WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio revealed in a recent interview with LA PLATICA that his retirement from professional wrestling is approaching soon. Despite being close to ending his in-ring career, Mysterio remains motivated to continue performing, driven largely by his son‘s involvement in wrestling.
The Influence of Family on His Career Longevity
Mysterio shared,
“Oh, it’s definitely really close [retirement]. It’s really close, but at the same time, I’m so motivated. A lot of people ask me, ‘What keeps you going?’ I think that once my son started to wrestle, that kind of pushed me to continue, ’cause I was really getting very close to calling it quits, but that just kind of gave me that second wind, and it pushed me to keep going. To be honest, I know I’m going to still enjoy it when I retire, but I’m going to have to tap out. I still love what I do and I always have.”
—Rey Mysterio, WWE Hall of Famer
This personal connection has reignited Mysterio’s passion for wrestling, giving him a fresh drive as he contemplates the end of his long and celebrated career.
Hall of Fame Honor Before Retirement
Mysterio also reflected on being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame while still an active competitor. He said,
“The fact that I was inducted into the Hall of Fame before I even tapped out – I was like, I don’t want to, I’m not ready to retire. [WWE said] ‘Like no, we’re presenting this to you.’ So truly honored to have been considered, you know, one of the Hall of Famers.”
—Rey Mysterio, WWE Hall of Famer
This early recognition by WWE signifies the tremendous impact Mysterio has had on the sport, highlighting his legacy even before officially concluding his career.
WWE’s Acquisition of Lucha Libre AAA and Its Impact
Regarding WWE’s recent purchase of the Mexican wrestling promotion Lucha Libre AAA, Mysterio expressed pride and excitement.
“We [WWE] just closed up this weekend with the purchase of the first company that gave me the opportunity to wrestle on national television, AAA, which is based out of Mexico City. WWE just picked that company up and is going to take Lucha Libre to a whole different level. At the age of 17, I took off and kicked my career off at AAA in Mexico City. And now, 34 years later, WWE purchased AAA. Lucha Libre is now officially stamped and on the map.”
—Rey Mysterio, WWE Hall of Famer
This acquisition marks a significant moment for Mexican wrestling, elevating the status of Lucha Libre on an international scale and connecting Mysterio’s roots to his present legacy.
Supporting Younger Wrestlers and Fostering Community
Mysterio emphasized the importance of aiding the next generation of wrestlers, especially fellow Mexicans, sharing,
“We try to help out each other as much as we can, especially from one Mexicano to another. If I can give any advice or guidance or I open up the door and say if you ever have any questions or you need help with something, let me know. Back then, that probably wouldn’t happen. So we just got to be open-minded.”
—Rey Mysterio, WWE Hall of Famer
This commitment reflects his dedication to maintaining a supportive wrestling community and breaking down barriers that previously existed for emerging talent.
Looking Ahead to the Final Chapter
As Rey Mysterio contemplates the close of his in-ring career with the Rey Mysterio retirement announcement, his motivation fueled by family and his enduring love for wrestling remain clear. WWE’s acquisition of AAA further cements his lifelong connection to the sport’s Mexican roots, while his mentoring of younger wrestlers signals his continued influence beyond active competition. Fans can expect to witness a thoughtful winding down of a legendary wrestling journey in the near future.
