“From Rey’s Shadow to WWE’s Biggest Heat Magnet”: Damian Priest Says Dominik Mysterio Is ALREADY a Megastar
Damian Priest isn’t mincing words when it comes to Dominik Mysterio — in his eyes, “Dirty Dom” has already arrived as a full-blown WWE megastar.
Speaking on the latest episode of Delivering Happiness, Priest opened up about Dominik’s incredible transformation over the past few years, admitting that the version fans see today is worlds apart from the young babyface who once teamed with his legendary father, Rey Mysterio.
Before WWE Clash at the Castle 2022, Dominik was still finding his footing. He was clean-cut, smiling, and largely defined by being Rey’s son. But everything changed the night he shockingly turned on Rey and Edge, aligned himself with The Judgment Day, and embraced the darker persona that now gets some of the loudest reactions in the company.
According to Priest, that heel turn didn’t just change Dominik’s character — it changed his entire life.
“He’s unreal. When I first met him, he didn’t really have a direction,” Priest said. “He was paired with his dad, short hair, clean cut, just wrestling and having fun.”
Once Dominik joined Judgment Day, Priest says things clicked fast. The group didn’t just bond on-screen — they became close off-camera as well. With Dominik training in Orlando near Priest’s home, the two spent a lot of time together, along with Rhea Ripley, forming a tight-knit family dynamic.
“It wasn’t just at the arenas,” Priest explained. “We were hanging out, going out after shows, grabbing dinner. He was around me a lot, and we really became like family.”
That closeness allowed Priest to witness Dominik’s growth firsthand — not just as a performer, but as a person.
“Seeing what I knew then compared to who he is now is crazy,” Priest said. “He’s not the same kid anymore. That guy’s a megastar now.”
And it’s hard to argue. Whether fans love him or love to hate him, Dominik Mysterio consistently draws massive reactions, thrives in high-profile storylines, and looks completely comfortable in the spotlight — something few can pull off at such a young stage of their career.
Elsewhere in the interview, Priest also revealed that WWE has been encouraging him to slow down due to physical wear and tear, hinting at the toll his hard-hitting style has taken over the years.
But when it comes to Dominik Mysterio? Priest made one thing clear: the future is already here — and “Dirty Dom” is living it.
