Gutiérrez originally worked for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA) in Mexico, from 1992 to 1995. Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), from 1995 to 1996 and World Championship Wrestling, from 1996 to 2001, as Rey Misterio, Jr./Rey Mysterio, Jr. but dropped the "Junior" from his name when he began working for the WWE in 2002.
Mysterio is known for having a high flying style, which helped kick-start the cruiserweight wrestling revolution in the United States in the late 1990s during his time in WCW. In WCW, Mysterio won the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship five times, the WCW World Tag Team Championship three times and the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship once with Billy Kidman as part of the Filthy Animals. In WWE, Mysterio has won the World Heavyweight Championship twice, the WWE World Cruiserweight Championship three times (a record eight times overall when added with his WCW reigns), the WWE Tag Team Championship four times (also a record—shared with two others), and the WWE Intercontinental Championship twice, making him the 21st person to win the Triple Crown Championship. Mysterio was also the winner of the 2006 Royal Rumble.
Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995–1996)
After AAA, Rey Mysterio Jr. along with Juventud Guerrera and Psicosis were contacted by Paul Heyman to sign a contract for ECW in the states. Though Rey Mysterio Jr. only had a brief stint in ECW, he had a Mexican Death match with Psicosis that was ranked best match of the year 1995. Mysterio left ECW however to join World Championship Wrestling.World Championship Wrestling (1996–2001)
[edit] Cruiserweight division (1996–1999)
Rey Mysterio, Jr. made his WCW debut on June 16, 1996 at The Great American Bash, challenging Dean Malenko for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship, which Malenko retained by cheating to win. At Bash at the Beach, he defeated longtime rival Psycosis in a number one contender's match to earn another shot at the Cruiserweight Title.[6] The next night on the July 8, edition of WCW Monday Nitro, he defeated Malenko to win his first Cruiserweight Championship by ripping one in Malenko's face.[7] He reigned as champion for three months, which included title defenses against the likes of Ultimate Dragon, Malenko and Super Calo before he lost the title to Malenko at Halloween Havoc.[8][9][10][11] After his first Cruiserweight title reign ended, Mysterio challenged Ultimate Dragon for the J-Crown Championship, but was unsuccessful in his title match at the 1996 World War 3.[12] In early 1997, he feuded with Prince Iaukea over the WCW World Television Championship. He challenged Iaukea for the title at SuperBrawl VII, which Mysterio lost after Lord Steven Regal attacked him.[13] Mysterio lost again in a rematch for the title at Uncensored.[14] He had short feuds for the rest of the year before he began a feud with his real-life friend and Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero. He defeated Guerrero in a Title vs. Mask match at Halloween Havoc for his second Cruiserweight Championship.[15] On the November 10 edition of Nitro, he lost the title back to Guerrero. They had a rematch at World War 3, which Mysterio also lost.[16]On the January 15, 1998 edition of WCW Thunder, Mysterio defeated Juventud to win his third Cruiserweight Championship, but lost it nine days later to Chris Jericho at Souled Out.[15][17] After the match, Jericho continued the beating by using a toolbox he found at ringside. This storyline was used to cover Mysterio's need for a knee operation that kept him out of the ring for six months. He made his return at Bash at the Beach, where he defeated Jericho for his fourth Cruiserweight championship.[18] The next night, however, the result was overturned and the belt returned to Jericho due to the interference by Dean Malenko.[18] Later that year, Eddie Guerrero formed a Mexican stable known as the Latino World Order (LWO) (a spin off of New World Order) that included nearly every luchador in the promotion. Mysterio continually refused to join and feuded with Guerrero and the LWO members, including winning a match against long time rival and LWO member Psychosis in a match at Road Wild.[19] He, however, was finally forced to join the group after losing a match to Eddie Guerrero. Mysterio's on-and-off tag team partner Billy Kidman joined him during the feud with LWO, wrestling against the LWO despite Mysterio being a part of the group. His alliance with Kidman was formed after Mysterio helped Kidman defeat Juventud for the Cruiserweight Title at World War 3. Mysterio went up against Kidman for the Cruiserweight title at Starrcade 1998 but was unsuccessful winning back the title in a Triangle match that also involved Juventud. Kidman once again defeated Mysterio for the Cruiserweight title at Souled Out 1999 in a Fatal Four-Way match that also included Psychosis and Juventud.[20][21]
At Royal Rumble, Mysterio won the 2006 Royal Rumble match after entering at the number two spot and lastly eliminating Randy Orton to win the match. By winning the Royal Rumble, Mysterio earned a World Heavyweight title shot at WrestleMania 22. By lasting over sixty-two minutes in the match, Mysterio also set a Royal Rumble record for longevity.[79] Mysterio dedicated his performance at the Royal Rumble to Eddie Guerrero. After his win, he was congratulated by Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Chavo Guerrero and Rob Van Dam – all close friends and family of Eddie. During the February 3, 2006 episode of SmackDown!, an upset Orton interrupted Mysterio's victory speech, challenging Mysterio to a match for his WrestleMania world title shot.[80] As Mysterio looked upward for guidance on this decision, Orton verbally attacked him and the memory of Guerrero, saying "Eddie ain't in heaven, Eddie's 'down there' – IN HELL!" Mysterio proceeded to attack Orton and later accepted the challenge.[80] Orton defeated Mysterio at No Way Out after illegally using the ropes to get the pin.[81] On the next edition of SmackDown!, however, General Manager Theodore Long added Mysterio to the title match, making it a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight title.[82] At WrestleMania 22, Mysterio defeated Orton and then-World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle, pinning Orton after a 619 to win his first World Heavyweight Championship.[83][84]
On the April 7 edition of SmackDown!, Mysterio – who was billed as being an "underdog champion", made his first successful World Heavyweight title defense against Randy Orton.[85] Mysterio went on to retain his title again during a WrestleMania rematch on SmackDown! against Kurt Angle, three weeks later.[86] The week before the title defense took place saw the start of a feud between the then-United States Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Mysterio. The rivalry kicked off after JBL stated he deserved the World Heavyweight title during his celebration of becoming the U.S. Champion.[87] The feud with JBL saw Mysterio face off against any opponent of JBL's choosing in the three weeks leading up to his title match against Mysterio at Judgment Day.[88] Mysterio was defeated by Mark Henry and The Great Khali in separate non-title matches before wrestling Kane to a "no contest",[88][89][90] Mysterio retained his title against JBL at Judgement Day.[91] The feud intensified when JBL lost the U.S. Title to Bobby Lashley five days later on SmackDown! after being tricked by Mysterio to take on all comers like he himself had.[92] This led JBL to vow that if he did not win his rematch against Mysterio, he would quit SmackDown!.[92] In the main event of the evening, Mysterio retained the World Heavyweight Championship, causing JBL to leave SmackDown!, until ECW One Night Stand, when JBL announced he would return as a color commentator.[92][93]
It was revealed that Mysterio would have to defend his title against ECW wrestler Sabu at One Night Stand.[94] In the weeks leading up to his title defense, Mysterio defeated Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms in a Champion vs. Champion match but was defeated by Rob Van Dam at WWE vs. ECW Head to Head on June 7.[95][96] At One Night Stand, Mysterio (who was wearing a mask with the letters "ECW" written on the back, despite being a fan favorite was booed by ECW fans) retained his title in a match after he and Sabu were ruled unable to continue following a triple jump DDT through a table from Sabu.[93]
Mysterio began a feud with King Booker after Booker won a battle royal to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.[97] Booker attacked Mysterio from behind backstage with the help of Booker's wife Queen Sharmell.[98] The next week on SmackDown!, Mysterio gained revenge by attacking Booker and his "court".[98] This rivalry continued for several weeks and saw Mysterio defeating Booker's court member William Regal on an edition of SmackDown!, moments before attacking the challenger and hitting him with a 619 around the steel post.[98] At The Great American Bash, Mysterio lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Booker after Chavo Guerrero turned on Mysterio and hit him with a steel chair, Chavo also cost Mysterio his rematch the following week.[99][100] Subsequently Guerrero challenged Mysterio to an "I Quit" match.[101] In that match, Chavo injured Mysterio's knee, using the match to write Mysterio out of the storyline for a while to get knee surgery.[102]
Return (2007–2008)
ysterio made his in-ring return at SummerSlam, defeating Guerrero with the 619, after Guerrero obsessed over Mysterio's return as well as wanting to injure Mysterio again.[103] On the August 31 edition of SmackDown!, Mysterio won a "Championship Competition" to become the number 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Batista and Finlay.[104] On the September 7 edition of SmackDown!, Mysterio had an "I Quit" match with Chavo Guerrero,[105] which he won after hitting Guerrero's knee with a chair repeatedly in a similar manner to which Mysterio had been put out of action.[105] Mysterio then began a feud with The Great Khali, which would lead to a match at Unforgiven where he would face Khali for the World Heavyweight Championship, the match was eventually made a Triple Threat match also involving Batista, but was unsuccessful in recapturing the title.[106]
He re-entered the world title picture when he emerged victorious in the Beat the Clock challenge for the chance to face the World Heavyweight Champion Edge at Royal Rumble.[115] However, he was unsuccessful in winning the championship.[116] WWE.com announced on February 14 that Mysterio suffered a biceps injury during an overseas tour.[117] Despite the injury, Mysterio faced Edge for the title again at No Way Out.[117] On the February 22 edition of SmackDown!, Mysterio announced that his injury would keep him out of action for at least six months, and he eventually underwent three surgeries within the space of a month.[118][119]
Raw and Intercontinental Champion (2008–2009
Mysterio made his return on the June 23 episode of Raw, as Mysterio was the first wrestler to be drafted in the 2008 WWE Draft from the SmackDown brand to the Raw brand.[120] On the June 30 edition of Raw, Mysterio came to make an announcement to all the Raw fans which led to a minor fight with Santino Marella.[121] Mysterio made his Raw in-ring debut the next week, pinning Marella after a 619.[122] General Manager Mike Adamle announced that John Cena was injured and that his replacement in the Championship Scramble at Unforgiven was Mysterio. The next week, Mysterio made his return to Raw after an extended absence by attacking Kane, turning back numerous claims that Kane had "ended his career".[123] Mysterio then made his in-ring return at Unforgiven, competing in the Raw Championship scramble match.[124] Later, Mysterio accepted John "Bradshaw" Layfield's (JBL) challenge for Layfield's Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania XXV, which Mysterio won in 21 seconds.[125] With this win, Mysterio became the twenty first Triple Crown Champion in WWE history.
Return to SmackDown (2009–present)
Mysterio returned from his suspension at Hell in a Cell to face Chris Jericho and Big Show for the Unified Tag Team Championships with former tag team partner Batista, but they failed to win the title after Mysterio was pinned by Big Show.[128] At WWE Bragging Rights, Mysterio was unsuccessful in winning the World Heavyweight Championship. In a Fatal Four-Way match with Batista, CM Punk, and then-champion The Undertaker, Mysterio broke up Batista's pin on Undertaker, leading to Batista losing his temper. After the match, he attacked Mysterio. This led to Batista entering into a dramatic change of attitude, stretching into an ongoing storyline in which Batista turned heel.[129] Mysterio faced Batista at Survivor Series where Batista delivered three Batista Bombs on Mysterio leading to the referee stopping the match.[130] Mysterio and Batista faced off during a later Smackdown episode that saw the Undertaker interfere in the match when he attacked Batista.[131] A few weeks later Mysterio successfully defeated Batista to win a shot at World Heavyweight Championship.[132] Mysterio faced Undertaker for the World title on December 25, 2009 but Batista interfered resulting in a disqualification.[133] On January 1, 2010 Mysterio participated in a "Beat the Clock" tournament. During Batista's "Beat the Clock" challenge, Batista was about to beat Mysterio's time that he had got earlier in the show, but Mysterio pulled the referee out of the ring while he was counting for a pin resulting in Batista losing the challenge as time ran out. Later on it was announced that Mysterio and Batista would face each other the following week to become the number one contender. During that match, both were seemingly knocked out by The Undertaker after the lights went out, resulting in a no contest.[134][135] The following week in a rematch, Mysterio managed to win the title shot for The Undertaker's World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble by defeating Batista in a Steel Cage match. At the Royal Rumble, The Undertaker successfully defended the title against Mysterio, putting an end to the storyline between Mysterio, Batista and The Undertaker.Following the Rumble, Mysterio qualified for an Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. In the weeks leading up to the Elimination Chamber, Mysterio began a feud with CM Punk that also involved Punk's "Straight Edge Society" (SES: Luke Gallows, and Serena). During the Elimination Chamber match, Mysterio eliminated Punk from the match, but ultimately lost the match when he himself was eliminated by John Morrison. In the weeks following the Elimination Chamber event, tension between Punk and Mysterio rose after Mysterio interfered in a Money in the Bank qualifing match, causing Punk to lose. During the on-screen celebration of Rey Mysterio's daughter's ninth birthday the SES showed up, taunting Mysterio and challenging him to a match at WrestleMania XXVI as well as a match right there and then. Mysterio declined to answer as he escorted his family away from the arena while Punk declared that Mysterio was a coward. Later in the night, during Luke Gallows' match against Kane, Mysterio returned to the ring and proceeded to attack Punk after the latter interfered in the match, chasing Punk from the arena. Mysterio later accepted the challenge for WrestleMania, making it a street fight. Punk told Mysterio he would have to beat Gallows for him to accept the challenge as a street fight, which Mysterio was unable to do. After the match, Punk said that if Mysterio were to lose at Wrestlemania, he would be forced to join the SES. Punk's attempt to convert Mysterio failed as Mysterio defeated Punk at Wrestlemania. Five days later on Smackdown, Punk challenged Mysterio to another match at Extreme Rules, and if Mysterio won, Punk would shave his head bald. At Extreme Rules, Mysterio lost to Punk due to interference from a masked SES member, which meant Punk saved his hair on the night. At Over the Limit, Mysterio faced Punk once more with both men reinstating previous stipulations (Mysterio's allegiance to The SES vs Punk's hair.) Mysterio defeated Punk thus resulting in Mysterio shaving Punk's hair.[citation needed]
On the May 28th edition of SmackDown, Mysterio fought The Undertaker to qualify for the World Heavyweight Championship title match at Fatal 4-Way, which he lost but during the match inadvertently injured the Undertaker. On June 4, 2010, Mysterio won a Battle Royal involving the whole SmackDown roster to earn The Undertaker's vacated spot due to the injury, joining Champion Jack Swagger, Big Show, and CM Punk. At Fatal 4-Way, he won the title after pinning Swagger. On July 2, 2010 Mysterio saved Big Show from an attack by Jack Swagger and Cody Rhodes. Later that night, Mysterio teamed with Big Show in a match against Swagger and Rhodes which they won by disqualification. Swagger applied an ankle lock on Mysterio, ignoring the referee's five count as he was intent on injuring Mysterio. The following week Swagger attacked Mysterio during an interview, applying the ankle lock once more. On the following edition of SmackDown he was interviewed, stating that his new ankle brace would help him stand and be able to defend his title at the Money in the Bank PPV against Swagger.
At WWE Money in the Bank, Mysterio defeated Swagger to reatain the title, however Swagger continued attacking the ankle after the match until Kane, who had earlier won the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match, came to the ring to chase Swagger away, seemingly to protect Mysterio. However, Kane returned with a referee and cashed in his title shot, defeating Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship in a very short match. Seemingly denying his rematch clause, on the July 20 Smackdown tapings, Mysterio defeated Swagger in a 2 out of 3 falls to remain the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, earning a title match against Kane at Summerslam. However, during the weeks before SummerSlam, Kane had marked Mysterio as the one who had attacked The Undertaker putting him in a vegetative state (Which was a storyline put in place to explain Undertaker's absense due to the injury he had sustained against Mysterio in the Fatal Four Way qualifying match.) Mysterio retaliated saying that Kane was the true culprit. After the match at SummerSlam, which Mysterio ultimately lost, Kane had attempted to put Mysterio in a casket only for The Undertaker to emerge from the casket and ended up clearing his name when Kane was revealed to be the one behind the attack on The Undertaker. On the following edition of SmackDown Mysterio lost via submission to the debuting Alberto Del Rio. On the August 27th edition of SmackDown, he lost a No DQ match to Kane, and afterwards was attacked by Del Rio on his injured left arm, sparking a feud between the two.
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