Former WWE manager Dutch Mantell shared his admiration for Dominik Mysterio’s unexpected appearance on SmackDown, highlighting his effective portrayal as a heel character.
In a singles match between Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar, all members of LWO and Legado del Fantasma were banned from ringside.
However, a masked figure intervened, aiding Escobar to victory, later revealed as Dominik.
During an episode of Smack Talk, Mantell praised Dominik’s portrayal as a heel, emphasizing the audience’s strong reaction to his character.
“I loved that. Dominik Mysterio, he is a heel. He is a heel you enjoy. You feel like slapping him every time you see him. He’s out there, he’s an ultimate heel. Heels like that, you can beat him. And it doesn’t hurt him. It actually helps him I think.”
Mantell admitted he initially didn’t recognize Dominik under the mask but appreciated the reveal when he unmasked, describing it as the highlight of the show.
“When he showed up tonight, when I saw that I went, ‘Who in the hell is this?’ But I had a hint. But he didn’t look like him underneath the hood. Then he pulled it off and it was him. So that part was one of my, well it was my most favorite part of the show.”
Despite Rey Mysterio’s previous victory over Dominik at WrestleMania, the recent turn of events suggests a new direction, with Escobar’s determination to target his former mentor intensifying.
