Rey Mysterio supports celebrity involvement in wrestling
WWE legend Rey Mysterio has thrown his weight behind the growing trend of celebrities and professional athletes stepping into the wrestling ring, insisting it’s brilliant for the sport, reports BritPanorama.
The Hall of Famer shared his views with OutKick Dropkick earlier today ahead of Triplemania Night 1 in Las Vegas. Over recent years, WWE has welcomed a string of famous faces through the ropes — from Jason Kelce and Bad Bunny to Jelly Roll and Lil Yachty. Even Tom Brady flirted with the idea of a WWE storyline.
However, the participation of celebrities has sparked mixed reactions. By 2026, some fans have grown weary of the celebrity-wrestling crossover trend — something Mysterio openly acknowledged. Despite the pushback, Mysterio made clear he’s got no issue with it whatsoever.
“I really don’t mind it at all. We always had celebrities pop into our world and maybe they were fans prior, maybe they weren’t fans and they came over and they saw our craft, they respected it,” he explained. “And people back then, I believe, didn’t really respect wrestling and then they got into the ring, and they felt it, and they were like, ‘Whoa, this s— is real. We thought it was fake.’ No, it’s not fake.”
Mysterio emphasized that these partnerships make the product far more exciting and help draw in new audiences, stating, “That makes things much more interesting. We engage with much more fans and I think that’s the goal of it all – to get as many eyes as possible.”
Celebrity involvement in wrestling is not a recent phenomenon, with a rich history of famous figures participating in major events. NFL great Lawrence Taylor once took part in a battle royal, while Super Bowl winner Steve McMichael shifted from gridiron to the ring. Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising crossover? Actor David Arquette winning a championship title during his time with World Championship Wrestling — a moment that still lingers in fan memory.
It is essential to recognize that the relationship between wrestling and mainstream celebrity culture is reciprocal. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson transitioned from a wrestling icon to one of the most bankable film stars globally. Other wrestlers like Cody Rhodes, Becky Lynch, Roman Reigns, and Liv Morgan have also explored opportunities in entertainment beyond the squared circle.
As long as familiar names continue to lace up their boots for a stint in the ring, the cycle of wrestling and celebrity culture promises to thrive. This interplay signifies not just the evolution of wrestling but a reflection of its broader appeal in contemporary society.
