Rey Mysterio, born Óscar Gutiérrez Rubio, is a legendary American professional wrestler known for his high-flying style and iconic mask. Widely regarded as one of the greatest cruiserweight wrestlers of all time, Mysterio has had a prolific career spanning over three decades in promotions such as WWE, WCW, AAA, and Lucha Underground.
Rey Mysterio, born Óscar Gutiérrez on December 11, 1974, in Chula Vista, California, was destined for a life in the ring. Trained by his uncle, the legendary Rey Misterio Sr., Mysterio began his wrestling journey at the tender age of 14, honing his skills on the independent circuit in Mexico.123 His early years were spent mastering the high-flying, acrobatic style of lucha libre, a tradition that would become his trademark and pave the way for his future success.13
Mysterio's debut in 1989 marked the beginning of a remarkable career that would span over three decades. He quickly made a name for himself in Mexico, competing under various monikers like "La Lagartija Verde" and "Colibrí" before adopting the iconic "Rey Mysterio Jr." persona.13 His uncle's guidance and the rich heritage of lucha libre laid the foundation for Mysterio's unique blend of athleticism, showmanship, and storytelling that would captivate audiences worldwide.23
Rey Mysterio's rise to fame can be traced back to his time in Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). In 1992, Mysterio signed with AAA, where he engaged in a memorable feud with Juventud Guerrera, showcasing their high-flying lucha libre styles and setting the stage for their future rivalries.13
In 1995, Mysterio joined Paul Heyman's ECW, making his debut at Gangstas Paradise by defeating Psicosis in a match that marked the beginning of their intense rivalry.13 Mysterio and Psicosis had a series of acclaimed matches, including a two-out-of-three falls bout at South Philly Jam and a Mexican Death match at November to Remember 1995.3 Mysterio also reignited his feud with Juventud Guerrera during his time in ECW, with their matches captivating audiences with their innovative high-flying maneuvers.13
Mysterio's performances in AAA and ECW showcased his exceptional athleticism, technical prowess, and ability to tell compelling stories in the ring. These early experiences laid the foundation for his future success and helped establish him as a rising star in the world of lucha libre and cruiserweight wrestling.123
Rey Mysterio joined World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002, where he quickly became a fan favorite due to his high-flying style and charismatic persona.123 His early success in WWE was remarkable, as he won multiple championships, including the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship, cementing his status as a top-tier performer.123
One of Mysterio's most significant achievements was winning the 2006 Royal Rumble, where he set a record for the longest time spent in the match, lasting an impressive 1 hour and 2 minutes.123 This victory solidified his place as a main event talent and paved the way for future opportunities.
During his time in WWE, Mysterio engaged in numerous memorable feuds and matches. His feud with close friend Eddie Guerrero over the custody of Mysterio's son Dominik in 2005 was highly emotional and culminated in a ladder match at SummerSlam, where Mysterio emerged victorious.13 He also had intense rivalries with Chris Jericho, which included a high-stakes match where Mysterio's mask was on the line against Jericho's Intercontinental Championship at The Bash in 2009.13 Additionally, Mysterio had a series of acclaimed matches against Kurt Angle, with their encounter at SummerSlam 2002 being a standout early in Mysterio's WWE career.13
