Westside Gunn is as a pro-wrestling superfan, which is no secret considering how many times he’s been spotted ringside at live tapings, but he is equally passionate about bringing the thrill of sports entertainment to others like him.
On Wednesday (November 8), All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Dynamite made its debut in Portland, Oregon and the Griselda MC made sure that one of his fellow enthusiasts got in on the action. Prior to the event, a woman named Rhonda Clarneau took to social media to express how excited her autistic son, Dylan, was to have been gifted front-row tickets to the Moda Center show by WSG.
The rapper reshared the post and captioned it: “The reason I had even bought tickets for @aew tonight in Portland is bc I wanted to finally meet my Guy DYLAN.. DYLAN has Autism and he was introduced to me bc the love he has for wrestling, the kid knows it all and we became friends. I would send him merch and he knew he had a friend in WSG know matter what, so when his mom reached out and said @aew was coming I bought 5 tickets on the spot bc I wanted to surprise him.”
He continued: “I was very excited but then I had to handle something important in nyc and couldn’t make it but I still made it happ for him and I told Darby and I’m a tell my good friends @garciawrestling & @the_mjf @stinger if they see him show him love, and I promise you this won’t be the last u see if Dylan I’m going to see my homie VERY soon [dua emoji, heart emoji, dua emoji].”
In the comments section, Clarneau wrote: “I am Dylans Mom yall..and WSG is soooo there for the kids. Dylan is so happy to have a ‘buddy’ as he calls him in WSG. And my husband and I could not be more grateful for all he has done for Dylan through the years. Sticking by him all this time..through the bullies and everything…WSG has been a true friend to our son amd we want wait to thank him in person one day. He is awesome and are so blessed!”
Additionally, DJ Premier replied with a series of emojis to applaud the 41-year-old’s gesture while Chance Infinite (A$AP Rocky‘s former manager) added: “As the father of an autistic non verbal child i cant tell you enough how much i respect this.”
Last year, Westside Gunn brought his wrestling dreams to life when he was made a guest appearance on AEW Dynamite in his hometown of Buffalo, New York to perform Griselda’s hit single, “Dr. Birds.”
His cameo served as an introduction to fellow local Daniel Garcia, who was billed to fight Wheeler Yuta for the Ring Of Honor Pure championship, which he won. In the footage shared online, Gunn arrived on the stage in a custom Marshawn Lynch Buffalo Bills jersey with iced-out jewelry.
“Been waiting my whole life for this #4THROPE and NEEEEEEEW @ringofhonor pure Champion @GarciaWrestling #BUFFALOKIDS,” Gunn tweeted alongside the video of his performance.
He later spoke about the talented wrestler and his fandom of the craft in an interview with Pitchfork, saying: “Wrestling for me is like how Wu-Tang had karate. It just goes hand-in-hand.”
He added: “Danny, man, that’s a good friend of mine, man. He’s a Buffalo kid, and he’s actually the best. He’s already being challenged by the best and can only go up from here. I think he’s gonna be a world champion soon. I’m all for DG, man, I’m team DG.
“I’ve been there since day one and that was always a dream of mine—just being a part of it. And it’s all about timing. I could’ve had the opportunity sooner, who knows, but it happening in Buffalo for Danny and him winning the belt? That’s the story. It doesn’t get any better than that.”