10 New Directions For WWE After WrestleMania 41
6. Dominik Mysterio = Unthinkable Babyface
OK, so WWE fans rallying behind somebody they wouldn't even let talk on the live mic without booing him out of the building was not on anyone's bingo cards at the start of the year. Judgment Day has fully imploded now that Dominik Mysterio has pinned Finn Bálor to steal Bron Breakker's Intercontinental Title out from underneath him, so expect some 'Dirty Dom' vs. Finn matches soon.
Vegas booed Bálor every single time he cut off Dom's offensive moments, and that was a mini-shocker. Previously, as established, wrestling fans treated Mysterio like a dirtbag who didn't deserve to be in the same ring as some of his peers. Now, after WrestleMania 41, he's the workhorse champ and has a genuine shot at breaking out into a successful (and unforeseen) babyface run.
There's a cool story behind all of this.
People have watched this young man grow, literally, in front of their eyes since he was a kid. He was there as a wide-eyed little boy back in 2005 during his dad's feud opposite the legendary Eddie Guerrero, and Dominik has leaned into some 'Latino Heat' aura since joining Judgment Day. 20 years on from being a plot device heading into SummerSlam '05, he's a proud champion in his own right.
Don't be too surprised if audiences start embracing Mysterio like the son they never had from the Raw after 'Mania onwards. Chants of, "You deserve it" could be coming his way. It'll be interesting to find out whether WWE rolls with that or chooses to have Dom Dom brutally shut everyone up and stay heel.
That'll be a challenge.