WWE 2K22 cover athlete Rey Mysterio has shared his thoughts on the process of being featured in 2K and Visual Concepts' latest WWE video game. Since the release of WWE '12 under publisher THQ, the WWE games have featured a top superstar of the WWE as the cover star for the title. Legends such as The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin along with modern-day greats like CM Punk, John Cena, and, most recently on WWE 2K20, Becky Lynch and Roman Reigns have all graced the cover of the WWE 2K video game series. Celebrating his 20th year with the WWE, Rey Mysterio is now among the list of legends and superstars to be on the video game's front cover.
Having made his in-ring debut in 1989 at the age of 14, Rey Mysterio went on to help popularize the Mexican style of Lucha libre in the United States through his time in ECW and WCW. After the closure of WCW in 2001, Mysterio made his WWE debut the following year and made an immediate splash in the company's Tag Team and Cruiserweight Divisions on the SmackDown brand. Through his 20 year tenure in the WWE, Rey Mysterio became a three-time World Champion, a Royal Rumble winner, a Grand Slam Champion, and, most recently, a SmackDown Tag Team Champion with his son Dominick, becoming the only father-son duo to claim Tag Team gold in the WWE.
Becoming the Showcase focus and the cover athlete of WWE 2K22 adds another note to the long-standing legacy of Rey Mysterio. The longevity of his career along with the cavalcade of accolades earned throughout it has established Mysterio as one of Lucha libre's most influential and renowned performers. His time in the WWE comprises the majority of his career, and being honored as the game's cover athlete comes with a feeling of pride for Rey Mysterio.
WWE 2K22 - Rey Mysterio's Pride As The Cover Superstar
Speaking in a press conference uploaded on WWE 2K's YouTube channel for the official cover reveal, Rey Mysterio spoke about what it means to be the latest video game's cover superstar and the sense of pride it gives him. Mysterio said, "This is an incredible moment for me really to be able to represent the culture of Lucha libre as a cover superstar of WWE 2K22. It's a moment of great pride not just for me, but for the generations that come after me and for all my people, man. All of my Latinos. This is a great moment." When asked about how being the cover superstar of 2K Sports' WWE 2K22 compared to his myriad of accolades, Mysterio continued, "I think every accolade that I had throughout my career has a different meaning," before going over his tag-team with his son and winning the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 21 as "two different moments" that he likewise enjoyed.
Rey Mysterio was later asked about when he found out he would be the cover athlete, stating that it didn't fully sink in until days before the Press Conference. Mysterio continued to talk about what it meant to him, stating, "It was just something that was very special to me because of all the years I put in this business. A lot of feedback I get from the fans saying, 'Rey, you're one of my favorite superstars that I love to pick when I play'... To hear all of that and now to know that I'm part of the cover? I think it's a great time for me too because I really don't know how many years I have left in this career, so I think this timing was right on point. This just put the cherry on top of the icing."
Rey Mysterio's storied career, at over 30 years, may be closer to its end than its beginning, but there is no doubt that the man who helped revolutionize the professional wrestling industry will continue to leave his mark, representing his culture and the tradition of Lucha libre with the same pride he has held since the very beginning. Whether it's with his son in the real WWE ring or representing the virtual ring as WWE 2K22's cover star for its March release, Rey Mysterio's legacy continues to grow.
Source: YouTube/WWE 2K