Highlights
- Mistico's transition to WWE was a disappointment as he couldn't adapt to the company's style and his run only lasted three years.
- The Sin Cara character, portrayed by Hunico, provided entertaining matches in the past, but didn't reach the level of stardom many hoped for.
- Mistico was a Lucha Libre sensation in Mexico and was considered an international superstar, but his injuries, inability to adapt to WWE's style, and refusal to learn English contributed to his lack of success in the company.
Despite his well-accomplished background in Mexico, Mistico couldn't successfully transition his talents into the biggest professional wrestling company in the world, the WWE. When it was g announced in early 2011 that Mistico officially signed with WWE after spending over a decade making a name for himself in the Lucha Libre scene, it appeared that he would be on his way to becoming WWE's next Latin sensation after Rey Mysterio. Considering the similarities between him and Mysterio regarding their Lucha Libre background and the fact that they both wear masks, there was a lot of hype surrounding him jumping ship to WWE, especially with Triple H getting credited for bringing him into the company in the first place. However, not long after Mistico made his WWE debut as Sin Cara, it didn't take long to realize that Mistico wasn't adapting to WWE's style of entertainment, as his run in the company only lasted three years and was considered a massive disappointment.
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The Sin Cara Character In WWE
Many fans who grew up watching WWE over the past decade are probably familiar with the Sin Cara character, mainly portrayed by former WWE superstar Hunico. And even though the Sin Cara character didn't achieve the level of stardom that some people may have hoped, especially as there are always rumors that WWE is looking for its next Latin superstar, it's safe to say that at least the Sin Cara character has provided entertaining matches in the past, especially when portrayed by Hunico.
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Mistico Was A Luchador Sensation
With that said, the Sin Cara character could've been much more than it was, especially with Lucha Libre legend Mistico initially portraying the character when he first signed with WWE in 2011. For those who may not be familiar with Mistico, he was not only an accomplished performer in the Lucha Libre scene but also was considered an international superstar before coming to WWE. Some people may not know this, but when Mistico wrestled for CMLL, he was so popular that the promotion produced comic books starring Mistico as a real-life superhero.
Mistico's work in Mexico also earned him critical acclaim from critics for his in-ring talents and drawing ability. For instance, the Wrestling Observer has awarded Mistico numerous accolades during the 2000s, including the Wrestler of the Year award in 2006 and the Best Box Office Draw of the Decade award. Mistico may not have been a big name in the United States during his prime, but at one point, he was one of the biggest stars in the professional wrestling world due to his international appeal.
What Weng Wrong With Mistico's WWE Run?
After weeks of vignettes, Mistico made his WWE TV debut as Sin Cara on the first Monday Night Raw episode after WrestleMania 27. At that point, Mistico was instantly treated as a special attraction among the main roster, as WWE even went out of its way to put on special lighting for Mistico's matches.
Despite WWE's attempt to push Mistico as an upcoming prospect, there were many reasons why his WWE career didn't work out in the long run. For instance, one of the reasons Mistico didn't achieve WWE stardom was the many injuries he had throughout his run. he may have been one of the biggest stars in the industry before coming to WWE, but it's hard to imagine the company pushing him or any other talent if they're injured-prone. It's worth noting Mistico even broke one of his fingers during his final WWE match with Alberto Del Rio in late 2013.
RELATED: The Confusing History Of The Sin Cara WWE Character, Explained
Another reason Mistico didn't work out in WWE was the different in-ring styles between American and Mexican professional wrestling, as many argued that Mistico hadn't been able to adapt to WWE's in-ring style. It may have also been why Mistico got a reputation for botching during his matches, so much so that he became a meme of some sort in the online wrestling community. It's hard for someone like Mistico to get over in WWE while simultaneously having a reputation for botching, as some fans don't forget.
It's also known that Mistico refused to learn English, which is cited as one of the biggest reasons he didn't succeed in WWE. Fortunately for him, soon after leaving WWE in early 2014, he returned to the Lucha Libre scene in Mexico, where he felt more at home. Even though Mistico's WWE run may not have worked out as some people may have hoped, it still doesn't take away everything he accomplished throughout his in-ring career elsewhere.
