WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio sustained an apparent injury during his bout against Austin Theory on WWE Raw. The incident took place in the final moments of the match as Mysterio clutched his right shoulder after absorbing Theory’s stomp finisher.
Following the pin, members of Theory’s faction, The Vision, engaged in a confrontation with Mysterio. Referee Rod Zapata intervened quickly, separating the faction members and instructing them to keep away from Mysterio. Zapata then signaled the medical emergency “X” gesture backstage, indicating that Mysterio likely required immediate medical attention. WWE has yet to release an official update on his condition.
Potential Effects on the Royal Rumble Event
Mysterio is scheduled to participate in the 30-Man Royal Rumble match set for Saturday, January 31, in Riyadh. Should he be unable to compete due to his injury, it could alter the event’s roster significantly. Current storylines portray Finn Bálor expressing frustration over not securing a spot in the Royal Rumble, with segments emphasizing that no spots remain.
If Mysterio is medically withdrawn, it may open a slot that could allow Bálor to enter the match. Although recent scripted injuries, like Seth Rollins’ a few months ago, have created some unpredictability, the circumstances around Mysterio’s injury appear genuine. Fans and insiders hope it is not a serious setback.
Rey Mysterio’s Injury History and Longevity in WWE
At 51 years old, Rey Mysterio has endured multiple major injuries throughout his thirty-year career in professional wrestling. His history includes serious damage to knees, arms, and shoulders:
- Knee problems: Mysterio has undergone several surgeries on his left knee, including procedures to repair a torn ACL and patella tendon in 2006, with additional surgeries in 2013 and most recently in November 2023.
- Bicep injuries: He needed three surgeries after a bicep injury in 2008 and experienced a torn bicep in 2018 before resuming full-time WWE competition.
- Shoulder damage: In 2019, Mysterio relinquished the United States Championship after sustaining a separated left shoulder at Money in the Bank.
- Tricep tear: A torn tricep at Payback in 2020 sidelined him for several weeks.
- Recent issues: In April 2025, he missed WrestleMania 41 due to a torn abductor muscle suffered on SmackDown.
Expert Observations on the Injury Incident
Twitter analyst Jay Henry captured the moment of injury and noted:
“Austin @_Theory1 drilled Rey Mysterio into the mat and took that curb stomp in a very awkward way. When Rod Zapata threw up the X to alert medical Rey was holding his shoulder so it’s likely Rey was injured from the stomp #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/i0GqbVygI1”
— Jay Henry (@jay_h3nry)
What the Future Holds for Mysterio and WWE Storylines
With no medical update yet, Mysterio’s participation in upcoming WWE events remains uncertain. His injury raises concerns due to his extensive history of physical setbacks and could reshape storylines, especially the Royal Rumble entries. Fans and WWE officials will be closely monitoring his recovery to determine if he can compete in Riyadh.
The potential opening of a Royal Rumble slot may also impact wrestlers like Finn Bálor, whose frustration over missing the match has been a focal point backstage. Should Mysterio be sidelined, WWE may adjust its roster plans accordingly to maintain the event’s excitement and viewer engagement.
Austin @_Theory1 drilled Rey Mysterio into the mat and took that curb stomp in a very awkward way. When Rod Zapata threw up the X to alert medical Rey was holding his shoulder so it’s likely Rey was injured from the stomp #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/i0GqbVygI1
— Jay Henry (@jay_h3nry) January 27, 2026
