Of all the instances on this list, the case of Rey Mysterio's gimmick upon appearing in WWE is perhaps the most interesting. A little background is in order: Aside from dropping the suffix of "Jr.," the Rey Mysterio who debuted in WWE in 2002 was essentially the same as the one who wrestled in WCW from 1996 until its close in 2001, and even prior to that in ECW and Mexican organizations such as Asistencia Asesoría y Administración. However, there is a longstanding Mexican luchadore tradition regarding masks; being unmasked is considered a loss of that identity, and tends to come about more when a luchadore is ready to retire or move on to a new character. In Mexico, there is even a Boxing and Wrestling Commission that won't allow a wrestler to return to that persona again; some even consider it "sacrilege" to do so. Understandably, Rey was not pleased when he was forced to lose his mask in WCW: "I was strongly against it! I don't think WCW understood what the mask meant to me, to my fans and to my family. It was a very bad move on their behalf. The fans wanted Rey Mysterio with the mask and losing it hurt me a lot. It was also frustrating that it didn't come as the climax to a feud with another masked wrestler, but in a throwaway match. The same thing happened to Juventud and Psicosis and psychologically wise it was a bad move by Eric Bischoff. I think the fans understand that I was in a position where I had no option. I either had to lose my mask or lose my job. "... Also, once you lose it, everybody knows who you are - so you don't have that mystery and mystique of people wondering what you really look like." So how did Rey wind up masked again? Quite simple: "...when I signed for the WWE they wanted me to come back with the mask on, so I did. The fans in the United States are very educated as far as wrestling goes and accepted that very well. They gave me a chance and I think I've gained their respect. I feel much happier wrestling in my mask and even my wife says I should never lose it again." At first, Mysterio's remasking earned him the ire of Mexican wrestling fans, even though he had the permission and blessing of the one who first bestowed the mask upon him, his uncle, Rey Mysterio, Sr. Since then, things have apparently changed down Mexico way: "When I go back to Mexico I do wrestle with the mask on and they still respect me there too. In fact, I've started a new trend of people who lost their masks re-donning them, including my uncle Rey Mysterio Sr - who now once again wears the mask he lost more than 10 years ago." So in this way, Rey Mysterio bringing his old "lost" gimmick to WWE with him seemingly established a new precedent for wrestlers back in Mexico. As for the commission, who knows what they think?
Former Nintendo Power writer, current Nintendo Force writer. Wrote the book on Mega Man (The Robot Master Field Guide). Was once fired by Vince McMahon. Dabbles in video games, comic books, toys, and fast food curiosities. Once had a new species of exotic bird named after him. It died.
You can find more of his writings, musings, and other such things on his websites at Nyteworks.net.
