WWE Announces "Connor's Cure" Charity In Honor of Connor "The Crusher" Michalek

On Tuesday, June 24, WWE makes its first stop in Pittsburgh, Pa. since the 2014 edition of the “Royal Rumble” pay-per-view, as WWE will tape both “Main Event” and “Smackdown” from the CONSOL Energy Center. Among the crowd, there will be one notable absence in Connor “The Crusher” Michalek.

Following his tragic passing from cancer on April 25, we brought you a story looking back at Connor’s impact on his favorite wrestler, Daniel Bryan, and the rest of WWE. Through the Make-A-Wish program, Connor and Bryan became close friends. After first meeting in October of 2012, Bryan surprised Connor at a live showing of “Monday Night Raw” in Pittsburgh, Connor’s hometown, in October of 2013. After winning the main event, Bryan stopped by Connor’s location along the entrance ramp to catch up.

Connor was even on hand for Bryan’s historic night on April 6, 2014, at WrestleMania XXX. He received a front-row seat to watch Bryan become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

Following Connor’s passing, WWE itself released a tribute video for Connor. Though, we now know that would not be all. With WWE’s return to Pittsburgh, two of the company’s marquee people in Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Stephanie McMahon have announced a charity in honor of Connor “The Crusher” Michalek.

Below is the press release for the charity, titled “Connor’s Cure:”

PITTSBURGH – WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon and WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Creative and Live Events, Paul “Triple H” Levesque have announced the formation of “Connor’s Cure,” a charity that they have personally funded through Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation named in honor of Pittsburgh native Connor Michalek. Connor passed away at age 8 earlier this year from Medulloblastoma, a rare tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord. Donations to Connor’s Cure will provide funds for pediatric brain and spinal cancer research, and medical care for children and their families.

Through the love of his family and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Connor persevered over his affliction. His fighting spirit made him a local celebrity in Pittsburgh, including getting Superstar treatment from both the Pittsburgh Pirates and WWE. Although Connor lost his battle to cancer, his message of light and love continue to thrive.

Donations can be made by visiting: givetochildrens.org/CONNORSCURE.

Editor’s Note

Tremendous move by Stephanie McMahon and Triple H. Connor had a tremendous impact on the city of Pittsburgh and WWE as a whole. Despite his early passing, he has never been forgotten and continues to make an impact.