Wrestling icon Rey Misterio Sr. has died at the age of 66.

The masked luchador, the uncle of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, began wrestling in 1976 and officially retired in 2009. However, his last fight took place in April 2023, when he teamed with Aero Star and Mr. Iguana to achieve a victory over Hereje. Hijo de Pirata Morgan and Nightmare Azteca.

Mexican company Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide announced the tragic news on their social media accounts.

“We regret the sensitive death of Miguel Ángel López Días, known as Rey Mysterio Sr,” they wrote in a post translated from Spanish.

Alongside a note spelling “Misterio” his name, they added: “We extend our sincerest condolences to his loved ones and raise our prayers to heaven for his eternal rest.”

A cause of death was not announced.

Misterio – whose son wrestles under the name El Hijo de Rey Misterio – had his first fight in January 1976 while appearing for the likes of WCW, including an appearance at the 1990 Starrcade pay-per-view.

On the show, he teamed up with Konnan to represent Mexico at the Pat O’Connor Memorial International Cup.

The duo defeated Brits Chris Adams and Norman Smiley in the first round before losing to the Steiner Brothers.

In 1987 he founded his own gym, where he trained Konnan, Psicosis, Damian 666 and his nephew Rey Mysterio, among others.

Both generations of Misterio – in that spelling – came together in 1995 to compete as WWA Tag Team Champions, while the WWE legend took his uncle’s name.

He initially worked as Rey Mysterio Jr in both WCW and ECW, but when he joined WWE in 2002, he became known simply as Rey Mysterio.

Misterio Sr.’s death comes just weeks after the death of Rey Mysterio’s father Robert Gutierrez at the age of 76.

He wrote: “Father: Thank you for giving me the life I have.” They have set more than an example of how to love and maintain a strong marriage and have become fathers to four boys. You were a role model and passed with flying colors every time until your death.

“Excellent husband, loving father, beautiful grandfather, incredible son and brother and amazing father-in-law.”

The 50-year-old Mysterio is still an important part of the WWE, while his on-screen rivalry with his son Dominik Mysterio continues the family legacy.

Rey initially announced his intention to retire at age 50, but after undergoing knee surgery a year ago, he found a new life in the ring.

“I knew I had a number in mind. and I said I didn’t want to go beyond that,” he said tells Metro exclusively in Philadelphia before this year’s WrestleMania. “But I really listen to how my body reacts. And my body responded great and my motivation is still on point.”

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