Victor Ontiveros Jr. was around five years old when he was introduced by his father to professional wrestling.
The eight-year-old would turn on the television with his dad, Victor Ontiveros Sr., and watch the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a show notorious for outrageous storylines, fights and battles.
In real life, however, Victor has been fighting a battle of his own.
The boy affectionally called Junior by his mom was born with a heart condition called aortic stenosis, a life-threatening condition where the aortic valve narrows and reduces blood flow to the heart.
Victor was diagnosed with the condition at the age of two, after a check-up at the doctor turned into a trip to Rady’s Children’s Hospital cardiology department.
Tri-monthly radiology appointments are now a staple in his life, and while there is a surgery that can be done to try and repair or replace the affected valve, Victor is currently too young for the procedure to be done safely.
The soon-to-be third grader at Stephen W. Hawking Charter School must also be careful not to overexert himself physically, which takes playing sports off the table.
Victor’s mom, Claudia Ontiveros, said her youngest child struggles with not being able to be active with his friends, but understands why he needs to take it slow.
“It’s been hard,” Claudia Ontiveros said. “Especially on him, because his little friends play soccer and everything and he can’t. And it’s something he’s going to live with for the rest of his life.”
Victor has his good and bad days, and while he likes to go outside and ride his bike, he tires out quickly, but knows to come inside and relax.
“He still takes little naps if he’s tired but he’ll rest, he knows how much he can handle,” Claudia Ontiveros said.
Around five months ago, Claudia Ontiveros was referred by her cousin to the Kids Wish Network, an organization that aims to improve the quality of life for children with life threatening illnesses.
Claudia Ontiveros contacted the group, and, while she was initially skeptical anything would come of it, a response came. They wanted to meet Victor.
Following a FaceTime interview, Victor’s wish destination was clear, he was headed to see the WWE.
“It was, as a mom, it was amazing,” Claudia Ontiveros said. “It’s something that I couldn’t give him, but we are so thankful and grateful that they did.”
Victor received a personalized message from WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins, inviting him to Pechanga Arena on June 16 for WWE Live San Diego to watch the match up close and go backstage to meet Rollins and other WWE superstars.
Rollins gave Victor an official signed program, along with signed t-shirts and ring-worn wristbands. Victor was also given a limited edition poster and met with other superstars such as Rey Mysterio, Becky Lynch and Jimmy Uso.
“I was scared that something was going to happen to him because he was overwhelmed, overjoyed,” Claudia Ontiveros said. “He talks about it all the time now, he tells all my family, he tells everybody. He goes ‘Mom, Mom, I had a blast.’”
