News Ultimate Warrior dead at 54 - Page 5

ForeverChiefs58 · 04-09-2014, 04:42 AM

LAS VEGAS – Only three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, James Hellwig, who wrestled professionally as "The Ultimate Warrior," reportedly died Tuesday at 54, WWE officials said in a statement.

Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters

— Triple H (@TripleH) April 9, 2014
We are all so sad that the Ultimate Warrior has passed away. Our heart is with his wife Dana and his two daughters.

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) April 9, 2014
WWE did not give a cause of death for Hellwig.

[Photos: Remembering the Ultimate Warrior]

Hellwig appeared on WWE Raw on Monday in New Orleans on USA Network to a rousing ovation from fans, only a day after WrestleMania XXX.

Known for his extremely muscular physique, long, shaggy hair and colorful face paint, The Warrior feuded with many of the then-WWF's biggest stars, including Hulk Hogan and Randy "Macho Man" Savage during his career. He defeated Hogan at WrestleMania VI to become champion, and was also an ex-Intercontinental champion.

The Ultimate Warrior's career spanned 13 years, from 1985-98, and included three stints in the then-WWF. His most memorable run came from 1987-91. He came back for short stints in 1992 and 1996.

After being inducted into the Hall of Fame Saturday in New Orleans on the night before WrestleMania – the WWE's biggest event – Hellwig appeared on Raw on Monday and seemed to foreshadow his death.

Hellwig began his speech in his own voice, saying, "As I thought about what I was going to say this evening, it's been hard for me to find the words."

He then pulled a mask out of his pocket that looked like the face paint he wore at the height of his career and switched into the Warrior's voice.

"Well then, Warrior, you shut up then and let me do the talking," he said, as the crowd roared its approval. "No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own. 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 larger than life, then his essence, his spirit will be immortalized by the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory."

He had long feuded with WWE management, but that seemed to end once he was elected to the Hall of Fame.

There was a photo of WWE CEO Vince McMahon and Hellwig warmly embracing at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

"WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior," the WWE statement read. "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."

The WWE said Hellwig was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters.

Shock coursed through social media when news of his death was confirmed.

RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 9, 2014
ULTIMATE WARRIOR I LOVE YOU FOREVER #RIPULIMATEWARRIOR http://t.co/qMWO05ktJO

— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) April 9, 2014
Iron Sheik included a video of himself on Instagram in which he said, "Ultimate Warrior, I heard something tonight and I got shocked. I could not even believe it. But I want to let you know, whatever I said, I didn't mean it. It was a work. I love you. Rest in peace."

Former Yahoo Sports columnist Dave Meltzer, the founder of The Wrestling Observer and the foremost expert on pro wrestling in the media, said Warrior was one of the sport's most popular stars.

Meltzer said at Warrior's peak in 1990, he was second only to Hogan in popularity among the then-WWF fans.

"Warrior and Hogan represented that period, the era of the big bodybuilders and he was a huge, muscular guy," Meltzer said. "He connected well with kids and was a massive superstar at the time."

Meltzer said Hellwig had long and bitter feuds with McMahon and WWE management, which included multiple lawsuits.

Meltzer said Hellwig had reconciled with WWE officials and brought his young daughters on stage with him at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

"I didn't know him personally, but you could tell he lived for those kids," Meltzer said of Hellwig and his daughters, aged 11 and 13. "After the [induction ceremony], everybody got together and whatnot, but he disappeared to be with his kids."

Pasta Little Brioni · 04-09-2014, 08:59 PM

Ravishing rico Rude...make it happen

**Easy 6** · 04-09-2014, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Dude has some awesome videos on his YouTube channel. I recommend checking it out sometime.

https://www.youtube.com/user/mrultimatewarrior/videos

Holy shit, just one minute into the first one and I'm ready to get off my fat ass and start working out again.

Watched a few of these earlier today, most notably his beef with Kevin Nash... EPIC stuff and Warrior held the moral high ground through every bit of it.

BigCatDaddy · 04-09-2014, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

This sucks, it just sucks, my favorite wrestler gone 10 years before my old man... roid abuse = alcohol and cig abuse... its really no different.

All of those roids have been killing these guys off left and right... but there was another side to that dude and that's why I loved him, Warrior ROCKED.

RIP Brian Helwig, you were a literally huge inspiration to me...

Not to pick on you, but this always cracks me up. People have no idea all the things these guys do and put in their bodies to be able to do what they do. There are a ton of athletes, bodybuilders, action stars and such that have used anabolics and don't pass away well before their time at the rate pro wrestlers do. They guys used it all... anabolics, opiates, stimulants, and many never quit using long after their careers ended. I believe Savage tested positive for paid meds when he passed.

**Easy 6** · 04-09-2014, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Not to pick on you, but this always cracks me up. People have no idea all the things these guys do and put in their bodies to be able to do what they do. There are a ton of athletes, bodybuilders, action stars and such that have used anabolics and don't pass away well before their time at the rate pro wrestlers do. They guys used it all... anabolics, opiates, stimulants, and many never quit using long after their careers ended. I believe Savage tested positive for paid meds when he passed.

I've never once said here or anywhere else that these guys bodies don't take an incredible amount of abuse... just like when whatshisface smashed John Stossel to the ground with a simple forearm and said "was that fake!"

No doubt, these guys take very serious abuse.

But so do pro football players and you don't see NEARLY as many of those guys dying off in their 40's-50's as you do wrestlers... I believe that's because, while pro football testing isn't 100%, its far more stringent than anything WWE had in the 80's and 90's.

I guess I just don't understand your argument here... you acknowledge they were given free rein with roids, but also recognize the extreme abuse these guys took... isn't the obvious answer that the combination of those two equals a deadly combo?

These guys quite simply die too young at an insane rate, I get the feeling you're pretty knowledgeable on this, but tell me where I'm wrong on this...

**Easy 6** · 04-09-2014, 10:13 PM

When he did his comeback match, I was RIGHT there, joined the discussion board and everything LOL, many hilarious arguments were had with haters bahahaaa... it was a bit disappointing in the end, but at the same time I knew that I shouldve known better.

Time waits for no one, not even the Warrior... this one just sucks, in much the same way as losing Steve Irwin did, I didn't just enjoy their tv shows, I actually admired them.

BigCatDaddy · 04-09-2014, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

I've never once said here or anywhere else that these guys bodies don't take an incredible amount of abuse... just like when whatshisface smashed John Stossel to the ground with a simple forearm and said "was that fake!"

No doubt, these guys take very serious abuse.

But so do pro football players and you don't see NEARLY as many of those guys dying off in their 40's-50's as you do wrestlers... I believe that's because, while pro football testing isn't 100%, its far more stringent than anything WWE had in the 80's and 90's.

I guess I just don't understand your argument here... you acknowledge they were given free rein with roids, but also recognize the extreme abuse these guys took... isn't the obvious answer that the combination of those two equals a deadly combo?

These guys quite simply die too young at an insane rate, I get the feeling you're pretty knowledgeable on this, but tell me where I'm wrong on this...

IF it were soley because of steroid abuse we would be seeing this with other professions. These wrestlers are often life time users/abusers of cocaine, amphetamines/meth, oxycodone/hydrocodone, alcohol, and other things. Is is partly steroids? Maybe, maybe not. There are too many other variables to lay blame at the feet of just one of the many drugs these guys abused.

I know this falls into the "I know a guy" category BUT I've known plenty of lifetime users of steroids that didn't check out early or have any serious health problems as a result. It seems I know more people that had issues with opiates and meth that died early or suffered some serious health issues far earlier than they should have.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 04-09-2014, 11:08 PM

It's partially steroids combined with a lack of adequate healthcare, but far worse are the constant uppers and downers they have to take to function. If you read Bret Hart's book, he speaks at great length about the number of guys who died due to barbiturate use. Jake Roberts talks about it some in Beyond the Mat. You're tired, so you do coke to get up; you're tired so you take a downer and some booze to sleep. Compound that with constant driving, steroid use, and high stress and you have a recipe for health issues.

BigCatDaddy · 04-09-2014, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

It's partially steroids combined with a lack of adequate healthcare, but far worse are the constant uppers and downers they have to take to function. If you read Bret Hart's book, he speaks at great length about the number of guys who died due to barbiturate use. Jake Roberts talks about it some in Beyond the Mat. You're tired, so you do coke to get up; you're tired so you take a downer and some booze to sleep. Compound that with constant driving, steroid use, and high stress and you have a recipe for health issues.

Yep, and this is what takes it toll on the human heart. Doctor prescribed and monitored TRT and HGH treatment likely would have actually been beneficial to these guys IMO. Anything to get away from having to take shit to get your endorphins bouncing around enough to get you through the day to day pain they endured.

**Easy 6** · 04-09-2014, 11:37 PM

Couldn't agree more that it wasn't just roids being abused, these guys were on the same "high/low" cycle as any jetsetting musician... and abusing any and everything just to try and keep up.

**loochy** · 04-10-2014, 08:29 AM

WARRIORS!!!! WE WILL SURVIVE!!!!

eastonb · 04-10-2014, 11:55 AM

the words he said before died..wow. RIP

ForeverChiefs58 · 04-10-2014, 12:10 PM

Funny how he had his name changed to Warrior, even his wife and kids had legally changed their last names to Warrior.

I wonder when someone asks for their last name if they say it in that voice?

**The Franchise** · 04-10-2014, 05:37 PM

Holy shit it must be Epic in heaven right now. pic.twitter.com/0ztShOw8nA
— Boogie2988 (@Boogie2988) April 10, 2014

**Gadzooks** · 04-10-2014, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Holy shit it must be Epic in heaven right now. pic.twitter.com/0ztShOw8nA
— Boogie2988 (@Boogie2988) April 10, 2014

It should be Stu Hart or Verne Gagne at the top of the stairs to teach the Warrior how to wrestle.

Mother****erJones · 04-10-2014, 05:50 PM

Niiice!

04-09-2014, 04:42 AM
ForeverChiefs58 MVP Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $3015326	Ultimate Warrior dead at 54 LAS VEGAS – Only three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, James Hellwig, who wrestled professionally as "The Ultimate Warrior," reportedly died Tuesday at 54, WWE officials said in a statement. Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters — Triple H (@TripleH) April 9, 2014 We are all so sad that the Ultimate Warrior has passed away. Our heart is with his wife Dana and his two daughters. — Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) April 9, 2014 WWE did not give a cause of death for Hellwig. [Photos: Remembering the Ultimate Warrior] Hellwig appeared on WWE Raw on Monday in New Orleans on USA Network to a rousing ovation from fans, only a day after WrestleMania XXX. Known for his extremely muscular physique, long, shaggy hair and colorful face paint, The Warrior feuded with many of the then-WWF's biggest stars, including Hulk Hogan and Randy "Macho Man" Savage during his career. He defeated Hogan at WrestleMania VI to become champion, and was also an ex-Intercontinental champion. The Ultimate Warrior's career spanned 13 years, from 1985-98, and included three stints in the then-WWF. His most memorable run came from 1987-91. He came back for short stints in 1992 and 1996. After being inducted into the Hall of Fame Saturday in New Orleans on the night before WrestleMania – the WWE's biggest event – Hellwig appeared on Raw on Monday and seemed to foreshadow his death. Hellwig began his speech in his own voice, saying, "As I thought about what I was going to say this evening, it's been hard for me to find the words." He then pulled a mask out of his pocket that looked like the face paint he wore at the height of his career and switched into the Warrior's voice. "Well then, Warrior, you shut up then and let me do the talking," he said, as the crowd roared its approval. "No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own. 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 larger than life, then his essence, his spirit will be immortalized by the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory." He had long feuded with WWE management, but that seemed to end once he was elected to the Hall of Fame. There was a photo of WWE CEO Vince McMahon and Hellwig warmly embracing at the Hall of Fame ceremony. "WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior," the WWE statement read. "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." The WWE said Hellwig was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters. Shock coursed through social media when news of his death was confirmed. RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH — Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 9, 2014 ULTIMATE WARRIOR I LOVE YOU FOREVER #RIPULIMATEWARRIOR http://t.co/qMWO05ktJO — The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) April 9, 2014 Iron Sheik included a video of himself on Instagram in which he said, "Ultimate Warrior, I heard something tonight and I got shocked. I could not even believe it. But I want to let you know, whatever I said, I didn't mean it. It was a work. I love you. Rest in peace." Former Yahoo Sports columnist Dave Meltzer, the founder of The Wrestling Observer and the foremost expert on pro wrestling in the media, said Warrior was one of the sport's most popular stars. Meltzer said at Warrior's peak in 1990, he was second only to Hogan in popularity among the then-WWF fans. "Warrior and Hogan represented that period, the era of the big bodybuilders and he was a huge, muscular guy," Meltzer said. "He connected well with kids and was a massive superstar at the time." Meltzer said Hellwig had long and bitter feuds with McMahon and WWE management, which included multiple lawsuits. Meltzer said Hellwig had reconciled with WWE officials and brought his young daughters on stage with him at the Hall of Fame ceremony. "I didn't know him personally, but you could tell he lived for those kids," Meltzer said of Hellwig and his daughters, aged 11 and 13. "After the [induction ceremony], everybody got together and whatnot, but he disappeared to be with his kids."
Posts: 10,445

04-09-2014, 08:59 PM	#61
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $4068880	Ravishing rico Rude...make it happen
Posts: 68,305

04-09-2014, 10:13 PM	#65
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3817775	When he did his comeback match, I was RIGHT there, joined the discussion board and everything LOL, many hilarious arguments were had with haters bahahaaa... it was a bit disappointing in the end, but at the same time I knew that I shouldve known better. Time waits for no one, not even the Warrior... this one just sucks, in much the same way as losing Steve Irwin did, I didn't just enjoy their tv shows, I actually admired them.
Posts: 91,576

04-09-2014, 11:08 PM	#67
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	It's partially steroids combined with a lack of adequate healthcare, but far worse are the constant uppers and downers they have to take to function. If you read Bret Hart's book, he speaks at great length about the number of guys who died due to barbiturate use. Jake Roberts talks about it some in Beyond the Mat. You're tired, so you do coke to get up; you're tired so you take a downer and some booze to sleep. Compound that with constant driving, steroid use, and high stress and you have a recipe for health issues. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
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04-09-2014, 11:37 PM	#69
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3817775	Couldn't agree more that it wasn't just roids being abused, these guys were on the same "high/low" cycle as any jetsetting musician... and abusing any and everything just to try and keep up.
Posts: 91,576

04-10-2014, 08:29 AM	#70
loochy Hey Loochy, I'm hooome! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PooPooKaKaPeePeeShire Casino cash: $2230752	WARRIORS!!!! WE WILL SURVIVE!!!! __________________ Hey Loochy, I'm hoooome! Last edited by loochy; 04-10-2014 at 06:32 PM..
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04-10-2014, 11:55 AM	#71
eastonb Rookie Join Date: Apr 2014 Casino cash: $10004900	the words he said before died..wow. RIP
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04-10-2014, 12:10 PM	#72
ForeverChiefs58 MVP Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $3015326	Funny how he had his name changed to Warrior, even his wife and kids had legally changed their last names to Warrior. I wonder when someone asks for their last name if they say it in that voice?
Posts: 10,445

04-10-2014, 05:37 PM	#73
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3195047	Holy shit it must be Epic in heaven right now. pic.twitter.com/0ztShOw8nA — Boogie2988 (@Boogie2988) April 10, 2014
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