AJ Styles vs. Dominik Mysterio – WWE Raw February 17, 2025: Full Match Breakdown & Analysis
Monday Night Raw delivered another exciting chapter in its ongoing saga, and one of the standout bouts of the night was AJ Styles vs. Dominik Mysterio. While not a marquee matchup on paper, this encounter had plenty of intrigue, both from an in-ring perspective and in terms of larger storytelling within WWE. Let’s break down every moment of the match, analyze what it means for both competitors moving forward, and, of course, give it a fair rating based on the action and execution.
📖 Match Recap: AJ Styles vs. Dominik Mysterio
The match was set up after weeks of tension brewing between Styles and The Judgment Day, particularly with Dominik Mysterio being used as the faction’s pawn. AJ has had no shortage of run-ins with Judgment Day members before, but this time, he seemed fully focused on shutting down Dominik while sending a message to the rest of the group.
🔥 The Opening Moments
The match began with a surprisingly confident Dominik Mysterio stepping into the ring. While Dom has often relied on distractions and interference to get the upper hand, he initially attempted to go hold-for-hold with AJ Styles. Styles, being a seasoned veteran, didn’t fall for any of Dominik’s early tricks.
The first few minutes of the match saw Styles controlling the pace, easily reversing Dominik’s arm drags and headlocks before dropping him with a stiff backbreaker. You could tell AJ wasn’t just looking for a win—he wanted to make a statement. Dominik, on the other hand, had to rely on his agility to stay alive.
🎭 Mid-Match Shift – Judgment Day Shenanigans
Just as it seemed like AJ had Dominik completely outmatched, Carlito made his way to ringside, providing the distraction Dominik desperately needed. With the referee momentarily turning his attention to Carlito, Dominik raked AJ’s eyes and took control.
What followed was a methodical assault from Dominik—he targeted AJ’s left knee, likely in an attempt to weaken him for a later 619 attempt. He executed a low dropkick to the knee, followed by a single-leg crab submission that saw AJ struggle for the ropes.
While Dominik’s offense wasn’t the most devastating, he played his role perfectly—a cowardly heel trying to survive against a legend.
💥 The Final Stretch – AJ Takes Over
After several near-falls from Dominik (including a tight roll-up that got a close two-count), AJ had finally had enough. He used his sheer veteran awareness to reverse Dominik’s springboard crossbody attempt into a mid-air dropkick.
From here, the match hit another gear. Styles delivered:
- A picture-perfect Pele Kick
- A snap suplex into the corner
- A devastating Ushigoroshi that left Dominik reeling
Dominik, in desperation, crawled to Carlito for assistance, but just as Carlito tried to slide him a foreign object, the referee spotted the interference and ejected Carlito from ringside! This pop from the crowd was electric.
Sensing the moment was his, AJ wasted no time, lifting Dominik up and planting him with the Styles Clash for the clean pinfall victory.
Post-Match Chaos – Bron Breakker Gets Involved
As AJ celebrated his win, Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker stormed the ring, seemingly looking to attack Styles. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Breakker’s attempted spear missed its target and obliterated Dominik instead.
AJ, always the opportunist, quickly capitalized by shoving Breakker out of the ring and standing tall as the show went to commercial.
This unexpected post-match moment could be planting the seeds for multiple intriguing rivalries moving forward.
🌟 Rating: 4/5 Stars
✅ What Worked
✔ AJ Styles was in top form – His technical ability, striking, and storytelling were all on full display.
✔ Dominik played the perfect heel – His cowardly yet opportunistic style continues to get major heat.
✔ Carlito’s interference added drama – It was used sparingly and made sense within the story.
✔ Post-match angle with Bron Breakker – This sets up a bigger feud between AJ and the Intercontinental Champion.
❌ What Could Have Been Better
- Dominik’s offense lacked impact – He focused on being a nuisance, but he could’ve used more convincing offense.
- A bit more time would have helped – If they had 3–5 more minutes, we could’ve seen a more dramatic near-fall sequence.
🔥 What This Match Sets Up Moving Forward
1️⃣ AJ Styles vs. Bron Breakker for the IC Title?
The post-match interaction between Styles and Breakker suggests a future clash for the Intercontinental Championship. Breakker has been an absolute powerhouse in WWE, and putting him against a legend like Styles could be a defining feud for his reign.
This potential feud has the chance to:
- Solidify Breakker’s dominance if he wins
- Give AJ a final Intercontinental Championship run before his eventual retirement
2️⃣ Judgment Day Tension – Carlito & Dominik Falling Apart?
It was clear that Carlito’s interference attempt backfired, and with Dominik getting speared due to miscommunication, tensions may be brewing in Judgment Day. Could we see a Carlito vs. Dominik feud in the near future?
3️⃣ Where Does This Leave AJ Styles for WrestleMania?
Styles is in an interesting spot—he’s still in top form, but does WWE see him as a world title contender, or is he destined for a big midcard feud? A program with Breakker at WrestleMania could be his best path forward.
👀 Final Thoughts – What We Want to See Next
This was a fun, fast-paced match that kept the show moving while advancing multiple storylines. Here’s what we want to see going forward:
✔ AJ Styles fully committing to an Intercontinental Championship chase – If WWE isn’t putting him in a world title feud, at least give him a big singles moment at Mania.
✔ Bron Breakker proving himself against AJ – If they face off, Breakker needs to show he can hang with a veteran like Styles.
✔ Judgment Day fallout? – Dominik keeps losing—will the group start turning on him?
Overall, this match delivered on storytelling and action, and it sets up some exciting possibilities as we head toward Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania.
🏆 Final Verdict: AJ Styles Stays Phenomenal, Dominik Stays Punchable
AJ Styles once again proved why he is a legend in WWE, while Dominik Mysterio continued to play his role as the most annoying heel on the roster. This was a very solid TV match that did its job while planting seeds for bigger things ahead.
What did YOU think of the match? Should AJ Styles challenge for the IC title next? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇🔥