WWE superstars delight children’s hospital patients
Children see the world in a different way than adults do, and sometimes we could all use a little bit of a child’s perspective.
A select few patients at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children got to meet WWE superstars Charlotte Flair and Big E virtually last week, and in the middle of all the excitement, one girl had an important question for the wrestlers:
“What’s you guys’ favorite animal?”
It’s not the usual question that an adult would ask, but it put a smile on everyone’s face, children and wrestlers alike.
Even on a Zoom call, the youngsters could forget about their hospital beds for a few minutes and have a wide-ranging conversation with a pair of icons.
(For the record, Big E, the WWE Intercontinental champion, chose a platypus because it’s “ridiculous-looking.” Flair, a 10-time world champion, chose a lion because she loves Disney’s “Lion King” movies.)
The connection took place through the hospital’s new Seacrest Studio, an on-site facility which lets patients connect with celebrities and also create their own TV and radio programs.
Big E, who was born and still lives in Tampa, said he has made several hospital visits over the years, pre-pandemic, and he’s constantly surprised by what he hears from children.
“The way that kids think is so different that you have to be ready for anything,” Big E told the Sentinel after the visit. “My favorite animal? I haven’t had to think about that in forever.”
The patients also asked more traditional questions about favorite matches or favorite sports. Flair and Big E had an answer for everything, but really the afternoon visit was about making memories for the children.
“It’s humbling when the kids light up and know who you are,” Big E said. “It’s a very cool moment, and for a little while I feel like I get to be a kid just like them.”
Both athletes shared inspirational messages from their own lives.
“It’s important to have a dream, then manifest it and make it happen,” said Flair, who like Big E came up through the WWE Performance Center and its NXT brand, both based in Orlando.
Big E’s former tag team, the New Day, used “the power of positivity” as a slogan, and it’s obvious that he lives by that mantra in his interactions with fans and others.
“Charles Barkley used to say, ‘I am not a role model,’” but as I get older I embrace the fact that, whether you want to be a role model or not, you are,” Big E said. “It’s something I take seriously. When parents make a decision to let their kids watch WWE, I want them to know they’re in good hands with us. I see it as a true blessing.”
Contact Jay Reddick at jreddick@orlandosentinel.com.
