Solving the Mysterio

by Bob Ryder

Rey Mysterio Jr broke into the business in 1990 with a match against Shamu. He was only 15 years old at the time, and had been trained for two years by his uncle, Rey Mysterio.

As a rookie, Rey wrestled using the name Colibri before picking up the name of his famous uncle in 1991.

In 1992, Rey left high school to join the AAA organization and began wrestling on a full time basis in Mexico.

Rey was tremendously successful in Mexico and won the WWA World Welterweight Title four times. He also held the WWA World LIghtweight Title three times, and teamed with his uncle to win the WWA World Tag Team titles in 1995.

Fans in the United States got their first good look at Rey on November 6, 1994 when he appeared on the "When Worlds Collide" PPV, but it was his arrival in ECW the next year that gave him the exposure that caught the attention of fans in this country.

Mysterio made his ECW debut on September 16, 1995 and had a series of matches that caught the attention of WCW management.

Rey made his WCW PPV debut on June 16, 1996 with a loss to Dean Malenko at the Great American Bash, and immediately clicked with fans who were amazed at his high flying moves.

Rey became so popular in WCW that an article in the April 8, 1997 edition of the National Enquirer proclaimed "Friends Star Jennifer Anniston Flips for Incredible Hunk", and implied a relationship between Anniston and Rey. On a recent WCW Live! broadcast, Rey revealed he had never met Anniston.

Rey continued his winning ways in WCW, and is a four time WCW World Cruiserweight Champion, and is one half of the current WCW World Tag Team Champions (with Kidman).

One of the most important days in Rey's career was February 21, 1999. It was the day Rey was forced to remove his famous mask when he and Konnan lost to Kevin Nash and Scott Hall at SuperBrawl IX.

The next night on NITRO, Rey got revenge and shocked the wrestling world with a shocking upset victory over Kevin Nash, and proved that a good little man can beat a good big man. Nash got even a few weeks later at the Uncensored PPV, but Rey had proved his point and had a win against one of the biggest stars in the business.

Already a nine year veteran at the tender age of 24, Rey Mysterio Jr is destined to become one of all time greats. Wrestling fans can look forward to exciting matches from Rey Mysterio Jr for many years to come.