- 06/29/2008 (3:00:37 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
FANS BRAVE RAIN TO SEE THEIR HEROES…
Thanks to Mike Informer for this article from the Boston Herald:
Wish-granting wrestler pumps up ill kids
Sunday, June 29, 2008 -
He’s been recognized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation for being one of the biggest celebrity wish-granters, fulfilling more than 100 wishes since 2004.
Last week, through the Kids Wish Network, another nonprofit organization dedicated to infusing hope and creating happy memories for ailing kids, Cena met with 7-year-old Jeremy Justus of Clayton, Ga.
“John Cena is his favorite wrestler,” said the boy’s mother, Donna Justus, who stays at home to care for and educate her son. “He’s been watching John Cena since he was 4 years old, and even tries out some of his moves on his older cousins,” she said.
Justus, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just 6 months old, has bouts with seizures on a daily basis. After a four-month waiting period, the Justus family was flown from Georgia to Texas to personally meet Cena and several other wrestlers at a WWE event held in San Antonio’s AT&T Center.
“WWE set everything up and they’re a wonderful organization to work with,” said wish coordinator Vanessa Covolo of Kids Wish Network. “The wrestlers were really interested, and Cena was really into it,” she added. “He brought the shyness out of Jeremy and really uplifted his spirits.”
Cena even exchanged shirts with Justus and proudly donned the child’s homemade T-shirt, which read, “You Are My Idol John Cena.”
For more information on the Kids Wish Network, visit www.KidsWishNetwork.org.
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Thanks to Mike Informer for this article:
Fans of all ages brave the rain to see wrestling heroes grapple on stage
reporter-news Photos by Victor Cristales Big Show, left, grapples with Mark Henry during the WWE presents RAW, Smackdown & ECW Live event at the Taylor County Coliseum on Saturday.
Isaiah Cortez, 10, left, shows his support for wrestler Super Crazy.
Fans of Raw, SmackDown and ECW braved the heavy rain Saturday evening for WWE's Supershow. Wrestling superstars such as Kane, Batista and Big Show entertained the crowd with their in-ring antics.
Daniel Hernandez brought his six children to the match and said it was their first time to see WWE live. Daniel, 11, Christopher, 11, Erik, 10, Rueben, 8, Antonio, 5, and Alexis, 5, could hardly contain their excitement.
"I think they watch (wrestling) almost every Monday and Friday night," Hernandez said.
Families were only one demographic represented at the Supershow. Ben Gonzalez and Steven Banks, two Abilene Christian University students, attended the show and proudly claimed to be avid wrestling fans.
"I'd say I've watched (professional wrestling) since I was 12 years old," Gonzalez, a native Abilenian, said.
Almost 10 years ago, Gonzalez said "everyone" talked about wrestling. Some names, such as Triple H or Chris Jericho (who both appeared Saturday night), were even household names.
"Now, I can only talk about wrestling with a few friends," Gonzalez said.
Banks has known Gonzalez for three years and said wrestling was a common passion that helped lead to their friendship.
"Wrestling not only has action, but it has a story line," Banks said. "In wrestling, you never know what's going to happen. This is my first wrestling experience, and I just need to get that under my belt."
The larger-than-life world of professional wrestling seems to have won the hearts of the next generation.
Janie Rodriguez brought her son Johnny, 10, and his friend Micah, 10. But when the two friends were asked how long they have kept tabs on wrestling, it was Micah who turned his head down, almost as if preparing to give a confession.
"I guess I've watched since I was one-year-old," Micah said.
