Dominik Mysterio Beats Penta, Retains Title

Dominik Mysterio left WWE Backlash 2025 still the Intercontinental Champion and shockingly continues his rise one of WWE’s most beloved stars.

With an assist from the interfering El Grande Americo, The Judgment Day member defeated world-renowned luchador Penta in St. Louis to retain the Intercontinental Championship he won just last month at WrestleMania 41. Mysterio’s first singles title win wasn’t nearly as surprising as the crowd reaction to that career-defining victory and since then.

And at WWE Backlash, Mysterio’s win over Penta came after a slew of interferences from Americano and Judgment Day members Carlito, Finn Balor and JD McDonagh. Yet, Mysterio still came across as a fan favorite.

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Just a month ago, Mysterio was firmly entrenched as one of WWE’s most hated villains, a testament to both his solo performances and The Judgment Day’s ability to generate heat. But seemingly an instant, that changed.

In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 41, there were subtle hints that the once universally-loathed Mysterio was winning over the fans. The parade of jeers suddenly featured pockets of cheers, and when Mysterio captured the IC title at WrestleMania, it was like someone waved a magic wand and made him suddenly beloved by all.

Even though it was Mysterio who essentially betrayed Balor at WrestleMania 41, Mysterio was still the one who came across as the babyface in that situation. WWE’s creative team is quite clearly building toward an eventual full-blown split after Balor unsuccessfully, possibly purposely, failed in his attempts to help Mysterio beat Penta. But it will be difficult to portray Balor as the babyface in that situation, if that’s indeed the route WWE is planning on taking.

WWE, throughout its history, has often resisted organic face turns, and Mysterio is such a great heel that it might do the same once again. Long-term, WWE’s best bet is to book Mysterio as a babyface-like tweener, similar to Eddie Guerrero, a star who was notorious for his heel-like actions even as a face.

At WWE Backlash, Mysterio capitalized on Americano’s interference, and the fact that Mysterio wasn’t booed out of the building for the tainted victory shows that he is over in a way that very few WWE stars are right now.

It’s been amazing to see the way Mysterio, a white meat babyface upon his main roster debut, has been able to swim after nearly sinking when he made his WWE debut earlier than he should have. As Mysterio continues to excel, so too does Penta, even in a loss at WWE Backlash.

Penta has been a huge hit since his WWE debut several months ago, quickly establishing himself as a must-see attraction and huge fan favorite on Raw. WWE reportedly has long-term plans in place to ultimately reunite Penta with his brother Rey Fenix as the Lucha Brothers.

But as Penta continues to succeed even in defeat, WWE should ride the wave of his momentum as long as it can. At WWE Backlash, things may not have gone his way, just as they didn’t at WrestleMania 41.

Yet, Penta remains over with the crowd just as Mysterio does. Until that changes, Penta should continue to be featured prominently and protected by the booking. WWE is still ensuring that Penta isn’t defeated soundly and cleanly, and after Americano cost him the match in St. Louis, a big victory for the luchador should be right around the corner.

Just as Mysterio has picked up two massive victories in a row, Penta is due for a win that sets him up for singles success before an inevitable reunion with Fenix.