Mysterio: tiny wrestler big as world champion

REY Mysterio finally unraveled the mystery surrounding the Mexican-American, who is considered as the smallest wrestling world champion.

In a recent interview, Mysterio said he remains unaffected by the immense popularity and admirable reputation he has gained in 23 years of grappling in the ring.

“This one keeps me grounded all the time,” said the 5-foot-6 two-time World Wrestling Entertainment )WWE) heavyweight champion, pointing to the rosary beads tattooed around his neck and the cross on the chest.

“They say that what I’ve done broke barriers in the sport that nobody has done before, but I just did something that I really love to do. At this point, I’m very thankful to God for the opportunity that He has given me,” added the 37-year-old Mysterio, who is Oscar Gutierrez in real life.

That opportunity has brought him to a realm no other wrestler his size and height has reached.

Trained by his uncle, Rey Mysterio Sr. and listed as the lightest world champion in the WWE, he held the WWE Tag Team Championship a record-tying four times and the WWE International Championship twice.

Mysterio, who came with wife Angie at a recent media gathering hosted by AKTV, won the World Championship Wrestling/ WWE cruiserweight championship a record eight times and has captured 21 titles between WWE and WCW.

A fan of Manny Pacquiao, despite the Filipino ring icon’s demolition of several high-profile Mexican boxers, Mysterio was a WWE Triple Crown champion and winner of the 2006 Royal Rumble.

“People used to say: ‘He’s too small, too skinny. I don’t think he would able to wrestle against bigger guys,’” said Mysterio.

“That was always a challenge for me and once I conquered it the first time, there was nothing they could throw at me after that,” added the San Diego, California-based grappler.

Mysterio, famous for having an unorthodox high-flying fighting style who picked heavyweight Mark Henry as his toughest opponent, is arguably one of the most popular names in WWE Smackdown, which AKTV airs on IBC 13 at 9 p.m. Sundays.

“I was the smallest in wrestling camps and I’m still the smallest one in the bunch. I grew up with that image that I’m always the underdog and that’s some motivation,” said Mysterio.

To Filipinos wanting to become a Rey Mysterio, here’s the tip: “We’re all role models to the youth. Find a wrestling school that can train you the right way. But in order for you to become an accomplished wrestler, you should also be good in school.”

“My advice is education first, wrestling second.”