Dominik Mysterio has fondly recalled working with Eddie Guerrero as a child, and reflected on the Hall of Famer’s influence on his current WWE character.
In an interview released on Thursday, the Judgment Day member detailed how elements of his presentation, including his mullet and mustache, are derived from Guerrero.
Mysterio said:
Like, this is all Eddie. I watched him just so much that it organically became a thing. Even with the Rhea stuff: Eddie and Chyna. Now, the ‘lie, cheat, steal’ stuff that I’m currently doing.
Dominik’s on-screen history with Guerrero dates back to the 2005 “custody battle” storyline, which culminated in a Ladder match between Guerrero and Rey Mysterio at SummerSlam. Dominik, who was eight at the time, revealed that the entire angle was Guerrero’s idea.
He did so much for our family because it was his idea to do the whole custody battle.
Reflecting on the match as a performer, he noted the genuine intensity Guerrero brought to the ring:
I look up and there’s Eddie standing over me just waving his finger. Fear is the only thing in my mind. And just because of his intensity, man. And now seeing it as a wrestler and being a performer and I’m like, ‘Man, he was so good.’
Guerrero passed away in November 2005. Dominik recalled that the tragedy was the first time he saw his father cry.
He spoke fondly of Guerrero during their time working together in 2005:
He was just always making sure that I was okay, getting taken care of. Always very kind, helpful; just a bright light.
I know Eddie had a rough past, and I know he struggled with a lot of stuff in the past, addictions and stuff like that that he’s dealt with. I know when he was doing the angles with me, he was like the best version of himself.
Mysterio added that the childhood storyline “planted the seed” for his ability to get over as a heel today. Dominik also touched on his initial WWE presentation as a babyface, teaming with his father, and why it did not work, in his view.
My character was being Rey Mysterio’s son. I’m sure people were just sick of it. There was nothing interesting about that. I was just there.
Mysterio faces John Cena at WWE Survivor Series on Saturday, challenging for the Intercontinental Championship.
