Rey Misterio Sr., the beloved uncle of the renowned WWE superstar Rey Mysterio, has tragically passed away at the age of 66. Known in the wrestling world as Miguel Angel Lopez Dias, he was a key figure in Lucha Libre and a mentor to the next generation of wrestlers.
Rey Misterio Sr. began his illustrious career in professional wrestling in 1976, dedicating over three decades to the sport. His contributions to Lucha Libre earned him widespread recognition, securing multiple titles across various wrestling divisions. Misterio Sr. was known not only for his in-ring talent but also for introducing his nephew, Rey Mysterio, to the world of wrestling. The younger Mysterio would go on to become one of the most iconic WWE superstars of all time, winning the WWE Championship and twice becoming the Heavyweight Champion.
Misterio Sr.'s influence extended beyond his own career, as he also played a crucial role in the development of his grand-nephew, Dominik Mysterio. Dominik, who currently competes in WWE's Judgment Day faction, is a two-time NXT North America Champion.
Tributes Pour In
The news of Rey Misterio Sr.'s death was shared by Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, who expressed their deep condolences on social media:
"We regret the sensitive death of Miguel Angel Lopez Dias, known as Rey Misterio Sr. We send our most sincere condolences to his loved ones and raise our prayers to heaven for his eternal rest."
Marisela Pena, President of Lucha Libre AAA, also shared her tribute:
"All members of the @luchalibreaaa family regret the passing of Rey Misterio Sr. We raise a prayer for his eternal rest and send our condolences to his family, friends, and fans. Rest in peace."
Cause of Death Still Unknown
As of now, the cause of death for Rey Misterio Sr. has not been disclosed. His passing comes just one week after the death of his brother, Robert Gutierrez, who was the father of another wrestling legend,
Rey Misterio Jr. Rey Jr. took to Instagram to honor his father following his death, sharing heartfelt words that touched many fans:
"You did more than set the example of how to love & maintain a strong marriage and father 4 boys, you were the example and passed every single time until your death with flying colors. Excellent husband, loving father, beautiful grandfather, incredible son & brother, and amazing father-in-law."
He continued:
"You checked every list on the box and can honestly say my majority [traits] I picked up from you. You fought until the very last minute and know that your biggest fear was leaving Moms behind, but I can assure you that she will not be alone and we will always look out for her. You are with God now and smiling from the heavens while we continue with the real struggle of life until we see again. You will never be forgotten and will always be loved, RIP Pops."
Rey Misterio Sr.’s death marks a significant loss for the world of professional wrestling. His legacy will live on through the Mysterio family, whose contributions continue to shape the future of the sport.
