Dominik Mysterio Set to Defend His IC Title at SummerSlam Against Former WWE Champion

In his first title defense since the Money in the Bank PLE, Dominik Mysterio will face a stern test against a former world champion in AJ Styles.

Dominik Mysterio Set to Defend His IC Title at SummerSlam Against Former WWE Champion

Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles [via- WWE]

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Having last wrestled on the June 9th edition of Raw, Dominik Mysterio‘s next match has finally been made official. He’ll defend his Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles at SummerSlam. It’s been months in the making. They were initially set to collide at Night of Champions in Riyadh on June 28. However, ‘Dirty Dom’ pulled out of his title defense, citing medical hindrance.

It was later revealed that Mysterio was dealing with partially damaged ribs that prevented any in-ring activity for the 28-year-old. On this week’s Raw, ‘Dom’ got chased like a rat by Styles in every part of the arena. At first, ‘The Phenomenal One’ appeared as Mysterio’s valet. The reigning IC Champion got surprised and kept yelling that he was yet to be cleared by the doctors.

Mysterio later encountered Styles backstage, with the latter acting as a janitor for the night. The former WWE Champion eventually laid his hands on a fallen Mysterio, who’d been flattened by an inadvertent big boot from Raquel Rodriguez at ringside.

It took a while for some medical aid to arrive for Rey Mysterio‘s son. Styles, disguised as a WWE medical personnel, attended to Mysterio and hilariously gave him CPR before the San Diego native ran away.

‘The Georgia Pitbull’ was shown standing beside Raw GM Adam Pearce as they were awaiting a medical confirmation on Mysterio’s physical status. The doctor asked for some more time to get through the paperwork. However, just then, Liv Morgan’s boyfriend clubbed Styles from behind. Mysterio announced that he was finally good to go and would see ‘Mr. TNA‘ at SummerSlam.

Why has this feud between Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles stood out?

The recent weeks of WWE television have been highlighted by some hilarious exchanges between AJ Styles and Dominik Mysterio. The comedic aspect of their ongoing feud is something that the fans are highly appreciative of. Yesterday, a social media banter featuring them got the netizens rolling. The Judgment Day member accused his foe of harassing him through DMs.

Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles
Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles [via- WWE]

Mysterio posted a screenshot of the same on Instagram, where one could see Styles telling the champ that he’d beat him up soon. ‘The Face that Runs the Place’ had sent a childhood picture of Mysterio with the aforementioned warning attached to it. Rhea Ripley‘s on-screen ex even called for an FBI investigation into the matter.

Even though it has been quite the wait for Styles to squeeze a title match out of Mysterio, he’s finally made it. And now, with the task at hand, the veteran wrestler would want to turn the fortunes in his favor. The Gainesville-born Styles has been on a lean patch for an extended period. One will have to turn the clock back to 2020 to point out his previous singles title reign. SummerSlam could be the beginning of a fresh chapter for the ex-NJPW wrestler, who has vowed to retire before turning 50.

Dominik Mysterio’s IC title high at WrestleMania was a turning point in his career

Dominik Mysterio has arguably been WWE’s greatest success story in recent years. After gaining enough traction around his gimmick through Judgment Day, it was high time for ‘Dom’ to put some gold around his waist. That wait ended at this year’s WrestleMania in a Fatal 4-Way match for the Intercontinental Championship.

Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania
WrestleMania 41 was held in Las Vegas [via- WWE]

He was in a match with Bron Breakker, Penta, and his own stablemate Finn Balor. And guess what? Mysterio ultimately pinned Balor to become the new IC Champion. As soon as he did it, the Allegiant Stadium erupted in cheers. In a later admission, the self-professed GOAT luchador asserted that he shoved the title belt right into his mother’s face afterwards.

Last month, when WWE was in Phoenix for a taping of Raw, Mysterio visited Eddie Guerrero‘s grave and bestowed the IC title belt upon his resting place. It was his first instance of going there all by himself. Guerrero was extremely close to the entire Mysterio household before unfortunately passing away in November 2005.

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