A girl from Northern Ireland had her dreams come true when she met her WWE hero over the weekend thanks to Make A Wish.
Holly Henry from Magherafelt met her hero, wrestler Cody Rhodes at the WWE Live Road to Wrestlemania event in the SSE Arena in Belfast on Saturday, March 22.
The 12-year-old had a VIP experience, arriving to the venue before the event and meeting the undisputed champion backstage where she was able to ask a series of wrestling questions, exchange gifts, and even meet US women's champion Chelsea Green too.
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At the end of the event, Holly was even invited into the ring, where Cody introduced her to the audience. Speaking to Belfast Live, Holly's dad Paul said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The youngster has been suffering with severe medical conditions and spent a full six months in hospital as well as two weeks at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Paul said being able to meet one of her heroes meant a lot to Holly.
He said: "We kept it a secret from Holly and then told her on Thursday, so she had a good bit of excitement building up to Saturday. We were taken backstage and around five minutes or so later Cody Rhodes came in.
"He said it was lovely to meet her and shook her hand, my hand and my wife Jenna's hand, then he sat down and Holly had a list of questions written out she wanted to ask.
"She started going through them, and they were all wrestling related. Things like who his favourite wrestler was growing up, who would he like to wrestle from a past or present wrestler, where his most favourite place to wrestle was. She read her questions so confidently, she did so well and was so happy.
"He answered them all very well and at that point, Cody asked if there was anyone else she would like to see. She mentioned wrestler Chelsea Green, so he sent someone out to get her and she came in. The three of them were talking all things wrestling, and they posed for a few photos with Holly.
"Cody is the undisputed champion and Chelsea is the US women's champion, so Holly was able to take both belts, hold them, and pose with both these champions beside her. It was really surreal."
The moment Holly was asked to come up into the ring was a complete surprise to the family, Paul added. He said: "We went into the arena Cody was the last one out, after it was over they lifted the cage out of the way of the ring and he brought Holly up into it. He told everyone to say hi to Holly.
"We passed a note to him saying to follow us on Instagram, and whenever Holly went into the ring, she took a note for him and handed it over. He was laughing and said 'you have my word, I'll follow you.' He gave Holly a hug then after she came out of the ring, he came out and walked around signing autographs."
As for what being able to meet some of her favourite wrestlers meant to Holly, Paul added: "Holly has went through so much, she's spent a lot of time in hospital and has ended up missing out on things so many times throughout her wee life. For her to be able to actually go and do that, it was such a blessing for her.
"Life has been so hard on her but at the same time too, she's such a positive, caring, and loving wee girl. The Make a Wish representative who was there said Holly is a force of nature, she's so captivating and just loves life. Jenna and I are thankful to God for all he has brought our wee family through and especially his goodness to Holly."
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English (United States) ·