WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio sustained a genuine injury during his singles match against Austin Theory on Monday Night Raw, putting his participation in the upcoming Royal Rumble this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at serious risk. The 52-year-old wrestling icon was reportedly taken backstage by medical personnel immediately after the match ended.
The injury happened during what seemed to be a routine contest between Mysterio and The Vision’s Austin Theory. Although Mysterio was able to finish the bout, he appeared to be favoring his shoulder and did not join the post-match altercation that followed.
Several wrestling journalists, including Cory Hays from BodySlam and Bryan Alvarez from F4WOnline, confirmed that Mysterio’s injury was legitimate. The match referee signaled with WWE’s standard “X” hand gesture, indicating a real injury, but the broadcast quickly shifted focus away from Mysterio’s condition.
Injury Strikes During Critical Recovery Period
This injury arrives at an unfortunate time, as Mysterio had only returned to in-ring action in November 2025 after recovering from a groin injury that kept him sidelined for several months. The veteran performer, well known as the 2006 Royal Rumble winner, had been scheduled to compete in this year’s men’s Royal Rumble, a marquee event in WWE’s calendar.
During the match, Austin Theory secured victory after interference from his Vision stablemates created confusion outside the ring. Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker all got involved in the brawl, allowing Theory to hit his finishing stomp on Mysterio for the pinfall.
After the match, the Vision members launched an aggressive attack on Mysterio’s allies, Penta and Dragon Lee. When Bron Breakker appeared poised to spear Mysterio, the live feed abruptly cut away. Upon return, Penta had taken the spear, which indicated WWE was taking precautions to shield Mysterio from further damage.
Potential Impact on Royal Rumble Lineup
With the Royal Rumble only days away, WWE may face a challenge replacing one of its most seasoned and beloved veterans in the men’s match. The current card features prominent wrestlers such as Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, GUNTHER, and Jey Uso, and losing Mysterio would mean making an adjustment to the lineup as well as losing one of the event’s established fan favorites.
As of now, WWE has not made any official announcements regarding Mysterio’s health or his status for the Royal Rumble. The organization customarily waits for thorough medical assessments before providing updates on injured talent.
This injury concern coincides with another involving WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, who seemed to twist her ankle during a six-woman tag team match earlier in the evening. Though Vaquer appeared to recover some mobility by the show’s end, these incidents underscore the intense physical demands athletes face as WWE heads toward one of its biggest events of the year.
Fans and fellow competitors alike remain anxious, hoping for encouraging news about Mysterio’s recovery as the wrestling community anticipates Saturday’s Royal Rumble extravaganza.
