Rey Mysterio’s pursuit of championship gold took a shocking turn on the June 8 episode of WWE RAW, as the WWE Hall of Famer found himself at the center of a controversial post-match attack in Paris, France.
After challenging Penta for the Intercontinental Championship, Mysterio appeared to have earned the respect of his fellow luchador.
However, events that unfolded moments later left fans stunned and added another chapter to an escalating rivalry involving several WWE stars.
Rusev removes Rey Mysterio’s mask following RAW ambush
Rey Mysterio earned his title opportunity after defeating Rusev to become the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship. On RAW, he and Penta delivered a competitive, hard-fought contest that showcased why both men are regarded among the finest masked wrestlers in the business.
Despite pushing the champion to his limit, Mysterio came up short when Penta connected with a Mexican Destroyer to retain the Intercontinental Championship. Following the match, the two competitors shared a moment of mutual respect.
That respect was quickly interrupted.
Ethan Page and Rusev stormed the ring and launched an assault on both masked stars. Dragon Lee rushed out to even the odds and briefly swung momentum in favor of the fan favorites. However, Page regained control by throwing Lee over the barricade, leaving Penta and Mysterio vulnerable.
With Page restraining the Intercontinental Champion and forcing him to watch, Rusev escalated the attack by removing Mysterio’s mask. The act is widely viewed as one of the greatest signs of disrespect in lucha libre culture. This made the moment particularly significant for wrestling fans.
The situation didn’t end there. Chad Gable, who recently began a redemption journey after apologizing for mocking lucha libre culture, emerged to make the save. Gable attacked the heels and returned Mysterio’s mask, earning a strong reaction from the crowd.
For WWE fans, the segment was more than just an attack — it was another reminder that respect in lucha libre is worth fighting for. With tensions rising between these competitors, the fallout from RAW could be felt for weeks to come.
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