Samoa Joe Injures Foot, Elias Named Bayley's Mixed Match Challenge Partner

Samoa Joe suffered a foot injury on Monday Night Raw that will prevent him from partnering with Bayley in the WWE Mixed Match Challenge. He'll be replaced by Elias.

WWE announced the change Tuesday after Samoa Joe won a Facebook fan vote to team with Bayley.

"During his match, [Samoa Joe] felt a pop at the bottom of his [right] foot," senior ringside physician Dr. Chris Amann said. "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."

It's unclear how long the Samoan Submission Machine will be out of action.

An extended absence could impact a potential high-profile feud with John Cena, which Joe teased during a promo Monday night announcing his entrance in the 2018 Royal Rumble match:

Meanwhile, Elias has picked up steam lately with his singing-based heel gimmick.

Increasing interest in his character paired with Bayley, who's popular with the younger demographic, could make their team one of the fan favorites in the Mixed Match Challenge.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off Jan. 16 on Facebook Watch. The new event pairs one male Superstar and one female Superstar with the winning team giving $100,000 to a charity of their choice.

Other confirmed entrants in the 12-episode series include real-life couples Lana and Rusev and Naomi and Jimmy Uso as well as star-studded tandems like Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman, Sasha Banks and Finn Balor, and Asuka and The Miz.