Rey Mysterio Talks WWE All-Stars, Hispanic Market, Health and More

When you watch WWE, the superstars are pushing the action more and more in the ring with innovative, never-seen-before, jaw-dropping moves. Now, THQ is taking them a step further in the new WWE All-Stars video game, which is set to hit stores on March 29.

All-Stars features arcade-style action where your favorite superstars can do even more high-flying, over-the-top moves that can only be done in the gaming world. The sky is the limit whether you're using Rey Mysterio as he flies through the air or you choose the legendary "Macho Man" Randy Savage as he soars off the top rope with a twisting elbow smash.

He's not the only legend in the game either as you can also choose from Bret "The Hitman" Hart, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, or go back a few more years and pick Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Andre the Giant or even "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka.

And there are plenty of current WWE superstars available as well from Randy Orton to John Cena and The Undertaker. So with All-Stars, you have arguably the greatest roster for a WWE game ever that allows dream matchups of current stars against legends.

Recently, FanHouse spoke with Rey Mysterio while he was checking out All-Stars for the first time to get his thoughts on the game, WrestleMania, his current health and the growth of the Hispanic market for WWE.

Brian Fritz: Let's first talk about the video game. What are your thoughts about WWE All-Stars now that you've seen it?
Rey Mysterio: I think it's awesome! I was just checking out the graphics right now. I think it's a video game that's not realistic too much but just in the middle where you can get excited about playing it. And about seeing -- depending on what character you what to see -- how he's going to look on screen. I'll tell you man, it's incredible.

It really seems like looking at how it plays, with the high-flying and the over-the-top maneuvers, make it a lot of fun to play.
It is. I believe it had like a hardcore match where they were picking up kendo sticks and cans and they were throwing bodies up in the air and catching them in mid-air and slamming them from five, ten feet in the air and coming straight down on the mat. It's giving you another perspective of what wrestling can be turned into with this new WWE All-Stars.

With you being a guy that's been in the ring for a number of years, is it cool to see that since you know the limitations of what is really done in the ring, but how the game takes it to that next level to make it a fun game experience?
Yeah and I think that's awesome! Believe it or not, from the video games in the past that I've been able to play that I've been a part of up to this new game, every now and then I like to steal maybe a move here and there from the video game and actually do it in the ring if possible.


Macho Man gets you pumped for WWE All-Stars I know there are legends in the game. Is there any one in particular that you're excited about seeing in the game?
Without a doubt "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

Could you envision a match between yourself and "Macho Man?"
You know, when I was a part of WCW, he was doing the nWo and I believe only one time we kind of met in the ring and it was just for a beat down. But I think he's one of the guys from the legends that I wish I would have had a chance to have a one-on-one match with him. One of the other guys is Shawn Michaels and I had the privilege to wrestle him back in 2005. But definitely, "Macho Man" Randy Savage -- I would have loved seeing him in the ring one-on-one.

Speaking of Shawn Michaels, he's going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. What is it going to be like for you to see him get inducted?
I think that's awesome. That's when you really take the time to acknowledge somebody's career, when you get inducted into the Hall of Fame. You sometimes say that and you get asked this question a lot what has been your favorite moment or the highlight of your career. And you have so many obstacles in this business that you want to pass to achieve. Being world champion is probably the biggest peak in someone's wrestling career. But then after you retire it's like now it's induction into the Hall of Fame. And after that, you really can't go anywhere else. That's it and that's probably the best of the best. When you get inducted into that, you're recognized and you're on there for the rest of your life.

How excited are you getting for WrestleMania since it's now less than six weeks away?
WrestleMania is always the moment we all wait for. I think as soon as January kicks in, all the excitement starts to build up with the (Royal) Rumble and leading on to the (Elimination) Chamber. After the Chamber is gone, it's like time flies so fast. The next thing you know, it's WrestleMania and believe me, we're all pretty much stoked about this one.

What was it like for you to see The Rock come back to WWE and be on "Raw" a few weeks ago?
It brought me back to classic moments of Rock-Mick Foley, Rock-Stone Cold, Rock-Vince McMahon and the McMahon family. Without a doubt, it was very entertaining.

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How is your health going into WrestleMania? I know you've had some knee problems and various injuries over the past few years.
I try to push everything aside, especially when this part of the year comes around. Thank God and knock on wood that I've been feeling good. You know, some bumps and bruises, soreness here and there especially after a match like Elimination Chamber, but I'm looking forward and am ready to move on to WrestleMania.

I had heard -- and tell me if I'm correct -- that you had gotten a cartilage injection in your knee.
Yes I did.

Did that help your knee?
It did for a period of time. I guess either the effect wears off or ... Actually, I got a series of shots. I want to say maybe eight or twelve of them. For a while, and I think that's what's probably held my knee up up to now. But it might be that time actually to look into probably getting a couple more. It's a session of four every time I get it done, one every week. So, we'll see what happens after WrestleMania.

"I think every time WWE expands their market it's a step further and forward and not backwards."
-- Rey Mysterio What are your thoughts right now about WWE and the growth of the audience in the Hispanic market? It looks like there is more focus on it now than ever before.
I think it's awesome. I think every time WWE expands their market it's a step further and forward and not backwards. At one point, their main market was Europe and Europe is still huge. We're exploring South America now and it has given us a great response with attendance at live events and with ratings on television. So, why not take it to the next level and possibly travel more into South America which we are doing already, perhaps even bringing them a little extra touch with maybe a couple years down the road even a WrestleMania or a pay-per-view.

What are your thoughts of Alberto Del Rio's rise up through the ranks so quickly after working for years in Mexico and then coming into the WWE and now he's going to be in one of the main matches at WrestleMania?
I think it's awesome. If there's anything that is not part of myself and who I am it's jealousy and envy. I always wish Alberto the best even though we clash in the ring. But he comes from a second-generation family. Growing up, his father was one of my all-time favorite wrestlers (Dos Caras). Even though for the short amount of time that he's been a part of this company he's succeeded very well.

Are you surprised he has taken to it so quickly because it is a different style and he's no longer wearing a mask, the change in style of working in Mexico to the United States, facial expressions, things you have to adapt to when you come to WWE?
Without a doubt. And it took me a lot of years to adapt to this style and learning from the best, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, the (Chris) Jerichos, the (Chris) Benoits. But I think for Alberto it's been a learning process. He's adapting slowly but surely and I think in this business there's always something new to learn and that you're always evolving.

What are your thoughts about WWE signing Mistico (who will be known as Sin Cara)? He's been a huge star in Mexico for years and now he's making his way to WWE.
I think the opportunity now shown is that the doors are open for anybody that has the quality to be part of WWE. You have the talent, you have the desire to be a superstar, come and the doors will be open and if you can make it, you'll be one of the top dogs. Alberto's a big proof. When I came into the United States, I pretty much followed the Guerreros and Jerichos, a path as they just left Mexico and went on to ECW, WCW and WWE. So it was kind of a little train that we were taking around. It kind of feels good in a way that those doors have been opened for other Mexican wrestlers. Like you said, now with Mistico coming in, I want to say that I think those doors were eventually opened by the talent that myself, Eddie and a lot of wrestlers that started their careers in Mexico have opened up for other guys.

"I think that whenever I do call it quits, it's quits and it's family time for me. My kids are growing and I've missed out a lot on being with them."
-- Rey Mysterio Have you given any thought on to how much longer you would like to wrestle for?
I'm 36 years old right now and I feel good. Besides my knee, after the first surgery, it's always slowed me down a bit but I've been able to adapt and modify my work to the extent of being able to still entertain the fans. If I can still entertain them and do what I do best, then I'm good for still a good amount of years. There's still nothing in the back of my mind. I just want to keep on pushing forward and feeling that excitement, that adrenaline rush every time I step into the ring.

Whenever that day does come and you decide that it's time to wind down, do you see yourself ever going back and wrestling in Mexico?
I don't know. I think that whenever I do call it quits, it's quits and it's family time for me. My kids are growing and I've missed out a lot on being with them. I definitely have told myself throughout the years that, even to my wife, that whenever I do plan to retire, whenever that day comes, it's going to be complete family time.

Thanks for the time and I'm really looking forward to playing WWE All-Stars.
Thank you very much and hopefully we can sometime play a game together.