Professional wrestling Legend Rey Mysterio who is a former three times WWE World Champion recently explained why WWE did not sign him instantly after the infamous takeover of WCW.
Rey Mysterio was never seen as a potential main event star or a world champion candidate in WWE when he joined WWE back in 2002. He was mostly seen as a high flying cruiserweight. He received the same treatment he received from WCW where he spent over five years of his early career. After WCW was purchased by WWE in 2001, he was released at first and he went to the independent circuit and spent one year before WWE signed him in 2002.
Rey Mysterio On Why WWE Did Not Sign Him After The WCW Takeover
He went to Friday night Smackdown as a draft pick of the first ever brand split in WWE and he has been one of the biggest names of Smackdown. At first you mostly feuded for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship back in the time. He presented some amazing matches on the cruiserweight division of WWE and his popularity was touching the Sky. WWE never planned a world title run for him neither a main event title run.
But looking at his immense popularity WWE had to change their mind set. He was first given the chance to win some non title main event level feuds then came the big break. He entered the Royal Rumble match 2006 as the entry number 2 and one the whole thing.
He also held the record of serving on the Royal Rumble match for the longest time. At WrestleMania 22, he challenged WWE World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle for the title along with Randy Orton in a triple threat match, he won the match to make history.
Rey Mysterio who is a former three times WWE World Champion recently spoke on The Kurt Angle Show where he explained why WWE did not sign him instantly after the infamous takeover of WCW. He said;
“So, when the company was bought out I was told right off the bat that they were interested in me but they wanted me to let my WCW contract run out. Once it ended, we would sit down and do business.
“I thought that it was a nice way of saying, ‘We’re not interested,’ because a lot of contracts were bought out. Chavo’s, Booker’s, a lot of guys. So, again I’m thinking, ‘Is Vince really gonna open up the doors for me because he doesn’t believe in small guys?’
“I would hear that sometimes from Nash, from Hall but I never lost hope and sure enough when that contract expired JR reached out and said, ‘Okay, we’re ready to do business,’ and that’s when I signed. So, they kept their word.”
H/T to SEScoops for the transcription