The world of professional wrestling thrives on unpredictability, and this week, fans were dealt another curveball as Dominik Mysterio, reigning AAA Mega Champion and one of WWE’s most polarizing figures, was sidelined due to injury. Mysterio’s absence from the March 16, 2026 edition of WWE Raw in San Antonio, Texas, has sent shockwaves through ongoing storylines and raised pressing questions about his WrestleMania 42 prospects.
Dominik Mysterio, affectionately known to fans as “Dirty Dom,” was originally slated to compete in a singles match against Dragon Lee on Raw. However, as the show kicked off, WWE commentator Michael Cole announced that Mysterio was not medically cleared to compete. The scheduled bout was hastily reworked, with Dragon Lee instead challenging Penta for the Men’s Intercontinental Championship. This abrupt change left many fans and analysts speculating about the severity of Mysterio’s condition and its implications for the coming weeks.
The roots of Mysterio’s current predicament trace back to the AAA Rey de Reyes event held on March 14, 2026, in Puebla, Mexico. There, Mysterio defended his AAA Mega Championship in a brutal No Disqualification match against El Hijo del Vikingo. The contest was a wild affair, featuring a barrage of weapons—kendo sticks, steel chairs, and even a garbage can—as well as interference from various outside parties. The match spilled out of the ring and into the crowd, with both competitors pushing the boundaries of endurance and spectacle.
The pivotal moment came when Vikingo hurled a steel chair at Mysterio, catching him squarely on the head and opening up a significant gash. Despite being visibly bloodied, Mysterio fought on. In a display of grit that’s become his trademark, he executed his signature 619, followed by a frog splash, to pin Vikingo and retain the title. After the match, Mysterio posted a photo of his wound on social media, accompanied by the caption “#AndStill,” signaling his continued reign atop AAA’s singles division.
The stakes for the match were sky-high. Had Mysterio lost, he would have faced a permanent ban from AAA. Instead, with his victory, a key stipulation kicked in: El Hijo del Vikingo is now barred from challenging for the AAA Mega Championship as long as Mysterio holds the belt. The aftermath, however, was bittersweet. The chair shot left Mysterio with not only a nasty cut but also landed him in WWE’s concussion protocol, as reported by Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer. Alvarez noted, “Dom vs. Dragon Lee was scheduled for Raw but it appears Dom is in concussion protocol.”
The company’s decision to pull Mysterio from Raw was made out of an abundance of caution. While being placed in concussion protocol doesn’t necessarily confirm a concussion, it does indicate that Mysterio is experiencing symptoms consistent with head trauma. WWE, like many major sports organizations, has adopted stricter guidelines in recent years regarding head injuries, prioritizing the long-term health of its performers.
This isn’t the first time injury has disrupted Mysterio’s momentum. Just months ago, he missed the end of December 2025 and all of January 2026 due to a shoulder problem. Fortunately, he avoided surgery, but the setback kept him out of action during a critical stretch of the WWE calendar. Mysterio returned to the ring last month, only to lose the Intercontinental Championship to Penta—a result influenced by Finn Balor, who intervened to prevent Mysterio from employing his usual underhanded tactics.
The timing of Mysterio’s current injury couldn’t be worse. WrestleMania 42, the grandest stage in sports entertainment, is less than five weeks away. Scheduled for April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the event is already the subject of fevered speculation. Mysterio has been openly campaigning for a high-stakes hair vs. mask Intercontinental Championship rematch against Penta. At the same time, reports suggest WWE has also been building toward a grudge match between Mysterio and Finn Balor, stemming from recent Judgment Day drama.
Mysterio’s absence from Raw had immediate ramifications for ongoing storylines. The Judgment Day, a dominant faction in WWE, had been expected to address their recent betrayal of Finn Balor. With Mysterio sidelined, Liv Morgan stepped into the spotlight via a video promo. Morgan, the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble winner, didn’t pull any punches. She claimed credit for orchestrating Balor’s ouster from the group, saying, “It was my goal from the very first day I joined The Judgment Day.” Morgan went on to assert that The Judgment Day was stronger than ever without Balor, adding fuel to an already intense rivalry.
Later in the evening, Morgan accompanied Raquel Rodriguez to the ring for her match against Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, keeping the group’s presence felt despite Mysterio’s absence. The creative pivot showcased WWE’s ability to adapt on the fly, but there’s no denying that Mysterio’s injury has left a void in the programming.
As for Mysterio’s future, uncertainty looms large. As of this writing, there is no clear timetable for his return to in-ring action. Concussion protocols vary in duration, depending on the severity of symptoms and the athlete’s recovery progress. WWE has not provided an official update, and Mysterio himself has remained largely silent beyond his post-match social media post. The only certainty is that the company is taking every precaution to ensure his well-being.
With WrestleMania 42 fast approaching, the big question is whether Mysterio will be cleared in time to participate in one of the event’s marquee matches. Fans are eager to see if the anticipated hair vs. mask showdown with Penta—or the long-brewing clash with Finn Balor—will come to fruition. For now, all eyes remain on Mysterio’s recovery and the evolving landscape of WWE’s top storylines.
One thing’s for sure: Dominik Mysterio’s resilience is not in doubt. He’s weathered setbacks before, returning stronger each time. If history is any guide, the WWE Universe can expect another dramatic chapter in the saga of Dirty Dom—just as soon as he’s cleared to step back between the ropes. Until then, the wrestling world waits, watches, and wonders what’s next for one of its most compelling stars.