Rey Mysterio popped up at the Royal Rumble and everyone got very excited because it seemed that a WWE return for Mr. 6-1-9 could be closer than ever. As talks reportedly intensified between the two sides fans started to get very excited about the idea of Mysterio jumping into for a plethora of WWE dream matches.
But Mysterio might have some unfinished business in New Japan Pro Wrestling first. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion showed up at Strong Style Evolved in Long Beach and although he had to cancel his scheduled match with Jushin “Thunder” Liger due to a bicep injury, Mysterio said NJPW was still on his bucket list and he would be back.
By the time all was said and done, Mysterio had his mask stolen by Marty Scurll and he apparently had three matches in the pipeline for New Japan.
“At least 3 Rey Mysterio matches [are coming] because he said he wanted to wrestle Liger, Will Ospreay — Will Ospreay challenged Rey. Rey wanted to wrestle Liger because he felt he owed that match, Will Ospreasy challenged [him]” Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio.
“And Marty Scurll came out and unmasked Rey. So you’ve got those 3 matches, Ospreay challenged for the Jr. Title so I would figure one of those matches will be at the Cow Palace and probably one of them would be at Dominion. I think maybe they’ll do another one at that Dontaku show in Fukui.”
Therefore, since it looks like Rey Mysterio and New Japan are actively planning something this could hinder immediate plans with WWE.
“It would at least tell you that the start of Rey — well, they could still start him on WWE TV and have him do the matches he’s committed to. It is possible they would do that.”
“More likely than not if Rey comes in [to WWE], and it’s still an ‘if.’ If Rey comes in we’re probably talking the fall, maybe late Summer,” Dave Meltzer concluded.
Rey Mysterio is a big enough star that he can possibly come into WWE and do anything else he wants as well. After all, he is reportedly dealing with Triple H on this deal so it’s likely the WWE COO would understand the benefit of working out some kind of arrangement to accommodate Mysterio’s NJPW obligations. But only time will tell how the next chapter in WWE and Rey Mysterio’s relationship will unfold.
Quotes thanks to Wrestling Observer Radio and WrestlingNews.co for the transcription
