Legendary Mexican wrestler Rey Misterio Sr. dies at the age of 66

The professional wrestling world has lost a true legend.

Miguel Ángel López Díaz, better known by his ring name Rey Misterio Sr., has passed away at the age of 66, according to a statement from his family.

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide also released a statement following the news.

“We regret the sensitive death of Miguel Ángel López Días, known as Rey Mysterio Sr.,” the campaign said in a statement (translated from Spanish). “We send our sincerest condolences to his loved ones and raise our prayers to heaven for his eternal rest.”

Misterio Sr. is today best known for training his nephew Rey Mysterio, one of the most popular professional wrestlers of all time.

In addition, Misterio Sr. trained other professional wrestling legends such as Konnan, Psicosis, Halloween and Damian 666. He also trained his son, Rey Misterio Heredero, better known as El Hijo de Rey Misterio.

Misterio began his professional wrestling career after training as a boxer. He made his in-ring debut on January 6, 1976 on Día de los Reyes, translated as “Day of the Kings”.

Misterio would go on to become wildly popular in Mexico, wrestling in several promotions including Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, Pro Wrestling Revolution, Tijuana Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Association (WWA).

Misterio also appeared in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1990 as part of the “Pat O’Connor Memorial International Cup” during the Starrcade pay-per-view. He represented Mexico with Konnan.

More professional wrestling: WWE Superstar Bronson Reed will reportedly miss WrestleMania 41

Misterio has won several titles including the IWC World Middleweight Championship twice, the America’s Championship, the Tijuana Welterweight Championship and the WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship.

In addition to his singles titles, Misterio won the WWA Tag Team Championship with his nephew and the Revolution Tag Team Championship with his son.

Misterio was inducted into the Tijuana Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and retired from professional wrestling in 2009. Despite that, he fought his last match in 2023.

More professional wrestling: Logan Paul ends a one-week retirement, challenges for the WWE World Heavyweight title

More tributes have poured in for the wrestling legend.

“So sad to hear of the death of the original Rey Misterio (Sr.), Miguel Lopez, aged 66, uncle of the WWE star,” said Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer. “In his prime, he was almost like Tijuana’s version of Jerry Lawler in Memphis.”

@elClubLucha re-shared a compilation video they made of Rey Misterio Sr. and Rey Mysterio Jr. teaming up by simply saying, “RIP Rey Misterio Sr.”

Everyone here at Newsweek Sports send their condolences to Misterio’s family and friends.