Give it seven years, and Kenny Allen says he’ll tattoo his stomach with the same words that circle his favorite wrestler’s navel: “STRAIGHT EDGE.”
Kenny’s parents, Kenneth and Becki Allen, have World Wrestling Entertainment to thank for their 11-year-old son wanting to emulate his “tied for favorite” wrestler, CM Punk. His other favorite is Funkasaurus.
Two weeks after several inches of scalp were torn off after a pit bull attack, Kenny is recovering at his Rock Hill home.
On Friday, members of WWE’s corporate office in Stamford, Conn., stuffed a box with action figures, autographed photos, a WWE backpack and magazine and a CM Punk T-shirt. They shipped it via Fed-Ex so that that it would arrive on Kenny’s doorstep by Monday.
It did.
“Wow!” Kenny said as he ripped open the box and grabbed the magazine.
Every few minutes, Kenny reached into the box, stopping only to squeal “awesome” and “cool” at each new gift he discovered.
“I’m happy,” he said.
For WWE, Kenny’s happiness was the goal.
“We just thought he was a brave young man,” said Kevin Hennessy, WWE spokesman. “It touched our hearts.”
After reading in The Herald that Kenny was a WWE fan, “we thought the least we could do is send him a few things and let him know that we and all the WWE superstars were thinking about him,” Hennessy said.
The wrestlers Kenny so admires have heard his story, Hennessy said. Ricardo Rodriguez – Alberto Del Rio’s personal ring announcer – even joked that he may want Kenny’s help one day to teach people how to properly pronounce Alberto’s name.
WWE is known for its charitable works, Hennessy said, but isn’t able to fulfill every request.
Kenny was different.
“Kenny’s case was extremely touching,” Hennessy said. “It was something that we talked about in the halls here in Stamford.”
Kenny plans to place the signed photos of Alberto Del Rio, CM Punk and fellow WWE wrestler Kane in frames. He plans to follow the magazine’s instructions and create a “Punk pillow,” inspired by CM Punk’s signature move, “The Sleeper.” He’ll also store his backpack away.
“It’ll lose value if I use it,” he said.
Kenny wasn’t the only one to benefit from WWE’s contributions. His sister, 15-year-old Courtney, now has a picture of the “cute” John Cena she can stare at.
Closer to home, the Rock Hill community has been equally supportive.
During a weekend trip to Walmart, random shoppers stopped Becki and Kenny and asked about his condition. Some prayed with him, Becki said.
A member of the family’s church has agreed to change the dressing around Kenny’s head each day. At first, Becki did it.
“It’s pretty bad,” she said, describing the sight of Kenny’s wound.
Neighbors gave Kenny a giant “Hulkmania” cup filled with money. They only had one request: He had to use some of the money to buy WWE tickets.
Not a problem for the wrestling fan, who plans to purchase his tickets right after he stashes some of the cash in a bank account and buys an iPod.
Kenny walks outside but “freaks out” when he sees dogs. He still fears a neighbor’s German shepherd, Becki said. He spent his first night out of the hospital at his pastor’s house.
Michelle Parrish, who lives just “three driveways” from the Allen family, went to their house on the night of the attack alongside her 5-year-old daughter and boyfriend.
Parrish, a certified nursing assistant, instructed Kenny’s father to apply pressure to the boy’s head as he bled on a couch.
“I will never forget” seeing Kenny’s injuries, she said.
Since then, Parrish has busied herself with organizing a June 23 yard sale meant to benefit the Allens. All proceeds will go toward paying Kenny’s hospital bills, which haven’t reached the family yet.
Oblivious to hospital bills, Kenny had a message for WWE’s Big Show: “No offense, but Funkasaurus could beat (him) anyday.”
Also, he said, “thank you.”
Video below
Jonathan McFadden 803-329-4082
