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San Francisco Chronicle
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Pint-size pioneer 'Dora the Explorer' celebrates her 25th anniversary
NEW YORK (AP) — Twenty-five years ago, a little girl with a bob haircut appeared on our TVs, speaking a mix of English and Spanish, with a spunky, can-do spirit. She had an adventure planned, a backpack, a monkey friend and upbeat songs. 'Hi, I'm Dora. What's your name?' she asked. This was, of course, 'Dora the Explorer,' the first Latina to lead a major cartoon series and the girl who helped spearhead the rise of multicultural children's programming in the U.S. on her way to becoming a cultural phenomenon. 'The show allowed Latinos to be depicted on TV as educators, teaching viewers how to speak our language, and yet at the same time, just teaching ordinary things that children need to learn,' said Brenda Victoria Castillo, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Nickelodeon is celebrating Dora's 25th anniversary with the feature-length live-action movie 'Dora and the Search of Sol Dorado,' a third season of the rebooted animated series 'Dora,' the podcast Dora's Mermaid Adventures, an album of songs and plenty of toys and apparel. 'The great thing about Dora is that, yes, she celebrates Latin culture through every aspect — language, food, dress and music,' says Ramsey Naito, president of animation at Paramount and Nickelodeon. 'But she also empowers everybody to be their true self and to be brave. She's not exclusive. She's inclusive.' Kathleen Herles had a special vantage point to see Dora's influence: She was the original voice of the pint-size heroine, cast in the role when she was 7 and staying until she was 18 and off to college. 'It has been the longest journey and the greatest adventure of my life — no pun intended,' said Herles, who grew up in New York City to parents of Peruvian descent. On the convention circuit, Herles would see firsthand the power of Dora. 'I remember I would make kids cry, not intentionally,' she says. 'Their mind goes to a memory, to a moment, it's just incredible. It's so special, it's magical.' Herles has lately been the voice actor for Dora's mom on 'Dora,' the reboot that started in 2024. It's a full-circle moment for the actor and singer: 'It changed my life forever, twice.' 'Dora the Explorer' led to what Herles laughingly calls the 'Dora-verse' — the spinoff series 'Go, Diego, Go!,' a sequel series 'Dora and Friends: Into the City!' and the 2019 live-action feature film 'Dora and the Lost City of Gold,' starring Isabela Merced, Eva Longoria and Michael Peña. 'Dora' co-creator Chris Gifford has watched his creation age up and down and take human form. 'She has been older and she has been younger and she has a hair clip now,' he says. 'Her essence, her positive spirit, her I-can-do-anything-with-your-help attitude has stuck through.' Dora is firmly part of the culture, as big as her Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. There's a reference to her in 'Inside Out 2,' she's been mocked on 'Saturday Night Live' and if you look carefully at the PBS show 'Alma's Way,' you can see a Dora doll in that heroine's bedroom. TikTok users have embraced the 'Backpack Song.' 'Those kids coming of age now — the ones who 25 years ago were just watching it as little preschoolers — they're out there and they're remembering,' says Valerie Walsh Valdes, co-creator of the original series and an executive producer on the new series and movie. Creating a problem solver Valdes and Gifford originally had the idea for a show about a little girl who was a problem solver. Like 'Blue's Clues,' it would reward kids for figuring out answers posed by the host. 'Preschoolers are the least powerful people in our world,' says Gifford. 'They're not able to button their sweater and not able to tie their shoes, but if they're able to help Dora get to the City of Lost Toys and really feel like they helped, that's something special.' Nickelodeon suggested the girl be Latina and the creators ran with it, making her pan-Latina so no one would feel excluded. Latin representation on TV — then and now — has been a struggle. The Latino Donor Collaborative's 2024 Latinos in Media report found that Latino actors made up 9.8% of the main cast in lead, co-lead and ensemble roles in scripted shows. In non-scripted television, Latino hosts made up only 5% of host roles. That's despite Latin people making up nearly 20% of the country. 'There were few programs at the time that featured Latina protagonists with Dora's skin tone or features, so from that perspective, the representation is valuable,' says Erynn Masi de Casanova, head of the sociology department at the University of Cincinnati. Dora was put in an animated world inside a computer, and the creators asked kids to help make the show better. They hired education consultants to tease out the skills Dora teaches, like spatial understanding and interpersonal. They brought in language and culture experts. 'We did it!' became her signature song. Bilingual heroine The series is seen in more than 150 countries and territories and translated in 32 languages on Nickelodeon channels and Paramount+. In English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia, Dora teaches Spanish; in other markets — including the Hispanic U.S. markets — she teaches English. Samantha Lorraine, 18, who grew up in Miami of Cuban heritage, had the Dora T-shirts and backpack. She laughs that she once even had the Dora bob. In July, she's starring as Dora in 'Dora and the Search of Sol Dorado,' which was filmed in Colombia. 'I've been doing my audition since day one,' she says. 'It's an honor to be stepping into Dora's shoes. It's such a huge legacy,' she adds. 'It's really nice to be able to be a part of representation where it counts. And Dora is the epitome of that.' Castillo, of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, puts Dora up there with Mickey Mouse in terms of an instantly recognized cultural character and says she's relevant more than ever. 'We need more Doras,' she says. 'If people were just open to being educated in other people's languages and cultures and beliefs and not see it as a threat, we wouldn't be in the situation that we're in this country and the world.'

23-06-2025
- Entertainment
Pint-size pioneer 'Dora the Explorer' celebrates her 25th anniversary
NEW YORK -- Twenty-five years ago, a little girl with a bob haircut appeared on our TVs, speaking a mix of English and Spanish, with a spunky, can-do spirit. She had an adventure planned, a backpack, a monkey friend and upbeat songs. 'Hi, I'm Dora. What's your name?' she asked. This was, of course, 'Dora the Explorer,' the first Latina to lead a major cartoon series and the girl who helped spearhead the rise of multicultural children's programming in the U.S. on her way to becoming a cultural phenomenon. 'The show allowed Latinos to be depicted on TV as educators, teaching viewers how to speak our language, and yet at the same time, just teaching ordinary things that children need to learn,' said Brenda Victoria Castillo, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Nickelodeon is celebrating Dora's 25th anniversary with the feature-length live-action movie 'Dora and the Search of Sol Dorado,' a third season of the rebooted animated series 'Dora,' the podcast Dora's Mermaid Adventures, an album of songs and plenty of toys and apparel. 'The great thing about Dora is that, yes, she celebrates Latin culture through every aspect — language, food, dress and music,' says Ramsey Naito president of animation at Paramount and Nickelodeon. 'But she also empowers everybody to be their true self and to be brave. She's not exclusive. She's inclusive.' Kathleen Herles had a special vantage point to see Dora's influence: She was the original voice of the pint-size heroine, cast in the role when she was 7 and staying until she was 18 and off to college. 'It has been the longest journey and the greatest adventure of my life — no pun intended,' said Herles, who grew up in New York City to parents of Peruvian descent. On the convention circuit, Herles would see firsthand the power of Dora. 'I remember I would make kids cry, not intentionally,' she says. 'Their mind goes to a memory, to a moment, it's just incredible. It's so special, it's magical.' Herles has lately been the voice actor for Dora's mom on 'Dora,' the reboot that started in 2024. It's a full-circle moment for the actor and singer: 'It changed my life forever, twice.' 'Dora the Explorer' led to what Herles laughingly calls the 'Dora-verse' — the spinoff series 'Go, Diego, Go!,' a sequel series 'Dora and Friends: Into the City!' and the 2019 live-action feature film 'Dora and the Lost City of Gold,' starring Isabela Merced, Eva Longoria and Michael Peña. 'Dora' co-creator Chris Gifford has watched his creation age up and down and take human form. 'She has been older and she has been younger and she has a hair clip now,' he says. 'Her essence, her positive spirit, her I-can-do-anything-with-your-help attitude has stuck through.' Dora is firmly part of the culture, as big as her Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. There's a reference to her in 'Inside Out 2,' she's been mocked on 'Saturday Night Live' and if you look carefully at the PBS show 'Alma's Way,' you can see a Dora doll in that heroine's bedroom. TikTok users have embraced the 'Backpack Song.' 'Those kids coming of age now — the ones who 25 years ago were just watching it as little preschoolers — they're out there and they're remembering,' says Valerie Walsh Valdes, co-creator of the original series and an executive producer on the new series and movie. Valdes and Gifford originally had the idea for a show about a little girl who was a problem solver. Like 'Blue's Clues,' it would reward kids for figuring out answers posed by the host. 'Preschoolers are the least powerful people in our world,' says Gifford. 'They're not able to button their sweater and not able to tie their shoes, but if they're able to help Dora get to the City of Lost Toys and really feel like they helped, that's something special.' Nickelodeon suggested the girl be Latina and the creators ran with it, making her pan-Latina so no one would feel excluded. Latin representation on TV — then and now — has been a struggle. The Latino Donor Collaborative's 2024 Latinos in Media report found that Latino actors made up 9.8% of the main cast in lead, co-lead and ensemble roles in scripted shows. In non-scripted television, Latino hosts made up only 5% of host roles. That's despite Latin people making up nearly 20% of the country. 'There were few programs at the time that featured Latina protagonists with Dora's skin tone or features, so from that perspective, the representation is valuable,' says Erynn Masi de Casanova, head of the Sociology Department at the University of Cincinnati. Dora was put in an animated world inside a computer, and the creators asked kids to help make the show better. They hired education consultants to tease out the skills Dora teaches, like spatial understanding and interpersonal. They brought in language and culture experts. 'We did it!' became her signature song. The series is seen in more than 150 countries and territories and translated in 32 languages on Nickelodeon channels and Paramount+. In English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia, Dora teaches Spanish; in other markets — including the Hispanic U.S. markets — she teaches English. Samantha Lorraine, 18, who grew up in Miami of Cuban heritage, had the Dora T-shirts and backpack. She laughs that she once even had the Dora bob. In July, she's starring as Dora in 'Dora and the Search of Sol Dorado,' which was filmed in Colombia. 'I've been doing my audition since day one,' she says. 'It's an honor to be stepping into Dora's shoes. It's such a huge legacy,' she adds. 'It's really nice to be able to be a part of representation where it counts. And Dora is the epitome of that.' Castillo, of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, puts Dora up there with Mickey Mouse in terms of an instantly recognized cultural character and says she's relevant more than ever. 'We need more Doras,' she says. 'If people were just open to being educated in other people's languages and cultures and beliefs and not see it as a threat, we wouldn't be in the situation that we're in this country and the world.'


Winnipeg Free Press
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pint-size pioneer ‘Dora the Explorer' celebrates her 25th anniversary
NEW YORK (AP) — Twenty-five years ago, a little girl with a bob haircut appeared on our TVs, speaking a mix of English and Spanish, with a spunky, can-do spirit. She had an adventure planned, a backpack, a monkey friend and upbeat songs. 'Hi, I'm Dora. What's your name?' she asked. This was, of course, 'Dora the Explorer,' the first Latina to lead a major cartoon series and the girl who helped spearhead the rise of multicultural children's programming in the U.S. on her way to becoming a cultural phenomenon. 'The show allowed Latinos to be depicted on TV as educators, teaching viewers how to speak our language, and yet at the same time, just teaching ordinary things that children need to learn,' said Brenda Victoria Castillo, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Nickelodeon is celebrating Dora's 25th anniversary with the feature-length live-action movie 'Dora and the Search of Sol Dorado,' a third season of the rebooted animated series 'Dora,' the podcast Dora's Mermaid Adventures, an album of songs and plenty of toys and apparel. 'The great thing about Dora is that, yes, she celebrates Latin culture through every aspect — language, food, dress and music,' says Ramsey Naito president of animation at Paramount and Nickelodeon. 'But she also empowers everybody to be their true self and to be brave. She's not exclusive. She's inclusive.' The original voice Kathleen Herles had a special vantage point to see Dora's influence: She was the original voice of the pint-size heroine, cast in the role when she was 7 and staying until she was 18 and off to college. 'It has been the longest journey and the greatest adventure of my life — no pun intended,' said Herles, who grew up in New York City to parents of Peruvian descent. On the convention circuit, Herles would see firsthand the power of Dora. 'I remember I would make kids cry, not intentionally,' she says. 'Their mind goes to a memory, to a moment, it's just incredible. It's so special, it's magical.' Herles has lately been the voice actor for Dora's mom on 'Dora,' the reboot that started in 2024. It's a full-circle moment for the actor and singer: 'It changed my life forever, twice.' 'Dora the Explorer' led to what Herles laughingly calls the 'Dora-verse' — the spinoff series 'Go, Diego, Go!,' a sequel series 'Dora and Friends: Into the City!' and the 2019 live-action feature film 'Dora and the Lost City of Gold,' starring Isabela Merced, Eva Longoria and Michael Peña. 'Dora' co-creator Chris Gifford has watched his creation age up and down and take human form. 'She has been older and she has been younger and she has a hair clip now,' he says. 'Her essence, her positive spirit, her I-can-do-anything-with-your-help attitude has stuck through.' Dora is firmly part of the culture, as big as her Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. There's a reference to her in 'Inside Out 2,' she's been mocked on 'Saturday Night Live' and if you look carefully at the PBS show 'Alma's Way,' you can see a Dora doll in that heroine's bedroom. TikTok users have embraced the 'Backpack Song.' 'Those kids coming of age now — the ones who 25 years ago were just watching it as little preschoolers — they're out there and they're remembering,' says Valerie Walsh Valdes, co-creator of the original series and an executive producer on the new series and movie. Creating a problem solver Valdes and Gifford originally had the idea for a show about a little girl who was a problem solver. Like 'Blue's Clues,' it would reward kids for figuring out answers posed by the host. 'Preschoolers are the least powerful people in our world,' says Gifford. 'They're not able to button their sweater and not able to tie their shoes, but if they're able to help Dora get to the City of Lost Toys and really feel like they helped, that's something special.' Nickelodeon suggested the girl be Latina and the creators ran with it, making her pan-Latina so no one would feel excluded. Latin representation on TV — then and now — has been a struggle. The Latino Donor Collaborative's 2024 Latinos in Media report found that Latino actors made up 9.8% of the main cast in lead, co-lead and ensemble roles in scripted shows. In non-scripted television, Latino hosts made up only 5% of host roles. That's despite Latin people making up nearly 20% of the country. 'There were few programs at the time that featured Latina protagonists with Dora's skin tone or features, so from that perspective, the representation is valuable,' says Erynn Masi de Casanova, head of the Sociology Department at the University of Cincinnati. Dora was put in an animated world inside a computer, and the creators asked kids to help make the show better. They hired education consultants to tease out the skills Dora teaches, like spatial understanding and interpersonal. They brought in language and culture experts. 'We did it!' became her signature song. Bilingual heroine The series is seen in more than 150 countries and territories and translated in 32 languages on Nickelodeon channels and Paramount+. In English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia, Dora teaches Spanish; in other markets — including the Hispanic U.S. markets — she teaches English. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Samantha Lorraine, 18, who grew up in Miami of Cuban heritage, had the Dora T-shirts and backpack. She laughs that she once even had the Dora bob. In July, she's starring as Dora in 'Dora and the Search of Sol Dorado,' which was filmed in Colombia. 'I've been doing my audition since day one,' she says. 'It's an honor to be stepping into Dora's shoes. It's such a huge legacy,' she adds. 'It's really nice to be able to be a part of representation where it counts. And Dora is the epitome of that.' Castillo, of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, puts Dora up there with Mickey Mouse in terms of an instantly recognized cultural character and says she's relevant more than ever. 'We need more Doras,' she says. 'If people were just open to being educated in other people's languages and cultures and beliefs and not see it as a threat, we wouldn't be in the situation that we're in this country and the world.'


Miami Herald
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
National Hispanic Media Coalition to honor Cobra Kai, WWE's Rey Mysterio & more
While San Diego's Rey Mysterio continues to entertain fans, the accolades continue to mount. Most recently, this WWE Hall of Famer is the recipient of the 2025 Legend Impact Award, presented by the National Hispanic Media Coalition. The annual NHMC's Impact Awards Gala is Friday, June 6 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Mysterio, 50, is one of several honorees of the NHMC, which recognizes individuals who are truly making an impact, shifting societal narratives and setting an example in the entertainment industry. Also being recognized are: Cris Abrego (Leadership Impact Award), Phil Lord (Visionary Impact Award), Isabela Merced (Next Generation Impact Award), Daniella Pineda (Outstanding Performance Impact Award), 'Acapulco' (Authentic Storytelling Impact Award) and 'Cobra Kai' (Ensemble Impact Award). The NHMC's overall mission with the awards is to spotlight the importance of accurate, fair and positive representation in media. Through the coveted Impact Awards, each year the NHMC honors individuals who are truly making an impact, shifting societal narratives, and setting an example in the entertainment industry. Past Impact Award honorees include Aarón Sánchez, Ángel Manuel Soto, Eugenio Derbez, Fede Alvarez, Gina Torres, Harvey Guillén, Issa López, Tatyana Ali, Jharrel Jerome, Jessica Sarowitz, Julissa Prado, George and Mayan Lopez, Colman Domingo, Yvett Merino, Salma Hayek Pinault, Rosie Perez, America Ferrera, James Cameron, Rosario Dawson, Zoe Saldana, Danny Trejo, Diego Luna, The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), and more. The NHMC's Legend Impact Award is bestowed upon Mysterio for his groundbreaking impact in sports entertainment and representation spanning across generations through his 36-year career (and counting). It's a busy weekend for the Mysterio family as WWE is conducting two shows in nearby Los Angeles on Saturday, June 7, featuring 'WWE Money in the Bank' (7 p.m. EST/Intuit Dome) and also 'Worlds Collide' (3 p.m. EST/Kia Forum). 'World Collide' is a supercard co-produced by WWE and its new Mexican sister promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, aka Asistencia Asesoría y Administración. Full circle, AAA is where Mysterio made a name for himself in the early days of his pro wrestling journey. Here is my video interview with WWE Hall of Famer/NHMC Honoree Rey Mysterio and NHMC President & CEO Brenda Victoria Castillo. Even though WWE is scripted sports entertainment, the action is physical, risk taking. Thus, the aerial Mysterio has had his share of bodily injuries. Most recently he suffered a torn abductor muscle and a busted eardrum during a 'WWE SmackDown' match prior to WrestleMania 41 in April in Las Vegas. WrestleMania is the Super Bowl of pro wrestling. That injury forced him to miss his scheduled WrestleMania match against El Grande Americano. He underwent surgery to repair the torn muscle, most likely sidelined 4-6 months. WWE is the top pro wrestling company in the world, and Mysterio is an integral part of it, under the TKO Group banner, joining forces with top MMA company UFC for a super power tandem of combat sports types. While standing just 5-feet-6 and weighing 170 pounds, Mysterio proved size doesn't matter, opening the door in America for smaller, high flying, lucah libre style pro wrestlers. They can become legit WWE main event world champions in a big man's world. About Rey Mysterio Of Mexican decent, Mysterio (Oscar GUtierrez) was born and raised in Chula Vista, a suburb of San Diego, California. Wrestling in his blood as his uncle Rey Misterio, a famous wrestler in Mexico, trained him at age 14 as he began wrestling on the independent circuit in 1989, before signing with Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA) in Mexico in 1992. He wears a mask, and that holds significant meaning within the world of lucha libre. It's more than just a costume, part of his ring gear. It's a tradition deeply rooted in the sport's history and culture. After brief stints with Extreme Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Association and Wrestle Association R, Mysterio signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1996. In WCW, Mysterio helped popularize lucha libre in the United States, which led to the rise of cruiserweight wrestling divisions, winning the WCW Cruiserweight Championship five times; the WCW World Tag Team Championship three times; and the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship once. Following the closure of WCW in 2001, Mysterio wrestled for promotions including Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in Mexico, the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico, and the X Wrestling Federation before joining World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002. He stayed with WWE until 2015, winning the World Heavyweight Championship twice; the WWE Championship once; the WWE Cruiserweight Championship three times; the WWE Intercontinental Championship twice; the WWE United States Championship three times, and the WWE Tag Team Championship four times, as well as winning the 2006 Royal Rumble. Mysterio departed WWE in 2015, going on to appear in promotions including New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Lucha Underground and Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA). He returned to WWE in 2018, where he was joined by his son Dominik, who is the current WWE Intercontinental Champion. On his own merits, he is doing very well at a young age, continuing the family legacy. Mysterio wrestled for WWE from 2002-2015. He returned in 2018, where he's been ever since. He appreciates his strong allegiance of fans, having wrestled/entertained around the world. A good husband, father and man, he is an outstanding role model for all people. About The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) NHMC is a woman-led, non-profit civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination and racism toward Latino communities. The NHMC educates and increases Latino visibility, from our policy work in Washington, D.C., to media advocacy work in Hollywood, where NHMC collaborates, creates and connects Latino talent with the entertainment industry. At NHMC, the focus is on all forms of media because it is one of the most influential and powerful institutions that shape society's attitudes, values and beliefs. NHMC has a number of initiatives dedicated to building bridges with creatives, including its Series Scriptwriters Program, Latinx Stream Showcase, Youth in Entertainment, and media advocacy fellowship programs. NHMC leads the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. It advocates for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.


Time of India
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'A torn groin and a busted eardrum': WWE's Rey Mysterio speaks about his injury that led to WrestleMania exit
(Image Via WWE) WWE 's Rey Mysterio has recently opened up about his injury that led to his WrestleMania 41 exit. The Lucha Libre star has provided an update on his injury he suffered back in April that kept him out of WrestleMania 41. He has recently confirmed that he suffered a torn groin and busted eardrum just days before WrestleMania 41, injuring himself from competing with 'El Grande Americano' Chad Gable. Rey Mysterio revealed that he had suffered a torn groin injury back on the April 18 episode of SmackDown in Las Vegas during a six-man tag team match with Rey Fenix and Dragon Lee against American Made. He was set to face off against El Grande Americano on night one of WrestleMania 41; however, his injury led to his replacement by Rey Fenix. Rey Mysterio reveals his injury and his exit from WrestleMania WWE legend Rey Mysterio has opened up about the injuries that forced him to withdraw from WrestleMania 41 , revealing he suffered a torn groin and a busted eardrum just days before the event. He opened up about it during an interview with the National Hispanic Media Coalition's Impact Awards Gala, where he received the Legend Impact Award, Mysterio discussed the physical toll of his storied career. While speaking to Jim Varsallone during the National Hispanic Media Coalition's Impact Awards Gala, the lucha legend said, 'No, not easy (to stay on top in the wrestling industry), obviously, with the amount of injuries that I've had over the years. I'm actually recovering from one that I just had right before WrestleMania. A torn groin and a busted eardrum.' Mysterious luchador attacks Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee after Creeds match: Raw, March 17, 2025 He further stated, I still love doing what I do.'I still love doing what I do. I definitely believe that I picked up my second wind when my son started to wrestle, and he broke in for the first time. Although he's been around since he was seven years old, when we had the storyline with Eddie Guerrero and the custody of Dominik (Mysterio). 'But overall, the passion that I have for the sport. I wanna consider myself a peacemaker. I don't have any problems, at least I don't think I do, with any of my colleagues, with my fans around the world,' he added. Rey Mysterio, Brenda Victoria Castillo talk National Hispanic MC Legend Impact Award, WWE, AAA, Dom Rey Mysterio even opened up on how he is recovering, and expressed his love for wrestling, 'I like to connect and some way, that keeps me pushing forward and loving what I've been doing for the past three, four years, or should I say from the age of four when I started training. So, the connection is definitely still there, I enjoy doing it. I enjoy watching my son… It's a diversity of fans, and to be able to travel around the world and connect with all these fans, at times, has been just amazing. The love and support that they show is like no other.' ( source: WrestleTalk ) Also Read : Roman Reigns surpasses 10 million followers to become the 7th most followed wrestler on Instagram | WWE News - Times of India While Mysterio's recovery timeline remains uncertain, fans and colleagues alike are hopeful for his return to the ring. His resilience and dedication continue to inspire, underscoring his status as a revered figure in the world of professional wrestling.