Calls are growing for WWE to reinstate an old championship rule after Dominik Mysterio, the current Intercontinental Champion, suffered a real injury, causing sudden changes in the title picture. The Dominik Mysterio WWE injury title rule debate has intensified following confirmation that Mysterio’s rib injury forced him out of his scheduled match and left his championship status in limbo.
Champion’s Injury Prompts Questions About Title Management
Dominik Mysterio, considered one of WWE’s promising young talents, was set to defend his Intercontinental Title against AJ Styles at Night of Champions. However, news emerged on Monday Night RAW that Mysterio would not compete due to an injury. Initially, speculation suggested the incident could be a scripted twist, with some fans accusing The Judgment Day member of avoiding a defense, but reports verified the injury was legitimate and involved his ribs. The situation has sparked debate about whether WWE should reintroduce its former strict title defense policy.
Bill Apter Advocates for Reinstituting the 30-Day Defense Rule
Legendary wrestling journalist Bill Apter has weighed in on the situation. On the Wrestling Time Machine podcast, Apter explained that Dominik Mysterio might miss action for an extended period, and argued WWE should revert to the long-standing but now-overlooked rule requiring champions to defend their titles within 30 days. Apter noted that WWE has not enforced this rule in recent years, allowing several champions to retain their titles for extended periods without regular defenses. One recent example is IYO SKY, who won the WWE Women’s World Title at WrestleMania 41 in April but has yet to defend it since capturing the championship.
“Well, from what I understand, he’s gonna be out for a while. I’m not quite sure what the injury is yet, but he is injured. You know what I miss. When a champion gets injured, I miss the old ruling, which I wish they’d bring back. If you can’t defend the title within 30 days, you’re stripped of the title. They need to bring that back. There are champions that don’t defend their title for like two PLEs, and they still have the belt. It’s not fair. Change that.”
— Bill Apter, Wrestling Journalist
Awaiting Updates on Mysterio’s Return and WWE’s Response
With Dominik Mysterio sidelined, attention now turns to how WWE will handle his championship status and whether it will heed calls from industry veterans like Bill Apter. The promotion’s approach could impact future title defenses and the expectations for champions during injury absences. The company faces mounting scrutiny over their management of championship belts, especially with high-profile events like Night of Champions and WrestleMania 41 highlighting gaps in the current system. Fans and observers alike await news on Mysterio’s recovery and whether his next challenger will be decided by a reinstated rule or under the current more relaxed policy. As the debate over the Dominik Mysterio WWE injury title rule continues, the decision could set a precedent affecting top stars and titleholders across all divisions.
