Mexican professional wrestler Rey Misterio Sr. has died at the age of 66

Retired Mexican professional wrestler Rey Misterio Sr., the uncle and trainer of WWE star Rey Mysterio, has died at the age of 66.

His death was confirmed Friday by Mexican wrestling promoter Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide and members of his family.

“Eternally grateful for you,” Mysterio’s daughter Aalyah Gutierrez wrote on Instagram. “Without you, my father would not be the person or fighter he is today. Rest in peace, uncle.”

The circumstances surrounding Misterio Sr.’s death were not immediately clarified, although it came just weeks after the death of Mysterio’s father, Robert Gutierrez.

Born Miguel Ángel López Díaz, Misterio Sr. was well known in the Mexican Lucha Libre scene and also wrestled with Pro Wrestling Revolution, Tijuana Wrestling and the World Wrestling Association (WWA).

The two-time IWC middleweight world champion fought his last fight in 2023, capping a nearly 50-year career that began in 1976.

Misterio Sr.’s success also extended to that of his mentees. In addition to his nephew, the three-time WWE World Champion, he trained the likes of Konnan, Psicosis, Halloween and Damian 666.

“In his prime he was almost like Tijuana’s version of Jerry Lawler in Memphis,” Wrestling Observer founder Dave Meltzer wrote on social media Friday. “As a coach, his track record is the best.”