WWE News: Rusev and Lana paired together for the Mixed Match Challenge

What’s the story?

SmackDown Live Manager Daniel Bryan revealed that Rusev and Lana will team up for the Facebook-Exclusive Show, WWE Mixed Match Challenge.

It's going to be a VERY Happy #RusevDay on @WWE Mixed Match Challenge when @RusevBUL teams up with his wife @LanaWWE! #WWEMMC pic.twitter.com/IAOLBcquGl

— WWE (@WWE) January 4, 2018

In case you didn’t know...

The WWE Mixed Match Challenge will feature eight teams of WWE superstars from Raw and SmackDown competing for $100,000 to be donated to their perspective charity.

The heart of the matter

The following is the press release that WWE issued regarding the Rusev and Lana reuniting on WWE programming:

The in-ring partnership between The Bulgarian Brute and The Ravishing Russian is an intriguing one to say the least. Rusev is a two-time United States Champion who demands respect against any opponent in both singles and tag team competition. While Lana has not competed as extensively as her spouse, the Total Divas co-star has been quite visible in the struggle for supremacy in the SmackDown LIVE Women’s division and has officially entered the first-ever 30-Woman Over-the-Top Royal Rumble Match, signaling that she is, in fact, ready for top-notch competition.

Since the announcement of the pairing for the game, Rusev and Lana have sent out several tweets hyping up their team for the upcoming show.

The band is back together @RusevBUL It's a #RavishingRusevDay #MMC pic.twitter.com/knw7VqLf5H

— CJ (Lana) Perry (@LanaWWE) January 4, 2018

It’s on like Donkey Kong ! Rusev day just became more ravishing. #RavishingRusevDay Lana is the best Lana number 1 ?? @LanaWWE #MMC

— Rusev (@RusevBUL) January 4, 2018

RT & like if you want a #RavishingRusevDay shirt for the #MMC or a #Ravishing shirt for #SDLIVE & #TotalDivas !@WWEUniverse & @TotalDivas lovers put your request in to @WWEshop & tweet your designs for repost ??? #CRUSH ?

— CJ (Lana) Perry (@LanaWWE) January 4, 2018

Rusev & Lana were both drafted to SmackDown Live in the Superstar Shakeup, but the pair have not been seen on WWE programming together since the Shakeup due to Lana moving away from managing and into an in-ring competition.

Lana & Rusev debuted together in 2014 as a manager and wrestler pairing and the two would eventually get married two years later on July 29, 2016.

What’s next?

Rusev and Lana are currently the only married couple announced for the Mixed Match Challenge and could remain that way if WWE decides not to pair Jimmy Uso with Naomi.

The only other teams currently announced for the Mixed Match Challenge are Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roode, Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman, and Sasha Banks & Finn Balor.

Author’s take

Four teams have been announced so far and there are still four more left to be determined.