Chris Bey has been in the wrestling news all week – and for good reason – during his recovery from paralysis – today is no different.
Chris Bey is a recipient of the Wrestling Observer’s Shad Gaspard/Jonathan Huber Award. This award was given this last week by the Wrestling Observer.
Dave Meltzer goes into detail in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:The award is for out of the ring activities, whether it be charity work, particularly unheralded, courage shown under duress which is really the key for both of the 2024 honorees.
The other winner is former pro wrestler and UFC Hall of Famer, Mark Coleman.
Bey, 29, was paralyzed after an accident in a match where he teamed with partner Ace Austin against the Hardys at the TNA television taping at Wayne State University in Detroit, the day after the Bound for Glory PPV show in the same location.
He was paralyze for a long period of time, which was never publicized. But on February 13th, his 29th birthday, he showed a video of him getting out of a chair and walking.
The award was originally inspired by the actions of Gaspard, who on May 17, 2020, drowned in a strong rip current at the age of 39. This took place while he and his family were celebrating the first weekend Southern California beaches were open after COVID restrictions. Gaspard, wife Siliana, and their ten-year-old son Aryeh headed to Marina del Rey beach in Venice, CA.
The incident happened when Shad’s son got taken in by a strong rip tide. While struggling himself, he told the lifeguard to “take him,” waving, and pointing to his son. The lifeguard tried to deliver a rescue can, a buoy-like device to tow the boy back to shore, but with the size of the waves, Aryeh couldn’t grab onto it.
Three minutes later, Aryeh was back on land. He was scared, but he was safe. Shad never came back up.
Later in the year, with the death of Jonathan Huber aka Brodie Lee aka Luke Harper, the decision was made to name the award after Huber as well, a wrestler who was extremely well loved and respected by his fellow wrestlers.
Chris Bey is in great company as a recipient of this award.
On Tuesday, Chris Bey was called an “inspiration” by WWE producer TJ Wilson.
Chris Bey is a former IMPACT (TNA) X Division Champion as well as a three-time former IMPACT /TNA Tag Team Champion as part of ABC with his partner Ace Austin. Chris has made incredible progress and we all hope to see it continue.
Myself and the Bodyslam staff wish Chris a good recovery and hope all of his dreams and aspirations come true. We’ll be here for an update every step of the way.
Head over to TNAMerch.com for all of the newest official TNA merchandise.
Make sure you watch all the stars of TNA WRESTLING EVERY Thursday!
–AXSTV in USA
–TNA+ App. Sign up here. (Watch weekly iMPACT! episode simulcasted at the same time as AXS TV – 8pm Eastern /7pm Central)
–SportsNet 360 in CANADA
Catch the REPLAYS of TNA iMPACT:
–Right Now TV Network – multiple markets in the US (9-11pm Eastern time Tuesdays // episode from the previous week)
–SportsNet Pittsburgh– Pittsburgh, PA (Thursdays 10pm Eastern)
–New England Sports Network National Feed – 6 different states in the Northeast (Saturday 12-2pm Eastern, Sundays 12-2 am Eastern)
–Fight Network (13 day delay)/ TNA + app(14 day delay) – Canada
Help support Chris Bey by purchasing the “We Heart Bey” T-Shirt. All proceeds go to Chris Bey.
Here: https://tnamerch.com/collections/all-new-t-shirts/products/we-heart-bey-t-shirt?variant=46760894791904
Bey’s new “Greatest Story Ever Told” shirt from Pro Wrestling Tees: https://www.prowrestlingtees.com/wrestler-t-shirts/chrisbey/greatest-story-ever-told.html
Other ways to help: https://tnawrestling.com/bey/
Help Jake Something as he recovers from a torn triceps injury:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/jake-needs-your-help-for-medical-bills
Follow Gerard at @BearDown316 on Twitter
Go to eatshroombar.com and use code Bodyslam at checkout for 25% off your first order.
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