WWE announces this year's Warrior Award recipient

WWE will be presenting the Warrior Award to a New Orleans native when this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony takes place at the Smoothie King Center on April 6th.

The company announced via the New Orleans Times-Picayune this morning that Jarrius “JJ” Robertson will be the 2018 Warrior Award recipient. Robertson is a 15-year-old fan who has battled biliary atresia, a rare liver disease, for his entire life and has undergone 36 surgeries, including two liver transplants.

Robertson underwent his first transplant when he was a year old and had the second transplant last year. He’s also the face of “It Takes Lives to Save Lives,” which is a charity that promotes organ donation.

“I can’t believe I have been chosen to be the 2018 Warrior Award recipient,” Robertson said. “Being honored by WWE means the world to me. I feel very blessed.”

WWE notes that the Warrior Award is “presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of Ultimate Warrior.” Dana Warrior will present Robertson with the award.

Robertson also received the WWE Hero Award at an episode of SmackDown last year and appeared at the 2017 ESPYs, where John Cena announced him as the winner of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.

“Jarrius has shown immeasurable amounts of courage, strength and positivity during the hardest of times. His infectious smile and personality light up any room, with no one the wiser of the pain he could have been enduring at any given moment,” Stephanie McMahon said. “His determination to help others fight their toughest battles and his work to bring awareness to organ donation make him a true Warrior and the perfect recipient of this year’s award in his hometown of New Orleans.”

Goldberg, The Dudley Boyz, Ivory, and Jeff Jarrett have been announced as members of the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame class and will also be honored at the ceremony.