The legendary Rey Mysterio isn’t holding back when it comes to WCW’s handling of his most sacred possession – his mask. The Master of the 619 recently dropped some explosive details about how the company completely failed to grasp what removing his mask truly meant to Lucha Libre culture.
Scott Hall’s Comment Started the Mask Controversy
During a candid interview on the No Contest Wrestling Podcast, Mysterio revealed the shocking origin of WCW’s obsession with unmasking him. It all traced back to a casual conversation between Scott Hall and company president Eric Bischoff.
“In WCW at the time, a lot of the luchadores were losing their masks… there were a couple guys that they wanted to take the masks off, but they didn’t agree to it. And then my name started to float around… Scott Hall, I guess he told Eric… he said, ‘Rey, why you wearing a mask, man? You’re a pretty mother…’ So I guess that eventually got to Eric. Eric Bischoff didn’t really understand the significance of the mask.”
Hall’s offhand remark about Mysterio’s appearance ultimately set wheels in motion that would lead to one of the most controversial decisions in WCW history. The company’s lack of cultural understanding became glaringly obvious as they treated the mask like a simple costume piece rather than a sacred tradition.
Halloween Havoc 1997: The First Mask Scare
Before his eventual unmasking in 1999, Mysterio faced his first close call during what would become his career-defining match. The Halloween Havoc 1997 encounter with Eddie Guerrero nearly featured a very different outcome.
Rey painted a picture of backstage chaos and corporate pressure that almost derailed his legendary performance. The situation escalated to the point where Bischoff personally threatened the young luchador.
“Halloween Havoc 1997… the match that put me on the map against Eddie Guerrero… that was the night I was going to lose my mask the first time… I got a call from Eric, ‘You better show up, cause if you don’t, you’re in breach of contract.’ I showed up, tried to talk to him the night before—it wasn’t going my way… literally a match before, the finish is changed.”
Pressure Creates Diamonds
Despite the backstage turmoil, Mysterio discovered something important about himself that night. The intense pressure situation taught him a valuable lesson about performing under extreme circumstances.
The Halloween Havoc match became a career-defining moment that showcased Mysterio’s incredible ability to deliver when everything was on the line. This performance would later be remembered as one of the greatest Cruiserweight matches in wrestling history.
The Inevitable 1999 Unmasking
WCW eventually got their way two years later during a tag team bout featuring Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. The company finally succeeded in stripping away the mask that had become synonymous with Rey Mysterio’s identity.
This decision remains one of the most criticized moves in WCW’s troubled final years. Wrestling historians often point to the unmasking as a prime example of the company’s failure to understand and respect different wrestling cultures.
A Pattern of Cultural Misunderstanding
Mysterio’s revelations highlight a broader problem within WCW’s approach to international talent. The company’s treatment of masked wrestlers demonstrated a fundamental lack of respect for Lucha Libre traditions that date back generations.
Many luchadores view their masks as sacred symbols that represent their wrestling lineage and cultural heritage. WCW’s casual attitude toward unmasking wrestlers showed how disconnected the company was from these deeply rooted traditions.
The wrestling world has learned valuable lessons from WCW’s mistakes, but Rey Mysterio’s story serves as a reminder of how corporate decisions can impact cultural traditions. What other behind-the-scenes stories from WCW’s final years might reshape how we view that chaotic era of professional wrestling?
