WWE: Samoa Joe injured, Elias-Bayley set for Mixed Match Challenge
Samoa Joe is out of the upcoming Mixed Match Challenge tournament due to an apparent injury.
WWE started a fan vote last night to decide between Joe, Elias, and Jason Jordan for the final spot on the Raw side. Joe apparently won that vote, but Kurt Angle tweeted today that Elias would be taking Joe’s spot due to injury.
“Thank you all for voting for @itsBayleyWWE partner in #WWEMMC, but due to an injury suffered on #Raw @SamoaJoe is unable to compete,” Angle wrote. “Therefore the runner-up @IAmEliasWWE will be Bayley’s partner. #WWEMMC”
Joe appeared on Raw last night and defeated Rhyno. He did an in-ring interview after the match where he announced himself for the Royal Rumble, saying John Cena will be the first person he eliminates.
In an article on WWE.com, Dr. Chris Amann said Joe felt a pop in the bottom of his right foot during the match against Rhyno. “We took a look and believe he has a plantar fascia rupture, which is a thick tissue rupture under the foot,” Amann said, “We will get an MRI to confirm. Treatment includes a period of immobilization in a boot with crutches and platelet rich plasma injections.”
Elias & Bayley are Raw’s final team in the mixed tag tournament. Three more SmackDown pairings still need to be announced before the series debuts on Facebook Watch next Tuesday.
Below is a list of updated teams and participants for Mixed Match Challenge:
Raw —
- Braun Strowman & Alexa Bliss
- Finn Balor & Sasha Banks
- Apollo Crews & Nia Jax
- The Miz & Asuka
- Goldust & Alicia Fox
- Elias & Bayley
SmackDown —
- Bobby Roode & Charlotte Flair
- Rusev & Lana
- Jimmy Uso & Naomi
- Becky Lynch
- Carmella
- Natalya
- Sami Zayn
- Shinsuke Nakamura
- A member of The New Day (to be determined by fan vote)