In a recent title defense match, Dominik Mysterio, former holder of the "WWE NXT" North American Championship, faced off against Dragon Lee in the opening contest of "NXT" Deadline. Unfortunately for Mysterio, he was without the support of his stablemates from Judgment Day, which provided an opportunity for Lee to dethrone him.

Despite the loss, Rhea Ripley, a fellow WWE superstar, expressed her pride in Mysterio's efforts throughout the year. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ripley shared a black and white photograph of herself with Mysterio, along with a heartfelt message. "Am I upset? Sad? Mad? Yes. But [Dominik Mysterio] has been THE BIGGEST WORKHORSE within WWE all year! His growth has been insane... Very VERY proud! Forever my Champion," Ripley wrote.

Ripley's sentiments mirrored those of WWE Hall of Famers Booker T and Shawn Michaels, who recently hailed Mysterio as the MVP of WWE in 2023. Michaels went a step further, referring to Mysterio as an "iron man" for his dedication and hard work in the "NXT" brand this year. Mysterio's commitment paid off with two reigns as the "NXT" North American Champion.

Mysterio's determination is reflected in his match statistics. In 2023, he has participated in a staggering 102 matches across "NXT," "WWE Raw," "WWE SmackDown," and live events. This places him in second position for the most matches wrestled this year. Leading the pack is "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, who has competed in 104 matches so far.

The spotlight may have shifted away from Mysterio as he relinquishes his title, but his hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Mysterio's peers and fans continue to acknowledge his impressive contributions to WWE, cementing his reputation as a formidable force within the industry.

As the year progresses, Mysterio's journey in WWE is one to watch, as he continues to prove himself and showcase his strong work ethic both inside and outside the ring.