Dominik Mysterio is the new WWE Intercontinental Champion after defeating John Cena at Survivor Series: WarGames in San Diego on Saturday night, with a major assist from a returning Liv Morgan.
The match saw heavy interference from The Judgment Day throughout. Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez accompanied Mysterio to the ring and got involved early, with Perez tripping Cena and Rodriguez taking shots at him while the referee was distracted.
Mid-match, Mysterio appeared to suffer a legitimate injury after a botched hurricanrana left him landing badly on his neck and shoulder. As the referee checked on him and it looked like the match might be stopped, Perez and Rodriguez attacked Cena — revealing that Mysterio had been faking the injury all along. “Dirty Dom” popped up and hit Cena with a 619. The referee, angered by the deception, ejected both Perez and Rodriguez from ringside.
After Cena accidentally knocked down the referee, Finn Balor and JD McDonagh hit the ring to attack the champion. Cena fought them off and hit both men with a double Attitude Adjustment. Mysterio grabbed the title belt hoping to use it as a weapon, but Cena ducked and connected with another AA.
With no referee to count, Liv Morgan made her return to WWE. In a double swerve, Morgan initially slapped Mysterio, then turned to Cena and gave him a hug — before delivering a low blow. Morgan then blasted Cena with the Intercontinental Title, allowing Mysterio to hit a Frog Splash and secure the pinfall victory.
This marks Mysterio’s second reign as Intercontinental Champion. He originally won the title in a Fatal Four-Way at WrestleMania 41 before losing it to Cena on the November 10 episode of Raw in Boston.
For Cena, this was his final Premium Live Event appearance as he continues his retirement tour. His last match will take place at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 against the winner of “The Last Time Is Now” tournament.
