Dominik Mysterio Confirms Legitimate Rib Injury Behind Night of Champions Match Cancellation

pranithkumarkanna@gmail.com|Modified on Aug 12, 2025, 23:23 GMT

WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio has publicly addressed rumors that he faked an injury to skip his scheduled Night of Champions match against AJ Styles, confirming the rib injury was real and detailing its severity. Speaking on The Club 520 Podcast, “Dirty Dom” revealed he dislocated two of his lower ribs, which were digging into his cartilage, causing genuine pain and forcing his withdrawal from the event[1][3].

The controversy began when Mysterio was pulled from the WWE Night of Champions 2025 card, sparking fan speculation and conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of his injury. Some speculated that the absence was a storyline move or a strategic avoidance of Styles, while others wondered if geopolitical tensions played a role in the Match’s cancellation. However, insiders and wrestling journalists clarified the situation, confirming the injury’s authenticity unrelated to external factors[2].

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio backed this up, stating that Mysterio’s rib injury was indeed legitimate and minor, with an expected short recovery time, and that WWE had no plans to strip him of the Intercontinental Championship despite the hiatus[2].

On The Club 520 Podcast, Mysterio gave a vivid account of his injury: “I dislocated my two lower ribs and they were digging into my cartilage. So that was why I was actually hurt. Everyone thought I was faking it, but I was actually hurt”[1][3]. His openness has been appreciated by fans and analysts alike as a transparent and professional clarification.

After recuperating, Dominik returned triumphantly by successfully defending his Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles at SummerSlam, putting to rest any remaining doubts about his health and commitment[1][3]. Since then, he has continued to build momentum with two additional wins on Monday Night Raw, further solidifying his status as a top WWE Superstar.

Looking forward, Mysterio will expand his wrestling resume beyond WWE by competing in a highly anticipated four-way match for the AAA Mega Championship at Triplemania XXXIII on August 16, 2025. This cross-promotional appearance marks a significant career milestone and underlines his growing prominence on the global wrestling stage[1][3].

Sources close to WWE note that the decision to pull Mysterio from Night of Champions was based purely on medical advice to prevent aggravating such a sensitive injury, reinforcing WWE’s commitment to performer safety. WWE.com and Fightful have echoed this narrative, emphasizing that Dominik’s health has always been the priority behind booking decisions[2].

In summary, Dominik Mysterio’s recent absence from WWE Night of Champions was due to a serious, real injury involving dislocated ribs impacting cartilage. His candid disclosure on The Club 520 Podcast, combined with authoritative industry reports, dispels rumors of injury fakery. With a successful SummerSlam title defense behind him and upcoming high-profile matches on the horizon, “Dirty Dom” continues to be a formidable presence in professional wrestling[1][2][3].

Credits: Quotes from Dominik Mysterio are sourced from The Club 520 Podcast (h/t WrestlingNews.co) with additional reporting by PWMania, WrestlingHeadlines, Fightful, and Wrestling Observer Radio.

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