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Braun Strowman Will Pay Tribute To Young Fan Who Was Victim In Parade Tragedy On WWE Smackdown

By John Canton • Published 13th January 2023
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Braun Strowman will be paying tribute to a young fan of his during his Intercontinental Title match tonight on WWE Friday Night Smackdown.

Tonight’s edition of WWE Friday Night Smackdown is a special show for Braun Strowman. That’s because he’ll be getting a shot at the Intercontinental Title held by GUNTHER in a match taking place at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In addition to getting a title match, Strowman will be honoring a young fan that passed away in a Christmas tragedy. Here’s more from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

“WWE superstar and Green Bay Packers fan Braun Strowman teamed up with the Pack to create a pair of custom boots he’ll wear this Friday night on “Smackdown,” and will then auction them off to benefit those affected by the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy in 2021.

The boots are in honor of 8-year-old Jackson Sparks specifically, who died as a result of his injuries during the parade attack. Sparks was a fan of Strowman.”

A video was posted on the Green Bay Packers’ Twitter account with Strowman talking about the tribute to young Jackson Sparks.

“I found out that one of the young men that passed away, one of his things that he always wanted to do was meet his wrestling hero — Braun Strowman.”

“That really spoke to me even more, it told me how I needed to do more for these people and this family.”

“I really want to say thank you to everyone that tries to bid on these boots and help a good cause. At the end of the day, I want to leave the world a little better than I found it and each and every one of you can help do that right now. Thank you.”

As noted in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, “Sparks was one of six people killed on Nov. 21, 2021, in Waukesha when a man drove through the Christmas Parade injuring dozens. In October, Darrell Brooks was found guilty on all 76 counts in Waukesha Christmas Parade murders. He was sentenced to six consecutive life terms and hundreds of additional years.”

In addition to Strowman’s match against GUNTHER, Sami Zayn will face Kevin Owens in singles action on tonight’s edition of Smackdown. You can check out Strowman’s touching video below.