Wrestling legend Rey Mysterio has reconsidered his retirement plans months after undergoing major knee surgery.
The WWE Hall of Famer – who only recently returned to action on SmackDown in time for WrestleMania 40 after undergoing surgery late last year – turns 50 in December, and he previously hinted that the milestone birthday would be the moment he hung up his boots.
However, he exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘So I think – I knew I had a number in mind. and I said I didn’t want to go past that.
‘But I’m truly listening to how my body has been reacting. And my body has been reacting great, and my motivation is still on point.
‘I want to make sure that everything, coordination wise, is still on point in order for me to continue. As of yet, you know, I’m good!’
He insisted he feels ‘great’ and ‘motivated’ to be in the ring, and he had an easier time of things with his recent injury rehab.
‘It was much easier. The procedure was minor compared to my previous surgeries on the left knee,’ he said. ‘Just the meniscus tear, three [or] four months of recovery, and ready to go back. But overall, I do feel better!’
Upon his return, the masked legend reignited his feud with Santos Escobar, who drafted in Rey’s son Dominik Mysterio to face Rey and Dragon Lee at WrestleMania earlier this month.
The former world champion has led a reformed Latino World Order, with top talent like Escobar, Zelina Vega, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro, Angel, Berto and Carlito getting involved in the story.
Many fans have been wondering how the Rey’s friend, the late, great Eddie Guerrero, would have fit into the story if it wasn’t for his tragic death aged 38 in 2005.
‘Oh, my gosh, Eddie. Everything would be much different right now, with Eddie being here. I’ve talked about it and I’ve kind of fantasised on how the story would even be if Eddie was was around,’ he said.
‘It’s just very emotional just thinking about it. But, knowing how much bigger it would be with Eddie being here? It just blows my mind.’
Although Latino Heat isn’t physically part of the storyline, Rey ‘always’ feels his presence every time he steps between the ropes, and he’s happy to keep his friend’s memory alive.
‘I feel an aura that’s around, that always is enjoying the moments that I have, whoever it is that I’m in the ring with,’ he smiled.
‘The fact that we still keep Eddie’s name alive through his moves, through his move body movements, is truly a blessing in disguise. I really enjoy seeing all of that.’
Last year, Dominik Mysterio also reflected on Guerrero’s potential involvement if he were still alive today, particularly given the 2005 storyline where Guerrero was revealed to be Dom’s real father.
‘I think in a perfect world, if Eddie was still here, he would have been on my dad’s side, a special guest referee [at WrestleMania 39]. And at the end of the day, he would have picked my side,’ he told Metro.co.uk.
‘I think he would’ve been with my dad all along, telling him that he’s going to handle business, “he’s just going through a phase”, and at the end of the day he comes with me.’
WWE SmackDown airs Friday nights at 1am on TNT Sports 1. WWE brings Backlash to Lyon, France on May 5. Tune in at 6pm via the WWE Network.
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