NEW YORK — Celebrating the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, Rey Mysterio swung into Toys "R" Us in New York City's Times Square to meet droves of enthusiastic WWE fans and video gamers in the heart of the Big Apple.

At the world's largest toy store, the SmackDown Superstar signed freshly released copies of the highly anticipated game and special edition Rey Mysterio action figures -- available only at Toys "R" Us -- for hundreds of ravenous fans of all ages. Watch the exclusive footage.

"This is a really big day for me and WWE," Mysterio told WWE.com, while our fans gathered outside the vast toy haven in a line that snaked around the corner of the midtown Manhattan block.

"It's the big release for SmackDown vs. Raw 2008," Rey continued, "and with the game, there's a Rey Mysterio figure -- exclusively -- just for this day, just for this game. This is the first time this has ever been done and I'm very excited."

The Master of the 619 described the thrill of being represented not only in five-inch plastic form, but also graphically simulated in the latest hit video game from WWE.

"This new game is so amazing," Mysterio said, "from the moves to the bodies to the tattoos to the Superstar facials, everything is so realistic. I can't wait to get home because I'm going to sit down on my couch where I'll be playing my son in some SmackDown vs. Raw 2008."

Finding a moment to fully take in the enormity of the event, the SmackDown Superstar also expressed his eagerness to meet so many Mysterio fans in such an intimate session. According to Rey, it's not often enough that he gets the opportunity to personally meet with fans one-on-one, making this event extremely special.

"There are a lot of loyal WWE fans out there that love Rey Mysterio," he said, very humbly. "Knowing what I've been doing for the past 18 years [competing in sports-entertainment], a moment like this is a pay-off to me."

Our fans definitely shared the sentiment of excitement for this huge event at the flagship Toys "R" Us, the epicenter of the toy and video game universe.

"I'm here today for Rey Mysterio -- 619!" exclaimed Keylis Sanchez of Washington Heights, N.Y. "I'm excited to meet the ‘little big man.'"

"Rey's the best," Sanchez added, as she wildly waved a poster of the Superstar she was moments away from meeting. "He's so little but he has so much courage and stands up to the biggest guys. I'd be afraid to stand up to The Great Khali."

Gripping his special ticket to meet the masked man of Friday nights, Tommy Bradley was enthused for the brand-new game he was taking back home to Delaware. More importantly, he was elated to meet a WWE Superstar for the first time.

"I'm looking forward to playing SmackDown vs. Raw [2008], especially with new characters like Jeff Hardy," Bradley said. "But I'm here because I want to meet Rey Mysterio!"

Another young New York City resident, Willis Feliz, was anxiously waiting to shake hands with the Master of the 619 and get the Superstar's signature on his PlayStation Portable copy of SmackDown vs. Raw 2008.

"This is so cool," Feliz stated. "I like Rey and I'm excited to see him because he never backs down and he will soon be the World Champion again."

Want to make Mysterio's reign come that much sooner? Make it happen in the simulated realm of sports-entertainment. Join these WWE fans in gameplay like never before with WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, available now at WWE Shop Zone and stores everywhere for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS.

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