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Last week, WWE SmackDown hosted a Hell in a Cell match for the first time in its history. It accounted for an epic main event in which Rey Mysterio challenged Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. The Tribal Chief won the match and extended his unbeatable run in Hell in a Cell stipulation to 4-0.
Soon after that, Paul Heyman issued an open challenge on behalf of Roman Reigns for this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. While there are good options on the Blue brand, the creative should have Dominik Mysterio answer the open challenge. In this article, we will discuss why it would be the best decision for WWE right now.
#5 Calculated booking based on the recent history between Roman Reigns and The Mysterios on WWE SmackDown
It all started when The Usos got their first shot at the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships in almost a year. They challenged Rey and Dominik Mysterio for the tag team titles, and the champions came close to picking up a victory. This didn’t sit well with Roman Reigns, who launched a vicious attack on the father-son duo.
The callous treatment towards Dominik prompted Rey Mysterio to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship inside Hell in a Cell. Both superstars then faced each other in the first-ever Hell in a Cell match featured in WWE SmackDown’s history. Reigns and Mysterio delivered a solid match that ended in The Tribal Chief’s victory.
Roman Reigns didn’t think that successfully defending his Universal Championship in a historic match was enough. Hence, he decided to make a strong statement by brutally attacking Rey Mysterio after the main event on WWE SmackDown. Following that, Paul Heyman announced an open challenge on behalf of Roman Reigns.
Given the events that transpired on the Blue brand last week, there is a high chance that Dominik Mysterio will step up to face Roman Reigns. His father faced the biggest heel on WWE SmackDown to avenge a beatdown on him, and now Dominik will look to return the favor. He had pulled off a similar move when Rey Mysterio was feuding with Seth Rollins.
Dominik also managed to attack Roman Reigns with a kendo stick on WWE SmackDown before he was thrown out of the ring like a beachball. It is an unexpected name to be at the top of the list of Reigns’ potential challenger, but at the moment, he has the strongest reason to do the same.
Dominik Mysterio’s limited in-ring experience also leaves room for a few surprises that Reigns and his extended entourage won’t see coming. The feud might look one-sided on paper, but there are exciting angles hidden between the lines.
#4 Much-deserved opportunity for Dominik Mysterio on WWE SmackDown
Dominik Mysterio has not had many unique opportunities on WWE SmackDown, but he has made the most of whatever he receives. He looked far from a rookie upon his in-ring debut and has only improved ever since. Now, he seems prepared to be part of challenges that can help push him outside his comfort zone.
WWE has always booked him as someone who doesn’t step back from a fight. Dominik fought a title rematch alone after Rey Mysterio was attacked backstage and was unable to compete. He struck both Seth Rollins and Murphy because they punished and humiliated his father. Taking on Roman Reigns would be massive in testifying Dominik's bravery on WWE SmackDown.
Everyone knows how this would end for Dominik Mysterio. However, he doesn’t need to “win” in order to have an impressive storyline with Reigns. The Tribal Chief can stay true to his heel persona and brutalize Dominik. The latter, motivated by vengeance, will keep coming back. Merciless attacks will make Reigns come across as a bigger heel on WWE SmackDown.
On the other hand, Dominik will finally have a chance to showcase his potential. Impressive in-ring action coupled with a brave heart goes a long way in getting a superstar over with the crowd. Despite losing, he is capable of earning everyone’s appreciation for his efforts. Regardless of what happens, this brief WWE SmackDown feud could be a huge learning experience for Dominik Mysterio.
#3 Sets up the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship feud with The Usos
As mentioned before, The Usos recently got a shot at the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships. In the following weeks, Jey Uso went missing while Jimmy Uso finally allied himself with Roman Reigns. The Tribal Chief stated that he needs Jey Uso and instructed Jimmy to find his brother. Once he comes back, Reigns will have both his cousins watching his back.
The Usos also want to win the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships. A brief feud between Roman Reigns and Dominik Mysterio will inevitably bring Jey and Jimmy Uso into the equation. It would be an excellent way to set up a title rivalry for a big title match at SummerSlam. It would also allow the creative team to continue an intense feud between the two families on WWE SmackDown.
Earlier this month, Dominik managed to pin Jimmy Uso. However, it was an incorrect call by the referee, and both teams faced each other once again that night. The champions had the upper hand for the second time as well until Reigns interfered. Despite the controversial results, both teams delivered memorable performances on WWE SmackDown.
Their matches were entertaining from start to finish, and they have a lot more to offer. Rey and Dominik Mysterio deserve to be a part of good feuds in their historic reign as WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions, and The Usos would be the best team to challenge them at SummerSlam.
#2 Potential filler feud for Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown until his SummerSlam rivalry kickstarts
Fans are curious to know what’s next for Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown. Several backstage reports claimed that Universal Champion could face John Cena at SummerSlam. New reports claim that Paul Heyman’s former client, Brock Lesnar, could also return and challenge Reigns for his title. After all, WWE is looking to make SummerSlam its biggest show this year.
Hell in a Cell was the final WWE pay-per-view of the ThunderDome era. The crowd will be back for Money in the Bank, and it would be a perfect opportunity to set up big returns. However, Roman Reigns will need a challenger until then, and Dominik Mysterio is the ideal choice. Between now and Money in the Bank 2021, this storyline can deliver brutal segments on WWE SmackDown.
Reigns will have the upper hand in this feud, and yet, he will go above and beyond to wreck his opponent even when they are not competing. This will add significant credibility to his current run as a heel, especially before vocal fans return to the arena. It will also allow everyone to see how Dominik can work the crowd in high-profile feuds on WWE SmackDown.
#1 High-risk, high-reward decision on WWE SmackDown
WWE SmackDown has undoubtedly established itself as the "A show" in recent months. At the moment, they can afford to take a significant risk by bringing an inexperienced challenger to face their biggest superstar inside the ring. With the correct booking, Dominik Mysterio can evoke a response that can change his career forever.
He will have to walk on his own when Rey Mysterio hangs up his boots. Dominik needs to explore his potential individually, and feuding with Roman Reigns would give him that opportunity. From being ruthlessly beaten by Seth Rollins to being thrown into the wall by Brock Lesnar, Dominik Mysterio has always given his best. He would do the same against Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown, and it could pay off handsomely.
Reigns will come across as a dominant heel when he is tormenting Dominik Mysterio. The latter has previously tricked other superstars with surprise attacks, and he can pull it off again. It will be entertaining to watch Roman Reigns being briefly victimized on WWE SmackDown by someone who was 15 when the Universal Champion made his main roster debut.
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