Connor Michalek of Hampton was so resilient, sweet and inspiring in his four-year battle against a rare tumor that affected his brain and spinal cord that the passionate professional wrestling fan melted the hearts of WWE superstars, divas, executives and fans alike.
Connor, who died at 8 years old in April 2014, was so special to the WWE that he has been named the first-ever recipient of “The Warrior Award,” which will be presented annually at the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The announcement was made during “Monday Night Raw,” which was broadcast live from Consol Energy Center.
Each year the award will honor “someone who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the late WWE Hall of Famer, The Ultimate Warrior,” the WWE said.
This year, the award will be presented by The Ultimate Warrior’s widow, Dana Warrior, and WWE Superstar (and Connor’s hero) Daniel Bryan to Steve Michalek, Connor’s father.
“Connor Michalek had a profound impact on so many people,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE chief brand officer. “His spirit and love of life were so strong, you would have never known he was sick.
“I can think of no better way to honor Connor than by recognizing him with our highest honor, the first fan to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, as a Warrior.”
WWE’s mutual love affair with Connor began in 2013 during a show at Consol when he was given superstar treatment backstage and he met his hero, Mr. Bryan. The next year, he was invited to Wrestlemania in New Orleans, as a special WWE guest.
There, the superstars treated him like royalty, cheering him in the ring before the doors to the Superdome opened to the public. Later, Mr. Bryan won the heavyweight title and rushed to Connor in the front row and hugged the little boy who had become his hero.
Three weeks later, Connor died.
Ms. McMahon and her husband, Paul “Triple H” Levesque , a WWE executive vice president, were so touched by Connor’s life that they launched “Connor’s Cure,” a fund dedicated to furthering pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. The website is www.givetochildrens.org/home.
The WWE also produced a video of Connor that is shown on WWE broadcasts, introducing fans to a little boy who lived his all-too-short life as a warrior.
“My family is forever grateful for the gift that WWE, its Superstars, Divas and executives gave to Connor,” said Mr. Michalek in a release. “They made him smile and encouraged him to continue fighting.
“His visits backstage, and his time in the ring with Daniel Bryan, brought Connor true joy and undoubtedly extended his life, giving us more time with him. Now, with this award and Connor’s Cure, Connor’s legacy will live on.”
First Published: March 10, 2015, 12:12 a.m.
Updated: March 10, 2015, 3:47 a.m.
