By Rick Gardner, Torch specialist

"I think that part of my life is very important. It was a big change. I’ve been wrestling for 20 years now, and after several operations, five on my left knee and three on my right arm, the medication caught up to me. I realised it, my wife realised it, and I knew it was time to make a change for myself, my family and for the business I’m in.

"I had to do the right thing, I was so tired of taking medication to keep me away from the pain; now I’ve learned how to cope with that day to day, and it feels great to be a new man!"
-- Rey Mysterio in an interview given to The Daily Star.

Rey Mysterio showed remarkable strength of character this week. Discussing his painkiller addiction in a public forum, he portrayed himself as a role model for those who have suffered from a reliance on prescription drugs. Yet Mysterio's better judgment deserted him when he decided to postpone vital knee surgery until after WrestleMania.

It is alarming that wrestlers seemingly place the glory and financial benefit of appearing at WrestleMania above their own sense of self-preservation. Kurt Angle delayed serious neck surgery in 2003 in order to drop the World Title to Brock Lesnar. Shawn Michaels wrestled on the injury that kept him out for over four years in order to fulfill his commitment to appear at Wrestlemania 14. Rey Mysterio's decision to postpone surgery is far from out of the ordinary; it represents the wrestling mentality of working hurt for the good of the business. A mentality that must be changed.

It must be tough for a WWE wrestler to sit on the sidelines during spring - resting or going to the gym to rehab injuries while your contemporaries are participating in most lucrative part of the year; forgotten as other wrestlers attempt to steal the show at the most prestigious event that the WWE has to offer; working through the pain offers a ticket to WrestleMania for those on the injured list.

Four months is a long time to wrestle on a serious knee injury. Granted, it may be Rey Mysterio's ticket to a bumper payday, but what bearing will the damage he does in the meantime have upon his participation in WrestleMania in subsequent years? Once his ability to compete at an acceptable level has deserted him, he will be surplus to requirements in WWE, so surely it makes sense to stay as healthy as possible?

It’s a remarkably old-school attitude for someone who is one of the highest paid employees of a profitable, New York stock exchange listed company. In the past, wrestlers were unwilling to take time off due to fear of losing their spot on the card. With upward mobility hardly a feature of the WWE roster at the moment, this is no argument for avoiding resting injuries any more. In the case of Rey Mysterio, this should be of no concern whatsoever. No matter how much time he takes off, the likelihood is that he will return to the same position on the card.

WWE is within their powers to force Mysterio to have knee surgery, and it is in their interests to do so. He is a unique character with a look that is ideal for hooking the younger audience that they are attempting to market towards. Mysterio has a high-flying style, which management is historically reluctant to back (see Evan Bourne), and has been pushed as World champion despite his diminutive stature. He is incredibly over with Hispanic audiences, but not to the detriment of other parts of the WWE's fanbase. He's simply over with all audiences. Rey Misterio is one of the WWE's most important assets, and should be treated as such.

Yet the most dangerous factor to be taken into consideration is Mysterio's admission to ending up in rehab for dependency on prescription medication. Four months of working on a damaged knee will cause Mysterio a great deal of pain, which needs to be carefully managed. Only Rey Mysterio can ensure that the pain is managed responsibly.

The tragic and untimely death of Eddie Fatu a/k/a Umaga at the age of 36 is a reminder that personal well being is infinitely more important than any payday. Yet the industry will move on, and wrestlers will continue to work hurt, using pain medication to do so. Painkiller abuse is a cancer in the wrestling industry.

Rey Mysterio is risking his long term health by delaying his surgery. Unfortunately he is not the only wrestler who believes that the chance to appear at WrestleMania makes it a price worth paying. Working hurt is a tradition amongst wrestlers, but it's one that needs to be left in the past.

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt