Lucha Underground star Rey Mysterio recently spoke with Sports Illustrated’s “Extra Mustard” and below are some interview highlights:
Lucha Underground and today’s Cruiserweights:
“Lucha Underground is the pioneer in the cruiserweight division. Years ago, Konnan mentioned to me, ‘Wrestling has to change. Wrestling cannot always be a world for the giants,’ and he was right. Wrestling has changed. That change is because of Lucha Underground. That is not boxing anyone in. Cruiserweight is a form of giving life to those that still want to break into this business. There have been more opportunities given to that cruiserweight division, and that’s been helped by a lot of companies, including Ring of Honor and TNA.”
Almost working with Impact Wrestling:
“I was actually in conversations a while back with Impact about doing some shows. To be honest with you, it’s not that I don’t want to go work for them, it’s just like I didn’t have it in my game plan. I also didn’t have Lucha Underground in my game plan before it was created. If the circumstances were right, I wouldn’t mind going. I’m not interested in signing a contractual deal, but I would love to do some shows. People want to see diversity in their opponents and fans want to see their dream matches. If people want to see a match-up, let’s make it happen.”
Security not letting him back into the building, when he had a tryout match with WCW:
“People still tell me I have a babyface, and I was 21 at the time, so I looked like a 12-year-old back then. I recall explaining to the security guards, ‘No, no, it’s OK, I wrestle,’ and they looked at me and laughed. So I continued to say that I was a wrestler, and they finally asked me for a credential. I didn’t have any credentials, this was a tryout. Finally, security was cool enough to find out who I was and let me back in the building, but that happened several times after that, too. I learned my lesson after the fourth time, and I started carrying a WCW badge everywhere with me.
Rey Mysterio
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Rey Mysterio & Chris Jericho
Chris Jerico and Rey Mysterio during First Annual Spike TV Video Game Awards - Show at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage)
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Rey Mysterio
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 03: Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes battle during their WWE match at 'WrestleMania 27' at the Georgia World Congress Center on April 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images)
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Rey Mysterio
WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio poses for a portait in the WireImage Portrait Gallery at Comic-Con hosted by Connected Kenneth Cole Reaction and presented by Nintendo on July 21, 2011 in San Diego, California.
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Rey Mysterio
WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio poses for a portait in the WireImage Portrait Gallery at Comic-Con hosted by Connected Kenneth Cole Reaction and presented by Nintendo on July 21, 2011 in San Diego, California.
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Rey Mysterio
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio attends the Creation Coalition and WWE hosts "Be A Star" anti-bullying initiative rally at Algin Sutton Community Center on August 12, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brian To/FilmMagic)
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Rey Mysterio
SAN DIEGO - JULY 12: New cruiserweight champion Rey Mysterio Jr acknowledges the crowd after defeating Jericho during the WWE Bash at the Beach event at Cox Arena in San Diego, California on July 12, 1998. (Photo by Elsa /Getty Images)
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Rey Mysterio & Sgt. Slaughter
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 30: (L-R) Sgt. Slaughter and Rey Mysterio attend Hulu NY Upfront on April 30, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Hulu)
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Rey Mysterio
LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 2: (U.S. TABLOIDS OUT) WWE wrestler Rey Mysterio walks on stage during the "1st Annual Video Game Awards" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena December 2, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show premieres on Spike T.V. Thursday, December 4 at 9:00PM ET/PT. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
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Rey Mysterio
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 03: Rey Mysterio attends WWE's 2014 SuperStars For Kids at the New Orleans Museum of Art on April 3, 2014 in New Orleans City. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
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Rey Mysterio
CINCINNATI - MAY 2: Rey Mysterio of the WWE throws out the first pitch prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 2, 2006. The Reds defeated the Cardinals 3-2. (Photo by John Grieshop/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Rey Mysterio
Eddie Guerrero and Ray Mysterio (Photo by J. Shearer/WireImage for BWR Public Relations)
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Rey Mysterio
HOUSTON - APRIL 05: Rey Mysterio celebrates his victry over JBL for the Intercontinental Championship at "WrestleMania 25" at the Reliant Stadium on April 5, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)
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Rey Mysterio
HOUSTON - APRIL 05: Rey Mysterio celebrates his victry over JBL for the Intercontinental Championship at "WrestleMania 25" at the Reliant Stadium on April 5, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)
