10 Times WWE Misread Their Own Audience

7. Feeling Sin Cara Could Ably Replace The Beloved Rey Mysterio

Even though he was obviously an incredible performer, few could have predicted the success that Rey Mysterio would have upon joining WWE in the summer of 2002. Going back under his trademark mask (following a stint wrestling in WCW without it), Mysterio looked like he had his mojo back and could be the top name of WWE's Cruiserweight division for many years to come. Quickly, the company realised that the masked man had much more to offer than throaway bouts against the likes of Jamie Noble, and he eventually became World Champion in 2006. For the next few years, Mysterio was usually booked in an exciting feud, often with the WWE/World Heavyweight or Intercontinental Title at stake. By 2011, things had started to slow down for Mysterio. Injuries had took their toll on the diminutive grappler, and WWE were keen to act fast in order to bring in someone who might be able to replace him. Amidst much fanfare, CMLL standout Mistico, at one point the world's most spectacular wrestler, was signed and renamed Sin Cara. From the off, Mistico struggled to fit into the WWE system. His matches felt disjointed and he even botched his own entrance on too many occasions. Likely disappointed but undeterred, management continued trying to push him as the second coming of Rey, only for fans to completely reject it outright. WWE were missing the point here; fans didn't necessarily need a Mysterio replacement, and they weren't willing to back the promotion's new pet project without being given a reason to care. Before too long, WWE decided to cut their losses on (the also injury-prone) Mistico and enlisted Hunico to play the Sin Cara character in a diminished role instead.