With WrestleMania 42 approaching and both WWE and AEW ramping up their stories, speculation about Dominik Mysterio’s in-ring comeback has intensified. The Intercontinental Champion has been sidelined since December 20, unable to defend his title since winning it against John Cena at Survivor Series, but there are indications his return might be imminent.
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, WWE remains hopeful that Mysterio will soon be cleared to compete again. Mysterio made a television appearance the night after the Royal Rumble, celebrating Liv Morgan’s victory alongside her, and had a brief physical moment when Stephanie Vaquer slapped him, signaling his continuing presence in storylines.
As one of WWE’s most popular performers, Mysterio remains a valuable character even without active wrestling. Given Finn Balor’s current storyline trajectory and his reportedly worsening relationship with Mysterio, WWE appears to be setting up a potential WrestleMania showdown between the two. However, Mysterio’s return to the ring depends entirely on his medical clearance and readiness to compete.
Speculation Surrounding David Finlay’s Possible WWE Signing
The wrestling world is also buzzing about the possibility of David Finlay signing with WWE. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and son of Fit Finlay has attracted recent attention within WWE circles, especially with his brother Uriah Connors gaining more spotlight on NXT. Sources suggest WWE may be preparing to bring David Finlay aboard.
That said, competing reports from Self Made indicate there is an
“extremely high chance”
that Finlay will instead join AEW while maintaining a presence in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Regardless of the destination, Finlay seems poised to make a significant leap to one of the top global promotions, marking a milestone for the second-generation wrestler who has honed his skills in Japan.
Current Status of Samoa Joe’s Injury
AEW Dynamite’s January 28 broadcast hinted at a non-contact injury to Samoa Joe, raising questions about his availability. Further updates from Sean Ross Sapp report that Joe has been placed in concussion protocol, though the severity and anticipated recovery timeline remain uncertain.
Prior to the injury, Samoa Joe was a key figure in AEW’s world title storyline. With him sidelined, Hook has stepped up as the leader of The Opps faction. Joe’s return will be highly anticipated given his recent championship run, which saw him climb back to the top of AEW’s card after defeating MJF for the title several years ago.
The hope within AEW is that Joe recovers fully and resumes the momentum he had before being forced out, reaffirming his status as a top-tier competitor.
Insights on WWE and AEW’s Current Trajectories
The ongoing developments with wrestlers such as Dominik Mysterio, David Finlay, and Samoa Joe highlight the dynamic wrestling landscape ahead of major events like WrestleMania 42 and AEW Revolution. WWE appears to be focusing on long-term character arcs while AEW juggles injury-related setbacks among its stars.
These shifts could influence storytelling directions, fan engagement, and the competitive atmosphere between the two promotions as they strive to feature their top talents in the months to come.
