We are currently seeing yet another play from Triple H to make the WWE Intercontinental Championship matter once again. A “world cup” tournament has been set up, with eight superstars from all around the world battling for a chance to face GUNTHER for the belt. Originally, former WWE Champion Rey Mysterio was set to be in the field – but plans were changed due to an injury.
Rey Mysterio Pulled From Tournament Due To Injury
A report from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter would indicate that Mysterio suffered some type of foot or ankle injury. His last televised match was against GUNTHER over the WWE Intercontinental Championship, but he was on hand for a WWE Live event in Mexico City, Mexico on October 30th. It’s expected this injury happened there – putting him alongside Kevin Owens as names recently hurt on WWE live events.
Mysterio was set to face Ricochet on the November 18th episode of Smackdown Live. This was a highly anticipated match – due to a previous match between the two as part of Lucha Underground, when Ricochet was known as Prince Puma. Mysterio has been replaced in the tournament by RAW Superstar Mustafa Ali – who will meet Ricochet instead on November 18th.
Mustafa Ali & Ricochet Have History
This is expected to be another fantastic match between the two, who had a highly praised series of matches on Main Event in 2021, ending in a Best Two Out Three Falls match on the May 24th, 2021 episode of the show. That remains one of the best matches in Main Event history, and is well worth seeking out.
Ali is set to remain on Monday Night RAW, and is simply filling in for Mysterio at this time. We’ve already seen Shinsuke Nakamura advance by defeating Santos Escobar, while Braun Strowman advanced by defeating Jinder Mahal. The other first round match is planned to be Butch vs. Sami Zayn, likely happening next Friday alongside Ali vs. Ricochet.
Who will win the WWE World Cup? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbEbXa9loMw
