10 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About Rey Mysterio

4. He Refused To Lose To Dolph Ziggler

Rey Mysterio SummerSlam 2006
WWE.com

Nobody wants to lose to Dolph Ziggler in 2018, such is the directionless mess his career has become, but things were different in 2009.

Sure, 'The Show-Off' was yet to reach the peak of his popularity, but he was fast becoming a pushable commodity. His natural charisma and athletic talents were starting to catch on with the audience, and this saw WWE thrust him into a feud with Mysterio, who was Intercontinental Champion at the time.

Dolph failed at Night Of Champions, but was originally scripted to take the belt at SummerSlam, thus embarking upon the first major title run of his career. Rey had other ideas, however. He outright refused to take the fall that night, and walked out victorious instead, though John Morrison would unseat him eight days later. Ziggler? He was forced to wait until July 2010 before getting his run with the belt.

In fairness, Mysterio had a strong reason for not wanting to lose decisively, as he wanted to build towards a lengthy series of matches between him and the relative newcomer. Still, no wrestler wants to be associated with refusing to take a fall.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.