His Real name was James Brian Hellwig 06/16/1959 - 04/08/14, Famously known as "The Ultimate Warrior" performed in the WWF (World Wrestling Federation), now known as WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). Warrior was a two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and won the WWF Championship when he beat Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI , making him the only wrestler to hold both WWF Championship and Intercontinental Championship. In 1993 Hellwig legally changed his name to Warrior and his children carry the legal surname Warrior as well.
Many of you out there might not know, but prior to becoming a professional wrestler he was an amateur body builder, his last body building contest was back in the 1985's Junior USA's where he finished in fifth place.
James Hellwig began his professional career as a wrestler known as; Jim "Justice" Hellwig, In June 1987 he joined the WWF where he adopted the ring name "Ultimate Warrior". The Warrior was known for his high energy ring entrances, which he would be racing into the arena, bursting into the ring, shaking the ropes up and down vigorously and also known for his distinctive face paint.
The Ultimate Warrior was to be the biggest star of the 1990's & successor to Hulk Hogan, but in 1991 there were many feuds that the Ultimate Warrior was going through, especially related to his WWF contract. Vince McMahon advised the Warrior of an immediate suspension due to his threatening to stay home and not appear at the Pay-Per-View event "SummerSlam", when Warrior was advised he refused the suspension and left WWF.
In 1992 after making his comeback at WrestleMania VIII and weeks before "Survivor Series" The Ultimate Warrior was released for disputed reasons of steroid use. Between the years of 1992-1996, the Warrior was semi-retired, he opened up a professional wrestling school called "Warrior University" based out of Scottsdale, Arizona. Warrior Returned to WWF March 31st, 1996 defeating Hunter Hearst Helmsley at WrestleMania, later that year Warrior's contract was terminated. There have been conflicting stories as of why it happened; if you listen to Vince McMahon, it was due to Warrior missing bookings and Warrior says it had to do with breach of contract by McMahon, where WWF sold his merchandise without giving him a percentage.
In 1998 Warrior signs with WCW (World Championship Wrestling) , but only participated in four matches. Ultimate Warriors last appearance in WCW was November 9th 1998, Warrior retired from wrestling that year. As you can read nothing in his professional wrestling career came easy, later on through the years Warrior & WWF engaged in a series of law suits, making the split even worse.
In 1999 Warrior took on a career as a Conservative speaker and commentator, also began writing a blog which he maintained titled "Warriors Machete" where he discussed various topics such as; personal life, views on politics, sexuality, patriotism and his legacy as a wrestler. There is no doubt in my mind that although the Warriors relationship with WWE was strained at times, he was recognized as one of the legends of the company.
I'm Glad in the end the Warrior & WWE reconciled their differences, I was happy to see him featured in WWE 2K14 game, that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with the rest of the class of 2014, that he made an appearance at WrestleMania 30 and then on Monday Night Raw, which was his first appearance on the show since 1996. I got Emotional watching raw because he gave a speech to the fans and to wrestlers past & present as his Ultimate Warrior character and that speech was powerful, from the heart and almost a farewell speech, that now in retrospect maybe it was time for him to go & this was his way of closing out the final chapter that was missing to his life, because on April 8th 2014, The Ultimate Warrior passed away leaving all little Warriors & Warrior nation in disbelief, shock and mourning.
I was saddened by the news, took me back to the future when i was a kid and believed this man is indestructible, when i would emulate him tying shoe strings to my arms, trying to talk like him, you get the point he was my all time favorite WWF/WWE wrestler i want to say thank you for giving all of Warrior Nation one last chance to see, hear & believe in you one more time. There will only be one Ultimate Warrior you will truly be missed, your spirit will resonate and live on in every one of those "Little Warriors" and in your family.
Rest In Peace "Ultimate Warrior"
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