Tag: dominik mysterio

WWE has ‘big internal focus’ to get younger talent on Raw and SmackDown

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE is hoping to feature younger wrestlers on Raw and SmackDown. 

Currently, many of the company’s top stars range in age from mid-30s to late 40s. Of those scheduled to wrestle at Night of Champions, only Rhea Ripley is under the age of 30. Five wrestlers over the age of 40 (AJ Styles, Brock Lesnar, Asuka, Natalya, and Trish Stratus) will also be on the show. 

Our own Dave Meltzer wrote in Friday’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE is focused on featuring more young talent on its main roster moving forward. 

Meltzer wrote:

There is a big internal focus right now to get younger aged talent on Raw and Smackdown right now

Some of WWE’s younger talent include Austin Theory (25), Rhea Ripley (26), Dominik Mysterio (26), Mansoor (27), Tegan Nox (28), Omos (29), Sonya Deville (29), and Bad Bunny (29). Solo Sikoa just turned 30 back in March as well. 

Newly drafted wrestlers such as Cameron Grimes (29), Pretty Deadly (26 & 28), Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn (30 & 29), Zoey Stark (29), Indi Hartwell (26), and Odyssey Jones (29) are also younger than the majority of WWE’s main roster. 

Wrestling Observer Live: Dominik Mysterio should be the first WWE World Heavyweight Champion

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s Saturday afternoon and that means a special-pre WWE Backlash edition of Wrestling Observer Live.

WWE should make Dominik Mysterio wrestling’s ultimate nepo baby and put the first WWE World Heavyweight Title on him. Why? I tell you.

How can AEW have the lowest TV ratings of the year for Dynamite and then sell over 60,000 tickets for August’s All In at Wembley Stadium in the same week? Fans today know what’s up. Most people who watch wrestling are able to pick and choose what to watch and which shows to skip based on what they see as important. I discuss.

Plus, I think long title reigns are getting boring, I recap Friday’s WWE Smackdown and AEW Rampage, and look ahead to tonight’s WWE Backlash.

Click Here To Listen

Two title matches set for next week’s WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two title matches are set for next week’s SmackDown.

Xavier Woods will get a shot at Gunther’s Intercontinental title. After he defeated LA Knight on Friday’s SmackDown, Woods confronted Gunther backstage by playing his trombone in front of Imperium. The two eventually agreed to a title match for next week’s show.

Liv Morgan and Raquel Gonzalez will have their first WWE Women’s Tag Team title defense on next week’s SmackDown when they take on Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green. Morgan and Gonzalez were celebrating their title victory when Green and Deville came out, laying claim to a future title match.

A third match will see The Viking Raiders take on Strowman and Ricochet. Strowman and Ricochet were walking backstage when they were jumped by the Raiders. The Vikings used a steel beam to wipe out Strowman, then took out Ricochet with a double powerbomb through a table.

Here is what has been announced so far for next week’s SmackDown:

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team titles: Liv Morgan & Raquel Gonzalez (c) vs. Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green
  • WWE Intercontinental title: Gunther (c) vs. Xavier Woods
  • The Viking Raiders vs. Braun Strowman and Ricochet

WWE’s Rey Mysterio interested in mask vs. hair match against Dominik

Posted on by Ian Carey

Rey Mysterio says he’s willing to put his mask on the line in a match against his son. 

Mysterio was a guest on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive show on Tuesday and teased the idea of a Lucha de Apuestas with Dominik. 

Rey Mysterio said:

Maybe I put my mask on the line against his hair, which is some Lucha culture, and if I lose, I take my mask off and if he loses, he shaves his hair off. That might be interesting. 

Rey was then asked if he thinks Dominik would be willing to agree to such a match. 

He talks a lot of crap so why not back it up?

Rey was asked if plans are in place for the match to happen. 

No, but I will pitch it out. I’ll challenge him, straight up. 

Mysterio has put his mask on the line 10 times previously. Prior to his arrival in WCW, he successfully retained his mask against Mr. Condor, Rocco Valente, Tony Arce, El Bandido, Vulcano, and Misterioso. He put his mask on the line twice in WCW, first in a mask vs. title match against Eddie Guerrero at Halloween Havoc 97. He would later lose his mask at SuperBrawl IX after his team with Konnan was defeated by Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. 

Mysterio would wrestle without his mask for the remainder of his time in WCW. Mysterio later received special permission from the Lucha Libre Council to put his mask back on when WWE toured Mexico for the first time since he signed with the promotion in 2002. He then successfully retained his mask against Kane at No Mercy 2008 and against Chris Jericho at The Bash in 2009. 

Bad Bunny put through a table on WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Raw after WrestleMania 39 saw music superstar Bad Bunny get put through a table by Damian Priest.

After getting involved at WrestleMania, Bad Bunny made another appearance on WWE programming as he was ringside for Rey Mysterio’s match against Austin Theory on Monday night. The match ended with Theory winning after interference by Dominik Mysterio.

Dominik attacked Rey after the match and then got in Bad Bunny’s face. He went to sucker punch Bad Bunny, but Bad Bunny blocked it and decked Dominik.

Priest responded by pulling Bad Bunny over the barricade. Priest told him that he shouldn’t have gotten involved. When Bad Bunny punched Dominik again, Priest attacked Bad Bunny, including chokeslamming him through the announce table.

Adam Pearce confronted Priest backstage after the attack. Priest said that, if Bad Bunny wasn’t his friend, he would have really given Pearce a reason to be angry.

Priest was Bad Bunny’s tag team partner when Bad Bunny made his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 37. They defeated The Miz & John Morrison.

Bad Bunny helped Rey defeat Dominik at WrestleMania 39 night one. He took a chain away from Dominik when Dominik tried to use it as a weapon.

The story appears to be leading to Bad Bunny competing in the ring at Backlash next month. Bad Bunny has been announced as the host of the event, which is taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Saturday, May 6.

Bad Bunny helps Rey Mysterio defeat Dominik at WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With some help from Bad Bunny, Rey Mysterio was victorious in his father vs. son matchup at WrestleMania 39.

Superstar musician Bad Bunny returned to WWE programming as he joined Spanish commentary for Rey and Dominik Mysterio’s match at WrestleMania Saturday. He ended up getting involved when Dominik tried to cheat to win. Dominik went to hit Rey with a chain while the referee’s attention was turned away, but Bad Bunny took the chain away from him. Rey then gave Dominik a 619 and a frog splash to get the win.

The Rey vs. Dominik match also included interference by Judgment Day’s Damian Priest and Finn Balor. Legado del Fantasma, who were gifted Latino World Order shirts by Rey on Friday’s SmackDown, ran out to help even the odds.

Bad Bunny has been announced as the host of WWE’s Backlash pay-per-view in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Saturday, May 6. Bad Bunny’s involvement in Rey vs. Dominik appears like it could lead to Bad Bunny competing in the ring at Backlash.

Bad Bunny made his in-ring debut when he teamed with Priest to defeat The Miz & John Morrison at WrestleMania 37 in 2021. Bad Bunny also appeared as an entrant in the 2022 men’s Royal Rumble match.

Triple H ‘very high’ on Dominik Mysterio and his WWE future

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided an update on how Dominik Mysterio is viewed within WWE.

Meltzer reports that “everyone has been impressed” with Dominik, including WWE’s head of creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Meltzer wrote that Levesque is very high on Dominik and his future in WWE.

Dominik is facing his father Rey Mysterio in a singles match at WrestleMania 39 night one this Saturday (April 1).

Meltzer noted that there are long-term plans for Dominik as a star in WWE.

“Everyone has been impressed with Dominik Mysterio and it’s pretty much universally acknowledged that Rey vs. Dominik is the hottest thing in the company aside from the Bloodline stuff,” Meltzer wrote. “Levesque is very high on Dominik and his future past this angle and there are long-term plans for him as a star.”

Dominik turned heel when he betrayed his father last September. Dominik is currently part of Judgment Day in WWE alongside Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor, and Damian Priest.

Rey vs. Dominik was made official for WrestleMania on SmackDown last Friday. After weeks of refusing to fight his son, Rey finally punched Dominik when Dominik disrespected his mother and sister. 

Vickie Guerrero wishes she was part of Rey Mysterio & Dominik WWE angle

Posted on by Ian Carey

Vickie Guerrero is looking forward to seeing what happens at WrestleMania with Rey and Dominik Mysterio

Guerrero told The Whole Story podcast recently that she only wishes she had a part in the angle. She also said they have her full support. 

Guerrero said: 

My only reaction is that I wish I was part of it! I just think they are having so much fun. Dominik and Rhea have always texted me and we talk back and forth and they’ve always had my support. 

Guerrero said she was amazed at how much Eddie and Dominik looked alike when she saw side-by-side photos of them that Dominik posted to Twitter. 

She continued:

It was remarkable how much they looked alike. I told Dominik, ‘you have this honorary position of having Eddie live in the storyline and you have my support.’ He’s so full of gratitude. And Rey, I love him and Angie.

I wish I was there to see it. They are doing a great job and I’m really happy for them and I want to see what happens at WrestleMania and see what they do with it.

Vickie Guerrero is set to officially leave AEW this July, according to a report from Fightful. She would later write on Twitter that the promotion had requested her to stay home from events. 

@aew requested for me to stay home and I am not at events…I have no doubts that the #viciousvixens @NylaRoseBeast @MarinaShafir will have the fans witness a destructive match against Riho!!

 She also posted a photo of her at an airport in Tampa last month with the caption, “Today a new journey begins…..my life is fulfilled with excitement and new opportunities.”

VIDEO: Dave Meltzer & Bryan Alvarez discuss Rey Mysterio/Dominik angle on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the angle that finally set up Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 39.

On Friday’s SmackDown, Dominik Mysterio berated his mother at ringside after Rey walked away from another confrontation. After Dominik told his mother to shut up, Rey returned to ringside and slapped Dominik, finally accepting Dominik’s challenge for WrestleMania. Both Alvarez and Meltzer thought it was a well done angle.

“It worked out great,” Alvarez said. “I liked the idea of the Hall of Fame angle with Konnan because they’ve never done that at a Hall of Fame before. It would be a first time thing and a perfect scenario to do it.”

Meltzer said this was better because it is likely WWE doesn’t want Konnan to be in a high profile situation, given the complicated political situation between AAA and AEW, with Konnan recently being in a hype video for Vikingo ahead of his match against Kenny Omega on last week’s Dynamite.

“As far as Rey’s motivation for finally giving in, you know, when he’s really mouthing off to mom, that’s the one,” Meltzer said.

Rey Mysterio finally beat up Dominik: Wrestling Observer Radio

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the angle that finally set up Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 39.

On Friday’s SmackDown, Dominik Mysterio berated his mother at ringside after Rey walked away from another confrontation. After Dominik told his mother to shut up, Rey returned to ringside and slapped Dominik, finally accepting Dominik’s challenge for WrestleMania. Both Alvarez and Meltzer thought it was a well done angle.

“It worked out great,” Alvarez said. “I liked the idea of the Hall of Fame angle with Konnan because they’ve never done that at a Hall of Fame before. It would be a first time thing and a perfect scenario to do it.”

Meltzer said this was better because it is likely WWE doesn’t want Konnan to be in a high profile situation, given the complicated political situation between AAA and AEW, with Konnan recently being in a hype video for Vikingo ahead of his match against Kenny Omega on last week’s Dynamite.

“As far as Rey’s motivation for finally giving in, you know, when he’s really mouthing off to mom, that’s the one,” Meltzer said.

WWE SmackDown video highlights: Rey Mysterio punches Dominik

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It will officially be father vs. son at WrestleMania 39.

After repeatedly refusing to face Dominik at WrestleMania, Rey Mysterio finally agreed to the match on SmackDown last night. Dominik disrespecting his mother Angie led to Rey punching Dominik and accepting his WrestleMania challenge.

Angie and Aalyah Mysterio were sitting in the front row as Rey faced LA Knight on SmackDown. During the match, Dominik entered and watched on from ringside. Rey was going for a 619 when Dominik interfered and stopped him. Knight then rolled up Rey to get the victory.

Rey walked away instead of getting into it with Dominik after the match. But Dominik turned his attention to his mother and sister, calling Angie a “deadbeat mom” and calling Aalyah stupid. Angie tried to talk to Dominik, but Dominik told her to shut up. Rey then ran back down and punched Dominik in the face.

“You pushed me. You pushed me to do this. I didn’t want to hit you — you made me hit you,” Rey told Dominik. “You don’t disrespect your mother like that. That’s my wife. You wanted a fight at WrestleMania? You’re on. I’ll see you at WrestleMania, son.”

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

Video package recaps Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s reunion

Cody Rhodes vs. Ludwig Kaiser

Cody Rhodes will face Solo Sikoa on Monday’s Raw

Diamonds are forever — and so is Charlotte Flair

Rey Mysterio vs. LA Knight

Rey Mysterio finally punches Dominik, agrees to WrestleMania match

WrestleMania Showcase qualifying match: Natalya & Shotzi vs. Lacey Evans & Xia Li

Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler confirmed for WrestleMania Showcase match

Contract signing for Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus at WrestleMania

Butch vs. Gunther

The Street Profits run into Braun Strowman & Ricochet

The Usos crash the KO Show with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn

SmackDown fallout: If you get in Drew McIntyre’s way, you get a Claymore

Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio official for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A Father vs. Son match is on for WWE WrestleMania 39. 

After months of refusing to fight his son, Rey Mysterio finally agreed to face Dominik in a match at WrestleMania following an angle on Friday’s WWE SmackDown.

Dominik was ringside for a Rey vs. LA Knight match on SmackDown, tripping Rey and allowing Knight to score an upset victory. After the match, Dominik berated his mother Angie, who was sitting ringside along with Aalyah Mysterio. 

The tipping point for Rey came when Dominik called his mother “a deadbeat” and told her to “shut up.” Rey then struck Dominik and agreed to face him at WrestleMania. 

Rey will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Friday, March 31, the day before night one of WrestleMania.

Here is the announced WrestleMania card to this point:

WWE WrestleMania 39, Saturday, April 1 & Sunday, April 2, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes 
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair defends against Rhea Ripley
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair defends against Asuka
  • United States Championship: Austin Theory defends against John Cena
  • Intercontinental Championship triple threat match: Gunther defends against Drew McIntyre & Sheamus
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: The Usos defend against Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens
  • Hell in a Cell match: Edge vs. Finn Balor
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
  • Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
  • Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)
  • Women’s four-way tag team showcase match: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez vs. Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler vs. Natalya & Shotzi vs. TBD
  • Men’s four-way tag team showcase match: Braun Strowman & Ricochet vs. The Viking Raiders vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy

Mysterio family segment added to this week’s WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The storyline between Rey and Dominik will continue on Friday’s WWE SmackDown with a Mysterio family segment. 

As announced during Monday’s Raw, Rey, Dominik, Angie, and Aalyah Mysterio will be live on Friday’s SmackDown in Las Vegas as Dominik continues his storyline push for a WrestleMania 39 match against Rey. 

Dominik Mysterio defeated Johnny Gargano in singles action on Monday’s Raw, then announced that he had found a path to a WrestleMania match against Rey, and will ask his mother for permission for the match on SmackDown. 

Rey has repeatedly refused to fight his son at WrestleMania, but the match continues to be heavily teased on WWE programming. It was announced during last week’s SmackDown that Rey will take on LA Knight in singles competition on this week’s episode. 

Rey Mysterio will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Friday, March 31. 

Here is the updated lineup for Friday’s SmackDown: 

  • Cody Rhodes vs. Ludwig Kaiser
  • Rey Mysterio vs. LA Knight
  • Mysterio family segment

We’re Live, Pal: Rey vs. Dominik, new AEW show, Bellas no more

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

It’s a brand new We’re Live, Pal! as Andrew Zarian and I talk the latest wrestling news, joined this week by Mike Gilbert, host of the podcast Brace for Impact. 

We opened talking about the news Andrew broke concerning a possible new AEW TV show on one of the Warner Bros. Discovery networks. Andrew also talked about going to Sunday’s WWE house show at Madison Square Garden.

Then, we looked at two of the current WWE storylines with a direct road to WrestleMania; Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio, and Edge vs. Finn Balor in Hell in a Cell. 

Finally, we took a look at the latest news that Brie and Nikki are no longer calling themselves Bellas. 

You can watch the show above or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts in addition to the link below.

Click Here To Listen for free 

Dominik Mysterio challenges Rey Mysterio for WWE WrestleMania 39

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dominik Mysterio has officially issued a challenge to his father for WrestleMania 39.

On Monday’s Raw, Rey came out to talk about the announcement of his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame last Friday. But just like last Friday, his son Dominik came out to confront him. Dominik said that Rey was never there for him while growing up and issued the challenge for WrestleMania. Rey reiterated that he would never fight him and exited the ring as Dominik continued to taunt him.

The feud between the Mysterios dates back to last September, when Dominik turned on his father to join The Judgment Day. Rey became distraught by Dominik’s betrayal and refused to fight him, going as far as to switch to the SmackDown brand to avoid him. Despite the move, in recent weeks Dominik has continued to provoke and even assault his father.

The Mysterio family were also part of several holiday vignettes in which Dominik attacked his father during Thanksgiving, almost assaulted his mother before being arrested on Christmas Eve, and ruined a dinner date between Rey and his wife on Valentine’s Day.