Rey Mysterio has reflected warmly on sharing a WWE ring with Roman Reigns in Mexico City, calling their July 2023 live-event main event a particularly meaningful chapter of his career.
The two WWE stars have met in only three singles matches across their respective careers, making each encounter notable on its own. Their most recent one-on-one bout took place at a WWE live event in Mexico City in July 2023, where Mysterio was given the opportunity to headline opposite Reigns in front of a major crowd in his home country.
For Mysterio, the importance of the match stretched beyond the opponent standing across the ring. Mexico City has long held a unique place in the WWE Hall of Famer's career and identity, and being featured in a marquee match there carried considerable emotional weight.
“Yes I do, yes I do. I remember it was a special night, a special moment for me,” Mysterio said. “Not only for Mexico City, but for me and my career to have this opportunity to main event versus Roman Reigns. Anytime I get to step into Mexico and be part of such an important match like that one, it’s just so special.”
For more background on this topic, read WWE Crown Jewel 2026 Betting Odds: Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes Lead Favorites in Riyadh.
A Rare Singles Matchup Between Two WWE Generations
Mysterio and Reigns represent two distinct eras of WWE, though both have been central figures within the company for years. Mysterio’s legacy was established through his groundbreaking work in lucha libre, WCW, and WWE before Reigns emerged as one of the defining stars of WWE’s modern generation.
Their limited singles history adds to the value Mysterio places on the Mexico City bout. Wrestling careers can overlap for years without producing many direct one-on-one meetings, especially when performers are positioned in separate programs, divisions, or stages of their careers. Mysterio’s statement made clear that he viewed the match as an opportunity rather than simply another stop on the live-event schedule.
At the time of their July 2023 meeting, Reigns was one of WWE’s most prominent attractions. A main event against him gave Mysterio a high-profile platform in a market where the masked icon’s connection with fans has always been especially strong. The setting allowed WWE to present two of its most recognizable names in a match built around the contrast between Mysterio’s speed and experience and Reigns’ power and championship-level aura.
While WWE television and premium live events are often the focus of the company’s calendar, live events can create memorable moments of their own. Those shows frequently give audiences in different markets the chance to see major matchups that may not take place on weekly programming. For wrestlers, they can also provide a more immediate connection to a crowd, particularly when the event takes place in a city or country with personal meaning.
Mexico City Remains Significant for Mysterio
Mysterio’s remarks centered heavily on what it means to perform in Mexico. Although he became an international star through his work in the United States, his presentation, ring style, mask, and family heritage remain deeply connected to lucha libre traditions. Returning to Mexico has therefore consistently carried a different type of resonance than a typical tour date.
That connection is reflected in the way Mysterio described the Reigns match. He did not frame it solely as a chance to face a top WWE opponent. Instead, he emphasized both the city and the larger career milestone of being selected for the main event. In a career spanning decades, opportunities to headline in Mexico against a performer of Reigns’ stature remain moments worth remembering.
Mysterio has maintained a place near WWE’s top level across multiple generations. His career has included world championship success, tag team accomplishments, landmark matches, and a WWE Hall of Fame induction. Yet his comments show why individual nights can still stand out even after such an extensive resume. The venue, opponent, and audience can turn a live-event match into something more lasting for the performer involved.
Mexico City in particular is a natural setting for that kind of response. The city is one of the most important wrestling markets in the world and has a rich history tied to lucha libre. Mysterio’s image has long been embraced by fans who recognize the influence of Mexican wrestling on his career, even as he developed into a global WWE attraction.
Roman Reigns Heads Toward Sami Zayn at Crown Jewel
Reigns is currently scheduled to face Sami Zayn at WWE Crown Jewel. The match brings together two wrestlers whose paths have been closely tied through some of WWE’s most significant recent stories, while also presenting another major singles spotlight for Reigns.
The upcoming Crown Jewel bout differs greatly from the Mexico City live-event meeting Mysterio recalled. Reigns and Zayn have a lengthy shared history within WWE, giving their match an established narrative foundation. Mysterio’s recollection, meanwhile, focuses on the rarity and personal significance of his own encounter with Reigns rather than a continuing rivalry.
Still, Mysterio’s comments underline the stature Reigns brings to any major match. Being placed opposite Reigns in a main event was a career highlight for Mysterio because of the scale of the occasion and the importance of representing himself in Mexico City. That same profile continues to follow Reigns into his match with Zayn at Crown Jewel.
The Value of Moments Beyond Television
Wrestling history is often documented through championship changes, televised angles, premium live event cards, and widely circulated clips. But performers frequently identify different moments as the ones that stay with them: a hometown crowd, a family connection, an unexpected main event, or the chance to share the ring with a particular opponent.
Mysterio’s reflection on Reigns fits that pattern. The July 2023 match was one of only three singles encounters between the two, but its lasting meaning is rooted in where it happened and what it represented. For Mysterio, headlining against Reigns in Mexico City was a chance to take part in an important WWE attraction while performing in a place that remains close to his identity.
His description of the event as a “special night” also speaks to the enduring relationship between Mysterio and Mexican audiences. No matter how many years he spends competing on WWE’s international stage, appearances in Mexico continue to hold a heightened sense of occasion. A main event against Reigns provided another example of that connection.
As Reigns prepares for his next high-profile match against Zayn at Crown Jewel, Mysterio’s comments offer a reminder of the impact the former world champion has had across WWE’s touring landscape. For Mysterio, their Mexico City match was not simply a rare entry in their shared singles record. It was a career moment, a hometown-adjacent celebration, and a night he continues to remember with pride.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.