WWE SummerSlam 2025: 12 Nightmares That Could Come True
9. AJ Styles Derails ‘Dirty’ Dom’s Momentum
AJ Styles is an industry treasure, and it sounds so weird to say that him becoming Intercontinental Intercontinental Champion could ever be a bad thing, but Dominik Mysterio deserves to hold that belt for a long time to come. He’s the future, not AJ (as sad as that is to say). Surely WWE heard the pop 'Dirty' Dom got in AAA recently? The guy's a mega-star in the making.
You might've forgotten that Styles previously held the IC Title between June-August 2020, so claims that he 'deserves to win the workhorse title at least once before retiring' are wide of the mark. Those folks need to do their homework on Performance Center and 'ThunderDome' era WWE. AJ didn't get a long or especially fulfilling reign, but at least he's held the IC during his career.
Yeah, keeping the title exactly where it is sounds like the best plan.
Mysterio has issues with Judgment Day pal Finn Bálor that have been simmering away rather nicely for a while now. Once the group goes sour (which seems to be imminent), then Dom vs. Finn can fill the void for creative. Meanwhile, AJ can go off to do something else - he'll never be short of options, because he's so versatile and experienced and is on/off considered one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Derailing Mysterio's momentum wouldn't be a good idea. He's as over as he's ever been in the company, the Intercontinental Title looks fab when he's carrying it around, and it's clear his confidence is going through the roof. Right now, Styles doesn't need the belt as much as Dominik does.
A title change would bring out some 'Latino Heat' from fans, so to speak.