While Make-A-Wish® meetings between a wish child and a celebrity are usually a euphoric time for the young fan, many times the celebrity comes away with newfound respect for the wish child. Such was the case when 10-year-old Sean, also known as "Spud," wished to meet the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar known as The Rock.
Spud's wish began when a limousine came to pick him up – along with his mother, brother, sister, and uncle – and drove them to the airport. The family flew to Toronto, Canada, the city where Spud's wish came true.
Before meeting The Rock, Spud and his family enjoyed many Toronto attractions, including the CN Tower, which is billed as "the world's tallest building and free-standing structure." They received passes to the top, and Spud – being the daredevil that he is – had to be reprimanded by employees for climbing on the steel caging that encloses the outside platform at the top of the tower. Afterwards, Spud and his family attended a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays at the SkyDome.
The next day included an action-packed schedule. The family took a bus tour of the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. The trip included dinner on the 27th floor of the Sheraton Hotel, a view from the Minolta Tower, and a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat. Back in Toronto that evening, Spud and his family ate dinner at Planet Hollywood.
Finally, the big day came. Spud's dream to meet The Rock came true. He and his family members rode in a limousine to the Air Canada Centre for a taping of WWE's "RAW." The meeting between Spud and The Rock started on a light note. One of The Rock's signature lines is to ask someone a question, and when the person answers, he sarcastically interrupts with "It doesn't matter." Spud asked The Rock what his real name is. When The Rock tried to respond, Spud interrupted him by saying, "It doesn't matter what your name is." The Rock laughed out loud and said that was the first time in his life that his own line had been used against him. Spud then presented "The People's Champion" with a Pittsburgh Steelers shirt, a team they both enjoy following.
From there, The Rock and Spud forged a strong and fast friendship. They talked for about an hour about wrestling and football. Additionally, the subject of Spud's mom came up because she did not have a ticket for that night's "RAW" performance due to a scheduling conflict. The Rock offered to take care of everything, and he delivered as promised. That night, Spud's mom sat ringside, along with the rest of the family.
Before their meeting was over, Spud had a request for "Rocky." He asked The Rock if he could execute his finishing move on Booker T., one of his rivals. The Rock explained that he would have to wrestle Christian – a native of Canada – that night. He apologized, and Spud was a little disappointed. However, at the end of "RAW," the ring announcer informed the fans that a special match had been added for the evening. The Rock then grappled with Booker T. and "laid the smack down" just for Spud.
The meeting between Spud and The Rock was truly powerful. When the two friends had to part, they both left with tears. "The Great One" said goodbye with a tear in his eye and one running down his cheek, while Spud cried openly because he was so happy. WWE officials reported that they had never seen The Rock cry before.
Because of his jovial nature and superior people skills, Spud was later contacted by the Northern West Virginia chapter to be a wish ambassador. He readily agreed, and will let others get a taste of his amazing experience as he shows people how to share the power of a wish® .
This page can be found at http://www.wish.org/stories/sports_entertainment/film_tv/spud_the_rock
©2006 Make-A-Wish Foundation®