Will
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 21, 2012 7:26:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,132
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Post by Will on Mar 13, 2017 12:42:16 GMT -5
WWE issued the following today:
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WWE (NYSE:WWE) announced today that Eric LeGrand, a former standout for the Rutgers University football team turned motivational speaker, has been named the recipient of the third annual Warrior Award. Named after WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior®, The Warrior Award is presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.
The award will be presented to LeGrand by Dana Warrior, widow of The Ultimate Warrior, at the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which will be broadcast live on WWE Network at 8pm ET on Friday, March 31 from the Amway Center in Orlando. USA Network will also broadcast a special presentation of the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Monday, April 3 at 11 pm ET/PT, immediately following Raw®.
LeGrand was a key player on the Rutgers University football team before a spinal cord injury he sustained during a game in October 2010 left him paralyzed from the neck down. LeGrand’s tremendous courage and unwavering strength throughout his rehabilitation captured the attention of the nation. He resumed his college classes via Skype and also launched his sports broadcasting career as an analyst for Rutgers Football Radio Network. LeGrand founded the charity Team LeGrand of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation in 2013 and is now a highly sought-after motivational speaker. In support of LeGrand’s mission to raise funds for research to find a cure for paralysis and to help improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries, WWE will be making a $25,000 donation to Team LeGrand.
“It is an absolute honor to be named the 2017 Warrior Award recipient,” said LeGrand. “I am truly grateful for WWE’s support of my personal journey and I am proud to continue to be an example of strength for people everywhere.”
“Eric LeGrand has shown incredible perseverance and unwavering positivity throughout his recovery,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “From the work he does helping others with spinal cord injuries to his motivational speaking, Eric is the perfect choice for this prestigious award.”
“Eric LeGrand truly embodies the Warrior spirit with his determination and positive outlook,” said Dana Warrior. “I am honored to present this year’s Warrior Award to Eric at the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.”
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Post by J12 on Mar 13, 2017 12:57:47 GMT -5
Cool, I guess, if you can 1. forget about the kind of person Ultimate Warrior actually was, and 2. ignore what he actually wanted this award to be.
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Post by hbkbigdaddycool on Mar 13, 2017 12:58:33 GMT -5
Why doesn't Dana Warrior just say what she really wants to say...
"I am honored to accept a WWE pay check each year to hand out this award that my husband wanted for hard working WWE employees in the back, and not these people that WWE gets press over."
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Post by BulletV1 on Mar 13, 2017 14:11:48 GMT -5
Why doesn't Dana Warrior just say what she really wants to say... "I am honored to accept a WWE pay check each year to hand out this award that my husband wanted for hard working WWE employees in the back, and not these people that WWE gets press over." Also, I love how her signing Warrior merch is somehow supposed to add value to it. It's like damn no one knew you existed until two years ago. Even then most still don't care.
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Post by Nivro™ on Mar 13, 2017 14:22:56 GMT -5
Eric is actually a pretty cool guy from what Ive seen from him on social media/media. I remember one Sat a team was playing AWFUL and he tweeted out to them if they needed him to suit up. I was in tears laughin when i read that.
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Post by punksnotdead on Mar 13, 2017 14:32:25 GMT -5
Meh, I'm kind of in this weird place where I feel like they are blatantly disrespecting what Warrior wanted this thing to be. This should have been something for a Bruce Prichard or Jim Johnston type who will probably never get the credit they deserve, or maybe the seamstress nuns or Stu the cameraman or just whoever. I guess the argument there is that those guys can just be inducted into the HOF but we don't see those types go in at all, which I think was Warrior's point.
The Connor thing I sort of got because he was apart of the Daniel Bryan story and seemed to really make an impression on Stephanie, but this right here has absolutely nothing to do with anything as it pertains to WWE. They can't just donate money to the foundation and do a 2 minute segment on Raw about it? I'm not anti WWE helping as many people as possible or anything but this feels like exploitation to me.
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Deleted
Joined on: May 20, 2024 3:30:00 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2017 14:36:29 GMT -5
Kris Travis would've been nicer, but OK I guess.
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Post by Funk The Revival on Mar 13, 2017 14:44:46 GMT -5
Coolio
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Post by J'Dinkalage Morgoone on Mar 13, 2017 15:22:27 GMT -5
wrestling fans are some of the most fickle people I swear to god.
Good for him, I think its great they chose him.
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Post by Darkhawk on Mar 13, 2017 15:23:16 GMT -5
Awesome I guess, but this award became pointless as soon as they gave it to Joan Lunden.
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Post by marino13 on Mar 13, 2017 16:02:37 GMT -5
I know people like to crap on this, but I think it's nice. I know what Warrior initially wanted, but I have a feeling he'd be okay with where they've taken it.
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Post by ARUN on Mar 13, 2017 16:11:40 GMT -5
I know people like to crap on this, but I think it's nice. I know what Warrior initially wanted, but I have a feeling he'd be okay with where they've taken it. Agreed!
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Post by The Natural Eddy Valintino on Mar 13, 2017 16:25:05 GMT -5
Honestly, i dont care anymore about the Warrior Award. This is their publicity award, i accepted that last year. Its fine i guess, i would like it if they did an award for those hardworking people in the back, but it is what it is. With all due respect to him, ill most likely take a bathroom break during his speech, but congrats to him for the award nonetheless
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Post by TheLastDude on Mar 13, 2017 17:20:27 GMT -5
I always feel bad feeling this way because there's nothing wrong with Connor, Joan, or Eric getting an award, but I just seriously dislike these publicity awards.
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Post by TheSystem 1.5 on Mar 13, 2017 17:32:27 GMT -5
Ironic considering Warrior once called Droz "that cripple".
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Post by bababooey on Mar 13, 2017 19:35:08 GMT -5
Meh, I'm kind of in this weird place where I feel like they are blatantly disrespecting what Warrior wanted this thing to be. This should have been something for a Bruce Prichard or Jim Johnston type who will probably never get the credit they deserve, or maybe the seamstress nuns or Stu the cameraman or just whoever. I guess the argument there is that those guys can just be inducted into the HOF but we don't see those types go in at all, which I think was Warrior's point. The Connor thing I sort of got because he was apart of the Daniel Bryan story and seemed to really make an impression on Stephanie, but this right here has absolutely nothing to do with anything as it pertains to WWE. They can't just donate money to the foundation and do a 2 minute segment on Raw about it? I'm not anti WWE helping as many people as possible or anything but this feels like exploitation to me. In fairness, just based off comments on his podcast, Prichard seems to hate Warrior. He craps on Warrior just about every time his name comes up. Harvey Whippleman could use it though. I was shocked to hear on Jericho's podcast that he still works for WWE. Sounds like he's a glorified intern at this point. Steve Lombardi would be good too for his backstage work.
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Post by TheLastDude on Mar 13, 2017 20:52:07 GMT -5
Meh, I'm kind of in this weird place where I feel like they are blatantly disrespecting what Warrior wanted this thing to be. This should have been something for a Bruce Prichard or Jim Johnston type who will probably never get the credit they deserve, or maybe the seamstress nuns or Stu the cameraman or just whoever. I guess the argument there is that those guys can just be inducted into the HOF but we don't see those types go in at all, which I think was Warrior's point. The Connor thing I sort of got because he was apart of the Daniel Bryan story and seemed to really make an impression on Stephanie, but this right here has absolutely nothing to do with anything as it pertains to WWE. They can't just donate money to the foundation and do a 2 minute segment on Raw about it? I'm not anti WWE helping as many people as possible or anything but this feels like exploitation to me. In fairness, just based off comments on his podcast, Prichard seems to hate Warrior. He craps on Warrior just about every time his name comes up. Harvey Whippleman could use it though. I was shocked to hear on Jericho's podcast that he still works for WWE. Sounds like he's a glorified intern at this point. Steve Lombardi would be good too for his backstage work. Agreed. Even though he doesn't work for the WWE anymore, they should give him an award just for some of the gimmicks they made him take on.
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Post by Yayo on Mar 13, 2017 23:19:23 GMT -5
Ironic considering Warrior once called Droz "that cripple". People like to forget how dead people might have been awful
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Post by ThugSuperstar on Mar 14, 2017 0:36:38 GMT -5
What exactly is the point of this "award"? For the WWE to just honor anybody they want who can generate them the most publicity and media attention? I'm asking this question sincerely, too. I have nothing against Eric LeGrand; I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he's overcome, and I graduated from the same school and program he did. I just think this award is nothing more than a cheap way for the WWE to get their name in the media.
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Post by Mark Martin on Mar 14, 2017 0:48:04 GMT -5
It is annoying that they completely ignored Warrior's specific request for the award, but I'm glad Eric is getting it.
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