Rey Mysterio Signs With Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground has received a massive boost heading into their much anticipated second season in 2016. Former WWE World Champion Rey Mysterio has signed on as a member of the roster moving forward. The signing was announced by Lucha Underground on their social networking profiles late Saturday evening. It was also apparently made public to a live crowd in California as the company was filming episodes for the upcoming season. According to a press release from the company, Mysterio appeared in front of the crowd on Saturday evening during the season two television tapings. The second season of Lucha Underground is set to debut on January 27th on the El Rey Network. In the official press release, the show's Executive Producer (Eric Van Wagenen) had the following to say on Mysterio's signing:

"When it comes to in-ring performers, Rey Mysterio is among the elite and we are thrilled to welcome him and his skills to the €˜Lucha Underground€™ franchise reinforcing our promise to bring US audiences the very best in lucha libre wrestling."

Mysterio himself also commented on signing a new wrestling contract with Lucha Underground:

"I am excited by the opportunity to join such an extraordinary group of athletes and be a part of the Lucha Underground family. It is a privilege to be able to represent this sport and have a chance to share my love of Lucha with passionate wrestling fans around the globe."

Mysterio left WWE officially in February of this year, though he hadn't wrestled for the company since April 2014. Mysterio rehabbed a wrist injury for most of 2015, and he made it clear on a few occasions that he was ready to leave WWE while away nursing the injury. In February 2015, WWE simply announced on their website that Mysterio's contract had expired and he would no longer be working for the organization. Since his departure from WWE, Mysterio has most notably worked for AAA in Mexico, though he has also worked the occasional independent show. WWE, on the other hand, has been left searching for a performer to fill the void that Mysterio left as it relates to connecting with the Latino market.