Professional wrestling thrives on drama, controversy, and shocking twists—and few WWE superstars embody that more right now than Dominic Mysterio. The reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion once again walked away with his gold intact after facing the powerhouse Rusev on Monday Night RAW. However, his victory was anything but clean.
With his back against the wall and seemingly no chance of surviving a fair fight, Dominic Mysterio resorted to underhanded tactics inspired by the late, great Eddie Guerrero. Low blows, steel belts, and referee distractions were all part of his arsenal as he somehow managed to escape defeat and extend his title reign to 162 days and counting.
Rusev Dominates Early in the Match
From the opening bell, it was clear that Rusev had the upper hand. Known as “The Bulgarian Brute,” Rusev brought his trademark strength, intensity, and technical ability to the contest. Dominic Mysterio, despite being the defending champion, struggled to keep pace.
Rusev controlled much of the match with punishing strikes, power slams, and relentless offense. On several occasions, it looked like he could end the match at will. Fans in attendance and those watching around the world had little doubt that if the bout had remained fair, Rusev would have captured the Intercontinental Championship with ease.
But Dominic Mysterio is not known for playing fair.
Dominic Mysterio’s First Attempt at Eddie Guerrero’s Tactics
In a desperate effort to turn the tide, Dominic Mysterio attempted one of Eddie Guerrero’s classic tricks. Grabbing the championship belt, he smashed Rusev with it, then quickly tossed the belt toward his opponent and collapsed to the mat. The idea was simple: trick the referee into thinking Rusev had used the belt as a weapon.
This move, famously dubbed the “Eddie spot,” was perfected by Guerrero during his career, allowing him to steal countless victories. But this time, the referee saw through Dominic’s trickery and refused to be fooled. The crowd roared with disapproval as Mysterio’s plan backfired, leaving him momentarily exposed.
Even though the referee stopped the trick from working, the attempt itself showed just how far Dominic was willing to go.
The Turning Point: Dominic Mysterio’s Low Blow
The match took a dramatic turn when Rusev locked in the Accolade, his devastating submission hold that has made even top-tier superstars like Sheamus tap out. At that moment, it looked as if Dominic’s reign was finally over.
But instead of fighting fairly, Dominic Mysterio escaped by going low—literally. With the referee’s view obstructed, Dominic delivered a low blow to Rusev, dropping the powerhouse to his knees. It was a move straight from Eddie Guerrero’s playbook and one that drew immediate boos from the WWE Universe.
The referee, distracted just long enough, missed the illegal strike. Dominic seized the moment, rolling Rusev into a quick pin and stealing the victory.
Once again, Dominic Mysterio retained his Intercontinental Championship—not through skill or power, but through cunning and deception.
Rusev’s Frustration and the WWE Universe’s Reaction
For much of the match, Rusev dominated with ease, throwing Dominic around the ring like a rag doll. His power was undeniable, and fans expected him to walk out with the gold. But the shocking ending left both Rusev and the WWE Universe frustrated.
While some fans respect Dominic’s ability to “find a way,” most were quick to voice their disapproval. The crowd erupted in boos as Dominic clutched his championship and escaped up the ramp, smirking at his own cleverness.
It was a classic heel performance—cheating his way to victory, enraging the fans, and keeping his reign alive.
A Growing Rift in The Judgment Day?
Adding another layer of intrigue was the role—or lack thereof—of The Judgment Day. Dominic Mysterio has relied heavily on the support of Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and JD McDonagh throughout his title reign. Whether interfering directly in matches or providing moral support, The Judgment Day has been instrumental in keeping Dominic on top.
This week, however, things were different. While Finn Balor and JD McDonagh escorted Dominic to the ring, they did not interfere in the match. Despite Rusev’s dominance and Dominic’s clear struggle, his stablemates chose not to lend a hand.
This raised questions: is there trouble brewing within The Judgment Day? Has Dominic’s constant reliance on cheap tricks strained his partnership with the group? Or was this a test to see if he could survive on his own?
The uncertainty adds fuel to speculation that a major shakeup could be on the horizon.
Dominic Mysterio’s History of Cheating His Way to Victory
Dominic’s match against Rusev was not the first time he bent the rules to retain his championship. His reign has been defined by controversy and deception:
Against AJ Styles, he relied on The Judgment Day’s interference to escape with the title.
When The Judgment Day wasn’t around, he turned to El Grande Americanos for outside help.
Time and again, Dominic has proven that he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the championship around his waist.
In fact, the match against Rusev was one of the rare occasions where Dominic was forced to fend for himself. Even without his allies, he managed to cheat his way to victory, proving that his cunning is just as dangerous as any outside interference.Why Dominic Mysterio’s Heel Tactics Work
Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Dominic Mysterio has mastered the art of being a heel. Every time he cheats, every time he taunts the crowd, and every time he sneaks away with the championship, he generates genuine heat.
In WWE, boos are sometimes just as valuable as cheers. The ability to make the audience despise you is a skill that only the best villains possess. Dominic’s constant trickery has cemented him as one of the most hated characters in WWE today, and that’s exactly what makes him successful.
By leaning into Eddie Guerrero’s style of cheating, Dominic not only pays homage to a legend but also carves out his own identity as “Dirty Dom.”
The Legacy of Eddie Guerrero in Dominic Mysterio
Eddie Guerrero’s influence looms large over this storyline. His famous motto—“Lie, Cheat, and Steal”—defined an era of wrestling, and Dominic has inherited those tactics.
The difference, however, is in how the audience perceives it. While Eddie was beloved for his mischievous charisma, Dominic draws near-universal hatred for his antics. It’s the perfect inversion of Guerrero’s legacy, creating a compelling contrast that keeps fans invested.
Dominic doesn’t just copy Eddie’s moves; he twists them into something uniquely his own. Instead of making fans laugh, he makes them furious. And in the world of professional wrestling, that’s exactly the reaction a heel champion wants.
What’s Next for Dominic Mysterio?
With his title reign now at 162 days and counting, the question becomes: who can stop Dominic Mysterio?
Rusev appeared to be the perfect challenger, but Dominic found a way to slither out of defeat. AJ Styles, El Grande Americanos, and others have all tried and failed. If The Judgment Day really is beginning to distance themselves from Dominic, his future as champion could become more uncertain.
But if one thing has been proven, it’s that Dominic always comes prepared for the worst. Even when the odds are stacked against him, he finds a way to cheat, survive, and walk away still holding gold.
Dominic Mysterio’s victory over Rusev on WWE RAW will go down as one of the most controversial matches of his title reign. Outmatched and overpowered, he once again relied on low blows, referee distractions, and Eddie Guerrero-inspired tactics to escape with his championship.
While fans may hate his methods, the truth is clear: Dominic Mysterio is one of the most effective villains in WWE today. His ability to frustrate opponents, enrage crowds, and outwit referees has made his Intercontinental Championship reign both despised and unforgettable.
As Big E and others have pointed out, Dominic may very well be the rightful heir to Eddie Guerrero’s legacy of trickery. Whether or not the WWE Universe accepts that is another story.
For now, one fact remains: Dominic Mysterio cheats, lies, and steals—but he still wins.
