Kevin Nash says he was responsible for Rey Mysterio losing his mask in WCW and still believes it was the right decision.
Rey Mysterio was forced to unmask at SuperBrawl IX on February 21, 1999, after he and Konnan lost a Hair vs. Mask match to Nash and Scott Hall. Had Mysterio and Konnan won, Miss Elizabeth would have had her head shaved. Speaking during the Ask Nash segment of Kliq This, Kevin Nash was questioned about the controversial decision and claimed responsibility for booking it.
“I think I booked that,” Nash said.
According to Nash, the decision was connected to a major advertising campaign WCW was planning at the time. Those involved with the campaign had seen Mysterio without his mask, and Nash believed his appearance could help market him beyond wrestling.
“WCW was doing a huge ad campaign, and the ad people had seen Rey without his hood on,” Nash said. “You’re not going to be in Times Square with a luchador mask on in an ad. So I looked at it as, I’ll take his mask off so everybody can see this motherf*****.”
Kevin Nash Dismisses Criticism Of Rey Mysterio Unmasking
Rey Mysterio’s unmasking has long been criticised because of the importance masks hold within lucha libre tradition. Kevin Nash, however, said he was aware of those objections and remained unconvinced.
“Everybody’s like, ‘Oh my God, you don’t understand the luchador.’ I’m like, yeah, hair versus mask. Like nobody’s ever lost their mask before,” Nash said. “Come on, man.”
Mysterio himself has previously spoken about his opposition to losing the mask. In lucha libre, masks are traditionally put at stake in wager matches built around significant personal rivalries, often involving another masked wrestler. Mysterio instead lost his in a tag team match against two unmasked opponents.
WCW had previously considered unmasking Mysterio at Halloween Havoc 1997, when Juventud Guerrera lost his mask to Chris Jericho, but Mysterio has said he successfully fought against the idea on that occasion. Despite their differing views on the decision, Nash praised Mysterio for how he handled the years that followed.
“He did a great job with it,” Nash said.
Mysterio remained unmasked for the rest of his WCW run before restoring the mask after joining WWE in 2002.
