WWE Daily

Raw Draftee Batista met Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Aurora Valdez before his final SmackDown in Houston.

HOUSTON — On his last night on SmackDown before reporting to Raw, Batista met with Wish teen Aurora Valdez from the Make-A-Wish Foundation in a luxury suite at Houston’s Toyota Center.

“It’s not fair that he’s leaving SmackDown to go to Raw. I’m going to miss him, but now it gives me more of a reason to watch Raw Monday nights,” Valdez said.

For Valdez, 18, her passion for sports-entertainment came indirectly. Her brother would tell her that as soon as Friday Night SmackDown went off the air, her favorite boy band, Backstreet Boys, were coming on. That convinced her to watch, and she hasn’t stopped since. It was in 2002, when Batista first debuted in WWE, that Valdez realized who her favorite wrestler was.

“I knew he was going to be big when I first saw him. I fell for him right away,” the Phoenix resident said with an ear-to-ear grin on her face. “I like Batista’s style of wrestling … his Batista Bomb, spinebuster and his spear is cool, too.”

Valdez also was surprised by a visit from SmackDown’s newest draftee, Mr. Kennedy. And in light of the 2008 WWE Draft, Valdez, an aspiring WWE commentator, was excited that WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross took over the announcer duties.

“Even though SmackDown lost Batista, having J.R. on the show is good for Friday nights. I like him a lot, because he’s so funny,” Valdez explained.

Aurora found it difficult to contain her excitement when the three-time World Champion, towering at 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, entered the luxury suite and sat next to her.

“Oh my, can I give you a hug?” an enthusiastic Valdez asked her favorite Superstar, who gladly agreed.

The Animal came in bearing gifts for his fan. He gave her his signature T-shirt and elbow pads, plus autographed her Batista memorabilia, including his best-selling autobiography, Batista Unleashed. Batista answered Valdez’s numerous questions about his favorite colors (black and white), his dream match (main event against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin) and his favorite moments in the ring (winning his first World Heavyweight Championship and World Tag Team Title with Ric Flair).

Valdez was thrilled with her time spent with The Animal and all the items he brought her, but admitted there’s something else that stands out about Batista that she’ll always remember.

“He has the most beautiful eyes. When I was interviewing him I couldn’t help but notice them. I knew I should say something, because if I didn’t, I would cry and I didn’t want to do that,” Valdez recalled. “I’m still kind of nervous after meeting him. It was very cool meeting Batista. I still can’t believe it. He was very nice.”

The Animal, a huge Make-A-Wish Foundation fan, reflected on his encounter with the “True Champ.”

“It’s one of those things that makes me feel really good inside. It’s definitely one of the biggest perks that comes with this job. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe. I feel grateful. I don’t think most people in their lifetime will have an experience like this,” Batista expressed.

“I don’t know if they get more out of it than I do. Their wish is to meet me and I put a smile on their face and make them feel better about themselves. In turn, they make me feel good about myself, too.”

And what does Batista think of Valdez’s compliment on his “beautiful eyes”?

“That’s very flattering, but when I look in the mirror, I see a big, ugly gym rat,” Batista said with his trademark grin.

NILES - Alex Severinghaus, like many kids his age, has that little something that sits just behind his eyes. It’s an energy. The kind that suppresses itself when company is around. He is attentive and quiet and polite - and just under his breath, he sings the words to the music on the radio.

He’s a Guitar Hero fan, his favorite song to play, ‘One’ by Metallica, a band that’s older than him. He’s into sports, like basketball and baseball but this summer, he said, he just wants to spend some time being a kid.

Like many kids his age.

One has to be hesitant in describing Alex as “different.” He’s not really. As a child who has lived his life with Cystic Fibrosis - he is no different than the 30,000 other Americans, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, who struggle with the disease. Niles Township 12-year-old has wish fulfilled, to meet John Cena

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Stanley Wade, 13, of Little Rock, Ark., a chance to meet “The Animal” Batista was an opportunity that he longed for ever since the 6-foot-6, 290-pounder’s 2002 WWE debut.

“When I first saw Batista I thought ‘wow, he’s so strong., I should make him my favorite wrestler,’” Wade said, moments before seeing his favorite Superstar face-to-face for the first time. “The Animal rocks out loud and has raw power! There are not enough words in the English language to describe my feelings on Batista. He’s just totally wickedly awesome!”

Wade, sitting patiently, expressed his opinions about the upcoming WWE Draft and how he wants Batista to stay on SmackDown. Then, the “True Champ” pulled out his notepad to read over the six specific questions he wanted to ask the three-time World Heavyweight Champion, nodded and told his mother he’s ready.

Three minutes later, the moment that Wade had been waiting for ever since that lone Friday night six years ago, occurred – The Animal walked into the World Arena locker room area and sat next to the True Champ.

“Are you able to breathe in this high Colorado altitude?” Batista, who had arrived to Colorado Springs after a week-long Australia promotional tour, asked.

“It’s hard to breathe being next to you,” an excited Wade declared.

Batista signed autographs, posed for photos with the True Champ and his family, and gave Wade tons of WWE merchandise. Unearthing the budding journalist in him, Wade quickly gathered his composure, pulled out his pen and notepad, and began firing away with questions at his favorite Superstar. The Animal answered Wade’s question about his toughest match – the Hell In A Cell Match against Undertaker, his matches against Khali and his road to WWE.

“Stanley is definitely a future reporter. For such a young age, he was so prepared, organized and very professional,” Batista recalled, admiring Wade’s journalistic skills. “I was very impressed. Usually when you meet kids they’re kind of star-struck and completely forget every question they had.”

Batista, a huge fan of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, reflected on what it means to him to experience being a part of granting the Circle of Champions honoree’s wishes.

“It’s one of the coolest things about our job. It’s amazing that a kid’s one wish is to meet you. That’s one of those things that 99 percent of the world will never get to know. It’s such an honor. If I wasn’t doing this I wouldn’t have the opportunity to make a kid smile,” Batista expressed.

And smiling is what the True Champ couldn’t help but do.

“I’m so excited now. The only part that shocked me is that he answered all my questions,” Wade described. “My friends back in Little Rock won’t believe me. They’ll probably think that I got my pictures off the computer. I’ll tell them I didn’t. I saw the real Batista.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When Dominique Wilkins, 15, of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, arrived at Kansas City’s Kemper Arena in style — a Cadillac Escalade limousine — to meet his favorite Superstar, John Cena, and watch Raw live for the first time, the “True Champ” thought he knew what to expect.

“I anticipate non-stop action tonight,” said the Anderson, Ind., resident. “Cena is like a real hero to me. He seems like the type of guy that if I were to get into a fight he would have my back, especially against Umaga,” Wilkins said with a smile.

“I like Cena’s style. We both are lefties and like the same color – camouflage. It’s always been my favorite color, but I started wearing it a lot more after seeing him wearing it,” Wilkins explained.

In the locker room area of Kemper Arena, Wilkins was all smiles with his mom, Dionne, and his grandfather when the three-time WWE Champion walked into the room with numerous gifts for the Circle of Champions teen, including a “Chain Gang Soldier” medallion, which Wilkins was thrilled to receive.

“I’m just so ecstatic right now. I’m speechless. I can’t even think about how cool this is. I’ve always wanted this,” an excited Wilkins said with an ear-to-ear grin.

Cena signed autographs, posed for pictures with the True Champ and his family, and answered Dominique’s questions about Cena’s love for wrestling and weight training.

“I worked out earlier tonight and bench pressed 375 pounds, but I can bench press 500 pounds. That means I can lift Big Show, but it depends on how much he’s eaten beforehand,” Cena joked.

When Cena asked Dominique if he had more questions for him before heading toward the ring, the True Champ asked if Cena could sponsor him during the Circle City Hot Steppers and Martin Center, Inc. 12th Annual Sickle Cell Fun 5K Walk/Run, held June 28th in Indianapolis. With no hesitation Cena agreed.

“I think it’s fantastic. Very rarely do I get approached for offers like that,” said a humbled Cena. “I’m glad he asked. It’s my pleasure to do it. The event is fun in the first place, but hopefully now that he has me as a sponsor, it’ll have the excitement of WWE.”

In the end, Cena, one of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s most popular Wish granters, walked away very impressed with Dominique.

“Dominique is a great guy. It’s just really good to see when good things happen for kids like him. That’s why Make-A-Wish is such a great foundation,” Cena described.

“Mouths will drop,” said Dominique when asked what his friends will think about him meeting his favorite Superstar. “He was exactly like everything I thought he would be. I didn’t think he would be that huge and strong … I’m still waiting to wake up.”

During WWE’s recent Mexico tour, Mick Foley had the pleasure of helping make one young fan’s dreams come true.

Rosita, 11, from the Michoacán state of Mexico, has been sponsored by the SmackDown color commentator through Christian Children’s Fund for two years. Foley helped Rosita and her family make the four-hour trip from their home village to Mexico City to experience a WWE live event for the first time.

“I thought it would be such an incredible opportunity,” Foley told WWE.com. “I had done something similar in the Philippines with a girl I sponsor. It’s such an easy way to make a life-long experience for these kids I sponsor.”

It wasn’t the first time Foley met Rosita. Eleven months ago, he traveled to Mexico on a study tour, where he first visited the educational community center he helps fund. Seven months later, he returned to the site where he met Rosita, whom he had been sponsoring during that time.

Because she lives in a rural area and doesn’t have access to a television, Rosita didn’t know about Foley’s WWE Superstar status. After he gave her one of his action figures, Rosita couldn’t believe her sponsor was WWE’s “Hardcore Legend.”

“Since that time, she and her friends talk about lucha libre and WWE. But she had no idea, because there’s not a lot of television in her village,” Foley explained. “She met Superstars like John Cena, Jeff Hardy, Shawn Michaels and Triple H, and had no idea who they were until after the show.”

Foley plans to travel to Sierra Leone on June 10 to visit another child he sponsors through the Christian Children’s Fund. Foley has been sponsoring kids for 16 years and is presently sponsoring seven children. Stay tuned to WWE.com for more on the “Hardcore Legend’s” upcoming charitable global trips.

Jesse Baget gives direction to Rey Mysterio, Sr. on the set of Wrestlemaniac.

-Jesse Baget has always been a fan of cult movies and when the opportunity arose for him to make one himself, he turned to the unique world of Mexican wrestling to cut his teeth.

Baget directed the 2007 release Wrestlemaniac, starring Rey Mysterio, Sr. and former WWE Diva Search contestant Leyla Milani. The film itself is a gore-fest as El Mascarado (Mysterio) haunts a ghost town and brutalizes a porn film cast in the process.

-Cena grants 100 wishes

West Newbury’s John Cena is making a lot of wishes come true.

The Make a Wish Foundation recently honored the professional wrestler/movie star for granting 100 wishes to children since 2004, joining an elite group that includes basketball star Kobe Bryant and NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon.

“We’ll have the real celebration when we hit 1,000″ Cena says on the World Wrestling Entertainment Web site. “It’s not about the people who grant the wishes. It’s about the people who get the wishes. This award will definitely hold a place in my personal portfolio in very high regard.”

Make a Wish Foundation CEO David Williams said Cena is on a pace to be the biggest wish-granter in the organization’s history.

“One hundred wishes is a lot,” Williams said. “We typically don’t see that many celebrities grant that many wishes. It speaks to the popularity of the WWE and John Cena.”

Source

Check out John Cena Vs The Cookie Monster….Good laugh..
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Justins meeting with The Game bring his great Joy before Raw
DETROIT – Monday night, in the locker room area of Motown’s Joe Louis Arena, Make-A-Wish’s Justin Branch was acting like, well, a 10-year-old. The Bowie, Md., native was playing with his best friend, Julian Walters. The “True Champ” was in good spirits; only hours away from seeing Raw live for the first time and minutes from meeting his favorite Superstar, WWE Champion Triple H.

“I’ve been waiting years for this moment,” the fourth grade honor roll student said with an ear-to-ear grin. “I was in shock when I heard that Triple H would be granting my wish. I’ve liked Triple H ever since I was five years old because he’s nice to people, he has a lot of fun and he breaks the rules, too.”

The boy informed his father, Robert Higgins, that he had all his questions for the WWE Champion ready, and was very excited for their meeting, just as The Game strutted into the room. The 10-year-old was nearly speechless when the 12-time World Champion signed photos and presented him with a brand-new “Triple H Hammer” T-shirt. Branch suddenly became shy when Triple H asked him what he would like for him to write on his new T-shirt.

“You have to speak up, Justin,” joked Triple H. “Do you have any questions for me?”

After some hesitation, Branch asked the 12-time Champion about his friendship with his former DX partner Shawn Michaels, who was also scheduled to meet with Branch before Raw, and then posed for several pictures with The Game.

“Kids sometimes talk up a tough game before you go in there. Then, when they get in front of you, the moment takes over and they don’t say much,” Triple H explained. “Then when you leave, you know they say, ‘Man, I should’ve said this. I should’ve said that.’ You want them to get the experience while you’re there, but sometimes they get so nervous and you almost have to beat it out of them.”

The Game acknowledged the significance with meeting the “True Champ” in the arena named after Joe Louis, arguably the greatest boxing champion of all-time.

“Anytime you can come into an arena like this, where so many big things have happened over the years, it just makes it a completely different feeling and adds a special quality to it,” Triple H said. “I think meeting Justin here and knowing how hard he’s just makes it that much more special. Justin’s a great kid. Hopefully tonight’s show puts a smile on his face.”

“Meeting Triple H was da bomb! He took the time out to meet me, his No. 1 fan,” an excited Branch responded. “Everybody thinks he’s a bad guy, because he uses a sledgehammer as his best weapon, but I know for sure that he’s not a bad guy at all.”

-Tonight John Cena will be a guest on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien at 12:35 a.m. ET.

-The local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation recently granted the wishes of two children. First, thirteen-year-old Jacob Chiguina was granted a professional wrestling fan’s dream. A press release says he was able to attend this year’s WrestleMania along with 50 other wish families from around the world, and was able to meet a number of wrestlers, including John Cena. Local children get ‘wishes’ granted

LONDON – The Rated-R Superstar took time off the SmackDown European tour to grant wishes to Edge-heads in a locker room area of London’s O2 arena.

“The fact that the [Circle of Champions] kids wanted to meet the Rated-R Superstar is quite amazing to me. I’m often times not the most requested Superstar for kids [being the sleaze ball],” said an unusually humbled Edge. “It’s fun when you get to do it. Meeting the kids puts things into perspective. I can’t complain.”

The four-time World Champion walked into the room with his usual cocky swagger. An elated Jonathan Shedanloo, 11, from the children’s charity Rays of Sunshine, hopped to his feet to greet The Ultimate Opportunist.

“Whoa … what a big guy you are! Look at you! You’re like an animal,” said Shedanloo, a Los Angeles native who now resides in London.

“If you think I’m an animal, then you haven’t seen Batista,” Edge interjected.

“You’re the better man, though. You’ve won the WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship. I bet you can beat everyone on all three rosters,” Shedanloo told his favorite Superstar.

“I’ll have to agree with you on that,” Edge chimed in. “Everyone should listen to Jonathan. He knows what he’s talking about.”

Edge also met with Rays of Sunshine kid Oliver Geis, 14, of Kemsing, Kent, England, and Starlight Foundation’s Alex Fogg, 10, of Ockendon, Essex, England. They told the Rated-R Superstar that World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker was their other favorite, and they’d like to see the two battle later that night on SmackDown. Jokingly, “The Master Manipulator” quickly got off the couch and walked away only to return.

“It kind of goes with my theory of not being requested for too many [Circle of Champions] meet and greets,” Edge said with a grin. “But, the fact that they wanted to see me take on Undertaker means they’re really into our rivalry.”

Edge signed autographs, gave the “True Champs” a WrestleMania Revenge Tour T-shirt, posed for pictures, and talked openly to Circle of Champions kids about his injuries. He explained to them that “if it looked like it hurt on TV, it probably did,” and never to try any of his wrestling moves at home.

“He was like everything I ever asked for in this life. I just want to see him in the future when I become a wrestler in nine years and some day be his tag team partner,” recalled Shedanloo, sporting his “throwback” Edge T-shirt.

Geis echoed Shedanloo’s thoughts on meeting Edge. However, he had one last point to make about the Ultimate Opportunist’s Backlash World Heavyweight Championship showdown with his other favorite Superstar – The Phenom.

“It was cool meeting Edge. He was bigger in person than what he looks like on TV. But, I think at Backlash he’ll have a difficult time against Undertaker,” a smiling Geis predicted.

LONDON – Before battling John “Bradshaw” Layfield for the first time ever on Monday Night Raw in front of a sold out crowd at the O2 Arena, Triple H made three Make-A-Wish kids’ dreams come true.

“What I like most about Triple H is that he’s so funny,” Charlie Fox Sanders, 10, of Swindon, Wiltshire, England, said to describe his favorite Superstar. “My funniest Triple H moment was when he and Shawn Michaels poured green slime on Mr. McMahon.”

Ben Cudlip 16, of Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England is another huge fan of The Game. He’s been a devoted WWE fan since age 2.

“Triple H’s accomplishments speak for him. He’s won the World Championship 11 times. I’ll say that’s a pretty good record,” Cudlip said about Triple H’s influence on his life and the rest of sports-entertainment.

The Game gave the WWE Circle of Champions kids “WrestleMania Revenge Tour” T-shirts, signed autographs and posed for photos with them and their families. Triple H brought smiles to the kids’ faces and they returned the favor. When “The Cerebral Assassin” asked the “True Champs” what other Superstars they liked, Sanders and Mark Biggs, 18 of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England, both shouted out John Cena’s name.

“What’s up with you guys and John Cena? I’m sorry, but in two weeks at Backlash, I’m going to have to beat him,” the 11-time World Champion declared with a grin on his face.

Over the past week, Triple H and other WWE Superstars have been entertaining fans in packed venues across Europe. For The Game, a long-time supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and WWE’s Circle of Champions, these latest wishes were especially meaningful.

“Anytime we get the opportunity to sit down with a kid whose big dream is to meet you… whether we’re in the USA or any part of the world… to get the opportunity to put a smile on [their] faces and make them happy for that moment is an incredible feeling,” The Game said proudly. “It never changes, no matter how many kids you meet, it’s always a great experience.”

Triple H added that he was very impressed by these Circle of Champions kids and their enthusiasm.

“They’re all really great kids. WWE doesn’t come here as often as we visit other places [in the United States], so for a lot of them it’s their first opportunity to see wrestling [live] and to see WWE Superstars. It’s a huge experience all around for them, so it’s double the fun. I can tell they all were excited to be here tonight.”

WWE’s WrestleMania XXIV- A Triumph Of Spirit For Make-A-Wish Kids
April 11, 2008
WrestleMania® XXIV was a financial triumph for World Wrestling Entertainment®, but, more importantly, a triumph of the human spirit for the 50 Make-A-Wish kids and their families who attended WrestleMania as part of WWE’s biggest wish granting event ever with the Make–A-Wish Foundation.

The Make-A-Wish kids, who have serious life-threatening illnesses, traveled from across the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland as the very special guests of WWE. They were treated to a fantastic weekend of private autograph signings, a pizza party at Universal Studios hosted by WWE Superstars John Cena, Chris Jericho, Mickey James and Mick Foley, a special fund-raising brunch held by the David Maus Foundation at which they were inducted into the WWE Make-A-Wish “Circle of Champions” by Raven-Symoné and Snoop Dogg, and, of course, were V.I.P. guests at WrestleMania XXIV. During the weekend, John Cena reached a milestone of his own, granting his 100th wish.

Many of the wish kids are longtime WWE fans who were seeing their favorite WWE Superstars perform in-person for the first time. For some, this wish trip also marked their first airline flights. “This is so exciting,” said wish kid Javier from the Central and Northern Florida chapter as WrestleMania got underway. “I’m still just trying to believe that I’m here.” Lynn Jones, mother of UK Make-A-Wish child, Matthew Jones, was grateful for how wonderful the weekend was for her son, “Matthew’s wish came true by meeting his wrestling idol John Cena and others…a special time that we and Matthew will never forget!”

WWE.com pas just has two recent WWE superstars grant wishes to two special kids. Therse kids are from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A new comer to the foundation is CM Punk. I am glad to see other superstars that are chosed for such a grand event. Batista has given an special needs kids the very best wish, a hug from here ‘hero‘.
MIAMI – Straight off WrestleMania XXIV victories Batista and CM Punk brought special experiences to “The Magic City” Tuesday night, when they made dreams come true for WWE Circle of Champions kids Benen Dykstra, 10, and Jesula St. Felix, 14, in the locker room area at American Airlines Arena.

“I never thought I would get the chance to meet Batista, so I was very surprised,” said Make-A-Wish kid St. Felix of Hollywood, Fla. “He was too huge for me to hug though, because he’s so muscular.”

As soon as Punk, with the Money in the Bank briefcase in hand, found a chair and sat down beside Dykstra, the Sunshine Foundation youngster grabbed his hand.

“I want to be just like you when I grow up, because you are straightedge,” he told his favorite Superstar. “You are the greatest wrestler there is.”

Dykstra lives in Cayuga, Ontario, Canada, and is only able to see Punk when the former ECW Champion appears on SmackDown, because his TV antenna doesn’t pick up ECW on Sci Fi. A lack of reception hasn’t prevented the fourth grader from knowing every CM Punk fact there is. Dykstra and Punk discussed the Straightedge Superstar’s hometown, Chicago, and the meanings of the former ECW Champion’s tattoos.

During their conversation, Dykstra told Mr. Money in the Bank he hopes he wins the championship soon, and if he could choose his dream match, it would be Punk vs. Hulk Hogan, Big Show or Boogeyman.

“I think I can take Hulk Hogan, but for Big Show, I’ll probably need Floyd Mayweather’s posse for that one,” Punk joked.

“When [Wish] kids are asked ‘who they’d like to meet’ and they say CM Punk … it’s overwhelming, because there are so many other Superstars in WWE,” said the humbled Superstar. “I always try to do what I can to make their day a little brighter.”

The Animal, a three-time World Champion, echoes Punk’s feelings about WWE’s Circle of Champions honorees.

“I love meeting the kids and putting smiles on their faces. It’s so amazing to me. These kids are very unsure where their lives are going to take them, but they are never negative. They’re always so upbeat and happy to meet you,” Batista said.

Dykstra and St. Felix’s Wishes were fulfilled. However, for Dykstra, there’s still one goal he’d like to accomplish – sharing the WWE Tag Team Championship with CM Punk.

“We’ll be called the Straightedge Hall of Famers. It’ll be cool. I think we’ll go on to be one of the greatest tag teams in WWE. We’ll take those WWE Tag Team Titles from The Miz and Morrison,” Dykstra said with an ear-to-ear grin on his face.

Ashley ‘Rumbles’ With Her Idol, WWE Champ, John Cena, Thanks to Kids Wish Network
14-year-old Ashley of Bellevue is a huge wrestling fan. She rarely misses a match on television and is absolutely crazy about the WWE’s John Cena. That’s why, when Ashley got to pick any wish that she wanted from her friends at Kids Wish Network, she decided that what she wanted most was to meet the wrestling star in person. It was an adventure that this courageous girl will never forget.

April 3, 2008 — 14-year-old Ashley of Bellevue is a huge wrestling fan. She rarely misses a match on television and is absolutely crazy about the WWE’s John Cena. That’s why, when Ashley got to pick any wish that she wanted from her friends at Kids Wish Network, she decided that what she wanted most was to meet the wrestling star in person. It was an adventure that this courageous girl will never forget.

Ashley’s whirlwind trip to meet John Cena began soon after a close family relative learned about Kids Wish Network while surfing the Internet. The aunt submitted Ashley’s name for a possible wish with the charity, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Ashley had been diagnosed in February of 2007 with cancer.

Ashley has what is known as B-Cell Lymphoma. The B-Cells in the body help to fight bacteria. B-Cell Lymphoma occurs when these cells mutate and become cancerous. Ashley’s cancer manifested in the lymph nodes in her neck. Soon after her diagnosis, she began rigorous chemotherapy treatments. Her doctors continue to monitor her extremely carefully.

When Kids Wish Network wish coordinator, Vanessa, called and told Ashley and her mother, Mary, that Ashley had been approved for a wish, the family was elated. When Vanessa asked Ashley what her number one wish was for, Ashley didn’t hesitate: she wanted to meet John Cena in person.

Vanessa immediately got to work. She not only arranged to fly Ashley, her mother, and her sister, Taylor, to Lafayette, LA where there was a WWE Monday Night Raw show scheduled, she also booked hotel accomodations, arranged for spending money and meals and of course, and most importantly, secured a meet and greet between Ashley and John Cena.

Mary said that Ashley was admittedly nervous about meeting the wrestling champ. But she quickly warmed up. “He was wonderful,” said Mary of John Cena. ‘It was all about Ashley and her wish!”

Ashley was smitten. “It was awesome to see Cena in real life instead of on TV. I like how he wrestles. He’s cute, he has nice muscles, and he has nice teeth,” Ashley gushed with an ear to ear grin. “Also, I like him so much, because he’s multi-talented. Cena’s more than just a wrestler - he’s a rapper and a great actor.”

After spending some time together, chatting and posing for pictures, the wrestler and his young fan parted ways as he headed out to the ring and she to her seat. Mary said Ashley had a blast watching the matches. “It was really an enjoyable experience for my girls.”

Mary was incredibly grateful to Vanessa and Kids Wish Network for granting her special daughter’s wish. “It was all just wonderful. As a mother, seeing the smile on her face was just indescribable!”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Ashley’s wish extra special: Deano’s Pizza, The Hilton, Limited Limousines, Outback Steakhouse and of course, Mr. John Cena!

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at http://www.kidswishnetwork.org

WWE.com has two WWE superstars known as DX, Triple H and Shawn Michaels grant wishes.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Last night, Shawn Michaels closed his eyes, glanced down at the mat, told Ric Flair “I’m sorry,” and landed Sweet Chin Music to the jaw of his longtime friend – shutting the door on an era. It was one of the most emotional victories in HBK’s illustrious career.

The day after Michaels and Flair’s historical finish, the three-time WWE Champion met with Make-A-Wish kids in the locker room area at Orlando’s Amway Arena. To Michaels, a proud husband and father, his WrestleMania XXIV experience was life changing, but to be able to touch the hearts of WWE’s Circle of Champions kids was truly inspiring.

“This brings you back to reality when you can meet these very strong kids, who are fighting every step of the way,” HBK said of the meeting.

“True Champs” Ricardo Arevalo, 7; Jorge Rojas, 16; Camden Sublett, 7; Shane Tittle, 20; Fernando Cordero, 16; and Jesse Ogden, 13, were all guests at WrestleMania XXIV, and part of WWE’s biggest wish-granting event ever. Besides attending their first WrestleMania, the Wish kids were also honored at the Bacon, Bagels and Biceps Brunch by Superstars Batista and Matt Hardy, among others. They also got a chance to meet Father Hood star Snoop Dogg and actress Raven-Symoné. But the opportunity to meet their favorite Superstars — HBK and Triple H — topped everything.

“I’ve said it a million times, I live and breathe the WWE Championship, but there are things that are far more important than that,” The Game explained. “Today, I got to spend time with [Make-A-Wish kids] and put a smile on kids’ faces who probably haven’t smiled in a while. That’s what’s really important.”

And smiles are exactly what DX brought. When The Game was asked by Cordero to autograph his T-shirt using his nickname, Nandy, Triple H responded “like Nandy Orton.” Cordero laughed out loud and shook his head to gesture yes.

“It’s the sexy boy,” Arevalo, of Miami, shouted out when he saw The Showstopper step into the room wearing his tan cowboy hat. “I love Shawn Michaels’ entrance song.”

HBK and Triple H signed autographs, posed with the Circle of Champions honorees and their families, and chatted about their respective WrestleMania matches — making memories that these Wish kids will never forget.

John Cena welcomes Make-A-Wish kids at Universal Studios

WWE.com has just announced that WWE superstar John Cena granted his 100th wish:

ORLANDO, Fla. – John Cena may be a young man, but he nonetheless celebrated hitting the century mark one day before WrestleMania XXIV. The WWE Superstar was more than happy to grant his 100th Wish to a child in the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“I’m honored to be a part of a foundation that makes so many kids happy,” Cena told WWE.com. “It makes me feel good just to be a small piece of the puzzle.”

Cena was not alone. The former WWE Champion was joined at Universal Studios for a Make-A-Wish pizza party by Mickie James, Chris Jericho and Hardcore Legend Mick Foley, who all helped welcome 54 Make-A-Wish kids as they and their families walked along a red carpet. Once inside the studio building, the Wish kids and their families enjoyed a full buffet, in addition to entertainment by stilt walkers and cartoon characters, including Shrek and The Simpsons.

“I didn’t realize John had granted 100 wishes so far,” said Mickie. “I am so happy for him. This type of [charity work] is what makes it all worthwhile, the blood, sweat and tears.”

In special recognition of his contributions, Cena received a plaque last month from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Along with his recognition, the former WWE Champion joined an elite group of athletes, including the NBA’s Kobe Bryant and NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon.

“I always ask John if kids ask him whether or not he knows Mick Foley, because kids are always asking me if I know John Cena,” grinned Foley. “I’m always pretty good with kids, but with John, kids really seem to love him because he really is a genuinely nice guy.”

Foley will get no argument out of Make-A-Wish kid Tanner Flippen.

“It was awesome meeting [Cena],” said Flippen, just moments after he had the Champ sign autographs. “He was really nice. I just hope he wins tomorrow.”

While signing autographs and taking photos for more than an hour, Cena fielded a marriage proposal from one young girl (he politely declined) and also scored some free professional advice.

“I talked to him about his match at WrestleMania,” said Wish kid Adam Rudd. “I told him that he and Triple H need to team up against Randy Orton, then he can take care of Triple H.”

Sage advice from one of dozens of wide-eyed admirers, who clutched their signed T-shirts and could be heard whispering about how happy they were after they finished talking with the former WWE Champion.

It’s unclear, however, who the bigger beneficiary of Cena’s Make-A-Wish visits are — the kids or Cena himself.

“I think what the Make-A-Wish Foundation does is amazing,” said Cena. “I will do this for as long as I possibly can, or until my body wears out, and I can’t do it anymore.”

Also granting wishes is WWE superstar Rey Mysterio. Here are a few pics with the recipiants to the make-A-Wish.