In a somewhat surprising announcement, tonight’s edition of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Smackdown saw the announcement of the first inductee into the WWE’s annual Hall Of Fame, for their class of 2023. While rumors circulated that Batista would be announced, and that could still happen, as well as The Great Muta, the first announced inductee into this year’s class happens to be a still active performer for the WWE. None other than Rey Mysterio.
Rey Mysterio Entering WWE Hall of Fame
BREAKING NEWS: @reymysterio is the 1st inductee for the 2023 #WWEHOF! pic.twitter.com/hvT9xARFa4
— WWE (@WWE) March 11, 2023
48 years old but being a fully active wrestler for 34 years now, Rey Mysterio is one of wrestling’s most recognized pioneers of the modern era. Modernizing and popularizing the high flying style we see from so many talents in this day and age. Rey Mysterio has had successful runs through many promotions such as Asistencia Asesoria y Adminstración (AAA) where he debuted, before coming to the United States and starting with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) for a short period. He would then land in the place where he would truly start leaving his mark in the business: World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Where he would become the premier Cruiserweight star of the company. His matches with the likes of Psicosis (itself a migration from their ECW days), Ultimo Dragon , Dean Malenko, Prince Iaukea and such can be seen as akin to the type of performances we see weekly from the likes of the Lucha Bros, Young Bucks, Will Ospreay, Ricochet and such in their respective promotions. He and Eddie Guerrero would have what many consider the greatest match in the history of WCW. A spectacular fast paced affair at Halloween Havoc 1998.
In 2002, after WCW’s closure, a short stint for Mexico’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and a run across a few indie promotions, he would land in the WWE. Where their marketing turned Rey Mysterio into a household name and make his mask one of the best selling merch items ever.
A former 2 time World Heavyweight Champion and one time WWE Champion, as well as the winner of the 2006 Royal Rumble, Rey Mysterio also headlined the most successful independent wrestling event ever: ALL IN. Teaming with Rey Fenix and Bandido against Kota Ibushi and the Young Bucks. This was enough for WWE to offer as much money as possible for Rey Mysterio to return. And as such he did. For a second run that has now seen him trying to develop his son Dominik. Where we stand at present time. A feud between the two, a match about to be set for WrestleMania. But a career yet to finish.
The WWE will present their 2023 Hall Of Fame ceremony on March 31 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The day before WrestleMania Saturday as well as just after the airing of that friday’s live edition of Friday Night Smackdown on FOX. It will stream exclusively on Peacock.
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