Rey Mysterio Jr. has arrived and the Cruiserweight Division may never be the same again.

For years, fans and insiders have wondered what impact Mexico's preimier luchadore Rey Mysterio Jr. would make in World Wrestling Entertainment; now we're about to find out. Will the cruiserweights be able to withstand his onslaught or will they all be revealed as poseurs? With Mysterio now an active competitor, cruiserweights beware. After all, this business is in his blood; he's aspired to be a WWE Superstar for as long as he can remember. Watching his uncle Rey Mysterio Sr., and other Mexican legends like Mil Mascaras and Perro Aguayo perform, the younger Mysterio always hoped to one day don the mask and keep the family name alive.

"Around the age of eight, I remember getting in the ring with my uncle and practicing with a bunch of guys he was training who were in their late teens to early 20s," says Mysterio. "So, I started pretty young." At age 15, Mysterio made his professional wrestling debt, wearing a much different mask than he wears today and using the name "Colibri"- which in English means hummingbird. Because of his small stature, he was initially asked to compete with midgets (known in Mexico as minis). Before long, however, his ability far outshined his diminutive size, and he moved up to the cruiserweight division. After a few years of success, he earned the respect of his uncle and was given his current mask, as well as the privilege of carrying on the Mysterio name.

Working for the Mexico based AAA wrestling organization opened many doors for Mysterio, as he not only competed there, but in Japan as well - all the while picking up various Japanese wrestling techniques and molding them into one unique style. Word of Mysterio's ability spread to the U.S., and he soon debuted in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), engaging in numerous battles with fellow Mexican luchadores as well as several American athletes. But, it was in WCW where he gained the most fame and became a true international superstar.

With his slight frame and build, he was a sharp juxtaposition to the giant competitors that audiences had marveled at for so many years. More importantly, Mysterio was someone who many American wrestling fans could relate to - an undersized underdog who was almost always at a distinct height and weight disadvantage. His blurring speed, amazing agility, and vast array of innovative maneuvers made him an overnight sensation, and in 1996, WCW launched a cruiserweight division specifically for him and his peers to compete in. Within months, Mysterio defeated Dean Malenko for his first American championship. Throughout the rest of his WCW tenure, he went on to defeat other talented light-heavyweights such as Eddie Guerrero, Billy Kidman, and Juventud Guerrera. In all, he captured the title an uprecedented five times.

Perhaps one of the more shocking moments in Mysterio's career came in 1999 at WCW's SuperBrawl IX, when he and longtime friend Konnan teamed up to face the Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash). The stipulations of the match were that if Mysterio's team won, nWo valet Miss Elizabeth would have her head shaved, but if his team lost, Mysterio would have to unmask at the match's conclusion. After a Razor's Edge by Hall, Nash easily pinned the prone Mysterio and referee Nick Patrick stood guard as Konnan helped unlace the back of Mysterio's mask.

With his pride wounded and his heritage somewhat dishonored, Mysterio forged ahead. Instead of sulking over his lost mystique, he reinvented himself and actually increased his intensity as he attempted to gain revenge for the piece of lucha libre legacy stolen from him. A revitalized Mysterio went on an unprecedented winning streak and began crumbling men twice his size. Mysterio quickly earned the nickname "Giant Killer" by defeating behemoths like Bam Bam Bigelow, Scott Norton, and even his colossal tormentor, Kevin Nash.

Not long after his unmasking, Mysterio joined his good friend Billy Kidman and Latin brethren Konnan and Eddie Guerrero to form a group called the "Filthy Animals." Mysterio quickly flourished as a tag team competitor, capturing the WCW Tag Titles on three separate occasions with three different partners, as well as teaming with Kidman for a brief reign with the short-lived Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship. But when WCW was purchased in March of 2001, Mysterio decided to take some much needed time off to rest his body and spend quality time with his family.

"After not being there for about six years, I returned to Mexico and worked Mexico City. I worked for both AAA and Arena Mexico - a rival organization considered the capital of Mexican wrestling." says Mysterio. "The fans were really great. Instead of seeing me as a traitor who left Mexico City to work in the States, they reacted really well at seeing me again. After that, I worked in Puerto Rico and did some independent shows in the U.S. to keep myself sharp. But my main goal was always coming to work here."

As a sign of his resurgence in WWE, Mysterio has chosen to once again don his mask as he looks to restore glory to the luchadores.

"It's been so long since somebody from Mexico has come to WWE and made a significant impact. Back in the early 1980s there was Mil Mascaras, then Tito Santana and today there's Eddie Guerrero, but I'm looking to take it to the next step as only I can do," Mysterio says. "I have a mind for the luchadore style, and I'm one of the best at introducing new, awe-inspiring moves to the American audience...and beyond."

Making an immediate impact on WWE is going to be difficult, as many of Rey Mysterio Jr.'s old foes, as well as some new cruiserweights competition will be looking to outshine and outmaneuver him. WWE Magazine recently asked Mysterio his opinion about some of the Superstars he'll be encountering inside a WWE ring.

The Hurricane
I clashed with him in WCW when he was known as "Sugar" Shane Helms, and I'm definitely looking forward to mixing it up with him again and showing him that I don't need a cape to fly.

Jamie Noble
He's one tough, aggressive, and focused individual.

Billy Kidman
Billy and I go way back. We've been partners and opponents. I know that our paths are going to meet again, and I really look forward to it because he's an unbelievable athlete.

Kevin Nash
He's one big competitor, and we go back to a turning point in my career when he took a part of me. But at the same time, I flourished from our rivalry, and I'm all the better for it.

Tajiri
Tajiri is one of the toughest in the business and his kicking ability, combined with a strong Japanese technique, makes him a dangerous competitor. I actually enjoy watching him pull off some of those moves, and I think he is going to be great competition.

Eddie Guerrero
He's a classy wrestler who has everything from A to Z. He's a mat wrestler, and aerial wrestler, and he can adapt to any style whether it be Mexican, Japanese, or American. I've got a lot of respect for him.

Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Again, he's got it all and comes from a family rich in wrestling tradition. He's got all the skills it takes. My first matches here in WWE [at untelevised events] were against Chavo Jr. and we really tore the house down. I hope we can do it again.