As Rey Mysterio approaches the milestone of 50 years and contemplates the conclusion of his illustrious WWE career spanning over two decades, the legendary luchador remains open to finding the perfect story and match to culminate his journey as a beloved babyface.
While Mysterio’s tenure in WWE has predominantly cast him in the role of a heroic fan favorite, one particular moment stands out in his memory—the 2014 Royal Rumble.
Despite his usual positive reception from audiences, Mysterio’s entrance as the 30th competitor elicited an unexpected chorus of boos from the crowd in Philadelphia.
The reaction stemmed from fans’ fervent anticipation of Daniel Bryan’s surprise appearance, a sentiment Mysterio vividly recalled in a recent conversation with Inside The Ropes:
“At the time, I was kind of detached due to an injury. When I came out as number 30, I didn’t realize what was going on until afterwards, rewatching. They were booing the writing team, I guess,”
Mysterio reflected on the memorable moment.
Despite the unconventional response, Mysterio acknowledged the importance of unpredictability in WWE’s storytelling, emphasizing the value of occasionally subverting expectations to keep fans engaged:
“It’s okay every now and then to be the person that they weren’t expecting… WWE has always kept the fans guessing,”
he added.
While the atmosphere at the PPG Paints Arena during the 2014 Royal Rumble was notably tense, Mysterio’s subsequent return to WWE at the 2018 edition of the event marked a triumphant homecoming.
Entering the Rumble match at #27 to a warm reception from the Philadelphia crowd at the Wells Fargo Center, Mysterio’s comeback served as a poignant reminder of his enduring legacy.
Throughout his storied career, Mysterio has left an indelible mark on WWE, with accomplishments including a memorable victory in the 2006 Royal Rumble match and a record-setting performance in the same contest, competing for over an hour—an achievement that underscores his status as a true icon of sports entertainment.
