Samoa Joe Injured, Elias and Bayley Teamed Up for Mixed Match Challenge

WWE put up a poll asking fans to vote for who should be Bayley’s partner for Mixed Match Challenge. Samoa Joe won the vote (Elias was second place and Jason Jordan was third), but Kurt Angle then posted that due to an injury, Samoa Joe would not be able to compete and instead, Elias would be Bayley’s partner.

Thank you all for voting for @itsBayleyWWE partner in #WWEMMC, but due to an injury suffered on #Raw @SamoaJoe is unable to compete…

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) January 9, 2018

…therefore the runner-up @IAmEliasWWE will be Bayley’s partner. #WWEMMC

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) January 9, 2018

The teams are now:

– Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman
– Charlotte Flair and Bobby Roode
– Sasha Banks and Finn Balor
– Lana and Rusev
– Naomi and Jimmy Uso
– Nia Jax and Apollo Crews
– Asuka and The Miz
– Alicia Fox and Goldust
– Bayley and Elias

Samoa Joe Injury

As far as Samoa Joe, a WWE.com article says, “During his match, [Samoa Joe] felt a pop at the bottom of his [right] foot. We took a look and believe he has a plantar fascia rupture, which is a thick tissue rupture under the foot. We will get an MRI to confirm. Treatment includes a period of immobilization in a boot with crutches and platelet rich plasma injections.”

According to PWInsider, it is a legit injury. Some quick Google searching says that a plantar fascia rupture would be about a three month recovery time, but we’ll see when more details are released. It seems like he’ll probably be doubtful for the Royal Rumble if that’s the case.

From WWE.com:

WWE thanks the WWE Universe for voting to pick Bayley’s partner for WWE Mixed Match Challenge. Unfortunately, the Superstar selected, Samoa Joe, suffered an injury to his right foot on Raw Monday night, he will be unable to compete in the ground-breaking WWE Mixed Match Challenge tournament. Raw General Manager Kurt Angle revealed the news on Facebook.

“During his match, [Samoa Joe] felt a pop at the bottom of his [right] foot,” explained WWE Senior Ringside Physician Dr. Chris Amann. “We took a look and believe he has a plantar fascia rupture, which is a thick tissue rupture under the foot. We will get an MRI to confirm. Treatment includes a period of immobilization in a boot with crutches and platelet rich plasma injections.”

As a result of Joe’s injury, the runner-up in the Facebook vote, Elias, will take Samoa Joe’s place as Bayley’s partner.

BREAKING: @SamoaJoe suffered an injury last night on #RAW; @IAmEliasWWE will team with @itsBayleyWWE in the first-ever @WWE Mixed Match Challenge! #WWEMMC https://t.co/JiwxG8TBPt

— WWE (@WWE) January 9, 2018