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Getbig Misc Discussion Boards => Wrestling Board => Topic started by: Karl Kox on April 08, 2014, 09:11:32 PM
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http://www.wwe.com
From TMZ
9:52 PM PT -- Officials tell TMZ ... Warrior collapsed outside an Arizona hotel at 5:50 PM on April 8th ... while walking to his car with his wife.
Warrior was transported to a nearby hospital ... where he was pronounced dead.
The Ultimate Warrior has died ... this according to the WWE.
Warrior -- real name James Hellwig -- was a true WWE legend ... and was one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time. He was 54-years-old.
Warrior was just inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before Wrestlemania XXX this weekend ... and last night, he made his first appearance on "Monday Night Raw" in years.
Triple H just tweeted, "Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters."
Stephanie McMahon also tweeted, "#RIPUltimateWarrior Your strength of character is to be admired. There will never be anyone like you. Your spirit lives on in your family."
Hulk Hogan -- Warrior's greatest rival -- has also tweeted, "RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH"
Kevin Nash wrote, "So happy I embraced Warrior with a hug when we saw each other backstage Saturday night.My heart goes out to his family.Always Believe."
WWE posted a message on the official website saying, "WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior. "
"Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter. We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans."
"WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans. Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters."
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Crazy! He was just on Raw. RIP.
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Unbelievable
R.I.P
I remember what Gorrilla Monsoon said after calling UW's first match:
"Is this guy impressive? The answer is 'Yes.'"
You can catch his RAW speech on the WWE App. His breathing does look labored.
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I really hope he didn't commit suicide. I feel like he's been sick. That's maybe why the attitude change recently.
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I really hope he didn't commit suicide. I feel like he's been sick. That's maybe why the attitude change recently.
Fell over while walking to his car with wife reports TMZ, looks like a heart attack.
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Yeah just updated my post.
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From last night on Raw.
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Holy Shit..am floored by this...guess it's a good way to go out
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2014/04/09/wwe-says-the-ultimate-warrior-dead-at-54/7495659/
Days after his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame and a return to the company after an 18-year breakup, The Ultimate Warrior has died, according to a statement posted on the WWE website. He was 54.
The news, posted late Tuesday night, led to a flood of tributes from fans and WWE performers and officials.
In the statement, the company said, "WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior. …
"We are grateful just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans. WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior's family, friends and fans."
Warrior was known for his energetic style, sprinting down the aisle to the ring; violent shaking of the ropes to psych himself up; and unique interview style that left fans captivated or confused, and often both.
Warrior was born James Brian Hellwig, but legally changed his name to Warrior in 1993. He is survived by his wife Dana and daughters Indiana and Mattigan, who had accompanied him to the podium at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday night in New Orleans.
"We are all so sad that the Ultimate Warrior has passed away," WWE chairman Vince McMahon tweeted.
Tweeted Stephanie McMahon, WWE's chief brand officer, "Your strength of character is to be admired. There will never be anyone like you. Your spirit lives on in your family."
In his final public appearance Monday night, Warrior donned the long jacket with his image airbrushed on the back, similar to what he wore during his wrestling days, and put on a mask that looked like his trademark face paint. It was his first appearance on Raw since 1996.
"No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own," he told the crowd. "Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them believe deeper in something that's larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized by the storytellers -- by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him, and make the running the man did live forever.
"I am the Ultimate Warrior, you are the Ultimate Warrior fans and the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior will run forever."
The weekend events were a homecoming for Warrior with the WWE and a chance for fans to embrace him.
"So happy I embraced Warrior with a hug when we saw each other backstage Saturday night," Kevin Nash tweeted. "My heart goes out to his family. Always Believe."
Tweeted Dave Bautista, "After all these years I finally got 2 tell him that me shaking the ropes was an homage 2 him. Blessed to have had that moment."
During his Hall of Fame speech, he credited WWE executive vice president Paul Levesque, a k a Triple H, for helping repair a relationship that had gone sour between Warrior and the WWE. Stephanie McMahon had tweeted a photo of her father and Warrior in an embrace Monday with the caption, "Never say never."
Warrior also had announced a multi-year arrangement to become an ambassador for the company.
WWE released a DVD in 2005 called "The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior" that featured negative comments about the Warrior's work and persona from WWE officials and other performers. The Warrior was not part of the DVD and its release followed previous contract disputes and litigation between WWE and Warrior. During his Hall speech, Warrior made reference several times to the DVD and said it was "just wrong" and "I wasn't a bad guy." The DVD led to another lawsuit.
Among the points of contention between Warrior and the WWE was who owned the name and likeness associated with the character.
In a new DVD released last week, "The Ultimate Warrior: The Ultimate Collection," Warrior says why he thought the previous DVD was flawed and goes on to highlight his start in the wrestling business and provide commentary on some of his best matches.
Warrior began his wrestling career as part of a group of bodybuilders-turned-wrestlers in Southern California. His early career was marked by his work in a tag team known as the Blade Runners with Steve Borden, who would later become Sting. Warrior was known as Blade Runner Rock and Borden as Blade Runner Flash.
His use of the Warrior name came in the Texas-based World Class Championship Wrestling where he worked as the Dingo Warrior and was billed as being from Queens, N.Y.
Warrior came to the then-WWF in 1987 and was re-branded as The Ultimate Warrior. He won his first Intercontinental title from the Honky Tonk Man in a match that lasted less than a minute at the first Summer Slam in 1988. He would lose the title to Ravishing Rick Rude and then regain it at Sumer Slam in 1989.
He was still the champion leading into the main event match at WrestleMania VI in Toronto in 1990, which might be the highlight of his career. The bout against Hulk Hogan -- billed as "The Ultimate Challenge" -- was for Hogan's WWF title and Warrior's Intercontinental title.
Warrior won the match and was embraced and presented with the WWF title belt by Hogan afterward, in a passing of the torch from the biggest star of the 1980s to one of the biggest stars of the 1990s.
"RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH," Hogan tweeted Tuesday night. Hogan had said over the weekend that he hoped to mend some fences with the Warrior and lauded the Warrior's Hall of Fame speech.
Warrior would leave the WWE twice and then return before an ill-fated and brief stint in World Championship Wrestling in the late 1990s.
After retirement, he worked as a motivational speaker.
"Devastated to hear of the passing of @UltimateWarrior," former wrestler Chris Jericho tweeted. "He was a childhood hero of mine & he vs @HulkHogan WM6 is still one of the best ever."
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I really hope he didn't commit suicide. I feel like he's been sick. That's maybe why the attitude change recently.
He didn't look good at all on Monday night. Upon his entrance, it looked as though he could barely hold onto the ring ropes much less shake them. But, I really noticed something looked wrong when he exited the ring and began walking up the ramp towards backstage. He literally looked like an old man having some kind of pains.
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We was gasping for air..
And on grabbed his chest numerous times..
He looked exhausted when he came out on raw..
It looked like he had high blood pressure..
Rip :'(
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We was gasping for air..
And on grabbed his chest numerous times..
He looked exhausted when he came out on raw..
It looked he high blood pressure..
Rip :'(
Man that was a tough video to watch. I hate seeing people that kind of condition, especially knowing he was pretty much at the end there.
Even with all the bullshit that gets discussed about his career he did seem like a guy who really loved his family. Hate to see them lose their husband/dad like that.
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On Raw this passed monday night he didn't look good. His head was red prob from high blood pressure and he appeared to be shaking. Sad...54yrs old with a wife and kids. Rip.
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As I was watching on the HOF on Saturday..I said to my wife.. he doesn't look well.
3 days later he died :-[
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unbelievable, sad to hear it. :'( RIP james hellwig =warrior.
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As I was watching on the HOF on Saturday..I said to my wife.. he doesn't look well.
3 days later he died :-[
Good I wasn't alone in my analysis of Warrior. To me he looked really ill. Not well at all.
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Littleguns, I'm going to merge your thread with the one Karl started and pinned last night.
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Good I wasn't alone in my analysis of Warrior. To me he looked really ill. Not well at all.
he was breathing pretty heavy and it looked like he was going to pass out as he was
talking giving his acceptance speech at the HOF...
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RIP
More for the commentary than the match.
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Have they released an autopsy report? Or is the media crying steroids already?
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Have they released an autopsy report? Or is the media crying steroids already?
I think toxicology results take a few days.
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the word out there is heart attack.
he apparently collapsed while walking to his car with his wife.
so sad. I was and still am a huge Warrior fan.
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I think toxicology results take a few days.
Im guessing an enlarged heart/heart disease. You cannot be 280lbs for almost 25 years straight and not suffer from any repercussion. The human heart can only take so much.
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Im guessing an enlarged heart/heart disease. You cannot be 280lbs for almost 25 years straight and not suffer from any repercussion. The human heart can only take so much.
Not to mention the genetic transfer it sounds ran in his family.
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Not to mention the genetic transfer it sounds ran in his family.
Absolutely. My old man even texted me about warrior's death. This is huge....you think theres gonna be a media blitz?
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Absolutely. My old man even texted me about warrior's death. This is huge....you think theres gonna be a media blitz?
I don't expect the coverage will be any worse than Macho's. Now, if Jim was on the main roster right now, it would be a very different story.
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How long did him and Sting work together? I have not seen a statement from Sting.
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How long did him and Sting work together? I have not seen a statement from Sting.
Maybe a year and a half at most.
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They are now saying Warrior had "catastrophic health issues".
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They are now saying Warrior had "catastrophic health issues".
Did our expert news media conclude that it wasn't "good" health issues that killed him?
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Did our expert news media conclude that it wasn't "good" health issues that killed him?
Lol...not yet...but we all know its only a matter of time.
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How long did him and Sting work together? I have not seen a statement from Sting.
I would say about year.. mid south wrestling as the blade runners..
Then they moved their separate ways...
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I would say about year.. mid south wrestling as the blade runners..
Then they moved their separate ways...
PowerTeam USA baby
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I would say about year.. mid south wrestling as the blade runners..
Then they moved their separate ways...
They both did very well for themselves and became very successful.
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radio today said autopsy said no drugs or alcohol involved.
Warrior died from a massive heart attack :'(
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radio today said autopsy said no drugs or alcohol involved.
Warrior died from a massive heart attack :'(
Yes.
Apparently, heart disease ran in his Dad's side of the family.
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Yes.
Apparently, heart disease ran in his Dad's side of the family.
Thats ok...the media will blame "steroids".
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Thats ok...the media will blame "steroids".
It looks like Nancy Grace was the first to the punch. My buddy told me today that she had DDP on the other night and it was basically a bash on "evil hormones."
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Nancy Grace.. fat alcoholic bitch / attention whore..
Will do anything for ratings.. tell lies.. how Owen Hart died.. spineless bitch..
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Nancy Grace.. fat alcoholic bitch / attention whore..
Will do anything for ratings.. tell lies.. how Owen Hart died.. spineless bitch..
I hope this fucking bitch chokes on a big fat cock!
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Watched his HOF speech and watching Raw on Hulu...his whole phrase of last breath and living on...makes you wonder if he knew his days were up...kind of eerie
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Just finished watching the 4 part series of the warrior on the network ..
its a must see.. for any ultimate warrior fan..
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Two years ago, he was a piece of shit according to WWE.
Two years ago, he and Hogan were sworn enemies.
Two years ago, he would never have anything to do with the "evil Titan Empire."
Then, he signed on the dotted line once again and everything's okay.
Now he's dead, and they glorify him even more!
I don't fault Jim or the Fed for making a mutually beneficial business deal. In fact, I respect UW for setting aside his stubbornness for the sake of his family.
But, this is a perfect example of how phony and full of shit all of these guys are.
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You might find faults with Warrior, as within anyone, but being "full of shit" is not one of his. He's brutally honest.
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Two years ago, he was a piece of shit according to WWE.
Two years ago, he and Hogan were sworn enemies.
Two years ago, he would never have anything to do with the "evil Titan Empire."
Then, he signed on the dotted line once again and everything's okay.
Now he's dead, and they glorify him even more!
I don't fault Jim or the Fed for making a mutually beneficial business deal. In fact, I respect UW for setting aside his stubbornness for the sake of his family.
But, this is a perfect example of how phony and full of shit all of these guys are.
Warrior claimed that WWE wanted to put him in hall in 2010, at WrestleMania 26, which happened in Phoenix (Warrior's home).
Warrior said "No", because he was still miffed about the "Self-Destruction.." DVD. He said WWE had to "tell the right story" and that WWE wouldn't have brought him in three times, if he were the jerk that DVD said he was (Vince said he forgave Helwig for SummerSlam '91 and rehired him in '92; He brought him back in '96 because "it was the right thing to do for our audience; he still had some juice, still had 'it' in terms of charisma, still could sell tickets".)
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...WWE wouldn't have brought him in three times, if he were the jerk that DVD said he was...
We could also say that he wouldn't have left three times if he wasn't a jerk.
I stand by my claim that both Vince AND Hellwig are/were full of shit... the same way Bret is full of shit, SBG is full of shit, Piper is full of shit, Bruno is full of (a lot of) shit, and so on.
That doesn't minimize their accomplishments in the business. It's only to say that, at at least one point, everybody above was full of shit when saying they would never do business with Vince again.
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We could also say that he wouldn't have left three times if he wasn't a jerk.
I stand by my claim that both Vince AND Hellwig are/were full of shit... the same way Bret is full of shit, SBG is full of shit, Piper is full of shit, Bruno is full of (a lot of) shit, and so on.
That doesn't minimize their accomplishments in the business. It's only to say that, at at least one point, everybody above was full of shit when saying they would never do business with Vince again.
Dibiase gushed about that on the DVD, "The one thing that's simply amazing about Vince McMahon is his ability to give someone a second chance."
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I think if you listen to what Warrior and Triple H have stated on the reason why now all of a sudden the feuds are forgotten and the character's legacy finally realized makes sense.
both stated that people grow and the business grew.
all the backstage bullshit doesn't change the fact that the UW character was a legend and should be recognized as such. more popular than Hogan for a good year and a bit. not many people can say that. like it or not he connected with the fans. ask 100 people on the street who the UW is and all will know. Ask the same 100 who John Cena is and most will say 'who?" lol
I think UW gets a lot of flack from people on the net who weren't even alive when he was big. that rude carried him all the time. etc. bullshit. it takes TWO to have a good match. that pisses me off LOL.
its as bad as having Jim Ross comment on Warrior's time in the WWE when he had nothing to do with the WWE in 1988-90 lol
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I think if you listen to what Warrior and Triple H have stated on the reason why now all of a sudden the feuds are forgotten and the character's legacy finally realized makes sense.
both stated that people grow and the business grew.
all the backstage bullshit doesn't change the fact that the UW character was a legend and should be recognized as such. more popular than Hogan for a good year and a bit. not many people can say that. like it or not he connected with the fans. ask 100 people on the street who the UW is and all will know. Ask the same 100 who John Cena is and most will say 'who?" lol
I think UW gets a lot of flack from people on the net who weren't even alive when he was big. that rude carried him all the time. etc. bullshit. it takes TWO to have a good match. that pisses me off LOL.
its as bad as having Jim Ross comment on Warrior's time in the WWE when he had nothing to do with the WWE in 1988-90 lol
I don't buy that about everyone.
Bruno told close friends & family that he purposely asked for WAY more money than he ever thought he'd get to do the HOF. The old man met his price, he went in - it was all about the money for Bruno, and despite his claims to the contrary, BRUNO SOLD OUT.
Again, I have no problem with that. In fact, I'm happy for Bruno and glad he got his asking price. But, don't bullshit everyone by saying you didn't do it for the money. He ought to be proud that he soaked Vince!
Billy Graham? How can you buy any sincerity on his part when he's had more fallings-out with Vince than Flair's had divorces? Graham will piss and moan about the McMahon's to anyone who'll listen until he needs another kidney or surgery; then he finds it in his heart to make peace.
I don't care how much they and/or the business has grown; they're FULL...OF...SHIT!!!
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I seen in one of Hellwig's shoot videos where he made the comment along the lines of "I stopped using steroids once they became illegal"?
I wish I could remember the video and post it but maybe someone else seen it as well.
What do y'all think?
He definitely lost alot of size post WWF scandal. We've seen antidotes on here from posters attesting to his crazy passion and commitment towards the bodybuilding type lifestyle plus he does try to at least present himself as following some level of moral code.
It almost seems like he was really big and juiced up from the old Freedom Fighters days to pre-Scandal WWF. Lost a good amount of size after the scandal, wrestled for a few more years then seemed to really slim down even more when we see the pics of him retired and with the long hair while doing his whole "Conservative guy touring the country/giving speeches bit"
Then it looks like he bulked right back up again and his face began to take on that reddish type look.
Maybe he really was clean all those years and jumped on the HRT wagon towards the end?
I'm probably being completely naive even in thinking it but it just crossed my mind.
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I don't buy that about everyone.
Bruno told close friends & family that he purposely asked for WAY more money than he ever thought he'd get to do the HOF. The old man met his price, he went in - it was all about the money for Bruno, and despite his claims to the contrary, BRUNO SOLD OUT.
Again, I have no problem with that. In fact, I'm happy for Bruno and glad he got his asking price. But, don't bullshit everyone by saying you didn't do it for the money. He ought to be proud that he soaked Vince!
Billy Graham? How can you buy any sincerity on his part when he's had more fallings-out with Vince than Flair's had divorces? Graham will piss and moan about the McMahon's to anyone who'll listen until he needs another kidney or surgery; then he finds it in his heart to make peace.
I don't care how much they and/or the business has grown; they're FULL...OF...SHIT!!!
Chances are Bruno didnt have a pot to piss in and wanted to leave some money for his family. Of course I may be wrong.
The thing they should tach at NXT is money management. I am sure these guys are getting smarter with their money but when I look at people like Flair...ridiculous.
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Chances are Bruno didnt have a pot to piss in and wanted to leave some money for his family. Of course I may be wrong.
The thing they should tach at NXT is money management. I am sure these guys are getting smarter with their money but when I look at people like Flair...ridiculous.
Bruno wasn't hurting. I can't share with you how I know this, but I KNOW for a fact that he wasn't anywhere near hurting financially.
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I think if you listen to what Warrior and Triple H have stated on the reason why now all of a sudden the feuds are forgotten and the character's legacy finally realized makes sense.
both stated that people grow and the business grew.
all the backstage bullshit doesn't change the fact that the UW character was a legend and should be recognized as such. more popular than Hogan for a good year and a bit. not many people can say that. like it or not he connected with the fans. ask 100 people on the street who the UW is and all will know. Ask the same 100 who John Cena is and most will say 'who?" lol
I beg to differ. Cena's been the face of WWE for close to 10 years. He's been everywhere (kids' shows, movies, awards, Make-A-Wish, cereal boxes, Wal-Mart aisles, K-Mart aisles, etc.). Warrior had all of a year and a half as top dog, during his heyday (nearly 25 years ago). I've often said his downward spiral started the instant Hebner's hand hit three in that title match against Slaughter ('91 Royal Rumble). From that point forward, the only time he was in the main event is when he was teamed with Hogan.
Even as champion, the Ultimate Warrior had to share the spotlight with Hogan. WWE invented the "double main event" deal, to accomadate both of them. After Hogan got "injured" (to film Suburban Commando), the build-up was for his comeback.
I think UW gets a lot of flack from people on the net who weren't even alive when he was big. that rude carried him all the time. etc. bullshit. it takes TWO to have a good match. that pisses me off LOL.
True! But he got a lot of flack form people who were alive (and worked with him, during his heyday. As for his feud with Ravishing Rick, you have to admit Warrior botched multiple spots with Rude, particularly in that IC title match at WrestleMania 5. To me, his best work was with "Macho King" Randy Savage, leading up to that "Career Ending Match" at WrestleMania 7.
Of course, the WWE guys praise Savage more than Warrior for that one. Hogan called Savage a "detail freak" and that "Randy made it easy on everybody".
its as bad as having Jim Ross comment on Warrior's time in the WWE when he had nothing to do with the WWE in 1988-90 lol
That's not unusual. I've only been at my job in the Midwest for a year. Yet, when I call companies that have worked with my employer 5+ years ago, I usually said "WE'VE done work with you on..." this project or that project.
Ross was there for Warrior's 2nd and 3rd run, which unfortunately didn't end so well.
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Makes you wonder if Warrior would have mended fences when he was originally asked to go into the HOF back when they were in AZ.......
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Makes you wonder if Warrior would have mended fences when he was originally asked to go into the HOF back when they were in AZ.......
He said he didn't do it, because it made no sense after he got hacked to pieces in "Self Destruction...."
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I just came across this and thought it was a very touching video.
From Ultimate Warrior's family this past June:
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Very cool :) RIP Warrior...
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I regret that he died, but I'm happy that he made peace with the company and fans.
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Nice video, brought a quick tear to my eye....
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Nice video, brought a quick tear to my eye....
He was human.
You are human.
Vince is an asshole, but he is human, too.
I'm glad he they all made peace!!