Shad Gaspard to posthumously receive WWE Warrior Award

WWE is expected to honor the late Shad Gaspard as part of the company's 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony.

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Gaspard will be named the winner of this year's Warrior Award. Gaspard died in May 2020 after being caught in a rip current while swimming at Venice Beach, California. Gaspard heroically saved his son by directing rescuers to help his son first instead of him.

"It has been reported elsewhere that Shad Gaspard would be the winner of his year’s Warrior Award. Those in WWE have confirmed that to be accurate," Meltzer wrote.

Gaspard was part of the tag team Cryme Tyme with JTG in WWE. His outside-the-ring projects included acting and writing.

The Warrior Award is "presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance" and who has lived life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.

The award was established in 2015. Connor "The Crusher" Michalek, Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, Jarrius "JJ" Robertson, longtime WWE employees Sue Aitchison and Rich Hering, and Titus O'Neil have been named Warrior Award winners since it was introduced.

This year's WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas after SmackDown on Friday, April 1. The ceremony will air live on Peacock/WWE Network.

The Undertaker, Vader, and Sharmell have been announced for this year's WWE Hall of Fame class.