WWE Día Del Rey (Final Entry): Mysterio Receives WWE Title Shot Against Del Rio

Big Nasty will be keeping a running diary of a major developing storyline involving legendary Luchador Rey Mysterio Jr.  Mysterio's contract is set to expire in early 2012 and WWE is reportedly looking to place major emphasis on the tenured superstar leading up to SummerSlam. 

Rey Mysterio Jr.'s knee injury has cast a cloud of doubt over both his short-term and long-term future in the WWE.  

Mysterio's workload was kept minimal in preparation for a huge WWE Championship match in his hometown of San Diego. 

Mysterio received a surprise booking at WWE SummerSlam, alongside John Morrison and Kofi Kingston, to take on the heelerific team of Alberto Del Rio, R-Truth and the Miz.  According to reports, the original plan was for this SummerSlam kickoff match to be a singles contest between Mysterio and Miz; however, Mysterio's knee is described as being in "bad shape" and he did not want to risk further damage to it on his biggest match to date. 

Mysterio performed a few safe spots in the match, and even picked up the pinfall after a big splash on R-Truth.  The win gave Mysterio some much needed momentum and emphasis leading into his hometown showdown against new WWE Champion and old rival, Alberto Del Rio, who shockingly cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase at the conclusion of SummerSlam.  

SAN DIEGO, Ca.—August 15th.  WWE RAW's show long focus was on the career highlights of Rey Mysterio Jr.  Leading up to Mysterio's third WWE Championship match within the last month, WWE made much ado of Mysterio's big night. 

Given Mysterio's well publicized injury situation, it is highly unlikely that Mysterio will be booked to win the WWE Championship as he is likely in need of some downtime, if not surgery, so his ailing knee can heal.

WWE Championship: Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. 

After a rousing ovation for Mysterio Jr., the match started out quickly.   Mysterio picked up a nearfall after a quick dropkick, and after teasing a 619 much ballyhooed WWE Championship, the match went to a commercial break. 

RAW came back from the break with Mysterio picking up right where he left off.  Showing no signs of being hobbled by injury, Mysterio continued his signature high paced offense with a chain of offensive attacks that included a dropkick in the corner, a tornado DDT from the top rope and a kick to the head to cap it off. 

Del Rio eventually cut Mysterio's offense off and took control of the match, slowing down Mysterio by wrapping his legs around Mysterio's midsection in a rest hold. 

Mysterio fought his way out and when the action spilled to the outside he connected with a pin point spring board backflip on Del Rio. 

When the action returned to the ring, Mysterio connected with a flying senton splash followed by a 619 attempt that Del Rio cut off with a clothesline for a nearfall.  Mysterio blocked a charging Del Rio with his feet; however, Del Rio came back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for another nearfall. 

As Del Rio continued to get heat for his assault on Mysterio, he set Mysterio up on the top turnbuckle and connected with a modified enzugiri from the top rope. 

An ensuing cross armbreaker attempt was countered by Mysterio with a rollup for a nearfall.  A second attempt at a cross armbreaker was countered by Rey Mysterio yet again as Mysterio hit a hurricanrana sending Del Rio to the second rope.  Mysterio connected with a 619.  Mysterio attempted a flying splash; however, Del Rio put his knees up and pinned Mysterio for the win. 

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

After the match Del Rio went after Rey Mysterio's arm, smashing it on the table and slapping on the cross armbreaker.  John Cena came down and made the save and chastised Del Rio for cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase and becoming champion. 

It appears as if Mysterio may have fallen victim to an injury angle that will write him off television to allow him to recover from injury.  Hopefully, despite his history of injury, he will be able to do so as gracefully as he has done countless times in the past. 

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