From the WWE Rumor Mill: How the Mixed Match Challenge will affect 205 Live
What's the story?
Mike Johnson of PWInsider is reporting on what will happen to 205 Live during the 12-episode run of the Mixed Match Challenge that the WWE announced today. There was speculation that it could move before SmackDown Live and be taped to air later on the WWE Network, but instead, it will be pushed back by half an hour.
In case you didn't know...
The WWE announced the creation of the Mixed Match Challenge on Wednesday; which will be a tournament featuring WWE Superstars of Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live where the winning team will receive $100k to go towards the charity of their choice.
To my knowledge, it is the first time the WWE has ever held a mixed tag tournament, and while teams have not yet been announced, the competitors include Finn Balor, Bayley, Becky Lynch, Rusev, Alexa Bliss, Braun Strowman, Shinsuke Nakamura, and many more.
The heart of the matter
PWInsider confirmed that during the 12 weeks that the Mixed Match Challenge will take place on Facebook Watch, 205 Live will air live as usual on the WWE Network, but a half an hour later at 9:30 PM CST.
Before the announcement of the Mixed Match Challenge, there were rumours that 205 Live could move to a taped show before SmackDown Live, but still air on the WWE Network at its normal time slot after SmackDown. It appears that those plans are not true for at least the next four months.
The Mixed Match Challenge begins on Tuesday, January 16th; therefore, that will be the first date that 205 Live airs at 9:30 PM CST.
What's next?
Next up for the Cruiserweight Division is the number one contenders match next week when Monday Night Raw takes place at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Drew Gulak will take on Cedric Alexander with the winner getting a title opportunity against Enzo Amore.
After the rocky relationship between Gulak and Enzo this week, it will get even more interesting if Gulak happens to defeat Alexander.
Author's take
I actually was hoping that the Mixed Match Challenge announcement would mean 205 Live would move to a taped show before SmackDown Live. I noticed it this week especially, the crowd is completely dead for 205 Live as they could be burnt out from SmackDown Live prior.
205 Live is a good product that could benefit from being taped before SmackDown where the crowd is a little more alert. Maybe some big additions like Rockstar Spud and Hideo Itami will excite the crowds a little more.