El Papi Chulo (The Finest Man)

From Latino Magazine July 2002

"I grab you, sit you on the top rope, climb up, and hook my legs around your neck," growls Oscar Gutierrez, aka Rey Mysterio, Jr., the hottest Latino in professional wrestling. "Sitting on your shoulders, I swing you down and flip you so you land on your back." It may sound like a round of passion, but the 25-year-old champion is actually describing his signature move, the "Flying Huracanrana."

Born in San Diego and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Gutierrez has wrestling in his blood. His luchador uncle, from whom he proudly inherited his nom de ring, trained him and instilled an admiration for Mexican-style wrestling. His heroic persona was inspired by legends such as Santo. "I like to add spice to wrestling," says the 5-foot-6, 170-pound hunk whose acrobatic moves, tights, glittery outfits, and mask caught the attention of the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) scouts in 1996.

Last year Mysterio was unmasked, revealing for the first time his mega-watt smile. "It was uncomfortable at first," says the flirtatious grappler. The response among women, however, was explosive.

Unfortunately for his female fans, Mysterio is pinned. He and his wife, Angelica, have been together for 10 years. "She loved me when I had nothing," he says. "Now we live a happy life with our 3-year-old son, Dominik." If he's anything like his dad, Rey Mysterio III will make hearts pound, with or without the Flying Huracanrana.