The legendary Mexican wrestler Rey Myesterio Sr., the great-uncle of Dominick Mysterio and uncle of Rey Mysterio, died on December 20, 2024, for an unspecified cause. Rey Mysterio Sr. made his stage debut in 1972 and retired in 2009; by then, he had begun to perform unmasked.
Mexican professional wrestler and trainer Miguel Ángel López Díaz, better known by his ring name Rey Misterio (also known as “Mystery King“), was born on January 8, 1958.
Additionally, they called him Rey Mysterio Sr. to set him apart from his WWE star nephew, Rey Mysterio.
Mysterio initially started boxing training, but as his body grew larger, he suffered numerous injuries and lost some of his punching power.
When his trainers informed him that he could no longer punch with force, they brought up wrestling with Misterio.
In addition, his brother promptly began taking him to wrestling and lucha libre classes to get him ready for his debut.
Finally, Misterio made his wrestling debut on “Day of the Kings,” or Día de los Reyes, on January 6, 1976.
Rey Misterio Sr., QEPD 🕊️
— ¡FOOS! (@elClubLucha) December 20, 2024
[🎵 – Memory Box – Peter Cat Recording Co]pic.twitter.com/VEfmwz8MdL
With Konnan, Mysterio participated in the “Pat O’Connor Memorial International Cup” as a representative of Mexico at World Championship Wrestling’s Starrcade 1990 pay-per-view event.
The team defeated the United Kingdom’s Chris Adams and Norman Smiley in the first round, but the Steiner Brothers defeated them in the second.
Mysterio Sr. retired from professional wrestling after a legendary career and many contributions to the wrestling community in 2009.
Unfortunately, on Friday, December 20, Mysterio Sr.’s son, El Hijo de Rey Mysterio, posted on Facebook to announce his father’s passing.
His cause of death is unknown, and the entire wrestling community is mourning for losing a legend.
RIP Rey Misterio Sr (uncle of Rey Mysterio) who was 66 years old. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Ftj5CViQb2
— Wrestlelamia.com (@wrestlelamia) December 20, 2024
Unmasked, Rey Mysterio SR. Wrestled Alongside Rey Mysterio in 1995
During their times together in the wrestling industry, Rey Mysterio Sr. and his nephew Rey Mysterio had a close personal and professional relationship.
Mysterio Sr. played a critical role in training Mysterio from a young age, preparing him for the high-flying, technical world of lucha libre.
Early in Mysterio’s career, they were frequently spotted together in Mexico and the US, with Sr. mentoring him as he gained notoriety.
The uncle and nephew also participated in numerous Combate Pela Triple AAA matches in 1995.
Furthermore, Rey Mysterio Sr. was not wearing a mask at the time and wrestled bare-faced, unlike Rey Mysterio, who was just beginning his career and always wore a mask.
Rey Misterio Sr & Jr, a top 5 Uncle/Nephew team up
— ¡FOOS! (@elClubLucha) June 11, 2024
[🎵 – Nujabes – Luv (sic.) pt3 – Nujabes ft. Shing02]
pic.twitter.com/AMVRPNFRNF
The two occasionally appeared together at smaller promotions where Mysterio Sr. assisted or managed Junior during his bouts.
Early on, they participated in lucha libre events where Sr. assisted Jr. in becoming well-known.
Mysterio Jr. has often discussed how his uncle influenced his personal and professional life outside of the ring.
They demonstrated mutual respect and familial ties through their joint appearances in interviews and wrestling shows.
Rey Mysterio shared an intriguing photo of his uncle Mysterio Sr. getting a tattoo on February 6, 2015.
Furthermore, he expressed his joy at getting inked for the first time alongside his uncle, Rey Mysterio Sr.
Additional Information
- Together with Super Astro and Negro Casas, Mysterio opened a gym in 1987. Future global superstars like Konnan, Psicosis, Halloween, Damián 666, and his nephew Rey Mysterio were all members of his first class.
- Rey Mysterio Sr. was inducted into the Tijuana Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Mysterio’s son, known as El Hijo de Rey Misterio, wrestles as well.
