10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (June 17)
4. Rey Mysterio Was Told To Stop Using Superhero Inspired Outfits
When Rey Mysterio agreed terms with WWE and debuted in 2002, the company made the decision to put the high-flyer back under a mask. This had been stripped from him during his time spent in WCW, but all in all Mysterio only wrestled for around 18 months without the hood.
Knowing his lack of size would have to be compensated for in WWE, Rey told the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast that he began putting more emphasis on his ring attire than ever before. Suddenly, themes became commonplace in his act, and the Mexican performer couldn't foresee anything more fitting than superhero influence.
At WrestleMania XIX, he emerged wearing an outfit similar to that of Daredevil, and later appearances at 'Mania would yield inspiration from the likes of Captain America and The Joker.
Incredibly, Mysterio was asked by WWE to cease with the superhero-like costumes, because they were worried about legal action for essentially profiting from someone else's intellectual property.
Thankfully, things would never get to that point, but it's true that Rey was asked to stop with the outlandish outfits that referenced pop culture.