Kevin Nash Calls Out Nick Khan for Downplaying Rey Mysterio’s WCW Impact

A comment from WWE President Nick Khan praising Rey Mysterio has now turned into a full-blown talking point—thanks to Kevin Nash stepping in with a blunt response.

While appearing on Logan Paul’s podcast, Khan reflected on Rey Mysterio’s career and credited WWE’s system for elevating him, suggesting that Mysterio wasn’t viewed as a major player during his WCW run. That remark immediately raised eyebrows among longtime fans and wrestlers alike.

“I remember there was one match — you [Logan] and Rey Mysterio. You know what I’m talking about, bro. Think about the work that guy has put into his career. And by the way, this will date me a little bit, but when he was in WCW, he was considered like a nothing. A nothing. He came to WWE, and he had a great luchador history prior to WCW, but he came to WWE and the machine got behind him, and he did everything he needed to do to be elevated by that machine.

And in that match, you saw him save you — or certainly help you, or make sure there wasn’t a physical injury, which there could have been. I remember watching how quickly he did it and how instinctively he knew what to do. And it made me happy that you were in the ring with one of the all-time great pros.”

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The conversation didn’t stop there. On Kliq This #180, Kevin Nash addressed the comment head-on and made it clear he didn’t agree with the idea that Rey Mysterio was ever a “nothing” in WCW. Nash first explained the environment at the time and what WCW was trying to do creatively.

“I don’t know… I mean, in what context Nick said that. Most agree with your elevating Rey. I tried. We were trying to— they had this whole idea of doing—because for the first time, we weren’t the redheaded stepchild. We were the hottest thing on the channel. We were the hottest thing on cable TV. And they wanted to create some stars.”

He then admitted his own lack of historical perspective at the time, particularly when it came to the importance of lucha masks.

“I didn’t grow up watching wrestling… I didn’t know the significance of taking somebody’s mask off.”

Nash said his thinking was rooted in crossover appeal and long-term earning potential, not diminishing Rey’s value.

“I thought Rey was really a good-looking young kid. I thought he was really athletic. I thought he was somebody that we could use as a crossover, to do other things, and get some commercials, and get some other things.”

But when it came to the idea that Rey was insignificant in WCW, Nash flat-out rejected it.

“Was he considered a ‘nothing’ in WCW? I disagree. Because, I mean—f*, he beat me.”*

Nash then flipped the conversation back toward WWE’s long-term success with Rey, questioning the framing of the comparison altogether. He closed by pointing out WWE’s massive modern reach and questioning the logic behind the argument.

“So what are you saying, Nick? You’ve had him for 25 fing years. And he’s meant more than the four years he was in WCW? I sure as fing hope so.”

“You’ve got a $5 billion Netflix deal. You’ve got a $1.6 billion ESPN deal. He means more now? Really? There’s more eyes on him now?”

And with a grin, Nash summed it up in classic Big Sexy fashion, “God. That Nick’s a crafty f**ing guy.”*

What started as a compliment to Rey Mysterio has now turned into a reminder of just how differently wrestling history is viewed depending on who’s telling the story—and Kevin Nash clearly wasn’t letting WCW’s side of that history get brushed aside.

So what do you think—was Nick Khan right about Rey Mysterio’s WCW status, or is Kevin Nash spot on that Rey was never a “nothing”? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s hear it.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.