The One Wrestler WWE Need To Push In 2019

Andrade Rey Mysterio
WWE.com

2019 is only a few weeks old, and the Becky Lynch/Ronda Rousey/Charlotte Flair saga may soon overtake it, but WWE haven't booked a better feud than Andrade vs. Rey Mysterio this year.

Things started simmering back in November, when the lucha libre legend bested his younger opponent in an eight-minute Survivor Series qualifier. They were then on opposite sides of a tag match on SmackDown's 8 January episode, but both bouts were mere appetisers for the entrees ahead.

Their 15 and 22 January singles matches were spectacular. Both men worked as if they were competing in a WrestleMania main event, holding nothing back in the quest to get Andrade over to Mysterio's level. High spots and big bumps came thick and fast, with Rey taking powerbombs on the outside and all manner of other hits a 44-year-old man with his wear and tear had no business absorbing, all while showcasing flashes of the brilliance that made him one of North America's most beloved wrestlers in the first place. Who thought we'd see Rey transition his sliding splash into a barricade powerbomb at this stage in his career?

SmackDown's 5 February episode brought a subtle continuation, as Andrade and Vega cut a perfectly arrogant backstage promo. With their singles record at 1-1-1 (W-L-D), Zelina promised that the end of Mysterio's legend would be the beginning of her charge's, meaning we're almost certainly getting a big pay-per-view match between the two. Nobody should be surprised if they steal whatever show they're eventually booked on.

Post-Mysterio, the possibilities for Andrade are even more exciting than the prospect of their final battle.

CONT'd...

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.