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What's the story?
WWE Mixed Match Challenge is set to be a landmark event pairing men and women up to do battle across brand lines. But moreover, it is WWE's first real exploration in the arena of internet streaming.
Of course, the WWE Network is a streaming service but WWE Mixed Match Challenge will be unique as it is set to be the first of its kind hosted on Facebook Watch. A deal like this took some time to come together and it could lead to something great.
Now WWE has announced that a very familiar face from their past is going to be joining this historic event on commentary as The Glamazon Beth Phoenix will be taking over duties on the commentary booth.
In case you didn't know...
This isn't Beth Phoenix's first go at commentary. Other than the times she sat with the announce team during an angle on television, she was also a guest on commentary during the Mae Young Classic where she did commentary during a six-woman tag match which aired during the retrospective episode before the finale of the tournament aired.
The heart of the matter
WWE has some big plans for the Mixed Match Challenge which could extend past the show's initial twelve episode run.
After all, if WWE can see a viable and sustainable potential for revenue while streaming online, it could very well open new doors for them to negotiate on another level once their television contracts with NBC/Universal expires in 2019.
What's next?
In ten years, WWE could be a much different place that's for sure. But it might not even take that long for a big storyline to develop exclusively on a streaming service.
Author's take
I'm very happy for Beth Phoenix because with this news it obviously shows WWE is continuing their focus on the future and beyond. She's a fresh face that we already know and respect. She's had plenty of time in the ring as well and knows what it's like to grapple with the best in the business.
The WWE Women's Revolution might have really kicked into high gear in the last couple of years, but it was thanks to people like Phoenix who blazed a trail first.
Therefore, it's only fitting that she is a part of this historic event which might turn out to be much bigger than some see it as now when we look back in retrospect later on to see how the business has developed.
