for their battle, the duo’s emotional, harmonious performance moved McEntire to tears. But it was Ilderton's “uniqueness” that caught the attention of McEntire and Stefani; They chose him because they felt his rough voice suited the rock ballad better.

The close race put Bublé in a dilemma. Knowing he was about to lose a talented singer, he vowed to give his number to whoever he eliminated so he could continue to mentor them outside of the show. That singer ended up being Ilderton, as Bublé chose Vega because he believed she offered possibilities that she represented. Was that it for Ilderton? Barely…

The first “steals” of the season

Simon and Ilderton were the first two singers to be saved by the season's first “steals” after initially being eliminated in their respective battles.

After Simon was fired by Stefani, the other coaches took the opportunity to steal her for one of their teams. Bublé, who missed Simon in the blind auditions, had the strongest argument. “I was devastated when I couldn’t get you on my team the first time,” he admitted. Sloane chose Bublé as her new coach, which thrilled the jazz singer: “She's a pop star in the making.”

When Ilderton was eliminated by Bublé, it seemed as if his time had come to an end. Bublé even scribbled his number on a napkin and handed it to Ilderton with the intention of continuing to mentor him. But the exciting thing about “theft” is that it can happen at any time. As Ilderton left the stage, Stefani stood up and dramatically hit her “steal” button, stunning everyone. “I just have this feeling,” she said after welcoming him to Team Gwen. “I know what to do with this guy.”

Quote of the evening

“He'd better name his baby Gwen,” Stefani joked after finding out the R&B singer's wife Jan Dan was due to give birth on the day of The voice Stick on. She crowned him the winner of his battle against 14-year-old singer Jaylen Dunham and brought Dan through to the next round.

A preview of the next episode

Next up is Night 2 of Battles. That means more eliminations and potentially more steals. If the first battle episode was any indication of what's to come, nothing is off the table and the trainers have tougher decisions ahead.

The voice Continues Tuesday, October 22nd at 8pm ET/PT on NBC.