Dominik Mysterio has held the Intercontinental Title since SummerSlam, but his future as champion is uncertain as he has yet to defend the belt in a major match. The Judgment Day member is sidelined due to an injury, which has delayed a long-anticipated showdown with AJ Styles, the Phenomenal One who has been seeking his title shot over recent weeks.
Injury Delays Title Defense Amid Conflicting Appearances
Reports indicate that Dominik Mysterio’s injury is the main reason WWE has postponed his match against AJ Styles. However, it remains unclear whether the injury is genuine or part of a storyline to build anticipation until the Biggest Party of the Summer event. Despite the supposed injury keeping him out of his title defense, Mysterio has been active enough to interfere in other matches involving his faction, the Judgment Day, assisting them during their confrontations.
This contradiction has drawn the attention of WWE official Adam Pearce, who confronted Mysterio and announced a mandatory re-evaluation on the upcoming Monday Night Raw episode. Pearce confirmed that if Mysterio is medically cleared, he will be required to defend the Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles at the historic edition of SummerSlam.
Potential Consequences If Mysterio Avoids Re-evaluation
Dominik could attempt to evade the scheduled medical assessment to delay confirmation of his fitness, which might frustrate WWE management. Should Mysterio fail to attend his re-evaluation, Adam Pearce has the authority to strip him of the Intercontinental Title. In such a scenario, WWE might announce a tournament to crown a new champion, adding further drama to the ongoing rivalry. This development would not only affect Mysterio’s standing but could also intensify the storyline surrounding the Intercontinental Championship heading into SummerSlam.
AJ Styles Offers Admiration and Looks Toward the Future
AJ Styles recently spoke on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, reflecting on his career and potential retirement while praising Dominik Mysterio’s rise within WWE. Styles commended Mysterio for becoming one of the top heels in the company, recognizing his ability to generate strong crowd reactions and improve over time. This respect between competitors adds depth to the anticipation of their impending clash.
“Oh man, Dominik Mysterio, so freaking good. To see where he was to see where he is now, easily in my opinion, top heel. Like you can’t get heat like he can. But to see where he was when he first came in, that’s freaking cool. I like seeing that. That’s what I’m gonna miss when it’s over, right? Just seeing people do really well and find a way to get to the top,” he said. —AJ Styles
Looking Ahead to SummerSlam and WWE’s Next Moves
The WWE Universe has eagerly awaited a match between Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles, and current events suggest it may finally happen at SummerSlam if Mysterio passes his medical examination. This match holds significance not only for the Intercontinental Championship but also for the legacies of both wrestlers. Whether through a dramatic return or a forced vacancy, the resolution of this storyline will likely have lasting impact on WWE’s mid-card scene heading into their biggest summer event.
