During BTS’s ongoing Arirang world tour, the group has been making headlines not only for their electrifying performances but also for heartfelt personal revelations shared on stage. One particularly memorable moment came from Suga (Min Yoongi), who opened up about his long-standing passion for professional wrestling and named Rey Mysterio as his favourite WWE superstar from childhood. This disclosure, made during a concert stop in Mexico, has delighted fans across both the K-pop and wrestling communities.
The revelation occurred on the second night of BTS’s shows at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. Towards the end of the performance, Suga reflected warmly on his early years, explaining that as a child he had even run an online fan community dedicated to professional wrestling. “When I was in elementary school, to be honest, I used to run an online fan cafe about professional wrestling,” he told the enthusiastic crowd. “My favourite wrestler was Rey Mysterio. I also liked Eddie Guerrero.”
Rey Mysterio, the high-flying masked luchador known for his agility and resilience, was at the peak of his popularity in the early 2000s during WWE’s Attitude Era and Ruthless Aggression period. Eddie Guerrero, another iconic figure celebrated for his charisma and technical skill, sadly passed away in 2005. Suga’s admiration for these two legends highlights how wrestling influenced him during his formative years in South Korea, long before BTS achieved global fame.
The timing of Suga’s confession added extra significance. Just days earlier, four BTS members — Jin, Suga, Jimin, and Jungkook — had attended a CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) event at Arena México. They sat ringside wearing traditional luchador masks to blend in with the crowd and avoid drawing too much attention. The group became actively involved in the atmosphere, cheering and even drawing playful reactions from the wrestlers. One performer, Barbaro Cavernario, notably directed a gesture towards Jimin during a tag team match featuring former WWE star Mistico (previously known as Sin Cara).
Suga also shared how much the experience had meant to him. “I had so much fun yesterday, and this morning when I woke up and turned on the TV, we were on the news for going to watch a lucha libre match,” he recalled. “I’m leaving Mexico with nothing but good memories. Thank you so much. You guys are the best, and I promise we’ll definitely come back.” His words reflected the deep appreciation BTS holds for their international fanbase and the cultural experiences they encounter on tour.
This glimpse into Suga’s personal interests humanises one of K-pop’s most private and introspective members. Known for his introspective lyrics and dedication to music production, Suga rarely discusses his childhood hobbies in such detail. The admission resonated strongly with ARMY, many of whom shared their own memories of watching wrestling or discovering shared passions with their favourite idols.
The connection between BTS and wrestling extends beyond Suga’s fandom. Last year, WWE superstar John Cena expressed admiration for the group during an appearance at Fan Expo Dallas. Although Cena admitted he is not particularly into K-pop, he highlighted J-Hope as a personal favourite and praised the band’s openness about emotions and self-love. “They look so beautiful. What I love is people who looked and acted like they had it all, be open with their emotions in telling other people to start practising self-love,” Cena said. The two sides have even collaborated on video content in the past.
BTS’s presence at the CMLL event and Suga’s on-stage confession have further strengthened the bridge between K-pop and professional wrestling audiences. With the Arirang tour continuing across North America, fans are eager to see whether more wrestling-related moments emerge. The group’s next stop after Mexico City is Stanford, California, on May 16, with the world tour scheduled to run until March 2027.
For many, these interactions demonstrate how global icons like BTS can connect with diverse cultural phenomena. Professional wrestling, with its theatrical storytelling and larger-than-life characters, shares certain parallels with the high-energy performances and emotional engagement of K-pop concerts. Suga’s childhood fandom adds a relatable layer to his public persona, showing that even international superstars grew up with everyday passions.
As the tour progresses, moments like these continue to strengthen the bond between BTS and their devoted supporters. Suga’s sincere sharing about Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero not only brought joy to wrestling fans but also reminded everyone of the universal appeal of entertainment that transcends language and borders. Whether through music or masked luchadores, the power of performance to create lasting memories remains evident.
In the coming weeks, ARMY around the world will likely continue celebrating these cross-cultural exchanges. For Suga, the experience appears to have been a nostalgic and fulfilling highlight of the Mexican leg of the tour. His revelation stands as yet another example of how BTS members use their platform to share authentic pieces of themselves, fostering deeper connections with fans who have supported them through every phase of their remarkable journey.
