The longest-tenured employee at WWE, who was also a past Warrior Award winner, is reportedly no longer with the company.
According to PWInsider, WWE senior director of talent relations Sue Aitchinson was let go on Friday, ending a 38-year run with the company.
No reason was given as to why she was let go, but it’s the third-such talent relations change this week in the ever-changing TKO-owned WWE.
Aitchinson, also a past director of community relations, was honored with the Warrior Award as part of the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony with Stephanie McMahon as the one who gave her introduction speech.
She started with the company in 1986 and, as PWInsider’s Mike Johnson noted, she was directly responsible for building WWE’s relationship with Make-A-Wish. She was honored with the Make-A-Wish Chris Greicius Celebrity Award in both 2006 and 2016.
White passed away last June at the age of 68. His career with WWE spanned 24 years and was spent primarily as a referee.
White started with the company in 1985 as Andre the Giant’s assistant and a part-time official. He was the referee for some of WWE’s biggest matches during his tenure, including the Mankind vs. Undertaker Hell in a Cell match at King of the Ring 1998.
A shoulder injury suffered in another Hell in a Cell match between Triple H and Chris Jericho in 2002 would lead to the end of his referee career. He returned to officiate Jericho vs. Christian at WrestleMania XX but re-injured his shoulder on the three-count and permanently retired after.
White will be the ninth person to receive the award. He joins previous award winners Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, Jarrius “JJ” Robertson, Sue Aitchison, Rich Hering, and Titus O’Neil.
WWE.com states that “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.”
Ahead of this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony, WWE has released an emotional tribute video honoring the late Shad Gaspard.
The three-minute video was written and narrated by author Mark Kriegel of ESPN. It focuses on Gaspard’s wrestling career, his relationship with his son Aryeh, and how Gaspard died while heroically saving his son’s life.
Gaspard passed away in May 2020 after being caught in a rip current while swimming at Venice Beach, California. Gaspard directed rescuers to help his son first instead of him. When the rescuers returned, Gaspard had gone under water.
Gaspard will posthumously be awarded the Warrior Award at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony this Friday night. The Warrior Award is presented annually 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.”
Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, Jarrius “JJ” Robertson, longtime WWE employees Sue Aitchison and Rich Hering, and Titus O’Neil are previous Warrior Award winners.
This year’s WWE Hall of Fame class consists of The Undertaker, Vader, Queen Sharmell, and The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner). The ceremony is taking place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas after this Friday’s SmackDown. The ceremony will air live on Peacock/WWE Network.
WWE has officially announced that Shad Gaspard is the recipient of the company’s 2022 Warrior Award.
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WWE is honoring the late Shad Gaspard as part of the company’s 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Gaspard will be named the winner of this year’s Warrior Award. Gaspard died in May 2020 after being caught in a rip current while swimming at Venice Beach, California. Gaspard heroically saved his son by directing rescuers to help his son first instead of him.
“It has been reported elsewhere that Shad Gaspard would be the winner of his year’s Warrior Award. Those in WWE have confirmed that to be accurate,” Meltzer wrote.
Gaspard was part of the tag team Cryme Tyme with JTG in WWE. His outside-the-ring projects included acting and writing.
The Warrior Award is “presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance” and who has lived life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.
The award was established in 2015. Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, Jarrius “JJ” Robertson, longtime WWE employees Sue Aitchison and Rich Hering, and Titus O’Neil have been named Warrior Award winners since it was introduced.
This year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas after SmackDown on Friday, April 1. The ceremony will air live on Peacock/WWE Network.
The Undertaker, Vader, and Sharmell have been announced for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class.
Two Warrior Award recipients will be honored at tonight’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
WWE has announced that Rich Hering, who has worked for the company for more than 50 years, will receive the 2021 Warrior Award at tonight’s Hall of Fame ceremony. Titus O’Neil is receiving the 2020 Warrior Award.
“As WWE’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Risk Management, Hering began his career more than 50 years ago with Vince McMahon’s father, Vincent J. McMahon, and helped WWE expand from a regional promotion into the juggernaut it is today,” WWE wrote. “Whether it is leading security efforts, working with state athletic commissions and other organizations on WWE events or overseeing the health and well-being of WWE talent and fans, Hering has consistently gone above and beyond the call of his day-to-day responsibilities.”
“On behalf of everyone at WWE, we are proud to present Rich Hering with this incredible honor,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “Rich has dedicated more than half a century to WWE and the WWE Universe, and has truly seen and done it all. From ensuring the health and safety of WWE Superstars and employees; presiding over the wedding of Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth; and being an ‘uncle’ to Dana Warrior and her children, Mattie and Indy, there is no one more deserving of this accolade.”
The Warrior Award was established in 2015 and 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.” Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, Jarrius “JJ” Robertson, \ Sue Aitchison, O’Neil, and Hering have been honored with the award since it was introduced.
Aitchison, who is the company’s director of community relations, was the first behind-the-scenes WWE employee to receive the Warrior Award.
This year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony was taped last week and is airing at 8 p.m. Eastern time tonight. It will air on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else. The ceremony will include both the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes being inducted.
Here’s the list of honorees for tonight’s ceremony:
2020 WWE Hall of Fame class —
The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman)
WWE wrestler and ambassador Titus O’Neil will be honored at the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
It was announced today that O’Neil (real name Thaddeus Bullard) will receive the 2020 Warrior Award at this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. The ceremony, which was taped last week, will air on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else at 8 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow (Tuesday, April 6). The ceremony will include both the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes being inducted.
Titus O’Neil is one of the most philanthropic Superstars in WWE history. A fixture in the Tampa Bay community and passionate about giving back to families in need, O’Neil founded The Bullard Family Foundation, an organization that provides families and children in need with special moments, programs, and resources to help build character, develop relationships, and strengthen communities around them. In addition, O’Neil is an Ambassador for WWE, helping thousands of individuals through various nonprofits and WWE partners including Susan G. Komen, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics. His passion for community and uplifting others inspired him to write his first book, ‘There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: How I Went from Stereotype to Prototype,’ in 2019. O’Neil is a Tampa Bay native and graduated from the University of Florida where he was a standout football player for the Gators.
“Everybody knows that I’m someone who just wants to do the work,” O’Neil told the Tampa Bay Times. “I don’t care who I need to work with, as long as the work is done, as long as people’s lives are changed, that environments have been made better — whether it be a school environment or health environment, whatever it may be. I’m about change, real transformational change, not transactional change.”
O’Neil will also be one of the hosts of WrestleMania 37. O’Neil and Hulk Hogan are co-hosting the two-night event at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida this Saturday and Sunday.
“Titus is a dedicated father, humanitarian and WWE Global Ambassador. His unwavering passion to help others in need is simply unmatched,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “Although he does not seek recognition, I am thrilled that his work will be spotlighted to WWE fans around the world.”
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.” Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, Jarrius “JJ” Robertson, and Sue Aitchison have received the award since it was introduced in 2015.
Here are the announced inductees for the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes:
2020 WWE Hall of Fame class —
The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman)
A longtime WWE employee will be receiving the Warrior Award at this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony.
WWE announced today that Sue Aitchison is the winner of this year’s Warrior Award. The 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.”
Aitchison has worked for WWE for more than 30 years and is the company’s director of community relations. WWE notes that Aitchison is credited with spearheading their community outreach programs, including WWE’s relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Aitchison was honored with Make-A-Wish’s Chris Greicius Celebrity Award in 2006.
“I’m so humbled — just thinking about this honor is emotional,” Aitchison told the Stamford Advocate. “Giving back is part of WWE’s philosophy. This is something we do and always want to do well.”
“Sue has dedicated her entire career to helping Wish kids fulfill their dreams and putting smiles on countless families’ faces. Her heart and character epitomize the essence of the Warrior Award,” Stephanie McMahon said. “She is an unsung hero who deserves to be recognized and immortalized in the WWE Hall of Fame.”
Dana Warrior will present the award to Aitchison at the Hall of Fame ceremony, which is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, April 6. D-Generation X (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chyna, X-Pac, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn), Honky Tonk Man, Torrie Wilson, and Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) have been announced for this year’s Hall of Fame class.
Connor “The Crusher” Michalek posthumously received the inaugural Warrior Award in 2015. Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, and Jarrius “JJ” Robertson have been Warrior Award recipients over the past three years.
WWE will be presenting the Warrior Award to a New Orleans native when this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony takes place at the Smoothie King Center on April 6th.
The company announced via the New Orleans Times-Picayune this morning that Jarrius “JJ” Robertson will be the 2018 Warrior Award recipient. Robertson is a 15-year-old fan who has battled biliary atresia, a rare liver disease, for his entire life and has undergone 36 surgeries, including two liver transplants.
Robertson underwent his first transplant when he was a year old and had the second transplant last year. He’s also the face of “It Takes Lives to Save Lives,” which is a charity that promotes organ donation.
“I can’t believe I have been chosen to be the 2018 Warrior Award recipient,” Robertson said. “Being honored by WWE means the world to me. I feel very blessed.”
WWE notes that 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 Ultimate Warrior.” Dana Warrior will present Robertson with the award.
Robertson also received the WWE Hero Award at an episode of SmackDown last year and appeared at the 2017 ESPYs, where John Cena announced him as the winner of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.
“Jarrius has shown immeasurable amounts of courage, strength and positivity during the hardest of times. His infectious smile and personality light up any room, with no one the wiser of the pain he could have been enduring at any given moment,” Stephanie McMahon said. “His determination to help others fight their toughest battles and his work to bring awareness to organ donation make him a true Warrior and the perfect recipient of this year’s award in his hometown of New Orleans.”
Goldberg, The Dudley Boyz, Ivory, and Jeff Jarrett have been announced as members of the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame class and will also be honored at the ceremony.
Former Rutgers University defensive tackle Eric LeGrand will be honored by WWE at this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony.
It was announced on Monday that LeGrand would be the recipient of the 2017 Warrior Award. LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down while making a tackle on a kickoff return during a football game in 2010. He has since served as a motivational speaker and started Team LeGrand of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to help those living with spinal cord injuries.
In an interview with ESPN, LeGrand said that it was Paul “Triple H” Levesque who told him that he would be receiving the award.
“Paul’s assistant sent me an email on Tuesday saying Paul wanted to talk and wanted to schedule a call for Thursday,” LeGrand said. “So I’m sitting here for two days wondering what Triple H wants to say to me. My heart was racing for two days wondering what this was all about. When he called me, he explained the award to me and what they do at WrestleMania, and then he told me at the end that they want to present the award to me, and I honestly didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to react. This was incredible as someone who grew up as a fan since I was a little kid.”
LeGrand will be the third person to receive the award that was founded in 2015 to honor the legacy of The Ultimate Warrior. Connor Michalek, a WWE fan who had battled cancer and was eight years old when he passed away, and Joan Lunden were previously honored.
The Warrior Award is given to someone who “lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior” and is a spin-off of an idea that The Ultimate Warrior mentioned during his Hall of Fame induction speech before he passed away, where he spoke of wanting WWE to honor integral employees who worked behind the scenes.
