Rey Mysterio is a name that often comes up whenever the term ‘dream match’ is mentioned. By both fans and wrestlers alike.
And there are many fans who would consider a bout between the newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame and former United States Champion Ricochet a prime example of a dream match.
But while said match is yet to happen one-on-one in a WWE ring, it has taken place inside the squared circle. On both the independent scene and, perhaps most notably, on Lucha Underground.
The cult series ran for four seasons between 2014 and 2018. Produced by legendary director Robert Rodriguez and part owned by AAA in Mexico, the show introduced many of this generation’s most talented luchadores to mainstream audiences in the US and UK.
And at the culmination of season two, during Ultima Lucha Dos, Ricochet, under a mask as Prince Puma, met his hero one-on-one.
However, there was to be fairytale ending for the artist formerly known as Puma, as Mysterio emerged victorious from a bona fide banger of a main event. Yet, while on screen Ricochet’s alter ego may have appeared devastated to come out on the losing side of an instant classic, behind the scenes was a different story entirely.
Ricochet Reduced To Tears
Speaking exclusively to SPORF during WrestleMania weekend in Los Angeles, only a few miles from where the match took place, the former United States Champion revealed just how much the match meant to him. As well as the gesture Mysterio made that reduced him to tears.
“That match in Lucha Underground, it was so amazing. It’s hard to put into words. After the match was done he left and left me in the middle of the ring. He let me get the applause and under the mask I’m crying.
“Then when we get to the back I go to his locker room to thank him for the match and I can’t even talk. I can’t speak, I’m so choked up. He saw that and, like I said, it’s hard to even put into words what he means. It really lit a fire under Ricochet to get to that level.”
As well as their seminal bout in Boyle Heights, Ricochet enthused about Mysterio’s seismic influence over his own career.
“He was the most inspirational to me. Especially as a kid. Seeing Rey Mysterio go out there with Big Show and with Brock Lesnar and with Randy Orton and still prevailing, it helped me feel like ‘I’m gonna do that one day’.”
Ricochet’s chat with SPORF came just over 24 hours before Mysterio was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. A day after that and the legendary luchadore was emerging victorious from a memorable bout with his own son, Dominik. Ricochet meanwhile came up short with partner Braun Strowman in their ‘WrestleMania Showcase’ fatal-four-way tag match, which was won by the Street Profits.
Unsuccessful though he may have been at the Showcase of the Immortals, Ricochet could still be set for a huge 2023, with Triple H heading up creative (albeit with some Vince McMahon interference in the background) as a longstanding fan of The One and Only. Could tag team gold be in the future with Strowman? Or is a return to single life on the horizon? Either way, we can’t wait to see what’s next for the former Prince Puma.
WrestleMania 39 is available to stream now, only on Peacock and WWE Network
Featured Image Credit: WWE