Dominik Mysterio successfully defended his Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles at WWE SummerSlam by using a clever strategy during their match. This bout followed a postponed showdown originally scheduled for Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was canceled due to Mysterio’s rib injury.
Background and Build-Up to the Championship Match
The highly anticipated Intercontinental title match between Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles was initially set for Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia but was called off when Mysterio sustained a rib injury. In the weeks that followed, AJ Styles persistently demanded his title opportunity. However, Mysterio continued to avoid direct confrontation, citing a doctor’s note to declare himself unfit for competition. This tactic delayed the match and added tension to their feud.
RAW General Manager Adam Pearce eventually intervened by requiring Mysterio to undergo a medical examination. The results confirmed that Mysterio was indeed fit to defend his championship. This development set the stage for their showdown at SummerSlam, known as
“The Biggest Party of the Summer.”
Details of the SummerSlam Championship Showdown
At SummerSlam, both Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles delivered an intense and strategic match that included moves inspired by wrestling legend Eddie Guerrero. The climax came when Mysterio created an opening by loosening his boot, which disrupted Styles’ attempt to execute the calf crusher submission hold. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Mysterio struck Styles with his boot to incapacitate him, followed by a decisive frog splash to secure the pinfall victory and retain the Intercontinental Championship.
Dominik Mysterio’s Upcoming Challenge in Mexico City
Following his SummerSlam victory, Dominik Mysterio made a surprising appearance in Lucha Libre AAA, attacking top stars Hijo Del Vikingo and Dragon Lee, with El Grande Americano also becoming involved in the confrontation. This led to the announcement of a four-way match for the AAA Mega Championship scheduled for Triplemania XXXIII on August 16 in Mexico City, featuring all four competitors.
Reports from wrestling news site WrestleVotes suggest WWE is contemplating awarding the AAA Mega Championship to Mysterio, which would mark an important step in his career outside WWE’s standard programming.
Additional WWE Storylines and Developments
Other notable updates from WWE events include Charlotte Flair’s concerns about missing SummerSlam after her WrestleMania loss, with Alexa Bliss playing a key role in stabilizing her position. Meanwhile, rumors swirl around The Rock’s potential return to WWE SummerSlam for a significant appearance following a lengthy absence from the company’s creative processes.
Karrion Kross addressed the speculation surrounding his intense post-WrestleMania promo, clarifying whether the emotions he displayed were genuine or scripted. In another storyline, Triple H faces challenges in managing talent across WWE brands, raising questions about his confidence in some of the roster’s biggest stars.
Seth Rollins, who clinched the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract, has drawn playful remarks from Becky Lynch as he celebrates his achievement. Additionally, CM Punk experienced an emotional moment following his first world title win in over a decade. A promising new WWE superstar also earned their first televised victory on SmackDown, highlighting the ongoing evolution of the roster.
Finally, Triple H publicly commented on Seth Rollins’ cash-in move, making a significant statement about WWE’s current direction and talent strategy under his leadership.
Implications of Mysterio’s Victory and Future Prospects
Dominik Mysterio’s retention of the Intercontinental Championship at WWE SummerSlam demonstrates his growing status as a cunning and versatile competitor within WWE’s ranks. His willingness to cross-promote with AAA and potentially capture their prestigious Mega Championship signals an expansion of his influence in the global wrestling scene. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if WWE confirms these title plans, which could further elevate Mysterio’s career trajectory.
This match also reaffirms AJ Styles’ position as a formidable challenger, whose pursuit of championship gold remains steadfast despite recent setbacks. Continued storylines involving both superstars are likely to shape WWE programming in the coming months, with SummerSlam serving as a pivotal moment in their ongoing rivalry.
