Few figures of Latino descent have enjoyed as much international recognition in the field of professional wrestling as Rey Mysterio. The star is characterized by wearing a mask on his face as one of his greatest symbols. Many know his skills and even his family as they have slowly drifted into the industry, and yet not many people know details of his life. 

In this article, we take a look at the rise of the one and only Rey Mysterio. 

Rey Mysterio: 10 Facts About The Master Of 619

1. This is how he got his iconic name:

Óscar Gutiérrez Rubio was practically born in the ring. Originally from San Diego, California, as a teenager he adopted various names when competing in the arenas of Tijuana and the border area with the United States, always hiding the fact of being a minor so as not to get in trouble with the law. After a couple of years of forging the trade, Óscar became the successor to the name of his uncle and trainer, Rey Misterio.

2. Childhood prodigy:

Óscar Gutiérrez Rubio was brought up in Chula Vista, California, and started his professional wrestling career at age 14 in 1989, before debuting for the Mexican promotion Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA) in 1992, under the training of his uncle, Mystery King. 

The masked hero had a brief stint at Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1995, prior to signing with World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

In WCW, Mysterio helped popularize the style wrestling of high-flying, to which he is credited with having helped boost the appearance of cruiserweight wrestling in the United States. 

3. His career before WWE in 2002:

In the mid-90s, Rey left for the United States, where the largest promoters in that country showed interest in the fighter’s stunts.

Before long, Rey Misterio Jr. was competing with Konnan, Psicosis and La Parka, among other ” fighters ” for an American audience that was in awe of these masked men who were not afraid of the heights of the third string.

At the end of the nineties, Rey became one of the big stars of World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he even lost his mask and wrestled with his face uncovered. The wrestler has also been awarded several championships during his time with the company, including the WCW World Tag Team Championship and the WCW Cruiserweight Championship. After WCW shut its doors in 2001, the American cruiserweight known for his aerial stunts returned to Mexico. Here, he wrestled for the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), prior to signing with WWE in 2002.

When this promotion went bankrupt, to be later acquired by the competition, the young wrestler joined the ranks of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002.

4. From Cruiseweight to Heavyweight, and immense success: 

According to ESPN, Rey Mysterio is “widely regarded as the greatest cruiserweight in professional wrestling history.”

Already in WWE, Rey recovered his mask, although he had to change his name to “Rey Mysterio”, more suitable for an American audience relatively allergic to foreign words. It was in this company that Rey found even more fame and success, even conquering his most important heavyweight titles on numerous occasions. In addition to his performance in the ring, his mask was one of the most sold accessories by WWE, his image was replicated in dozens of video games, action figures and other toys, and his relationship with fans has always been the most respectful.

5. Joining Raw:

In the following three years, Rey Mysterio participated in various promotions, from the independent circuit of the United States and the United Kingdom, and even made his debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling. However, WWE reopened its doors to him in early 2018, marking his unexpected return to the world’s largest professional wrestling promoter at one of its peak events, Royal Rumble.

For three years, Rey Mysterio was back in the most sought after places on the card, this time, fighting a new generation of stars, both on RAW and Smackdown, the star programs of the company headed by Vince McMahon.

6. Injuries:

Rey Mysterio wrestled for WWE for 13 years, although not without being exempt from his long periods of surgery and rehabilitation for all the injuries he had along the way, one of the inevitable costs of being a professional wrestler. Although Rey went through several injuries in WWE, the wrestler had to undergo surgery for the damage caused to his knees. He also got his eye bashed in once. 

7. Nicknames:

“The Giant Killer” (WCW / WWE)

“The Master of the 619 ”  (WWE)

“The Biggest Little Man” (WWE)

“The Ultimate Underdog” (WWE)

8. Final moves:

The 619 (Tiger feint kick an opponent on the second rope) followed by:

• Diving splash, sometimes while takes a springboard – WWE
• Droppin ‘Da Dime ( Springboard leg drop,sometimes to the opponent’s neck ) – ECW / WCW / WWE
• Frankensteiner – WCW; rarely used as a final movement in the WWE 
• Frog splash – WWE; adopted from Eddie Guerrero
• Springboard headbutt – ECW / WCW; sometimes used in WWE
• Springboard seated senton – ECW / WCW; used as a signature move in WWE
• West Coast Pop ( Springboard hurricanrana ) – ECW / WCW / WWE

9. Signature movements:

• Armbar, sometimes transitioned into a hammerlock 
• Arm wrench inside cradle
• Baseball slide, sometimes transitioned into a headscissors takedown
• Bronco buster
• Bulldog 
• Canadian destroyer
• Diving hurricanrana, sometimes from the edge of the ring
• Dropkick, sometimes while takes a springboard or sometimes from the third string 
• Mysterio Express ( Leg trap sunset flip powerbomb ) 
• Somersault seated senton the outside of the ring, sometimes transitioned into a hurricanrana 
• Split-legged moonsault 
• Rolling sunset flip
• Springboard moonsault 
• Spinning Heel Kick, sometimes after an Irish Whip
• Thesz press 
• Tilt-a-whirl 
• Wheelbarrow bodyscissors transitioned to an arm drag or bulldog 

10. Commonly Asked Questions:

What is Rey Mysterio’s real name and age?

His real name is Óscar Gutiérrez Rubio. He was born on December 11, 1974 in San Diego, California, United States, and has Mexican roots. In a few weeks he will be 45 years old, marking the beginning of the end of his career, as he announced in an interview that he does not see himself fighting beyond 50, therefore he has five years left in the ring.

Who is Rey Mysterio’s wife?

Rey Mysterio has been married since 1996 to his love Angie Gutiérrez, with whom he formed a family.

How many children does Rey Mysterio have?

Rey Mysterio has two children, the most famous is Dominik, who has followed in his footsteps and today already works in WWE, emerging as a great star. The youngest is called Aalyah Gutierrez, who is 19 years old and she is recognized on social networks.

How many masks does Rey Mysterio have?

The fighter wears a total of 44 masks, of different themes and colors.