Rey Mysterio on the Possibility of Working Crown Jewel Show

Rey Mysterio has officially signed with WWE and is set to appear at SmackDown Live’s thousandth episode this week. In an interview with Al Arabiya that has just been released, Mysterio comments on the possibility of working the Crown Jewel show and gives an insight into how he felt returning at the Royal Rumble earlier this year.
Mysterio opens the interview talking about being in Dubai for the first time.

“[It’s] very good! I love it, I love it! It’s my first time officially [being] here. Being able to promote WWE 2K19 [as an] added bonus character on the video game- It’s been four years since I’ve not been part of a video game, so I’m enjoying every moment of it.”

Moving on to WWE 2K19, a large reason for the interview taking place, Mysterio confirms that he enjoys playing as his character in the video game.

“Yes. Yes, I do. I wish I was more of a gamer but this is definitely going to get me back into game mode.”

He also goes into detail about what makes WWE 2K19 so special for him. Bear in mind, while the interview was just released, Mysterio made these comments just prior to the release of the game, so some of the details he explains have now been confirmed or debunked.

“The big head mode… It’s awesome! I’ll tell you, when I saw- I actually caught a part of it on the trailer that they were showing and I had to ask one of the WWE 2K Games reps, and I saw- and I believe it was Kofi (was Xavier) coming off the top rope. I said ‘I saw Kofi with the big head. What is that?’ [and] so he had to explain to me what it was and then I saw it last week for the first time in the game and I loved it. I freaked out! I was like ‘this is so awesome!’ So I think that’s gotta be one of my favorite modes right now.
“They also have the zombie mode, which I have not seen and I can’t wait to see that. That might take over big head mode. I don’t know. I don’t know yet.”

Moving on, Mysterio is asked about his perspectives changing over the year. He comments specifically on the differences between himself back in 2014 when he left WWE and 2018 when he returns to compete for the company again.

“Well, the Rey Mysterio itself has definitely been the athlete and the person that has been- stayed more consistent with how to feel better and how to make this career- how to take my career and make it longer, how to create this person and be able to get more years out of my career.
“Having eight surgeries on my knee has been really tough and that was one of the main reasons I had to step away because as you know when you sign up to be part of the WWE roster, it’s a grind. It’s a grind, and don’t get me wrong, I loved every moment of it, you know? Without a doubt, but there comes a time where your body just says ‘ok, you gotta slow down a little bit.’ That’s why I decided to step away. Now I’ve been able to refocus [and] concentrate on what does and doesn’t work for me, being able to stay fit, being able to eat the right things, take the right supplements which sometimes you get caught up with your lifestyle traveling so much with wrestling that you lose track of what you need for yourself. That’s probably the best thing I could have done.
“Now if the opportunity came back, and we came to a mutual agreement, I would be ready to come in there and break the house down.”

When asked if he feels as if WWE will be more receptive to Mysterio working a reduced schedule due to age, wear and tear and family, Mysterio had a long and interesting response.

“I’ll tell you this. I’ve never been rejected- or I’ve never felt rejected by WWE. If anything, from the moment I left up until this moment, I’ve always felt like the doors have always been open and that is- I’m grateful for that. Truly grateful.
“So, they now- I believe they do understand why I departed and they definitely see my performance at the Royal Rumble. They- I’m sure they saw how I looked physically, and how I felt physically. You know, I really felt rejuvenated. Sometimes that is what we need.
“We need to- whether it is any type of job, when you’re grinding 24/7, 365 days a year, sometimes it is good to step away and see the big picture from the outside, not being in the middle. I think again, that’s probably the best thing that could happen and now, like I said, if there was an opportunity to get onto the table and I was- I’m ready pretty much to make a comeback if the opportunity is on the table.
“Not to mention that, but the fact that there is a new roster on board and there are so many matches out there that the fans would like to see and that I would really enjoy. AJ Styles vs. Rey Mysterio, Finn Balor vs. Rey Mysterio, not to mention he was the one who threw me out in the Royal Rumble, so no hard feelings, but if I came back, I’d go after him.”

As Mysterio made mention of the Rumble, he is asked to give an insight into how he felt returning to such a big reaction at the event in January of this year.

“I think that just goes to show the love that the fans have and how loyal and supportive they’ve been throughout my 29 years of career. It also goes to show how when you plan on giving the fans a surprise, that is how the fans should react. It was a surprise for the fans, and it was a surprise for me to hear the reaction that I got, the ovation. My adrenaline was- boy I could not get my heart [to stop] pumping that hard. Even after the Rumble when I was backstage, adrenaline was going full blast. That’s just a feelgood moment, you know? I still talk about it, I get hyped up just talking about it, thinking about it.
“Obviously during the time of me running out and making my entrance and doing what I did in the ring, sometimes you get so caught up in the moment and don’t really get to enjoy that feeling, and I think that happened with me and I enjoyed it twice as much after I sat back at my house and was able to watch the complete version of it- for me not being in the ring, just me sitting back home on my couch being able to enjoy.”

The luchador is asked whether he will be at WWE Crown Jewel. Since Mysterio made these comments, WWE has come under fire and asked to terminate or hold off on their relationship with Saudi Arabia due to the huge ongoing incident currently making headlines around the world. This may mean Mysterio’s current opinion has changed.

“I would love to. I mean, that was in my wish list. Again, I was there for the Greatest Royal Rumble and I enjoyed every single moment that I participated in [for] the Rumble. So never say never, right? Never say never. Anything could happen from now to November the 2nd.”

That said, Mysterio was with WWE for the Greatest Royal Rumble event following WrestleMania 34, where he participated in the 50-man Rumble, which was eventually won by RAW’s Braun Strowman. Mysterio is asked what he enjoyed about his first time in Saudi Arabia.

“The fact that it had been four years since I had performed in front of such a big crowd. You know, I’ve been doing a lot of independent work [in] smaller venues. Still, fans are fans whether it is ten, a hundred, or sixty thousand. Just to be able to be around that atmosphere and be around a lot of the guys that I grew up wrestling with- the likes of Randy, I’ve got along with Randy, and still get along with him. Incredible. To me, he is one of the best Superstars out there right now. To be able to mix it up with him in the ring and have a moment with him was awesome.”

It remains to be seen whether WWE continues with Crown Jewel, though Mysterio is set to face Shinsuke Nakamura in a qualifying match for the World Cup on SmackDown Live this week. Stay tuned to Ringside News as further information is released.
Do you believe WWE will go through with the plans for Crown Jewel? What was your reaction to Mysterio being in both Royal Rumble events this year? Let us know your thoughts, opinions, and reactions in those comments below.
If any of the quotes are used, please credit Ringside News for the transcription.