Why WWE Has FAILED To Replace This Legend

Modern Efforts

Failures with Alberto Del Rio, Sin Cara, Andrade, and even other lucha acts such as the Mexicools and Lucha House Party proved that finding “the next Rey Mysterio” might well be impossible.

Rey’s son Dominik only recently has found his way as a meta character as part of the Judgment Day, leaning into the fact he can’t live up to his father’s legacy and playing up his inadequacy for pure heel heat. It’s worked tremendously well, but at some point, the rub will wear off, and Dominik will still be Dominik.

Lately, WWE has tried a different approach: Use Mysterio’s star power to directly give the rub to Latino superstars by restarting the LWO. Setting aside the fact this was largely a joke faction in WCW, the Latino World Order has clicked from the jump, with the existing faction Legado Del Fantasma joining up with Rey.

Rather than trying to anoint Rey’s successor, Santos Escobar, Zelina Vega and company are getting screentime and repeated endorsements from Mysterio himself as part of the LWO. Mysterio hyping them up and teaming with them provides a bigger boost than Escobar could ever receive from beating Rey in a feud. Respect and admiration might transfer more of Mysterio’s magic than anything else.

Additionally, the LWO gives WWE the ability to bring in other Latino superstars as ancillary members, as we saw this spring with Bad Bunny, Savio Vega and Carlito.

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