Rey Mysterio discusses never turning heel in WWE, explaining why his on-screen persona has remained a heroic “babyface” throughout his lengthy career, and what circumstances could force a dramatic change. Speaking from experience as a two-time world champion, Mysterio’s comments shed light on his deep connection with WWE fans and his reluctance to walk a darker path in the wrestling world.
Mysterio’s Reluctance to Play the Villain
Since starting his professional wrestling career in 1992, Rey Mysterio has never fully adopted the role of a heel, despite the shifting dynamics common in sports entertainment. Now at 50 years old, Mysterio has maintained his babyface identity, achieving both of his world championship wins while staying true to this persona. He was last active in WWE as part of the Latino World Order, a faction he helped bring back before WrestleMania 39, but has since been sidelined by injury, with his most recent appearance in April 2025.
The WWE Hall of Famer recently sat down with WrestleZone’s Bill Pritchard to address why he’s never turned on the fans or embraced the dark side, and what it would take to make such a dramatic shift. Mysterio, known for his calm demeanor and easygoing personality, described how difficult it would be for him to betray the fans’ loyalty. He pointed out that his only flirtation with a less wholesome character was with the Filthy Animals group, emphasizing that it was more playful than truly villainous.
“They (fans) would really have to, like, push me to the edge. I mean, even my wife says, like, ‘I never see you get mad at anyone but me. Like, why do you not fight? You don’t fight with anyone, but when you want to fight, you fight with me.’ So, I mean, it would be very hard for me to get pushed. I think the only time that I’ve been closest to becoming a heel, or I guess we were just having fun cuz that’s how we were, is Filthy Animals. That has been the closest, but overall, I just, uh, my personality, my demeanor is very laidback. So, I think it would be very hard. [0:10 onwards]”
—Rey Mysterio, WWE Hall of Famer
This quote reveals Mysterio’s internal struggle and hints at why fans have never seen him take an antagonistic role, despite various opportunities across his storied tenure in organizations like WWE and beyond. His remarks also emphasize the personal boundaries and engagement he maintains with his audience and family, highlighting a subtle sense of unease regarding any drastic change to his character.
Current Status and Path to Recovery
Mysterio has been absent from in-ring action since suffering injuries on the April 18 episode of SmackDown, including a torn abductor muscle and a damaged eardrum. Fellow wrestling personality Konnan recently provided an update during the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, suggesting that Mysterio is not expected to return until August. In the meantime, the decorated performer has made appearances outside of WWE, such as participating in the AAA Worlds Collide event, where he paid tribute to the tradition of Lucha Libre wrestling.
As Mysterio recovers and spends time away from active competition, speculation continues regarding his possible return and whether the future might finally push him into new narrative territory. As a past WWE Champion and respected veteran, his choices are closely watched by both fans and fellow stars such as Bayley, Rhea Ripley, and John Cena, who are themselves navigating complex storylines in WWE.
Outlook: Tradition Versus Change
The ongoing conversation around Rey Mysterio’s unwavering babyface status highlights both his unique place in wrestling and a sense of tension between tradition and evolution. With the support of fans and his established legacy, a heel turn seems unlikely unless provoked by significant storyline developments or a pivotal moment engineered by WWE creative or the fans themselves.
As the wrestling world watches for Mysterio’s recovery and possible return by August, the situation serves as a reminder of how personal values, fan sentiment, and performer legacy intersect in pro wrestling’s ever-changing landscape. Regardless of what happens next, Rey Mysterio remains a central figure not just for his accomplishments, but also for the strong, complicated expectations placed upon him by the audience and the industry alike.
