We are sad to learn about the passing of Mexican wrestling legend Rey Misterio, Sr. He is the uncle of WWE Legend Rey Mysterio. The news broke today on social media via the Misterio family.
Rey Misterio Sr passed away this morning. I cannot begin to say how painful this is, he was such an important part of my fandom going back to the Compton days in the early 90’s. My condolences to his wife Ana, and the entire Misterio family, especially their sons and nephew Rey… pic.twitter.com/Noeq5fwXHS
— Roy Lucier (@roylucier) December 20, 2024
Miguel Ángel López Díaz, best known under the ring name Rey Misterio (and often referred to as Rey Misterio Sr.), was a prominent Mexican professional wrestler and trainer who left a lasting impact on the world of lucha libre. Born on January 8, 1955, Misterio’s journey in professional wrestling began in an unexpected way. Initially training as a boxer, he transitioned to wrestling after his trainers noted a decline in his punching ability as he grew larger.
Embracing this new path, Misterio made his professional wrestling debut on January 6, 1976, on a “Day of the Kings” show. He quickly became known for his high-flying and acrobatic style, a hallmark of lucha libre that thrilled audiences. He wrestled for various promotions throughout his career, leaving his mark on the sport. One notable appearance outside of Mexico was at World Championship Wrestling’s Starrcade 1990 pay-per-view. There, he teamed with Konnan to represent Mexico in the “Pat O’Connor Memorial International Cup.” They defeated Chris Adams and Norman Smiley in the first round but were eliminated by The Steiner Brothers in the second.
Beyond his in-ring career, Misterio made significant contributions as a trainer. In 1987, he opened a gym alongside Negro Casas and Super Astro, where he mentored many future stars of the wrestling world. His students included renowned names such as Konnan, Psicosis, Halloween, Damian 666, and his own nephew, Rey Mysterio. Misterio’s training extended beyond these well-known figures, as he also shaped the careers of Cassandro, Eiji Ezaki, Extassis, Extreme Tiger, Fobia, Misterioso, Pequeño Damián 666, Ruby Gardenia, The Warlord, and Venum Black.
Misterio’s family connections within the wrestling world are extensive. His son followed in his footsteps, wrestling as El Hijo de Rey Misterio. He was also the uncle of Rey Mysterio and Metalika, the grand-uncle of Dominik Mysterio, and the brother-in-law of Super Astro. Beyond the squared circle, he even made an appearance in the horror film “El Mascarado Massacre” (also known as “Wrestlemaniac”). Rey Misterio Sr.’s legacy is one of a talented wrestler who not only thrilled audiences with his high-flying style but also shaped the future of lucha libre through his dedication to training the next generation of stars.
Rey Misterio Sr. boasts a long and decorated career in professional wrestling, accumulating numerous championships and accolades across various promotions. Here’s a summary of his accomplishments:
Major Championships:
- IWC World Middleweight Championship (2 times): Won this title twice, demonstrating his prowess in the middleweight division.
- Revolution Tag Team Championship (1 time): Captured this tag team title with his son, El Hijo de Rey Misterio, in Pro Wrestling Revolution.
- WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time): Won this prestigious title in the World Wrestling Association.
- WWA Tag Team Championship (1 time): Teamed with his nephew, Rey Mysterio Jr., to win this tag team championship in the World Wrestling Association.
- WWO World Championship (1 time): Claimed the top title in the World Wrestling Organization.
- XLAW Extreme Championship (2 times): Won this title twice, showcasing his ability to compete in a more hardcore environment within Xtreme Latin American Wrestling.
Regional and Other Championships:
- America’s Championship (1 time): Won this championship in the Tijuana Wrestling promotion.
- Baja California Middleweight Championship (1 time): Another regional title won in Tijuana, highlighting his dominance in the area.
- IWC Television Championship (1 time): Another title won in the IWC promotion.
- Tijuana Welterweight Championship: Won this title, further solidifying his success in Tijuana.
- Tijuana Tag Team Championship (3 times): Won this championship on three separate occasions with partners Saeta Oriental, Pequeño Apolo/Super Astro, and Rey Guerrero, highlighting his tag team excellence.
Rankings and Recognition:
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI): Ranked #373 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the “PWI Years” in 2003 and #212 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 2004. These rankings acknowledge his standing among his peers.
- Tijuana Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2006): Inducted into the Tijuana Sports Hall of Fame, a testament to his impact on the local wrestling scene and his overall contributions to the sport.
