WWE’s rising talent Dominik Mysterio is facing a significant challenge in his burgeoning wrestling career following a recent in-ring incident. Dominik, who suffered a serious elbow injury during a match against Andrade on April 15, is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, a procedure predominantly associated with baseball pitchers to repair the ulnar collateral ligament.
The incident, described by insiders as a “freak accident,” occurred on a routine maneuver that unexpectedly resulted in severe damage to Dominik’s elbow. Despite the setback, WWE plans to keep the young superstar active in television storylines as he undergoes recovery, leveraging his charisma and popularity to maintain his presence on screen.
During a recent episode of WWE’s Raw, Dominik was visibly sidelined with his arm in a sling and was unable to participate in a scheduled tag team match alongside JD McDonagh against Andrade & Ricochet. Instead, Santos Escobar filled in for the injured star, but the change did little to sway the match’s outcome, which saw Andrade & Ricochet emerging victorious.
The decision to maintain Dominik’s role on television underscores WWE’s strategy of keeping injured talents engaged with the audience. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, while Tommy John surgery typically sidelines baseball pitchers for at least nine months, Dominik’s recovery timeline might be shorter, given the different physical demands of a WWE performer compared to a baseball pitcher.
Dominik Mysterio, part of the prominent WWE faction The Judgment Day alongside figures like Rhea Ripley, World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest, Finn Balor, and JD McDonagh, has quickly become a key player in the storyline arcs. His involvement continues even as his teammate, Rhea Ripley, also faces a hiatus due to a shoulder injury that led her to vacate the Women’s World Championship, now held by Becky Lynch.
The news of Dominik’s injury and planned surgery came as a shock to fans, especially since he had been pulled from the ongoing European tour and appeared with his arm in a sling on Raw. This development has prompted WWE to creatively adjust its storylines to accommodate his recovery while keeping his character relevant and active within the programming.
As Dominik prepares for surgery and the road to recovery, the focus within WWE shifts to how best to utilize his character. Keeping him visible on TV not only maintains his connection with the fans but also allows for a seamless transition back into the ring once he is medically cleared to compete again.