Rey Mysterio, the WWE Hall of Famer celebrated for his dynamic performances, shared rare insights into the early stages of his wrestling journey, including his lesser-known ring names, on a recent episode of the No-Contest Wrestling podcast. Discussing the influences that shaped his path, he revisited the childhood experiences and guidance from his uncle, himself the original Rey Mysterio, which set the foundation for his career. The revelation of the Rey Mysterio early career ring name surprised many long-time followers.
Growing Up Under the Influence of Wrestling
The start of Rey Mysterio’s career was marked by close ties to family and a deep passion for wrestling that began when he was a young boy. Spending time with his uncle, the original Rey Mysterio, at wrestling school inspired him to pursue a life in the ring. The early training and exposure made a lasting impression on his ambitions as a performer.
“I grew up watching my uncle, going to wrestling school with my uncle, he would let me go in the ring and roll around, I’m talking five, six years old. I knew I wanted to do that from the moment I fell in love and I started training at the age of 15.”
—Rey Mysterio, WWE Superstar
The Origins of Rey Mysterio’s First Ring Names
Delving into the origins of his wrestling persona, Mysterio explained how his uncle played a significant role in crafting names for newcomers to the profession. Interestingly, his journey started with a name most fans have never heard.
“The Green Lizard was a one-time thing. And then after that, my uncle at the time was very good at giving names to up and coming wrestlers. So for me it was the hummingbird, in Spanish, Colibri… And that was my identity for almost two and a half years. And at the time I was very comfortable with that, I was like, cool I’ll roll with that. I mean I didn’t tell him, but I was thinking in my head I really wanted to be Rey Mysterio Jr, or the son of Rey Mysterio, but Hummingbird it is.”
—Rey Mysterio, WWE Superstar
The Lasting Impact of a Legendary Wrestling Lineage
Rey Mysterio’s entry into wrestling highlights the powerful mentorship and creative legacy of his family, especially his uncle, whose naming and guidance shaped not just his path but that of many young wrestlers. The story of how he was once known as “The Green Lizard” and then “Colibri” (Hummingbird), before adopting the iconic name recognized worldwide, adds a new dimension to his celebrated legacy. As Mysterio continues to captivate audiences, these memories from wrestling school and the evolution of his identity underscore the importance of tradition and mentorship in the sport.
