Rey Mysterio EXCLUSIVE: WWE legend reveals who’s idea it was for Brock Lesnar to attack his son, talks Chris Jericho moving to AEW and more
Rey Mysterio has been wrestling professionally since he was 14-years-old. That was 1989!
Now, the legendary luchador is 45-years-old and his son Dominick has appeared in a WWE ring.
Mysterio has done everything one could imagine in the wrestling business including winning a world title at WrestleMania, winning the Royal Rumble and so much more - and he's still a champion today.
The United States champion spoke to talkSPORT before RAW went on the air this past Monday to discuss a host of things ahead of WWE's move to BT Sport in the UK in January.
Hi Rey! First off, who was behind the captivating storyline with you, your son and Brock Lesnar? Fans were really into that, was that something you wanted, did your son pitch it? One might assume Brock was delighted to help you get your moment with your son?
I think, to be honest, to give someone credit for all of that, it would be Paul Heyman. We have to give credit to the geniuses behind the curtain and the ones that come up with the storylines and whatnot. I want to say since Paul Heyman took over RAW, the writing team has given a lot of opportunities to names that weren't being used and I think that has to do with a combination of Paul and his team that he works around.
You mentioned on your recent special on the WWE Network that you had virtually decided to retire before your son decided he wanted to get into professional wrestling. Can you explain to us what it was that made you want to retire and how you came to change your mind?
It was definitely a combination of various things. My eye and foot coordination weren't clicking. I felt like I was getting stuck on just getting the weight off of my shoulders and I wasn't enjoying everything in the ring because I felt like my timing was really bad. It was off. And it kept happening night after night while I had my son with me. So, instead of being inspirational to him, I felt like I was letting him down because I couldn't compete and perform like I usually do. So, I remember thinking 'this is definitely it'.
Obviously, what my son had to say and him making me switch my position to want to compete longer has turned into a positive. So many things have happened in the past few months that wouldn't have happened if I had hung up the mask and it's been very motivating, very positive. It's given me the energy to compete. Without a doubt - and I recognise it as a father and friend - he was the one that convinced me to continue to do what I love to do and he sparked that fire once again. I've had that for years and I never thought it would go away, but it was kind of burning off. But, it never went out completely and my son found it.
It seems like WWE has more Mexican talent now than ever before and the skill level is extremely high. Guys like Andrade have world title potential in the eyes of many, what is your take on the great talent coming out of Mexico right now and how WWE is jumping on it?
Without a doubt [Andrade could be a world champion]. I see Humberto Carillo, I see Angel Garza in NXT and a couple of other names that still haven't gotten that right push yet, but it will come. It will come. This runs in our blood, it's a part of our heritage and our culture. I truly believe Andrade could become a world champion. I would not back down one bit if he wanted a shot at the United States title either. I would give him an opportunity, just because I love to compete. I think the Latinos bring a great mix of wrestling into WWE that had been missed for such a long time.
Speaking of NXT, what do you think of that show since it has gone live?
I think they're doing incredible. They're killing it since going to live TV with the time slot and the talent that they have. The talent is incredible. I think it used to be viewed as a stepping-stone to eventually make it to a RAW or SmackDown, but NXT are holding their own. They have their talent of their own and their own stars. I think it's hard enough to get into NXT as it is, let alone RAW or SmackDown. So you got to put in the work and I think all the talent in NXT are doing absolutely that.
Chris Jericho decided to take a new challenge and try to build All Elite Wrestling in the winter of his career. What do you think of that choice and for you, was it always about coming home to WWE at this point in your career?
I have the utmost respect for Jericho for what he's accomplishing and what he's accomplished throughout his whole career. And I take my hat off to him for everything he has done. I love Jericho to death. Besides being working partners, we're friends. And I think that's the most important feeling despite being in the same company together at different points.
And yes, without a doubt. Being able to return home and finish out my career is the way I envisioned it. And now my son wants to be apart of this business. So now he has to put in the work and train and I would just love to step outside and he's stepping in, you know? Kind of leave my son behind so he can take care of our history.