Rey Mysterio’s match on Friday’s episode of SmackDown ended abruptly when the legendary luchador appeared to suffer a head injury.
Mysterio was battling Santos Escobar in the finals of the United States Championship Invitational Tournament. The bout seemed to be progressing as expected until Escobar hit a suicide dive, sending Mysterio crashing to the floor.
SmackDown cut to commercial and when it returned, Mysterio was being examined by doctors at ringside. Replays showed Mysterio’s head bouncing off the floor on the suicide dive spot. The referee stopped the match for Mysterio’s safety and Escobar advanced to challenge Austin Theory for the U.S. Title.
Mysterio’s injury initially looked extremely serious. However, backstage reports have cast doubt on the legitimacy of the incident. Noted wrestling journalist Sean Ross Sapp stated on Twitter that the injury angle is just part of a storyline.
If this is indeed a work, it’s a risky move by WWE. Head and neck injuries are touchy subjects in the world of pro wrestling. Using a phony head injury angle could draw significant backlash, especially considering Mysterio’s history of very real concussions.
On the other hand, this could be an ingenious way to build heat and intrigue around the Mysterio vs. Escobar rivalry. If fans believe Mysterio is injured, it will make his return and quest for revenge all the more dramatic.
For now, the legitimacy of Mysterio’s injury remains uncertain. But this storyline is already generating buzz and speculation across the wrestling world. Time will tell whether this was a wise creative decision or a tone-deaf misstep by WWE.