Mysterio looking forward

Tonight on SmackDown, the continuing downward spiral that is Rey Mysterio will be put to the test when he goes one-on-one with the angry and pissed off fighting Irishman and former United States Champion, Finlay. The saga of Rey Mysterio has taken several dramatic twists in the last several weeks, all of which have sent the former World Champion into an emotional tailspin, leaving many to question if he is able to perform up to his normal standards, especially in a fight as tough as the one he will face with Finlay on SmackDown.

Just seven weeks ago, Rey Mysterio was on top of the world. He was living out a lifelong dream, carrying the gold as SmackDown's World Champion and doing so in the name of his late friend Eddie Guerrero. At the Great American Bash, that all changed. In the closing minutes of his World Championship defense against King Booker, Mysterio's close friend Chavo Guerrero entered the ring and took him out with a brutal steel chair to the face. Seconds later, King Booker was the new Champion, and Mysterio's life and career began to take a severe turn for the worse. 

At SummerSlam, Mysterio did what he never thought he'd have to do when he took on his once virtual family member Chavo Guerrero in a one-on-one grudge match. Again, Mysterio's world was turned upside down when Vickie Guerrero shockingly interfered on Chavo's behalf, giving him the controversial win. Last week on SmackDown, Vickie Guerrero told a distraught Mysterio that we was nothing more than a "brief, insignificant part of her past", and that effective immediately, she was assuming the role of Chavo Guerrero's new business manager. As if her words were not enough to send a dagger through Mysterio's heart, Vickie unleashed a brutal open handed slap to Rey's face, leaving the former World Champion a confused emotional wreck.

This week, a seemingly upbeat Mysterio told WWE.com that he was ready to put the past behind him, and look toward the future.

"I think it's finally starting to sink in," said a shaken Mysterio. "I know that I don't want to feel like that anymore. I need to continue to live my life, leave everything else in the past, and look towards the future. I've gotten past a lot of obstacles in my career, and this is nothing more than an obstacle right now."

While his words were promising, Mysterio was well aware that he would need to back it up when he got in the ring with Finlay on SmackDown. The Irishman, who lost his United States Championship in a Triple Threat Match to Mr. Kennedy without being pinned, was sure to bring his frustrations to the ring with him. Mysterio said he would be prepared.

"I know I have to keep my head straight when I'm in there with Finlay," said a focused Mysterio. "Finlay is very dangerous. I've wrestled him before, I know what he's all about. He's a fighter, and he doesn't care what anyone else thinks. I need to focus on competing and doing what I do best, and that's wrestling. I'm looking to prove myself all over again and that begins tonight."

Mysterio may have hit the nail right on the head when he talked about Finlay's lack of interest in his emotional state. The former United States Champion told WWE.com that he feels no compassion for his fellow SmackDown Superstar.

"I don't care about his emotions, I don't care about what he feels," said a fuming Finlay. "If you are here to wrestle, then come to wrestle. I don't care what's going on with your life, or your family, or anything. I'm here to fight, and if you're not ready for that, you are going to be in a very tough night. I feel no compassion for Rey, and I hope he doesn't expect me to feel any because he's not gonna get it."

On SmackDown, Mysterio's toughness, both mental and physical was put to the test when he faced Finlay. Was Mysterio able to keep it together long enough to get a hard fought victory? Or did the ticked-off Irishman take advantage of a less than game Mysterio? Find out for yourself tonight at 8/7 CT on UPN. 

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