Having just celebrated the 20th anniversary of his WWE debut, Rey Mysterio will undeniably go down as one of, if not the most important luchadors in wrestling history. But, will a long tenure in the business, the question of retirement always floats around as time passes, and its certainly something Mysterio has been considering a lot lately.
Rey Mysterio Has A Retirement Date In Mind
Speaking to Ariel Helwani for BT Sport, Mysterio discussed a number of topics around his legendary career, and notably, when it might come to an end. On the topic of retirement, Mysterio shared that he had 'always heard from others that they just go until they can’t anymore. There’s really no start and end date. You just run through it until you can’t or until you step away to do something else.' Competing in his first match at the age of 14 back in 1989, Mysterio's career has spanned five decades, much longer than many of his contemporaries.
When it comes to a specific date when he might finally hang up his boots, it's a topic that 'The Master of The 619' clearly has thought about. Mysterio shared with Helwani that 'now that I’m getting closer to my fifties and I see my son wrestling, I tell myself that I want to go three more years and I don’t want to go past fifty. But then I remind myself, what if I feel good? Can you still go another year? As of right now, my date has always been to not go over fifty.'
How Much Longer Can Mysterio Still Compete?
From Mysterio's comments, it's clear that his physical condition will play a key part on retirement. The masked marvel has been no stranger to injuries over his career, though throughout his most recent tenure in the WWE, Mysterio appears to be in great shape for a man with his style and miles on the road.
'I’m surprised sometimes at how good I feel just overall with the amount of beatings I’ve taken, the amount of surgeries I’ve had,' Mysterio told Helwani. 'It’s a little bit over twelve surgeries on my left knee. Right one, knock on wood, is good and intact. Between scopes and cleaning it out and a stretched MCL/PCL, a little bit over twelve surgeries. Torn bicep, one surgery. Torn bicep here, my experience with this one is bad. They had to go back and cut me open two more times. My back, knock on wood as well, I'm good...God is good with me and has taken care of my back, my neck. It’s just my knee that has been my biggest issue' (h/t to Fightful for all the transcriptions).
Rey Mysterio will turn 50 in December 2024, so it will be interesting to see whether his career continues beyond that.
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