Mysterio departed WWE in 2015, going on to appear with promotions including
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW),
Lucha Underground, and AAA. He returned to WWE in 2018, where he was joined by his son
Dominik.
In early 1997, he began a feud with
Prince Iaukea over the
WCW World Television Championship, culminating in a title match against Iaukea at
SuperBrawl VII on February 23, which he lost after
Lord Steven Regal attacked him.[21] Mysterio also lost a title rematch at
Uncensored on March 16.[22] He defeated Ultimate Dragon at
Spring Stampede on April 6,[23] and
Yuji Yasuraoka at
Slamboree on May 18.[24] Mysterio began a feud with the
New World Order (nWo), which culminated when he lost a
Mexican Death match to nWo member
Konnan at
Road Wild on August 9.[25] Mysterio was then involved in a feud with his real-life friend and Cruiserweight Champion
Eddie Guerrero, whom he defeated in a
Title vs. Mask match at
Halloween Havoc on October 26 to win the Cruiserweight Championship for the second time.[26] On the November 10 episode of Nitro, he lost the title back to Guerrero, as well as in a rematch at
World War 3 on November 23.[27] On the January 15, 1998, episode of WCW Thunder, Mysterio defeated
Juventud to win his third Cruiserweight Championship, but lost it nine days later to
Chris Jericho at
Souled Out.[26][28] After the match, Jericho continued the beating by using a toolbox he found at ringside. This storyline was used to cover Mysterio's need for a knee operation that kept him out of the ring for six months. At
Bash at the Beach on July 12, Mysterio returned and defeated Jericho for his fourth Cruiserweight championship.[29] The next night, however, the result was overturned and the belt returned to Jericho due to Dean Malenko interfering.[29]
Later that year, Eddie Guerrero formed a Mexican
stable known as the Latino World Order (LWO) (a spin off of
New World Order) that included nearly every luchador in the promotion. Mysterio continually refused to join and feuded with Guerrero and the LWO members, including winning a match against longtime rival and LWO member Psicosis in a match at
Road Wild on August 8.[30] He was forced to join the group after losing a match to Eddie Guerrero. Mysterio's on-and-off
tag team partner
Billy Kidman joined him during the feud with LWO, wrestling against the LWO despite Mysterio being a part of the group. Mysterio faced Kidman for the Cruiserweight Championship at
Starrcade on December 27, but was unsuccessful in a
triangle match also involving Juventud.[31] On January 17, 1999, at
Souled Out, Mysterio failed to win the title from Kidman in a
fatal four-way match that also included Psicosis and Juventud.[32]
Giant Killer; unmasking (1998–1999)
After the two factions of nWo reformed, they demanded that the LWO disband. Mysterio refused to take off his LWO colors and was attacked by the nWo as a result. This led to a match at
SuperBrawl IX on February 21, where Mysterio and tag partner Konnan lost a "Hair vs. Mask match" against
Kevin Nash and
Scott Hall, forcing Mysterio to remove his mask.[33] After the match, he phoned his uncle to tell him the news. Mysterio has publicly expressed his disappointment over being unmasked:
I was strongly against it! I don't think WCW understood what the mask meant to me, to my fans and to my family. It was a very bad move on their behalf. The fans wanted Rey Mysterio with the mask and losing it hurt me a lot. It was also frustrating that it didn't come as the climax to a feud with another masked wrestler, but in a throwaway match. The same thing happened to Juventud and Psicosis and
psychologically wise it was a bad move by
Eric Bischoff. I think the fans understand that I was in a position where I had no option. I either had to lose my mask or lose my job.[34]
Mysterio later became a "giant killer" by defeating large opponents such as Kevin Nash,[35]Bam Bam Bigelow, and
Scott Norton.[36] At
Uncensored on March 14, he lost to Nash after
Lex Luger interfered and helped Nash win.[37] The next night, on the March 15 episode of Nitro, he defeated Billy Kidman to win his fourth Cruiserweight Championship.[26] On the March 22 episode of Nitro, Mysterio got his first shot at the
WCW World Heavyweight Championship against champion
Ric Flair when the names of (allegedly) nearly everyone in the company were put into a hat and a lottery was held.
El Dandy was the lottery winner, but he was injured, and Mysterio took the shot instead. The match ended with a disqualification win for Flair, even though
Arn Anderson's interference on Flair's behalf should have theoretically disqualified Flair.[38] The following week, Mysterio and Kidman defeated Flair's
Four Horsemen stablemates Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko to win the
WCW World Tag Team Championship,[39] making Mysterio a double champion. Mysterio successfully defended his Cruiserweight Championship against his tag team partner Kidman at
Spring Stampede on April 11[40] before losing the title on the April 19 episode of Nitro to Psicosis in a fatal four-way match that also involved Juventud Guerrera and
Blitzkrieg.[41] On the following episode of Nitro, he defeated Psicosis to win his fifth Cruiserweight Championship.[26] At
Slamboree on May 9, Mysterio and Kidman lost the World Tag Team titles to
Raven and
Perry Saturn in a triangle match, also involving former champions Benoit and Malenko.[42]
On the October 18, 1999, episode of Nitro, Mysterio and Konnan defeated
Harlem Heat to win the World Tag Team Championship.[39] Mysterio, however, was injured during the match and was sidelined as a result, Kidman substituted for Mysterio and teamed with Konnan during their title defense against Harlem Heat and the
First Family, in which the Filthy Animals went on to lose the title back to Harlem Heat. Mysterio returned in early 2000 and remained a steady performer, eventually joining
the New Blood faction in early 2000 opposing
the Millionaire's Club.[49] On the August 14 episode of Nitro, Mysterio and Juventud defeated
The Great Muta and Vampiro to win the World Tag Team Championship.[50] They were stripped of the title after
Ernest Miller pinned
Disco Inferno with the stipulation that if he pinned Disco, Mysterio and Guerrera would be stripped of the title. The Filthy Animals then feuded with
The Natural Born Thrillers in the fall of the year. At
Fall Brawl on September 17, the Filthy Animals fought the Thrillers to a "
no contest" in an elimination tag team match.[51] Mysterio reformed his tag team with Kidman and the two challenged for the World Tag Team Championship in a triangle match at
Halloween Havoc on October 29, facing the champions Natural Born Thrillers and
The Boogie Knights in a losing effort.[52]
After WCW closed down, Mysterio started wrestling independently in Mexico. He made his first ever
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre appearance, debuting in an eight-man tag team match. Mysterio wrestled a total of 10 matches in CMLL before returning to the United States.
In June 2002, Mysterio signed with
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and
promos that hyped his debut began airing. The "Jr." was dropped from his name and was billed simply as Rey Mysterio.
At
WrestleMania XIX, he faced the cruiserweight Champion
Matt Hardy for the title, but lost after
Shannon Moore interfered.[65] On the June 5 episode of SmackDown!, he defeated Hardy to win the title.[66][67] After losing the championship to Tajiri on September 25, he regained it on January 1, 2004.[68][69] After a successful title defense against Jamie Noble at the
Royal Rumble on January 25,[70] Mysterio lost the title to Chavo Guerrero at
No Way Out on February 15.[71] At
WrestleMania XX on March 14, Mysterio took part in a
Cruiserweight Open for the title, but Guerrero retained the title.[72] On the June 17 episode of SmackDown!, he defeated
Chavo Classic to win the title for a third time.[73] He lost the title to
Spike Dudley on the July 29 episode of SmackDown!.[74]
Teaming and feuding with Eddie Guerrero (2004–2005)
Mysterio then teamed up with
Eddie Guerrero to win the WWE Tag Team Championship back from the Bashams at
No Way Out on February 20.[78] In a departure from traditional
booking, the new champions did not defend their title at
WrestleMania 21 on April 3, but instead had a match against each other which Mysterio won.[79] He once again defeated Guerrero at
Judgment Day on May 22 by disqualification.[80] At
ECW One Night Stand on June 12, Mysterio faced and defeated long-time rival Psicosis for the first time in nearly five years.[81]
The WrestleMania match was part of a storyline in which Guerrero turned on Mysterio and assaulted him after abandoning him during their match against
MNM for the WWE Tag Team Championship. After a
no disqualification match against Chavo, Eddie came out and slammed Mysterio on the steel steps, displaying Eddie's increasing frustration with being unable to defeat Mysterio. Guerrero and Mysterio continued to feud, with Guerrero threatening to reveal a secret he and Mysterio shared involving Mysterio's real life son
Dominik, unless Mysterio deferred to Guerrero's authority.
Guerrero later revealed that he was Dominik's biological father. Guerrero said he knew Mysterio was having trouble starting his own family, so Guerrero left Dominik as a baby with Mysterio and his wife Angie to raise. Guerrero threatened to take custody of Dominik, drawing up custody papers and having his lawyer present them to Mysterio. At
SummerSlam on August 21, Mysterio defeated Guerrero in a
ladder match for the custody of Dominik.[82]
On November 13, 2005, Eddie Guerrero was found dead in his hotel room in
Minneapolis, Minnesota.[83] That same day at a WWE "Super Show" where SmackDown! and Raw were both taped, Mysterio gave an emotional speech about Guerrero, and in a show of respect removed his mask (though he put his head down, so his face could not be seen). Mysterio went on to defeat
Shawn Michaels in an interbrand match later that night. After the match, Michaels and Mysterio hugged in the ring and Mysterio pointed up to the sky, crying, in memory of Guerrero.[84]
World Heavyweight Champion (2005–2007)
Mysterio participated in the main event of
Survivor Series on November 27 as part of Team SmackDown! along with
Randy Orton,
Bobby Lashley,
Batista, and
John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) who defeated Team Raw (
Shawn Michaels,
Kane,
Big Show,
Carlito, and
Chris Masters).[85] Mysterio then started a feud with Big Show after Mysterio eliminated Big Show at Survivor Series. Mysterio would face Big Show in a match billed as "
David vs.
Goliath" in a SmackDown! special show, and ended as a "no contest" when Big Show's tag team partner Kane interfered in the match. Mysterio continued to feud with Raw's
World Tag Team Champions, and found a tag team partner in
World Heavyweight Champion Batista. They were booked to face Raw's Kane and Big Show in a tag match at
Armageddon on December 18. Before Armageddon, Batista and Mysterio defeated MNM on the December 16 episode of SmackDown! to win the WWE Tag Team Championship in a match they both dedicated to Eddie Guerrero.[86] Mysterio and Batista's match with Big Show and Kane was then billed as "Champions vs. Champions," which they lost.[87] On the December 30 episode of SmackDown!, MNM invoked their rematch clause, defeating Batista and Mysterio after interference from
Mark Henry to regain the WWE Tag Team Championship.[88] The following week, Mysterio and Batista received their rematch for the titles in a steel cage match, which they lost after interference by Henry.[89]
Mysterio was the second entrant in the
Royal Rumble match on January 29, 2006, setting a record by lasting 62 minutes, winning the match, and earning a world title shot by last eliminating
Randy Orton.[90] Orton urged him to put the title shot at stake in a match at
No Way Out.[91] Over the following weeks, Orton made disparaging remarks about Eddie Guerrero, which many felt the comments were unwarranted and distasteful in the wake of Guerrero's death.[92][93][94] Orton won at No Way Out on February 19, earning Mysterio's title shot for the World Heavyweight Championship at
WrestleMania 22 on April 2.[95] General Manager
Theodore Long re-added Mysterio to the WrestleMania title match however, making it a triple threat match between Orton, Mysterio, and then-champion,
Kurt Angle.[96] At WrestleMania, Mysterio pinned Orton to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. On the following episode of SmackDown!, Mysterio – billed as an "
underdog champion", made his first successful World Heavyweight title defense against Orton.[97] Mysterio retained the title again during a WrestleMania rematch on SmackDown! against Angle three weeks later.[98]
Mysterio quickly moved into a feud with the United States Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL). The rivalry kicked off after JBL, celebrating his United States Championship win, stated he deserved the World Heavyweight title.[99] This feud saw Mysterio face off against three opponents chosen by JBL in the three weeks leading up to their title match at
Judgment Day.[100] Mysterio was defeated by Mark Henry and
The Great Khali in separate non-title matches before wrestling Kane to a "no contest";[100][101][102] Mysterio retained his title against JBL at Judgment Day on May 21.[103] The feud intensified when JBL lost the United States Championship to
Bobby Lashley five days later on SmackDown! after being tricked by Mysterio to take on all comers like Mysterio himself had.[104] JBL vowed that if he did not win his rematch against Mysterio, he would quit SmackDown!.[104] In their main event match, Mysterio retained the World Heavyweight Championship, causing JBL to leave SmackDown!, until
ECW One Night Stand, when he announced his return as a
color commentator.[104][105] Mysterio was booked to defend against ECW wrestler
Sabu at ECW One Night Stand.[106] In the weeks leading up to his title defense, Mysterio defeated Cruiserweight Champion
Gregory Helms in a Champion vs. Champion match, and lost to Rob Van Dam at
WWE vs. ECW Head-to-Head on June 7.[107][108] At ECW One Night Stand on June 11, Mysterio retained the title, after he and Sabu were ruled unable to continue following a triple jump DDT through a table by Sabu. Mysterio then retained his title in a match against Mark Henry, winning by disqualification after Chavo Guerrero handed Henry a chair and Mysterio acted as if he was hit, a tactic for which Eddie Guerrero was known.[105]
Mysterio began a feud with
King Booker after Booker won a
battle royal to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.[109] Booker attacked Mysterio from behind backstage with the help of Booker's wife
Queen Sharmell.[110] The next week on SmackDown!, Mysterio gained revenge by attacking Booker and his "
court".[110] This rivalry continued for several weeks and saw Mysterio defeating Booker's court member
William Regal on an episode of SmackDown!, moments before attacking the challenger and hitting him with a
619 around the steel post.[110] On July 23 at
The Great American Bash, Mysterio lost the World Heavyweight Championship to King Booker after Chavo interfered in the match and turned on Mysterio, hitting him with a steel chair. Guerrero cost Mysterio his rematch the following week. This culminated in a match at
SummerSlam on August 20, where Mysterio lost to Guerrero after Vickie Guerrero tried to stop both men from fighting, but accidentally knocked Mysterio off the top turnbuckle. Vickie then along with Chavo turned on Mysterio after she hit him in the back with a steel chair and gave him an injury, thus, siding with Guerrero. Mysterio then defeated Guerrero in a
Falls Count Anywhere match at
No Mercy on October 8.[111][112] Subsequently, Guerrero challenged Mysterio to an
"I quit" match for the October 20 edition of SmackDown!.[113] In that match (which Mysterio lost), Guerrero injured Mysterio's knee, using the match to write Mysterio out of the storyline for a while to get knee surgery.[114]
Mysterio made his in-ring return at
SummerSlam on August 26, 2007, defeating Guerrero, after Guerrero obsessed over Mysterio's return as well as wanting to injure Mysterio again.[115] On the August 31 episode of SmackDown!, Mysterio won a "Championship Competition" to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Batista and
Finlay.[116] On the September 7 episode of SmackDown!, Mysterio had an "I Quit" match with Guerrero,[117] which he won after hitting Guerrero's knee with a steel chair repeatedly in a similar manner to which Mysterio had been put out of action, to end the feud.[117] Mysterio then began a feud with The Great Khali, which led to a World Heavyweight Championship match at
Unforgiven on September 16. The match was later made a Triple Threat match, also involving Batista, who won it.[118]
Various storylines (2007–2009)
Mysterio then began a feud with Finlay, an opponent chosen by JBL.[119] The rivalry was marked as "Fight vs. Flight", contrasting the fighting styles of both wrestlers – Finlay's physicality, versus the high-flying Mysterio.[120] After fighting to a "no contest" at
No Mercy on October 7,[121] followed by a double-disqualification in a number one contender's match for Batista's World Heavyweight Championship on the next SmackDown![122] he defeated Finlay in a
Stretcher match at
Cyber Sunday on October 28.[123] During this feud, he lost a match to Finlay on the November 9 episode of SmackDown! and was part of the winning team at
Survivor Series on November 18 which consisted of both wrestlers on opposing sides (although Mysterio was second to be eliminated).[124][125][126]
He re-entered the World Heavyweight Championship picture on the January 4, 2008, episode of SmackDown! when he won a
Beat the Clock challenge for a chance to face the World Heavyweight Champion Edge at the
Royal Rumble.[127] He was unsuccessful in winning the championship at the event on January 27.[128] WWE's official website announced on February 14 that Mysterio suffered a biceps injury during an overseas tour.[129] Despite the injury, Mysterio faced Edge for the title in a rematch at
No Way Out on February 17, which he lost.[129] On the February 22 episode of SmackDown, Mysterio announced that his injury would keep him out of action for at least six months, and he eventually underwent three surgeries within the space of a month.[130][131]
Mysterio made his return on the June 23, 2008, episode of Raw, as the first wrestler to be drafted in the
2008 WWE Draft from the
SmackDownbrand to the
Raw brand.[132] Mysterio made his Raw in-ring debut on July 7, pinning
Santino Marella after a 619.[133]General ManagerMike Adamle announced that
John Cena was injured and that Mysterio would replace him in the
Championship Scramble at
Unforgiven. The next week, Mysterio made his return to Raw after an extended absence by attacking Kane, turning back numerous claims that Kane had "ended his career".[134] Mysterio then made his in-ring return at
Unforgiven on September 7, competing in the World Heavyweight Championship scramble match, which was won by
Chris Jericho.[135] Mysterio put his mask on the line in a match at
No Mercy on October 5, which he won by disqualification after Kane attacked him with a
steel chair.[136] He defeated Kane again at
Cyber Sunday on October 26, this time in a No Holds Barred match,[137] and again at
Survivor Series on November 23, when the pair were on opposing sides in a five-on-five elimination match.[138] At
No Way Out on February 15, 2009, Mysterio competed in the
Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship, but was eliminated by Edge when the two were the last men in the match.[139]
Intercontinental Champion (2009–2010)
At
WrestleMania 25, Mysterio defeated
John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) for the
Intercontinental Championship in 21 seconds.[140] His win made Mysterio the twenty-first
Triple Crown Champion in WWE history. Mysterio was drafted back to the SmackDown brand during the
2009 WWE Draft on the April 13 episode of Raw, in the process making the Intercontinental Championship exclusive to SmackDown for the first time since August 2002.[141] He then entered into an extensive feud with
Chris Jericho, retaining his title against him at
Judgment Day on May 17.[142] During their second match at
Extreme Rules, Jericho won after he unmasked Mysterio and pinned him, losing the title.[143] Mysterio and Jericho were booked in a Title vs. Mask match that was scheduled for
The Bash on June 28, which Mysterio won, regaining the title.[144] He then moved into a feud with
Dolph Ziggler, whom he retained the title against at both
Night of Champions[145] and
SummerSlam.[146] On August 2, WWE announced that Mysterio would be suspended for 30 days, effective September 2, for violating the company's Wellness Policy.[1] Before the suspension, he lost the title on September 1 (aired September 4) against
John Morrison.[147] In an interview with Mexican newspaper Record, Mysterio stated that he was suspended for a drug he was using for his knee and arm.[148] Mysterio stated that he had a prescription for the drug, but was unable to produce it in time to prevent his suspension due to being on vacation and doing a promotional tour.[148]
When he returned, Mysterio began a storyline with
Batista. They lost to
Jeri-Show (Chris Jericho and Big Show) in a match for the
Unified WWE Tag Team Championship at
Hell in a Cell.[149] At
Bragging Rights, they participated in a Fatal 4 Way match for the World Heavyweight Championship. During the match, Mysterio prevented Batista of winning the title and, after the match Batista attacked Mysterio.[150] Batista defeated Mysterio at
Survivor Series.[151] Their feud moved around the World Heavyweight Championship, when Mysterio defeated Batista on the December 18 episode of SmackDown to gain a title shot against
The Undertaker on the December 25 episode of SmackDown, but the match for the title ended in a no contest after Batista interfered.[152][153] On the January 15 episode of SmackDown, they faced again in a number one contender's match in a
Steel Cage match, where Mysterio won. However, Mysterio lost the title match to The Undertaker at the
Royal Rumble.[154]
Since February, Mysterio began a feud with
CM Punk that also involved Punk's
Straight Edge Society. During the Elimination Chamber match, Mysterio eliminated Punk.[155] Mysterio continued to feud with Punk and had a match at
WrestleMania XXVI with the stipulation that if Mysterio were to lose at WrestleMania, he would be forced to join the SES.[156] After Mysterio defeated Punk at WrestleMania, they faced again at
Extreme Rules with Mysterio losing to Punk in a match where Punk should have had his head shaved if he lost.[157][158] At
Over the Limit on May 23, Mysterio faced CM Punk again with both previous stipulations in place (Mysterio's allegiance to the SES and Punk's hair); Mysterio defeated Punk, resulting in Punk's head being shaved.[159]
Between August 2010 and January 2011, Mysterio had a feud with the debuting
Alberto Del Rio, a Mexican wrestler who portrayed a high-class aristocrat. During Del Rio's debut on the August 20 episode of SmackDown, Mysterio lost to him by submission.[163] They both participated at
Bragging Rights as part of victorious Team SmackDown, but during the match Del Rio attacked Mysterio.[164] At
Survivor Series on November 21, Mysterio and Del Rio led two opposing teams as part of the traditional Survivor Series match, where Team Mysterio won.[165] They also participated at
TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs in a fatal four-way
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship, won by Edge.[166] His feud with Del Rio culminated on the January 7, 2011, episode of SmackDown in a two out of three falls match, which Del Rio won by countout.[167]
Mysterio's next feud was against Cody Rhodes. On the January 21 episode of SmackDown, during a match against Cody Rhodes, Mysterio accidentally broke his nose when he hit him with a 619.[168][169][170] WWE used this accident to start a feud and, as part of the storyline, Rhodes began to wear a mask and they wrestled at
WrestleMania XXVII, where Mysterio lost to Rhodes.[171] At
Extreme Rules on May 1, Mysterio defeated Rhodes in a Falls Count Anywhere match to end the feud.[172][173]
In the
2011 WWE Draft, Mysterio was drafted to the Raw brand. In May, Mysterio started feuding with CM Punk, with the pair exchanging victories on consecutive episodes of Raw.[174] The feud culminated in a singles match on June 19 at
Capitol Punishment, where Punk emerged victorious.[175] On July 25, Mysterio won a
tournament for the vacant WWE Championship to win his first WWE Championship, but he lost the title to John Cena later that night.[176] On the August 15 episode of Raw, Mysterio received a rematch for the WWE Championship against new champion Alberto Del Rio, but lost via submission.[177] Mysterio suffered an injury in late August.[178]
Teaming with Sin Cara (2012–2013)
On April 26, 2012, WWE reported that Mysterio had been suspended for 60 days due to his second violation of the company's Talent Wellness Program policy and that his suspension would expire on June 25.[179] After his return on the July 16 episode of Raw,[180] Mysterio had two matches at
SummerSlam and
Night Of Champions for the Intercontinental Championship held by The Miz, but he was defeated both times.[181][182][183] Since September 2012, he was paired with
Sin Cara, working as a tag team.[184] Despite working for 3 months, Mysterio took the decision to leave WWE when he saw no creative direction about his tag team with Sin Cara.[185] The team dissolved in December since Mysterio was taking time off and Sin Cara underwent knee surgery.[186] To write him off television, the storyline was that
The Shield attacked them and Mysterio suffered an injury.[187] In March, Mysterio took another leave of absence due to a legitimate knee injury, explained in storyline as an attack by Mark Henry.[188]
On the April 7 episode of Raw, he made an appearance and lost to a returning
Bad News Barrett, subsequently deciding to take time off to heal a wrist injury. During his hiatus, it was reported that Mysterio wanted to leave WWE, but the promotion had extended his contract without his approval.[192] Mysterio did not return to WWE programming, and instead appeared in a video message at AAA's
TriplemanÃa XXII and also visited
Lucha Underground.[193][194] On February 26, 2015, WWE officially announced that Mysterio's WWE contract had expired, ending his nearly 13-year tenure with the company.[195][196]
Return to AAA (2015–2016)
On March 3, 2015, five days after being released from WWE, it was announced that Mysterio had agreed to work for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide for the first time since (excluding sporadic appearances) 1995.[197] He made his in-ring return as part of AAA's 2015 pay-per-view
Rey de Reyes ("King of Kings") on March 18, 2015. Mysterio teamed up with
Myzteziz (formerly Sin Cara in WWE) to defeat the Los Perros del Mal team of
El Hijo del Perro Aguayo and
Pentagón Jr., with Mysterio scoring the winning pin.[198]
During another tag team match in the days following, tragedy struck, resulting in Perro Aguayo Jr.'s death in the ring following a drop kick from Mysterio. Mysterio delivered a dropkick to Perro's back, causing him to fall to the second rope, setting him up for Mysterio's signature "619" wrestling move, which involve Mysterio running towards the rope, grabbing it, and spinning around 180°, hitting the person on the face with his legs. Mysterio, seeing that something was wrong due to Perro becoming limp, purposely missed. The other wrestlers continued performing while each coming up and checking on Perro. They quickly finished the match after realizing that something serious had happened. The ref, wrestlers, and lockerroom crew came out and took Perro out using a piece of plywood. He was pronounced dead by the doctors later that night. His official death was ruled as cardiac arrest.[199]
On May 24, 2015, Mysterio came together with Myzteziz and
El Patrón Alberto to form the "Dream Team" for AAA's
Lucha Libre World Cup. The trio eventually won the tournament, defeating
Johnny Mundo, Matt Hardy and
Mr. Anderson in the finals with Mysterio pinning Mundo for the win.[200] For TriplemanÃa XXIII, AAA's biggest show of the year, a "dream match" between Mysterio and Myzteziz took place. Both wrestlers teamed during their time in WWE and AAA but had never competed against each other. Mysterio was victorious, forcing Myzteziz to submit to a Fujiwara armbar. After the match, Myzteziz turned rudo and sprayed mist at Mysterio's face and challenged him to a Lucha de Apuestas.[201][202] In early February 2016, AAA announced that Mysterio had left AAA due to financial issues between Mysterio and AAA.[203] Despite not working directly for AAA, Mysterio Jr. participated in the
2016 Lucha Libre World Cup alongside
Dr. Wagner Jr. and
Dragon Azteca Jr., known as "Team Mexico International" the trio finished in third place.[204]
Mysterio faced fellow
WWE alumnus
Kurt Angle on March 20, 2016, for the upstart URFight promotion.[207] Mysterio successfully defeated Angle in a two-falls match with assistance from rapper
Riff Raff. In January 2017, Mysterio noted in an interview that he may consider opening up his own wrestling school. During the interview, he said: "I just thought I would never have the time. Now being able to make that time – to not have the busy schedule I had with WWE – gives me plenty of time to be a family man. I'm hoping that this time I'm spending with my son will open up that idea again and create a Rey Mysterio Wrestling school". On April 30, 2017, at the WCPW Pro Wrestling World Cup – Mexican Qualifying Round, Mysterio won the Mexico Leg with
Penta El Zero M defeating
Alberto El Patron in the semi-finals, and defeating longtime rival
Juventud Guerrera in the finals. In Round 16, Mysterio lost to the English qualifier
Will Ospreay.
During an interview with Title Match Wrestling in December 2016, Mysterio was asked if he would ever return to WWE, Mysterio replied:
"You never say never. [sic] But I am very, very comfortable in the position I'm in with Lucha Underground. I love their schedule, I love their style, I love what they have to offer. I don't think there will ever be another company that has what Lucha Underground has. It's very unique, exciting, and fresh—this is really something new".[211]
At the end of Season 3, Mysterio was seen locked inside a cell with Matanza Cueto, implying that he had been killed off and would not be returning for Season 4. It was confirmed that Mysterio would not return for Season 4 as he had chosen not to renew his contract with Lucha Underground.
In 2018, Mysterio made two surprise appearances at
Royal Rumble and
Greatest Royal Rumble, but he didn't win the matches.[214][215] On September 19, it was confirmed Mysterio had signed a two-year contract with WWE.[216]
He participated in the
WWE World Cup,[217] but was defeated in the semi-finals by
The Miz at
Crown Jewel.[218] Two nights later on SmackDown Live, Mysterio was attacked by Randy Orton, where he ripped Mysterio's mask off of his face.[219] The two fought the following week, with Orton getting the upper-hand.[220] At
Starrcade on November 25, Mysterio faced Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship and won the match by disqualification, but not the title; he then teamed with
Rusev to defeat Nakamura and The Miz.[221] At
TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 16, Mysterio defeated Orton in a
Chairs match, ending their feud.[222][223] On January 27, 2019, at the
Royal Rumble, Mysterio entered at #25, but was eliminated by Orton.[224]
On the September 23 episode of Raw, Mysterio won a fatal five-way elimination match, which led to Mysterio earning a
Universal Championship opportunity against
Seth Rollins.[232] However, the following week on Raw, Mysterio and
Dominik were brutally attacked by
Brock Lesnar, resulting in a storyline injury for the latter.[233] On the October 4 episode of SmackDown, Mysterio assisted the debut of
Cain Velasquez to attack Lesnar after the latter's WWE Championship win.[234] At
Crown Jewel on October 31, Lesnar defeated Velasquez by submission and continued to apply the Kimura Lock after the match had concluded until Mysterio attacked Lesnar with a chair.[235] On the following week, Lesnar quit SmackDown to move to Raw in order to seek revenge against Mysterio, who had been drafted to Raw.[236] At
Survivor Series on November 24, Mysterio lost to Lesnar despite interference from Dominik.[237][238]
Mysterio regained the United States Championship on the November 25 episode of Raw, when he defeated
A.J. Styles,[239] but 31 days later lost it during a
house show at
Madison Square Garden to Andrade.[240] He then attempted to win the title back on the January 6, 2020, and January 20 episodes of Raw, but Andrade successfully retained the title.[241][242]
Soon after the Royal Rumble, Mysterio started teaming up with Dominik, and on the
WrestleMania edition of SmackDown on April 9, they faced
The Street Profits,
Otis and
Chad Gable, and the champions
Dolph Ziggler and
Robert Roode for the
SmackDown Tag Team Championship in a losing effort as the champions retained.[250] At
WrestleMania Backlash on May 16, Mysterio and Dominik defeated Ziggler and Roode to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, becoming the first ever father-son tag team champions in WWE history.[251] On the June 4 episode of SmackDown, the Mysterios retained their titles against
The Usos, albeit with controversy as Jimmy's shoulder was lifted although the referee wasn't aware. After
Adam Pearce and
Sonya Deville granted a rematch later that same night, the Mysterios again retained their titles after
Roman Reigns interfered and attacked the Mysterios, causing a disqualification, and both were assaulted by Reigns afterwards.[252] The following week on SmackDown, Rey called out Reigns for attacking Dominik, and challenged Reigns to a
Hell in a Cell match at the
namesake pay-per-view on June 20, but before Reigns could answer, Rey attacked Reigns with a kendo stick, but was ultimately overpowered, and while Dominik joined the brawl, Reigns powerbombed Dominik over the top rope and out of the ring. The next day on Talking Smack,
Paul Heyman, Reigns' "special council", formally accepted Rey's challenge on Reigns's behalf.[253][254] On June 17, however, Rey posted to
Twitter, stating that he did not want to wait until Sunday, and it was announced that the match would instead take place on the June 18 episode of SmackDown, marking the first Hell in a Cell match to take place on SmackDown, in which was defeated by Reigns.[255][256] At
Money in the Bank on July 18, The Mysterios lost the titles to The Usos in the pre-show, ending their reign at 63 days.[257] At
SummerSlam on August 21, The Mysterios failed to win the titles from the Usos in a rematch.[258]
As part of the
2021 Draft, both Rey and Dominik were drafted to the
Raw brand.[259] In October, Mysterio entered the
King of the Ring tournament, where he lost to
Sami Zayn in the first round.[260] On the October 25 episode of Raw, Mysterio competed in a fatal four-way ladder match to determine the #1 contender for the WWE Championship, which was won by Seth Rollins and featured Kevin Owens and Finn Bálor.[261] At
Royal Rumble on January 29, 2022, Rey entered at #23 but was eliminated by Otis.[262] On the following episode of Raw, Mysterio lost to
AJ Styles in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.[263] Around this time, Rey, along with Dominik, were involved in a feud with
The Miz. At
Elimination Chamber on February 19, Mysterio defeated Miz in the pre-show.[264] On the first night of WrestleMania on April 2, The Mysterios lost a tag team match to Miz and social media star
Logan Paul.[265] On the June 27 episode of Raw, Mysterio competed in a
Money in the Bank qualifying battle royal, which was won by Riddle.[266]
Feud with The Judgment Day (2022–2023)
In the following weeks, The Mysterios began a feud with
The Judgment Day (
Finn Balor,
Damian Priest, and
Rhea Ripley), who repeatedly attempted to have Dominik join the stable. At
SummerSlam on July 30, the Mysterios defeated Bálor and Priest in a no disqualification match due to interference from a returning
Edge, The Judgment Day's former leader.[267] On the following episode of Raw, they faced The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship in a losing effort.[268] At
Clash at the Castle on September 3, Rey teamed with Edge to defeat Bálor and Priest. After the match, Dominik hit Edge with a low blow and hit a clothesline on Rey, thus disbanding the Mysterios.[269] On the October 14 episode of SmackDown, he was transferred to the SmackDown brand.[270]
On
Thanksgiving, Rey was attacked by Dominik and Ripley after Rey refused to let them into the house.[271] On
Christmas Eve, Dominik and Ripley visited Rey's parent's home. A confrontation ensued between Dominik, Ripley, Rey and Angie (Rey's wife and Dominik's mother) outside of the house with Dominik shoving Rey and Angie slapping Ripley. The police arrived shortly after and (
kayfabe) arrested Dominik.[272]
At the
Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023, Rey was scheduled to enter the Royal Rumble match at #17, but was unable to compete due to presumably being attacked either solely by Dominik, who entered the match at #18 or the entire The Judgment Day.[273] On
Valentine's Day, Dominik and Ripley intruded on Rey's and Angie's Valentine's Day dinner, where the latter party immediately gave way to the former. At the end of the dinner, Dominik fled the restaurant after two police officers entered the premise thinking there was a
sting operation on him as "[he was] the most wanted man on
TikTok." Ripley was left to pick up the bill before leaving.[274]
On March 10, WWE announced that Mysterio would be inducted into the
WWE Hall of Fame as a part of the
Class of 2023.[275] On the March 24 episode of SmackDown, with the Mysterio family in attendance, Mysterio would lose to
LA Knight due to Dominik interfering, Dominik would then go up to the Mysterio family and antagonize them to the point where Dominik told his mom to shut up, this resulted in Rey finally hitting Dominik, where a match between Rey and Dominik at
WrestleMania 39 would be made official.
On the March 31 episode of SmackDown, before he would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame later that day, Rey would reform the
Latino World Order by gifting LWO shirts to
Legado Del Fantasma (
Santos Escobar,
Zelina Vega,
Joaquin Wilde, and
Cruz Del Toro) as the group had aided Mysterio against The Judgment Day for several weeks prior. On April 1, the first night of WrestleMania 39, Rey would defeat Dominik, thanks to the help of
Bad Bunny. On the August 11 episode of SmackDown, Mysterio defeated
Austin Theory to capture his third
WWE United States Championship after replacing LWO stablemate
Santos Escobar due to injury. Mysterio became the second WWE Superstar to win the United States Championship after being inducted into the
WWE Hall of Fame, after
Bret Hart. In a rematch, Mysterio successfully defended his title against Theory at
Payback. On the September 29 episode of SmackDown, Mysterio faced off against Santos Escobar for the United States Championship, where Mysterio emerged victorious. After the match,
Bobby Lashley and the
Street Profits attacked them both. On SmackDown LowDown, it was announced that the LWO would take on Lashley and the Profits in a 6-man tag-team match at
Fastlane. On the October 6 episode of SmackDown, during a match between Lashley and Mysterio, the Street Profits would attack Del Toro and Wilde, making them ineligible to compete at Fastlane. However, at Fastlane,
Carlito returned to team up with Mysterio and Escobar, winning the tag match for the LWO. On the October 20 episode of SmackDown,
Logan Paul returned to WWE, after defeating
Dillon Danis at a
boxing event, and challenged Mysterio to a United States Championship match at
Crown Jewel, which Mysterio accepted. At the event on November 4, Mysterio lost the title after Paul used brass knuckles, ending his third reign at 85 days. [276] On the following episode of SmackDown, Carlito blamed Escobar for Mysterio losing the title, saying he intentionally left the brass knuckles in the ring for Paul to use against Mysterio. Later that night, after Carlito lost to Lashley, Escobar attacked Mysterio as he was checking on Carlito. It was later reported that Mysterio had underwent surgery for his injured knee and will be out of action for at least six weeks.
After a three month hiatus, Mysterio returned on the March 1 episode of SmackDown, and assisted Carlito in winning a
street fight against Escobar.
Other media
Mysterio has been a subject of several DVDs during his wrestling career, including Rey Mysterio: 619, a 2003 documentary of Mysterio's career and personal life. WWE also produced Rey Mysterio: The Biggest Little Man, a three disc set featuring Mysterio's best matches that was released on October 23, 2007. He was also featured on the DVD Before They Were Wrestling Stars: Rey Mysterio Jr. in 2007 which featured matches from his time in Mexico. Rey Mysterio: The Life of a Masked Man was issued on July 12, 2011. In the UK,
Silver Vision released a Mysterio DVD as part of their Best of WWE collection. This featured his matches from
SummerSlam 2005,
WrestleMania 22,
No Mercy 2006, and
SummerSlam 2007.[277]
Movies
Mysterio appeared in the 2000 film Ready to Rumble along with several other wrestlers.
Books
Mysterio, Rey; Roberts, Jeremy (November 10, 2009). Rey Mysterio: Behind the Mask. New York City: WWE Books (
Pocket Books). 368pp.
ISBN978-1-4391-9584-0.
Music
Mysterio, along with rapper Mad One, performed the original version of "Booyaka 619", which Mysterio used as his WWE entrance theme around September 2005.[278] Mysterio also performed a rap song, called "Crossing Borders", which appears on the album WWE Originals[279] and was also used as the official theme song for the
2004 No Way Out pay-per-view.[280]
On March 19, 2007, Sports Illustrated published an article in its continuing series investigating a steroid and
HGH ring used by a number of professional athletes in several sports. That article mentioned several current and former WWE wrestlers, including Gutierrez who was alleged to have obtained
nandrolone and
stanozolol.[285] WWE subsequently stated that the allegations preceded the Talent Wellness program WWE launched in February 2006.[286] On August 27, 2009, WWE announced that Gutierrez would receive a 30-day suspension due to a violation of the wellness program.[1] Days later Gutierrez defended himself in a newspaper interview by explaining the drugs as being on a prescription for his knee and arm. While the Wellness Policy allows for prescribed drugs, Gutierrez further contested he had been on a family holiday and subsequently in Europe promoting
SummerSlam, giving him only a day to provide the prescription after being notified.[citation needed] On April 26, 2012, WWE suspended Gutierrez for 60 days due to a second violation of their wellness program.[287]
^This was a tag team match where
El Salvaje was teamed with Caballero de la Muerte, who was also wagering his hair. It is not known who Colibri's partner was.
^This was a three-way match that also involved Ãngel Mortal.
^
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