The wrestling world buzzed with excitement as WWE Superstar Dominik Mysterio took to the squared circle at WrestleMania 39, facing none other than his father, the iconic Rey Mysterio. The match, filled with tension and drama, not only showcased the intense dynamics within the Mysterio family but also raised eyebrows due to Dominik’s apparent defiance of pre-match instructions.
During a recent episode of the podcast No-Contest Wrestling, Dominik recalled the peculiar circumstances leading up to his match against Rey. He revealed being pulled aside prior to the bout and receiving strict orders to stay away from his family, who were seated ringside. Dominik recounted, "At WrestleMania 39, I was pulled aside by, I won’t specify who, and they said, ‘Don’t do anything to your family up front. If there is something there, don’t touch it. Stay away.’ I was like, ‘Alright.’ I asked them, ‘How serious are we about me staying away? My mother did try and slap me a couple of times.’ I pushed the buttons a little bit."
These instructions seemed to be aimed at preventing any emotional outbursts within the high-stakes environment of one of WWE's premier events. Yet, what unfolded during the match told another story. A dramatic moment occurred when Dominik was seen throwing water on his sister, Aalyah Mysterio, who was watching the showdown closely. He recounted how Aalyah was holding a cup right in front of him, leading to his impulsive decision to splash her. "I looked at it and I realized there wasn’t too much in there. I figured, ‘Let’s just throw it in her face. It’s not like she is going to hop over (the rail),’ and if for whatever reason she hop over and put her hands on me, that's assault. I would have hit her back. Or security would have tackled her," Dominik shared.
This not only showcased Dominik’s playful yet rebellious nature but also emphasized his ability to blur the lines between reality and kayfabe, igniting the crowd and enhancing his burgeoning heel persona. Fans had witnessed the evolution of Dominik since his betrayal of his father and Edge at Clash at the Castle 2022, and his actions at WrestleMania 39 seemed to deepen his sinister persona as 'Dirty Dom'.
The match itself concluded with Rey Mysterio defeating Dominik, but it was Dominik’s antics with his family, particularly his sister, which became the focal point of discussion. Dominik’s recent performance at WrestleMania is indicative of his character's growth as he navigates his role within WWE, managing to maintain the fine line between scripted entertainment and genuine family dynamics.
Aside from the match’s familial tensions, Dominik also reflected on his unique entrance at WrestleMania 39. Known for taking bold steps, he entered the venue secured handcuffed inside a police van, symbolizing his character's story arc following his 'arrest' last December after he and Rhea Ripley invaded Rey's home. Initially, Dominik was disappointed with this unconventional entry. “I was bummed out because I was like man, I wish I could have done the big ramp, big Mania entrance,” he recalled.
With time and reflection, though, he recognized the special nature of such an entrance. "But then like the more I sat and thought about it, I was like man, no f***that, this is special. I have a special entrance for myself. Everyone goes down the ramp, but not everyone has a memorable entrance. On my second WrestleMania, to have my own entrance with the paddy wagon, the whole video package, honestly it was a huge blessing... I really feel like this entrance is gonna live forever." This level of introspection about his character's presentation highlights Dominik's growing maturity as he steps beyond the shadow of his legendary father.
The aftermath of WrestleMania 39 found Dominik reflecting on his continuing struggle for momentum within the WWE universe. Despite suffering losses, he expressed hopes for his career. After teaming with Santos Escobar at WrestleMania XL, where they faced Rey and Andrade, Dominik noted, "I’m 0-3 at Mania, which is crazy. I’m going to be the opposite of The Undertaker." His earnest ambition to find success, albeit with contrasting records, suggests his commitment to his craft as he navigates the storied path carved out by his father.
With three consecutive losses at WrestleMania, Dominik Mysterio is becoming quite the entertaining figure, drawing fans' attention with his heelish antics and complex storylines. His ability to intertwine real family drama with sports entertainment is undoubtedly captivating, ensuring audiences will keep counting down the days until WrestleMania returns again.
