Connor Michalek always wanted to be like his heroes in the WWE, and before the young boy died of brain cancer he got to do just that. <br /> <br />Back in 2012, after Michalek’s diagnosis, a viral campaign for the wrestling-loving boy caught the attention of the WWE. The wrestling organization responded by giving the eight-year-old the backstage treatment, letting him interact with stars like AJ Lee and Stephanie McMahon and even putting champ Daniel Bryan in a submission hold. <br /> <br />“It kinda brings a tear to my eye to know somebody like Connor wants to meet somebody like me, so that’s kinda cool,” Bryan said at the time. <br /> <br />Connor stayed in touch with Daniel Bryan after the Make-A-Wish visit, even stopping by to give the youngster a high-five after winning a match in Pittsburgh. <br /> <br />About a month before Wrestlemania 30, Michalek’s father, Steven, learned from doctors that his son didn’t have much time left. The family got in contact with the WWE, which invited him to a show in Washington, D.C., and gave him front-row tickets to Wrestlemania, where he watched his hero Daniel Bryan win it all. <br /> <br />Last month, Connor Michalek lost his fight with cancer, but the little boy is getting a fitting sendoff from the organization he loved so dearly. This week the WWE posted a five-minute YouTube video showing the boy meeting his heroes and his father talking about how important the visit was for his son, who was known as the Stone Crusher. <br /> <br />The video is a testament to the boy’s fighting spirit and infectious personality, all in the face of a devastating illness. <br /> <br />“Well, they call me ‘Stone Crusher,’ ” a beaming Conner told Bryan. <br /> <br />The WWE video tribute to Connor Michalek quickly made the rounds on social media, with outlets across the country picking up the heartbreaking story of the young fan.
