Justin Roberts calls out WWE for Connor The Crusher

[slik]

interesting read, not sure what to make of it, WWE is a business after all, but they still did something wonderful, even if they spun it slightly:

https://medium.com/@JustinRoberts/believe-half-of-what-you-see-and-portions-of-what-you-hear-296f34743af4

[Bad News Gertner]

So stupid. I don't get what Justin Roberts is trying to accomplish

[slik]

Yeah, I found it a very interesting read. WWE is a business, and with their recent declaration that "Philanthropy is the future of marketing", I am not surprised they took a somewhat different spin on things. That said, there is no doubt Connor touched Bryan and the entire locker room and what they did was still a wonderful thing.

[wwe2222]

It just reads like he is unhappy he wasnt a part of all the stuff they did for the kid when it was seemingly his idea.

[KIRA]

Is the WWE still a soulless corporate machine whose only interest in philanthropy is less human and more good publicity? Oh yea. I like to believe most people can see through their attempts to paint themselves as a caring organization that said what they did for Conner was still good Wonderful infact. I can only imagine that Conner was on cloud 9 during the time he was hanging with WWE.

[Nark Order]

Who cares if it benefits them? What they have done for Connor and his family is admirable. They made that kid's life incredible right before he ended up passing. That is worth something. No matter what their original intentions were, they did a wonderful thing.

Also. For every Connor story there is like 100 WWE Make - A - Wish stories that don't get mainstream exposure

[Bad News Gertner]

I swear, the WWE could find the cure for AIDS, and people would bitch that they didn't cure cancer as well.

[slik]

It really just comes across like he's upset he didn't get more credit for it. True charity isn't about taking credit.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The overall part that matters to me about what he said is WWE perverting The Ultimate Warrior's pretty much dying request. He requested an award based on celebrating the "lifers" of the WWE.

[Ruien]

It is slightly funny they changed his speech so it fit with the new award.

[slik]

WWE can pervert whatever the hell they please in my book.

[Jazzy Foot]

Dana Warrior didn't seem to have an issue with it and even if WWE technically twisted Warrior's words etc. she seems ok with the situation and if not would have already said something or the award wouldn't have gone to Connor in the first place.


Also the award was created not out of his words/request but WWE wishing to honour the legacy of Ultimate Warrior but it was perhaps a bad move on their part to quote his HoF speech in the video package for the award as now they have people pointing fingers at them and making accusations.

[Jordan]

I don't know exactly why Justin Roberts was released but I wouldn't be surprised if the Connor story had something to do with it. "Let's get rid of him so that he doesn't have to be a central focus of the Award Ceremony at HOF". WWE does bullshit things all of the time, and while I don't know the facts here, I wouldn't doubt that there is a bunch of bullshit involved in Justin Roberts release.

I too was touched by the story they told and it seemed great for everyone involved and also they have a charity to help cure cancer, it's great. But there is also the negative that WWE twisted Warrior's LAST REQUEST to honor the people who "hang the lights", and instead honor kids who fought a brave battle with the dark side of life.

It's a tough thing to argue, WWE is obviously doing good here, but the release of Justin Roberts and cutting him out of the story (which obviously never would have happened if it weren't for Justin Roberts) is total bullshit.

Also, Justin Roberts is the best ring announcer WWE ever had, I don't know what the fuck they fired him for anyway.

[Jordan]

Vince McMahon is a piece of shit. I think that's what you can basically get from this article, and the majority of articles written about him by former employees.

[Vastardikai]

Justin Roberts? I thought he was part of the road crew. :shifty:

Seriously, I agree with him on what he had to say, especially about taking care of the guys who are currently there.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I posted this in 100,000 replies yesterday and felt it was a really interesting read.

There isn't any doubt that WWE did an incredible thing with Connor last year. It was so heartwarming that they were able to let him go out with a smile. Nobody is questioning that their intentions for that were pure. To say otherwise would be pretty idiotic since he seemed to touch the heart of every superstar on the roster that he met. And as mentioned earlier in the thread they do a lot of great work with Make-A-Wish and other such foundations.

That being said...if they had gone forward with Warrior's suggestion from last year's HOF, we'd have a 30 minute induction speech from one of the "unsung heroes" from backstage. No offense to those people but the average fan who goes to the HOF ceremony is not going to care about hearing from them. With Connor however there is a story that most WWE fans are already familiar with and beyond that, it would tug on the heartstrings of pretty much anyone even if they don't care about wrestling.

All told I don't think WWE exploited Connor with this, as again it's clear as day that everybody loved him. They simply chose to go with a story that would be more appealing to the masses and would generate positive publicity. It's hard to villify WWE for that when I'm pretty sure any corporation in America would have done the same thing.

As far as Roberts is concerned, I really don't get the vibe that he's a bitter ex-employee. In every interview I've heard with him he's had nothing but great things to say about his time there and he's said he'd be happy to go back if asked. It just seems he had a closer connection to Connor than most, talking with him every week, etc. I was surprised when Connor's dad mentioned Roberts in his speech, but after reading this story it makes more sense. Connor seemed to have an impact on Roberts so it's understandable why this is a sensitive issue for him.

I agree with Gertner though in the sense that I don't know what Roberts was trying to accomplish by bringing this up. It's understandable for him to have this viewpoint but bringing it up is only going to get him blackballed.</font>

[Jordan]

I didn't remember Conner's Dad mention Justin, but I'm glad he did.

[Jordan]

And yeah now Justin Roberts is never gonna come back. I miss that fucking voice.

[Jazzy Foot]

As I said before and nobody seems to be addressing if this was such an issue surely Dana Warrior would have been the first to object to the award as I am sure WWE probably sought her permission before commissioning an award in the name of her dead husband?

Reserve criticism for her and not Roberts or WWE.

[Jordan]

They are probably paying her some decent money.

[Jordan]

But it is a better idea than Warrior's idea, not gonna argue that.

[Nicky Fives]

It really just comes across like he's upset he didn't get more credit for it. True charity isn't about taking credit.

Exactly. Hard for HHH & Stephanie to know how hard it was for him to watch that video every night when he never said anything to them about it.....HHH is a lot of things, but a mind reader he is not....

[Jordan]

I think he was talking about Vince or that cock sucker Kevin Dunn.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

As I said before and nobody seems to be addressing if this was such an issue surely Dana Warrior would have been the first to object to the award as I am sure WWE probably sought her permission before commissioning an award in the name of her dead husband?

Reserve criticism for her and not Roberts or WWE.

Fuck no. We're not going to criticize a mother with two children for saying yes to this. WWE did so much for her in the days after Warriors passing which she talked about in her speech. You are a no good son of a bitch.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

This should be a one-time thing or very rare that people don't expect it every single year.

[Jordan]

That's true, otherwise we will all roll our eyes when its time to tear up at the HOF Ceremony.

[Jordan]

Maybe next year they will give it to a long tenured employee, and then next year maybe somebody who runs a charity etc...

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE sent out an official response to Roberts story/allegations. Basically claimed they never had any devious intentions with the way they honored Connor and Warrior at the Hall of Fame this year.

Also clarified a bit about the Warrior award.

“It is offensive to suggest that WWE and its executives had anything but altruistic intentions in honoring Connor and his legacy with The Warrior Award. In conjunction with Connor’s father, Connor’s Cure was established by Stephanie McMahon and Paul Levesque to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer, and to honor a boy that so many people within the WWE family came to love. The fund is managed by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation and has already raised more than $200,000 for pediatric cancer research.

In addition, following the Ultimate Warrior’s impassioned Hall of Fame speech last year encouraging WWE to recognize its unsung heroes, the Warrior Award was established in his memory to honor those who exhibit unwavering strength and perseverance, and who live life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the Ultimate Warrior. With the full support and input of Ultimate Warrior’s widow, Dana Warrior, Connor Michalek was the first recipient of the Warrior Award, and moving forward the award will be given annually to acknowledge other unsung heroes among WWE’s employees and fans.

WWE is proud to use our global platforms to raise awareness for important social causes, including Connor’s Cure as well as our longstanding partnership with Make A Wish, our on-going partnership with Susan G. Komen, which has resulted in more than $1.5 million in funds raised, and our international partnership with Special Olympics.”

[Jazzy Foot]

Fuck no. We're not going to criticize a mother with two children for saying yes to this. WWE did so much for her in the days after Warriors passing which she talked about in her speech. You are a no good son of a bitch.
hehe if you say so whoooooooooooo

[Jazzy Foot]

if Tazz Dan doesn't win next year we should riot.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Chris Jericho to induct Tazz Dan next year. :y:

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm of two minds about this.

This obviously matters to Justin Roberts, who by all accounts is a pretty nice guy who loved wrestling and just being there. You might ask "What is he trying to accomplish?" but if you think about it, he saw the story of a sick boy he was trying to make happy, in his mind, twisted and exploited to promote the company and different figures within it. Something like that can be a hill to die on. Reading what he said, he comes off as very articulate, but maybe his point does come off as "I should have gotten more credit." I don't think so. I got more of a "I get that this is a company that cares about making money, but this got a bit too real for me." I find it odd that he has pictures of all these moments with Connor saved up ready for a blog, but it seems that his relationship with Connor was legitimate, and he just had to say something.

Roberts doesn't paint anyone as a monster -- save for maybe his "boss," who tells him to hurry things up -- but the whole thing came off to me like a "Hey, I get that companies do this all the time, but I never really thought about it until it happened to me and someone I cared about" blog. If there's anything to take from it, maybe the lesson is to think about what you are being told, and consider the possibility that elements of this story have been twisted and changed to tell a better one? I don't think the WWE is evil for what it did, but I do expect them to want to benefit from it. There's that element to every bit of charity they partake in. So many people are like that with charity even if they aren't a massive corporation. I don't think Roberts is telling anyone anything they don't already know on this front, but I'm not sure if he is trying to.

The WWE's response itself seems hot-headed and premature. "It is offensive..." Right, guys.

[Jordan]

That one of the best responses to criticism I've read from WWE.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I dunno, seems kind of moot at points. And while I don't expect a company to admit they do things for publicity, even just in part, it seems a bit silly to deny it as even a possibility in a general sense. I don't know what I expected the WWE to say, but I don't think they really even needed to say anything.

[Jordan]

I'm glad to know that they intend to put in the light hangers and the grips in the future, and Connor was a great first recipient because of all the inspiration he filled WWE with.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I have no problem with Connor getting an award, for the record. And I don't think that was the point of Justin's blog either. But I do wonder if the WWE intended to give long-standing employees some attention or if this has come up solely because of Roberts? I mean, maybe the company didn't even think past Connor with this?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Jim Johnston for the Hall of Fame, by the way.

[Jordan]

Oh helllllll yeah!

[Jordan]

I have no problem with Connor getting an award, for the record. And I don't think that was the point of Justin's blog either. But I do wonder if the WWE intended to give long-standing employees some attention or if this has come up solely because of Roberts? I mean, maybe the company didn't even think past Connor with this?

I'm thinking that they did plan past year one and didn't feel the need to or have a reason to articulate that until now.

[Theo Dious]

Here's the bottom line. WWE was handed something and they made something amazing out of it. I'm pretty sure WWE knows better than Justin Roberts how to turn an idea on publicity and moneymaking ideas - and in this case it's for the best cause imaginable. Of course they took care to make themselves look good in the process - nobody raises money for charity if they look like a shithead.

Roberts needs to shut up about this because he can do some real damage to the charity efforts that come about here. Don't give me any "ends justify the means" crap here; nobody is being robbed, injured, or defrauded here. If Roberts wants to write his blog about his memories of Connor - up to and including pointing out that he was the one who first plucked him out of the crowd - good on him. Tell your story, by all means. But shut up about this "shame on WWE" shit he's trying to so gently slide in there.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

None of this would be an issue without Stephanie's tweet. This is all on her.

[Jordan]

What tweet are you referring to?

[Theo Dious]

None of this would be an issue without Stephanie's tweet. This is all on her.

How? Are you suggesting that there is no spin in philanthropy?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>&quot;philanthropy is the future of marketing, it's the way brands r going 2 win&quot; -<a href="https://twitter.com/biz">@biz</a> Stone co-founder <a href="https://twitter.com/twitter">@twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWEBPS?src=hash">#WWEBPS</a> <a href="http://t.co/KEI3i4zdbg">pic.twitter.com/KEI3i4zdbg</a></p>&mdash; Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/StephMcMahon/status/581881800659591168">March 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

How? Are you suggesting that there is no spin in philanthropy?

No, but you need to be way less obvious about it.

[Theo Dious]

No, but you need to be way less obvious about it.

So WWE finally is perfectly honest and open about something and they're going to take shit for it. Does anyone wonder why they don't listen to people who tell them what they're doing wrong?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think their dishonesty is what is getting them negative attention in this situation, Theo.

[Fignuts]

Honestly, at the end of the day, who cares if they put a little spin on it. Who does it hurt? They still made the kid's last days amazing, and established the charity. Roberts sounds like he's overreacting.

And as far as honoring WWE's unsung heroes, if a few years go by and they still haven't recognized anyone, then you can bitch. I have no problem with them giving it to Conner this year, as by all accounts he was an awesome super tough kid, and totally deserved the award.

[Theo Dious]

I think their dishonesty is what is getting them negative attention in this situation, Theo.

And I don't think they're any more dishonest than any given organization who has their balls dipped in the philanthropy dish.

[Theo Dious]

I swear, the WWE could find the cure for AIDS, and people would bitch that they didn't cure cancer as well.

And I could believe that if they saved a bunch of orphans from a burning hospital they'd catch shit for not stopping the fire before it started.

[Mercenary]

WWE issued the following statement in response to the blog on Connor Michalek that former WWE announcer Justin Roberts posted last night:

“It is offensive to suggest that WWE and its executives had anything but altruistic intentions in honoring Connor and his legacy with The Warrior Award. In conjunction with Connor's father, Connor's Cure was established by Stephanie McMahon and Paul Levesque to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer, and to honor a boy that so many people within the WWE family came to love. The fund is managed by the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation and has already raised more than $200,000 for pediatric cancer research.

In addition, following the Ultimate Warrior's impassioned Hall of Fame speech last year encouraging WWE to recognize its unsung heroes, the Warrior Award was established in his memory to honor those who exhibit unwavering strength and perseverance, and who live life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the Ultimate Warrior. With the full support and input of Ultimate Warrior's widow, Dana Warrior, Connor Michalek was the first recipient of the Warrior Award, and moving forward the award will be given annually to acknowledge other unsung heroes among WWE's employees and fans.

WWE is proud to use our global platforms to raise awareness for important social causes, including Connor's Cure as well as our longstanding partnership with Make A Wish, our on-going partnership with Susan G. Komen, which has resulted in more than $1.5 million in funds raised, and our international partnership with Special Olympics

[NormanSmiley]

Who is Justin Roberts?

[Wrestlemania]

So after reading this whole thing, Justin Roberts seems to be correct here.
I mean WWE did take it over the top. I kind of liked the idea Justin had about him introducing Connor to the ring. yet once again I bet HHH and Steph messed it all about and decided to have HHH be the one to get floored by Connor. Still a really good tribute to him. and it's sad that he's no longer here...

But WWE only think about one thing and that's Money.

[Bad News Gertner]

Probably because they are a business

[Damian Rey]

Who would've thunk it.

[Theo Dious]

I thought they were a government service.

[NormanSmiley]

I thought they were here to appease assholes on the internets

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I thought they were here to appease assholes on the internets

Do you feel appeased?

[KIRA]

Pretty sure Roberts isn't coming back after impugning the WWE's "honor" like that.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

WrestleMania wasn't the same without him :(

[Mercenary]

It was better

[Jordan]

No way, he's the best they've ever had.

[Mercenary]

No way, he's the best they've ever had.



http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/superstar_bio/public/talent/bio/2012/07/howard_finkel_bio.png


Nope this guy is

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Justin Roberts is the NNNNNNNNNNEWWWWWWWW* best WWE ever had after Fink retired.

*2nd best.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Sorry Tony Chimel. It's Champion not chimpian. Rated R Souuperstar was very good though.

[Jordan]

I prefer Justin to The Fink. Fink has the nostalgia but also sounds kind of cheesy. Justin is the voice. Never thought how good he was til he was gone.

[ron the dial]

i still think he was fucking awful

[Fignuts]

Yeah, give me The Fink or Lillian over Roberts any day.

[Theo Dious]

Throw Mike McGuirk in there while your at it. Roberts would have been the top of WCW but that's about it.

[Nark Order]

If what you're doing only helps people, why you do it becomes pretty secondary. These big corporations give ridiculous amounts of money to charity sometimes primarily for tax write offs. Does it make what they're doing any less helpful to the people that are benefitting from it? No, not really. It becomes a little less romanticized, but aid is aid.

[Theo Dious]

BREAKING NEWS: WWE GIVES PEOPLE AIDS

[Mr. Nerfect]

And I don't think they're any more dishonest than any given organization who has their balls dipped in the philanthropy dish.

You're exactly right, but I guess this is what happens when your executives are televised characters and performing all the time. Apple doesn't seem to get grilled when it gives to charity, but for some reason, the WWE seems like a sneaky heel when it does.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Also, Justin Roberts is the second best after Fink -- who should still be doing PPVs, by the way. Byron Saxton is good in NXT. Tony Chimel is fun as that niche announcer. He doesn't really suit doing RAW or PPVs. Not really a fan of Lilian Garcia's stuff.

[Juan]

Justin Roberts was only the best since The Fink by default because of how hard Lilian Garcia sucks.

[drave]

Bet you wouldn't feel that way if she were named Leon Garcia and were a dude.

[Juan]

I don't get it

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I don't get it

I think he is accusing you of sexism.

[Shisen Kopf]

Bet you wouldn't feel that way if she were named Leon Garcia and were a dude.

:rofl::y:

[parkmania]

So, which is better: Rated R SOOOperstar or JEEaaaahn Cena?

[road doggy dogg]

So let me get this straight. Roberts is getting all pissy because the WWE are patting themselves on the back for doing a good thing, but in the same breath complaining that he did not receive enough credit for being part of it?

I get that he's bummed that his role in the whole thing wasn't recognized or w/e but seems like a really weird way to go about all this

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I think he was more bitter that they were bullying him over the fact that he was cut out.