Rey Mysterio Reveals He Considered Tapping Out Of Wrestling Before Dominik Got Into The Business

Rey Mysterio opens up on almost stepping away from wrestling.
In 2015, after 13 years with the company, Rey Mysterio left WWE upon the expiration of his contract. Once a free agent, he began competing for the likes of Lucha Underground and New Japan Pro Wrestling, only returning to RAW and SmackDown once his son Dominik had expressed interest in beginning his own in-ring career. Now, it’s been revealed that Rey may have drawn the curtain on his career had Dominik not attempted to get into the wrestling business.
Speaking on The Late Run, Mysterio discussed wanting to tap out of wrestling before Dominik expressed his desire to enter the business.
“Not too long ago, maybe about five or six years, I just wasn’t getting that same emotion when I would step into the ring. I think my body was burnt out mentally, physically. I told my wife. I remember sitting down with her and telling her, ‘You know what? I don’t feel what I would always feel everytime I would step into the ring, I think I’m gonna tap out. I just don’t feel it anymore.’ Shortly after, my son told me that he wanted to try and break into the business. Seeing him or helping him get on board kind of just inspired or ignited that fire once again, and it’s been going since.”
-Rey Mysterio
Just nine months after Dominik’s debut against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2020, the Mysterios became the first father and son tag team champions in WWE history. However, their reign only lasted 63 days before The Usos, one of the most experienced teams in recent memory, added more gold to their collection at Money in the Bank 2021.
Of course, Dominik would go on to betray his father in September 2022, beginning a storyline that would see them clash at WrestleMania 39. That night, Rey defeated his son, and they’d renew their rivalry the following year, this time in a tag match as Andrade helped Rey secure a further victory over the team of Dominik and Santos Escobar.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on both Rey and Dominik Mysterio as soon as we hear more.
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