Business of Wrestling: How Rey Mysterio's Wellness Suspension Will Affect WWE

Here we go again. 

The WWE has seen a recent, and perhaps surprising, increase in the number of Wellness Policy violations for high-profile superstars. 

First, it was Sin Cara last summer, then it was R-Truth right around Survivor Series, and then it was Evan Bourne, who got popped twice in a three-month span. 

Now? It’s Rey Mysterio. 

From WWE.com: 

"

In accordance with its Talent Wellness Program, WWE  has suspended Oscar Gutierrez (Rey Mysterio) for 60 days effective Thursday, April 26 for his second violation of the company's policy.   

"

Well, I have to admit it: I didn’t see that one coming. 

Mysterio has been out of action since last August after undergoing yet another knee surgery and was expected to be close to returning to the ring. That, however, obviously isn’t happening anymore, as Mysterio has been suspended by the WWE for a second time and will now be out until late June at the least. 

I have no doubt that Mysterio will likely put the blame on something he’s taken during his recovery process, but truth be told, it doesn’t matter what the reason for his failed Wellness test is. 

Mysterio will be out for an additional 60 days, and his suspension will have a ripple effect on the entire WWE. 

As recently as two months ago, PWInsider.com reported that there was growing tension between Mysterio and the WWE, a result of both a difficult negotiation process and Mysterio’s long line of injuries. 

One would have to think that Mysterio’s latest suspension for violating the Wellness Program is only going to make matters worse. 

Just how bad will things get? No one knows right now, but expect to start seeing the dominoes fall in the not-so-distant future. 

When the WWE brought in Sin Cara last year, he was viewed by many as a future replacement for Mysterio or, in other words, “the next Mysterio.” 

Although Sin Cara hasn’t had a great start to his WWE career, this latest mishap for Mysterio may open new doors for a fresh start for Sin Cara when he returns from his knee injury, whenever that may be. 

As I’ve noted in a previous article, the Hispanic viewing audience is a huge target demographic for the WWE, especially for Smackdown, which is “the most watched program on SyFy among Hispanic viewers.” 

Though the WWE has a number of Hispanic wrestlers under contract, Mysterio is the No. 1 Hispanic superstar in the company. He is far and away the most popular Hispanic wrestler that the WWE has under contract. 

Thus, we can’t overlook what type of impact that Mysterio’s suspension will have on the WWE going forward. 

The company will continue to try to appeal to the Hispanic viewing audience, especially on Smackdown, and I think that—aside from the need for another top heel—that is a big reason why Alberto Del Rio moved over to the blue brand in the first place. 

Hispanic viewers tune into Smackdown in droves, and they want to see guys like Mysterio, Del Rio, Sin Cara and, to a lesser extent, Hunico, Epico and Primo succeed on Friday nights. 

Although Mysterio is technically a Raw star, he has spent the majority of his career on Smackdown, where he’s been one of the WWE’s biggest draws on that brand. 

Now that he’s been suspended again and his future with the WWE seems to be in jeopardy, however, he’s left the WWE in quite a pickle. 

The WWE will never be able to replicate the success of Mysterio, who—like it or not—is one of the most unique and beloved superstars in the company and a guy with a ton of international appeal and a worldwide fan base. 

But I’d expect Mysterio’s suspension to lead to even more attempts from the WWE to produce another Mysterio and/or highlight a Hispanic superstar, especially on Friday nights. 

That, in turn, likely means that we can expect to see a lot more of Del Rio on Smackdown and a huge push for Sin Cara right out of the gate when he returns. 

Mysterio has done himself no favors with WWE management over the last few years, and he’s testing his luck with yet another major setback that will extend his absence from WWE TV to nearly a year. 

Although Mysterio is one of the WWE’s top baby faces, he is indeed expendable. 

This latest setback may prove it. 

That’s bad news for Mysterio, but if you’re someone like Del Rio or Sin Cara, you’re probably slyly smiling from ear to ear.

Drake Oz is the WWE Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter and ask him any wrestling-related questions (to be answered in the B/R Mailbag) on Formspring.