WWE legend Rey Mysterio explains why he never turned heel in his career

Rey Mysterio is one of the most loved WWE superstars of all-time

Rey Mysterio has carved out a Hall of Fame career without ever needing to betray the fans who have cheered him on for over three decades.

Since debuting in 1992, Mysterio has become synonymous with high-flying action, lucha libre excellence, and unwavering loyalty both in character and to the WWE Universe.

At 50 years old, the Master of the 619 has never worked as a full-blown heel, and now, he’s finally opened up on why that’s the case.

In a recent interview with WrestleZone, Rey Mysterio was asked what it would actually take for fans to turn on him. His answer was refreshingly honest and very on-brand.

“They (fans) would really have to, like, push me to the edge,” Rey admitted. “I mean, even my wife says, like, ‘I never see you get mad at anyone but me. Like, why do you not fight? You don’t fight with anyone, but when you want to fight, you fight with me.’ So, I mean, it would be very hard for me to get pushed.”

That laid-back attitude and kind-hearted demeanor have made Rey one of the most beloved baby faces in wrestling history.

Whether he was winning the 2006 Royal Rumble, capturing two world titles, or mentoring his son Dominik, Rey Mysterio always stayed true to who he was, a loyal underdog who stood up for what was right.

But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t come close to dipping his toes into villain territory. Rey recalled one stretch during his WCW run where he briefly flirted with heel tendencies.

“I think the only time that I’ve been closest to becoming a heel, or I guess we were just having fun cuz that’s how we were, is Filthy Animals,” Rey Mysterio said. “That has been the closest, but overall, my personality, my demeanor is very laidback. So, I think it would be very hard.”

The Filthy Animals, a group that included Eddie Guerrero, Konnan, Billy Kidman, and Disco Inferno, blurred the lines between faces and heels in WCW. While the group had an edgy attitude, Rey Mysterio never fully committed to a darker persona, and fans continued to cheer him on.

Currently, Rey Mysterio is sidelined with an injury

Currently, Mysterio is on the sidelines due an injury. His last match came on April 18, 2025, episode of SmackDown, after which it was revealed he suffered a torn abductor muscle and a busted eardrum. Longtime friend Konnan recently provided an update on the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, estimating that Rey won’t return to action until August.

Even while injured, Rey hasn’t been far from the wrestling spotlight. He recently appeared at AAA’s Worlds Collide event, paying tribute to the roots of Lucha Libre.

As the leader of the Latino World Order and a true icon of the sport, Mysterio continues to inspire without ever needing to turn his back on the audience.

For Rey, being a heel just isn’t in his nature and that authenticity is exactly why fans continue to stand by his side.

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