It is one of those things that happens every few months. You are scrolling through your feed, and suddenly a headline or a "rest in peace" post starts gaining traction. You see the mask, you see the name, and your heart sinks. But if you’re wondering is Rey Mysterio still alive, the answer is a resounding yes.
Honestly, the confusion is usually born from two very different places: a tragic real-life loss in the Mysterio family and the brutal physical toll of a career that has spanned over thirty years.
Just a few weeks ago, in late 2024, the wrestling world actually did lose a legend. Miguel Ángel López Díaz, known to the world as Rey Misterio Sr., passed away at the age of 66. He was the uncle and the man who trained the WWE superstar we all know. When Rey Mysterio Jr. (the one you see on TV) posted his heartbreaking tribute on Instagram, the internet did what the internet does. People skimmed the headlines, saw the name "Rey Mysterio," and the rumors caught fire.
The Confusion Between the Legend and the Student
It is easy to get the names mixed up if you aren't a die-hard Lucha Libre fan. In the world of Mexican wrestling, names are often passed down like family heirlooms.
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Rey Mysterio Sr. was a titan in his own right. He was the one who put the mask on his nephew and taught him how to fly. When he died in December 2024, it wasn't just a loss for his family; it was the end of an era for the sport. Rey Mysterio Jr. shared a deeply personal message about his father figure, thanking him for the life he provided. If you saw those posts and thought the WWE Hall of Famer had passed, you were simply looking at a family in mourning, not a career ended by tragedy.
Why Do People Keep Thinking He’s Dead?
Wrestling is violent. There is no other way to put it. Over the years, we've seen Rey "lose" an eye in a match against Seth Rollins. We’ve seen him taken out on stretchers more times than most people go to the grocery store.
Because Rey's style is so high-impact, he’s constantly dealing with injuries that would sideline a normal human for years. Even now, in early 2026, he’s been dealing with nagging issues. He missed a recent episode of Monday Night Raw because of a minor injury, though reports from the Wrestling Observer suggest he’ll be back in the ring before we know it.
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- The Age Factor: Rey is 51 now. Most guys his size are retired and living on a beach by this point.
- The Stem Cell Factor: He has been very open about using advanced stem cell treatments to keep his knees from turning into dust.
- The Schedule: He doesn't wrestle every night anymore. He usually works about twice a month, which leads some casual fans to think he’s disappeared or worse.
Basically, if you don't see him on TV for three weeks, people start speculating. But the truth is, he’s just being smart. He’s preserving his body so he can finish his career on his own terms.
What is Rey Mysterio Doing Now in 2026?
As of right now, January 2026, Rey is very much an active part of the WWE roster. In fact, he’s busier than ever helping the next generation.
He’s expected to be a major part of the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Beyond that, he has been acting as a bridge between WWE and the Mexican promotion AAA. Just this weekend, he’s scheduled to open AAA’s big debut on Fox in Mexico City. He isn't just "alive"—he's a global ambassador for the sport.
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His rivalry with his son, Dominik Mysterio, has also kept him relevant in a way most legends struggle with. Seeing a father and son go at it for years is rare. It has given Rey a "second wind," as he often calls it in interviews. He’s admitted that retirement is "definitely really close," but he isn't there yet. He’s waiting for the right moment to pass the mask for good.
The Real Legacy
When the time finally comes for Rey to hang up the boots, it won't be a quiet exit. He’s already a Hall of Famer. He’s already won everything there is to win. But for now, the Master of the 619 is still moving at a speed that defies physics.
If you see a post tomorrow claiming he’s gone, do yourself a favor: check his official social media or a reputable wrestling news site. Most of the time, it's just clickbait or a misunderstanding of his family history.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with Rey's actual status, follow the official WWE injury reports rather than social media rumors. You can also catch his upcoming appearance at the Royal Rumble on January 31, which should put any "death" rumors to rest once and for all. Keep an eye on his matches against younger talent like Gunther—it's in those high-stakes bouts where you can really see that the legend is still very much in the game.