6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE Raw (Nov 14)

2. Knowing His Character

Dominik Mysterio Shelton Benjamin
WWE.com

Let’s throw a little more overall praise for Dominik Mysterio beyond the previously mentioned backstage segment.

Mysterio’s match against Shelton Benjamin showed just how perfectly he’s nailed his all-bark, no-bite character. Dominik was clearly overmatched by the veteran, unable to get any offense going, with his strikes being basically laughed off, leaving him in a world of trouble.

Dom bailed a couple of times to regroup and escape more punishment. At one point, he went for a double sledge behind Shelton’s back, but when he turned around, Mysterio dropped to his knees instantaneously and begged off. Only with Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley’s help did he take over, but when he did, Dominik immediately postured and cavorted like his Uncle Eddie Guerrero. It was brilliant on all sides.

You’ve really got to give it up to WWE, recognizing that Dominik is not going to be the next great Mysterio in the mold of his father, so they’ve decided to lean into his shortcomings, play to his strengths, and allow him to grow as a completely different character.

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Contributor
Contributor

Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fortunately became a fan in time for WrestleMania III and came back as a fan after a long high school hiatus before WM XIV. Monday nights in the Carlson household are reserved for viewing Raw -- for better or worse.