Eric Bischoff didn't feel Rey Mysterio was marketable enough underneath a mask, which is why the Mexican high-flyer was stripped of his guise back in WCW. Vince McMahon felt otherwise, placing the hood back on Mysterio for his WWE arrival in July, 2002. Subsequently, replicas of Rey's mask sold like hot cakes at the merchandise stands, and were still a big seller right up until just a couple of years ago. Initially signed to be the focal point of a relaunched WWE Cruiserweight Division on Smackdown, it wasn't long before Rey was tangling with the heavyweights - WWE quickly realised the man had immense talent, and was of more value going up against the big guns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-pK50Y9gdo The promotion would try a similar showcase debut with another masked man, Sin Cara many years later, but Mysterio's smooth performance in his first match against Chavo Guerrero on Smackdown had everyone's jaw hitting the floor. Ironically, the Cruiserweight Division became too small for the diminutive masked man, and his startling journey up the card even included reigns as the World Heavyweight Champion.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
