Rey Mysterio To Miss Strong Style Evolved Due To Injury

TheSportster

By Vince Tinebra

Published Mar 24, 2018

The legendary Luchador was scheduled to face Jushin Liger for the first time in over 20 years, but Mysterio had to pull out due to a biceps injury.

NJPW will have to go ahead with their latest U.S show without the presence of Rey Mysterio. Strong Style Evolved is slated to take place on the weekend of March 25 in Long Beach, California. The former WWE champion was scheduled to face seemingly immortal Japanese legend Jushin “Thunder” Liger in a sort of “dream match”. Unfortunately, due to Mysterio suffering a biceps injury earlier in the month, he has had to pull out of the match. The two haven’t faced each other since 1996 in WCW.

Many fans of a more high flying style of wrestling were looking forward to the two legends clashing, but will now have to settle for a match between Liger and Will Ospreay, Mysterio’s replacement. Luckily, Ospreay is himself no stranger to the style, incorporating several more acrobatic maneuvers into his move set.

The full card for the event was released this week, prompting the announcement that Rey would not be appearing, with the bicep injury being the official reason for his absence. Earlier in the month at a house show for North East Wrestling, Mysterio reportedly tore his left bicep in a tag match. Initially, a full diagnosis was unclear, but the announcement by NJPW confirms the severity.

Mysterio and Liger have both been pioneers of their craft, utilizing a Luchador style both in the ring, as well as in their costumes and promos. The two faced off in a singles match at Starrcade ’96, putting on a spectacular display of agility rarely seen in the United States at the time. Since then, Liger returned to his native Japan where he has been considered a wrestling god for decades; while Rey Mysterio went on to win multiple world championships with the WWE.

This comes as a bit of a blow to the Japanese Company looking to make more of an impression overseas. Their stock has risen recently to the point where more and more American viewers are aware of the company, but they have yet to really break in on this side of the Pacific. The recent U.S. dates were aimed at changing this and having Mysterio represent them would only increase their drawing power. However, the show is sold out and does feature some of the best in-ring performers today, so fans should still come away satisfied.