On August 31, 2020, at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, Dominik Mysterio unexpectedly replaced his injured father, Rey Mysterio, in a crucial WWE qualifier match on WWE Raw’s broadcast. This moment was part of a series of matches determining the next contender for the WWE Championship at the upcoming Clash of Champions event. Dominik’s involvement marked a rare opportunity for the young wrestler, positioning him in a high-stakes scenario while presenting intense personal drama within the WWE storyline.
Setting the Stage: The Path to Clash of Champions
The event began with a tribute to the late Bullet Bob Armstrong, setting a somber tone amid the high-energy environment of the WWE ThunderDome, a virtual fan experience due to pandemic restrictions. Announcers Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe introduced the evening’s agenda, which included three singles matches to qualify for a triple threat bout. The winner of this triple threat would then earn a chance to challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Title at Clash of Champions.
The qualifiers were Keith Lee vs. Dolph Ziggler, Dominik Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins, and Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton. Dominik’s substitution for Rey added personal tension to his match against Rollins, further amplified by the ongoing rivalry between Rey and Rollins.
Randy Orton’s Vengeful Entry and Feud with Drew McIntyre
Randy Orton opened the night with a menacing promo, expressing bitterness over how Drew McIntyre offered him a WWE Championship rematch out of what Orton perceived as pity. Orton declared that he disrespected the gesture by violently attacking McIntyre, leaving him with a fractured jaw. Throughout the segment, Orton recounted his recent assaults on several wrestling legends, underscoring his ruthless mindset as he aimed to reclaim title contention.
Orton mocked McIntyre’s injuries and questioned whether McIntyre would be fit enough to compete at the Clash of Champions event. He challenged the legitimacy of having to fight multiple matches to earn a rematch he felt he deserved by right. This set the tone for Orton’s qualifier match that would ultimately secure his spot at the triple threat faceoff.
Keith Lee vs. Dolph Ziggler: Determined Efforts in the First Qualifier
Keith Lee faced Dolph Ziggler in the opening qualifier. Lee showed dominance early, using powerful strikes and athletic maneuvers, including a devastating Spirit Bomb to claim victory after about ten minutes of physical combat. Ziggler, using his experience, managed to counter several attacks and applied tactical holds like a sleeper to slow Lee down, but Lee’s strength and endurance proved overwhelming.
Lee’s win put him into the upcoming triple threat match for the WWE Title shot, marking a significant accomplishment in his burgeoning career. His performance, while showing some timing issues and nervousness, suggested that he is a rising star being groomed for top-tier competition within WWE.
Women’s Tag Team Titles Discussion and Backstage Tensions
Before the next qualifier, the newly crowned Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax were interviewed backstage. They revealed how they overcame their personal differences to secure their titles, with each crediting herself for the win through their distinct leadership approaches. The segment escalated when Asuka interrupted, leading to a confrontation that resulted in a brawl involving Mickie James, Natalya, and Lana.
This explosive moment underscored tensions within the women’s division, hinting at ongoing rivalries that promise to shape future WWE programming.
Kevin Owens and Randy Orton’s Quick and Controversial Confrontation
The second qualifier featured Kevin Owens versus Randy Orton, but the match barely began before Aleister Black attacked Owens with a Black Mass, incapacitating him. Despite Owens’ insistence, the referee reluctantly allowed the match to start. Orton took advantage of Owens’ incapacitated state and quickly delivered an RKO, earning a swift victory in approximately 15 seconds.
This encounter advanced Orton to the triple threat while deepening the feud between Owens and Black, the reasons for which were teased but not yet fully explained, setting up future conflict arcs.
Backstage Focus: The Mysterio Family and the Emotional Stakes for Dominik
Backstage, an interview with Rey Mysterio, a visibly nervous Dominik, and Rey’s wife highlighted the emotional gravity of Dominik replacing his father. Rey emphasized the importance of settling his score with Seth Rollins, while Dominik expressed that defeating Seth would be meaningful for both him and the family’s legacy. Dominik conveyed confidence stemming from his recent victories and vowed to deliver a signature 619 move on his adversary.
Additional Mid-Card Highlights and Storyline Developments
Various segments throughout the show included a VIP Lounge featuring U.S. Champion Bobby Lashley and MVP celebrating Lashley’s title win, a six-man tag team match between Cedric Alexander and the Viking Raiders against MVP, Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin, and the introduction of new narratives around the Raw Underground arena with talents like Titus O’Neal and Jessamyn Duke.
The six-man tag saw Cedric and the Viking Raiders overcome MVP’s faction despite brutal tactics, reinforcing ongoing rivalries. The Raw Underground segment underlined the unpredictability and physical intensity promised for this unique setting.
Tag Team Turmoil: IIconics’ Breakup and Riott Squad’s Triumph
The IIconics (Peyton Royce and Billie Kay) faced the Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan) in a high-stakes match where the winning team would earn a women’s tag team title shot, and the losing team would be banned from teaming together in the future. After a hard-fought match, the Riott Squad secured the win, leading to an emotional breakup for the IIconics, who pleaded unsuccessfully to reverse the referee’s decision.
“That did not just happen, Tom!” – Joe, Announcer
The split raised questions about future directions for both Royce and Kay as singles competitors, highlighting the emotional consequences of the rivalry’s evolution.
Seth Rollins vs. Dominik Mysterio: Intense Qualifier Filled with High Drama
The highly anticipated match between Seth Rollins and Dominik Mysterio unfolded with great intensity and personal stakes. Dominik started strong with athletic maneuvers such as a dropkick and a springboard armdrag, and even landed a 619 and a frog splash. Despite Dominik’s impressive display and clear determination, Rollins ultimately secured the win after executing a running stomp, leaving Dominik injured on the mat.
“so get the hell out of my ring.” – Seth Rollins, Wrestler
“What side of history do you want to be on?” – Seth Rollins, Wrestler
Backstage, Dominik’s family showed visible concern as the struggle unfolded. The outcome reinforced Rollins’ position as a top contender while positioning Dominik as a credible, hardworking underdog gaining momentum in WWE.
Tag Team Tornado Rules Match Ends in Chaos
The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) took on Angel Garza and Andrade in a tornado tag match marked by fast action and external interference. As the match progressed, the dark faction Retribution interrupted, attacking both teams and causing the match to end in a no contest. The faction’s ongoing disruptions added tension and disorder to the competitive scene.
Raw Underground Matches and Increasing Hostility Among Competitors
In the Raw Underground arena, fresh fights escalated tensions among wrestlers. Jessamyn Duke secured a decisive win while the ongoing struggles of Royce and Kay were palpable. The segment continued to showcase this underground battleground as a space for unpredictable and intense combat, although its long-term role in WWE programming remained uncertain.
Climactic Triple Threat Match Determines Title Challenger
The show’s climax featured a triple threat match between Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, and Keith Lee, with the winner earning a WWE Title opportunity against Drew McIntyre at Clash of Champions. The bout was a highly physical and strategic contest moving through cooperation and rivalry.
Orton paced his effort carefully, initially distancing himself, while Rollins and Lee exchanged fierce blows. The action took the competitors to the outside, with signature high-impact moves including Lee’s aerial attacks and Orton’s cunning use of ring environment. Ultimately, Orton capitalized on a well-timed RKO to pin Rollins and claim victory after 13 minutes.
This outcome set up Orton’s championship rematch against McIntyre, continuing their heated rivalry and leaving Keith Lee positioned as a future star in WWE’s upper echelon.
Event Summary and Future Implications for WWE’s Storylines
This WWE Raw episode delivered several pivotal moments, highlighted by Dominik Mysterio’s unexpected entry into the championship qualification matches and Randy Orton’s triumph securing a rematch with Drew McIntyre. The night blended intense athletic displays with ongoing narrative developments, including factional warfare with Retribution, the emotional fallout of tag team splits, and the rise of new contenders aiming to etch their names in WWE history.
With Orton’s victory, the path to the Clash of Champions pay-per-view is framed around personal rivalries and potential redemption arcs, setting the stage for dramatic encounters. Meanwhile, Dominik’s performance, although ending in defeat, marks an important chapter in his wrestling journey as WWE builds toward his evolving role within the company.
