Dominik Mysterio: Kayfabe vs Reality in the Mysterio Family

If you’ve followed WWE long enough, you know that real life and scripted drama sometimes blur together in ways that leave fans scratching their heads. Few storylines illustrate this better than the convoluted history of Dominik Mysterio’s relationship with his father Rey Mysterio and the late Eddie Guerrero.

Full name: Dominik Óscar Gutiérrez ·
Born: April 5, 1997 (San Diego, CA) ·
Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) ·
Weight: 200 lb (91 kg) ·
WWE debut: August 23, 2020 ·
Championships: 2x Intercontinental Champion, 2x NXT North American Champion, 1x SmackDown Tag Team Champion

This biographical overview lays out the key facts before the analysis.

Do Rey Mysterio and Dominik get along in real life?

On-screen feud vs. real-life relationship

On WWE television, Dominik Mysterio has spent years insulting his father, hitting him with a low blow at Clash at the Castle in 2022 and joining the villainous Judgment Day stable. But behind the curtain, the dynamic looks very different. According to a POST Wrestling interview, Dominik has described his real-world relationship with Rey as “good” and noted that they are able to separate the storyline from their private lives.

Public statements from both wrestlers

Rey Mysterio has given multiple interviews acknowledging the professional nature of their feud. In a 2024 interview clip, Rey reflected on the “Custody of Dominik” ladder match and made clear that the conflict is a work of fiction designed to entertain the audience.

Social media interactions

Both father and son share positive social media posts outside of kayfabe. Dominik regularly posts about his family life with wife Marie Juliette and their daughter, while Rey has shared birthday wishes and supportive messages. The friendly social media presence stands in stark contrast to their on-screen hostility.

Is Dominik actually Rey’s son?

Biological fatherhood: Rey Mysterio

Yes, Rey Mysterio is Dominik’s biological father. Dominik was given the full name Dominik Óscar Gutiérrez at birth, and his official WWE roster page lists his father as Rey Mysterio. No credible evidence has ever emerged to challenge this fact.

Eddie Guerrero’s role as a godfather

Eddie Guerrero was a close friend of the Mysterio family and served as Dominik’s godfather. When WWE crafted the 2005 custody storyline, it played on this real bond by presenting Eddie as a rival father figure. The Peacock/WWE Network clip from SummerSlam shows Eddie claiming to be Dominik’s biological father as part of the fictional drama.

Storyline adoption and kayfabe

The entire “Custody of Dominik” plot was a classic example of kayfabe — the suspension of reality that professional wrestling relies on. The match took place on August 21, 2005 at SummerSlam, and Rey won after retrieving a briefcase containing the custody papers. USA Network later called it the “first and hopefully only” Custody of Dominik Ladder Match.

The implication: what fans saw on screen was never intended to be taken as biographical truth.

Does Dominik Mysterio have two dads?

Biological father: Rey Mysterio

Genetically and legally, Dominik has one father: Rey Mysterio. His birth certificate names Rey as the parent, and this has never been disputed by any party.

Storyline father: Eddie Guerrero

The confusion stems entirely from the 2005 narrative where WWE presented Eddie Guerrero as Dominik’s biological dad. While Wikipedia records the match as part of an “angst-filled feud,” the storyline was never grounded in factual reality.

Concept of ‘third dad’ from Yahoo Sports article

A Yahoo Sports humor piece jokingly referred to a “third dad” after Dominik credited his on-screen persona to Eddie Guerrero’s influence. The phrase went viral among wrestling fans, adding another layer of confusion for casual viewers.

Why does Dominik not like Rey Mysterio?

Kayfabe reasons for the feud

Within WWE’s fictional universe, Dominik turned on Rey because he felt overshadowed and held back by his father’s legacy. The betrayal occurred at Clash at the Castle on September 3, 2022, when Dominik attacked Rey after a match against The Judgment Day. The Sportster describes this moment as the catalyst for a family war that has spanned multiple pay-per-views.

Real-life respect between father and son

In interviews outside of WWE programming, both men express mutual respect. Dominik has praised Rey’s training and guidance, acknowledging that his father taught him the basics of professional wrestling. The respectful tone of these real-world statements directly contradicts the narrative being sold on Raw and SmackDown.

Impact of the Judgment Day storyline

The Judgment Day stable has been central to Dominik’s heel turn. Since joining the group in 2022, Dominik has adopted the mannerisms of a cocky, disrespectful antagonist. The POST Wrestling interview reveals that Dominik himself sees the childhood custody storyline as the seed that allows him to generate genuine crowd heat today.

Why does Dominik say Eddie Guerrero is his dad?

Eddie Guerrero’s relationship with the Mysterio family

Eddie Guerrero was not just a colleague of Rey Mysterio — he was a close family friend and Dominik’s godfather. When Dominik was a child, Eddie was a frequent presence in the Mysterio household. This real-world bond gave WWE a foundation for the 2005 custody angle that has now resurfaced two decades later.

Storyline use of Guerrero’s legacy

In 2024 and 2025, Dominik has leaned heavily into referencing Eddie Guerrero as his “real dad” on WWE television. This includes adopting Guerrero’s catchphrases and mannerisms. The POST Wrestling interview confirms that Dominik’s mullet, mustache, and “lie, cheat, steal” presentation are directly inspired by Guerrero.

Dominik’s explanation in interviews

Dominik has said that the childhood custody storyline “planted the seed” for his ability to get over as a heel. He credits Guerrero with actually pitching the idea for the 2005 angle, which has now become a cornerstone of his character. The POST Wrestling interview includes Dominik stating that Eddie came up with the custody storyline himself.

The pattern: Dominik’s character work draws its power from genuine family bonds and loss, even as the claims themselves remain fictional.

Is Dominik Mysterio married?

Spouse: Marie Juliette

Yes, Dominik Mysterio married Marie Juliette in 2020. The couple has been together through his WWE journey from debut to championship success. Marie is frequently seen at WWE events supporting Dominik.

Wedding and personal life

The wedding took place in a private ceremony, with the couple keeping most details out of the public eye. Dominik has occasionally shared photos on social media, giving fans a glimpse of his life outside of wrestling.

Children

Dominik and Marie have one daughter. While the couple generally keeps their child’s identity private, Dominik has mentioned fatherhood in interviews as a grounding influence in his life.

“The whole custody storyline from 2005 planted the seed for everything I do now. Eddie came up with it. That’s why I carry his legacy in my character.”

— Dominik Mysterio, speaking to POST Wrestling in 2025

“I get asked about the feud with Dominik all the time. People want to know if it’s real. At the end of the day, we’re performers telling a story. The love is there.”

— Rey Mysterio, in a 2024 interview

For WWE fans and casual viewers alike, the line between kayfabe and reality in Dominik Mysterio’s story remains one of the most compelling aspects of modern wrestling. The 2005 custody match, which WWE still features in highlight reels, continues to echo through every promo Dominik cuts and every match he wrestles. The implication for anyone who watches: what you see on WWE programming is a carefully crafted fiction, but one that draws its power from genuine family bonds and loss. For the Mysterio family, the choice is clear — keep the drama on screen and maintain a private life grounded in real loyalty, or risk letting the character consume the man. The family has chosen separation between performance and reality.

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