The Road to WrestleMania 42 got a little more exciting this past week on Raw when Rey Mysterio made his long-awaited return. The WWE Hall of Famer had a surprise for the fans. Mysterio announced he would be competing in the Intercontinental Title Ladder match.
Mysterio’s inclusion has made the IC Title Ladder a 6-person affair. Dragon Lee (considered to be his successor), Rusev, Je’Von Evans, JD McDonagh, and Penta, the current IC Champion, make up the rest of the field. Although Mysterio didn’t qualify for the bout, it was the right decision to include the masked luchador in the ladder match.
On that note, let’s look at 3 reasons why WWE was right to add Rey Mysterio to the Intercontinental Championship Ladder match.
#3. Rey Mysterio Adds Starpower to the IC Championship Ladder Match
With all due respect to the field of the IC Championship Ladder match, none of them possesses the star power of Rey Mysterio. The WWE Hall of Famer is one of the most beloved and celebrated figures in wrestling. Mysterio’s career spans a decade, and he has wrestled all over the world.
The masked legend has amassed quite a fan base. The pop he received on his return was an indication of the respect and love the WWE Universe has for him. Therefore, Mysterio’s inclusion makes casual fans tune in to the match, providing an emotional anchor and familiar face.
#2. The WWE Hall of Famer missed WrestleMania 41, too
Rey Mysterio acknowledged that he missed WrestleMania 41 last year. He was originally scheduled to battle the Original El Grande Americano, but an untimely injury kept him off the card. Rey Fenix stepped in as Mysterio’s opponent.
Furthermore, Mysterio’s match at Mania XL was also pretty meaningless, as it felt like an excuse to get Rey and Dom Mysterio on the card. At 51, the legendary masked Luchador doesn’t have many WrestleManias left in him. Hence, if he was cleared to compete, it was worth giving Mysterio a spot on Mania 42.
#1. Mysterio’s Inclusion Elevates the Intercontinental Championship
In addition to adding star power to the Intercontinental Championship Ladder match, Rey Mysterio’s inclusion adds historical weight to the bout. It connects the past to the present and the future, giving the stars of today and tomorrow a chance to compete at Mania with a legend of Mysterio’s caliber.
Furthermore, the match feels more important than a midcard scramble featuring lesser-known talent. When a legendary Luchador competes for the IC Title, the belt instantly feels more prestigious and worth competing for at Mania.
