Pro Wrestling Icon Ultimate Warrior Dead at 54

[onedef92]

Pro Wrestling Icon Ultimate Warrior Dead at 54

April 9, 2014



The Ultimate Warrior, one of professional wrestling’s biggest superstars, has died at 54, days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, WWE officials said in a statement.

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

Warrior, born James Brian Hellwig, legally changed his name in 1993. The cause of his death was not mentioned.

He began his career in 1987 and had become one of the biggest stars in the company by 1990, defeating Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to win the world title.

Saturday's Hall of Fame induction marked his return to WWE after an 18-year absence. During his Hall of Fame speech, he announced that he'd signed a new multi-year deal with WWE to serve as an official ambassador.

The wrestler was known for his intricate face-paint, bulging muscles and frenzied speeches, sprinting to the ring and violently shaking the ropes before his matches.

During Monday's episode of "WWE Raw," he slipped on a mask, embracing his character a final time, his words full of heart and poignancy.

"No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own," he said. "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 bleed 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.

"You, you, you, you, you," he said, pointing to the fans, "are the legend-makers of Ultimate Warrior."

The wrestler is survived by his wife Dana and two daughters.

News of his death was met with sadness and shock online.

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

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

Shocked and very saddened to hear about Ultimate Warrior passing. Prayers go out to his family! RIP. Loss for words...
— Curtis Axel (@RealCurtisAxel) April 9, 2014

RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 9, 2014

This is absolutely horrific news. After just meeting my hero yesterday,finding out about @UltimateWarrior passing is unbelievable.Speechless
— Hornswoggle (@wwehornswoggle) April 9, 2014

Break my heart. I love you forever #RIPUltimateWarrior
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) April 9, 2014

Loss always has a way of reminding us to live and love as greatly as we can. My prayers and strength to his family. RIP Ultimate Warrior.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 9, 2014

Deeply saddened to find out about the passing of #WWE LEGEND, @UltimateWarrior. You & your legacy will FOREVER be remembered in our hearts!
— Diamond Dallas Page (@RealDDP) April 9, 2014

[onedef92]

Wow! Serious mortality rate for celebs this week. Four to date in nearly as many days....

[The_Dude]

Same age as me. I wonder what killed him.

[Kerrmudgeon]

I beat you by a couple of hours on this one Julian.....

https://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/o...deat-54-a.html

[onedef92]

Originally Posted by The_Dude

Same age as me. I wonder what killed him.

I'll lay odds it was cardiomyopathy, a gradual weakening of the cardiac muscle accelerated by years of steroid use.

[Yerf Dog]

Originally Posted by onedef92

I'll lay odds it was cardiomyopathy, a gradual weakening of the cardiac muscle accelerated by years of steroid use.

From the looks of that tan, it might have been skin cancer.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by The_Dude

Same age as me. I wonder what killed him.

He did a lot of hard drugs back int he day. Hogan and Vince McMahon didn't like him because he was always high, unpredictable, and he was said to be quite violent (there's a documentary on Netflix about it). I'm betting the heavy drug use caught up with him.

[78SA]

I know he looked like he was struggling on Monday Night Raw.

[Nitro-C5]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

He did a lot of hard drugs back int he day. Hogan and Vince McMahon didn't like him because he was always high, unpredictable, and he was said to be quite violent (there's a documentary on Netflix about it). I'm betting the heavy drug use caught up with him.

Knowing many well known Wrestlers personally over the years I'm actually shocked when any of them make it past 50. Almost every single one that I knew and/or know currently have a few traits in common.

1) Drink heavily...even right before they go on stage (you would be surprised)
2) Drugs on regular basis...especially pain killers which all of them are on pretty much all the time
3) Very unstable personalities
4) Bad relations, if any with their kids
5) Infidelity, screw pretty much anything that will move
6) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Stippers

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by Nitro-C5

Knowing many well known Wrestlers personally over the years I'm actually shocked when any of them make it past 50. Almost every single one that I knew and/or know currently have a few traits in common.

1) Drink heavily...even right before they go on stage (you would be surprised)
2) Drugs on regular basis...especially pain killers which all of them are on pretty much all the time
3) Very unstable personalities
4) Bad relations, if any with their kids
5) Infidelity, screw pretty much anything that will move
6) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Stippers

Hmmm. Interesting.

I never saw the attraction of any of that fake wrestling crap, so the only one I'd recognize is Hulk Hogan.
Gotta hand it to McMahon though. He is on rich mofo off of it.

[onedef92]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Hmmm. Interesting.

I never saw the attraction of any of that fake wrestling crap, so the only one I'd recognize is Hulk Hogan.
Gotta hand it to McMahon though. He is on rich mofo off of it.

I'd say Dwayne Johnson ain't exactly eatin' out of a garbage can, either.

[Nitro-C5]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Hmmm. Interesting.

I never saw the attraction of any of that fake wrestling crap, so the only one I'd recognize is Hulk Hogan.
Gotta hand it to McMahon though. He is on rich mofo off of it.

Some of the very best...and worst people I have ever know were Pro Wrestlers. Extremely unique group.

[Nitro-C5]

Originally Posted by onedef92

I'd say Dwayne Johnson ain't exactly eatin' out of a garbage can, either.

The extremely rare exception. For every "Rock" there are thousands of Micky Rourke from the "Wrestler". In fact I would say that movie is honestly one of the most accurate sports representations on the big screen you will find.

[onedef92]

Originally Posted by Nitro-C5

The extremely rare exception. For every "Rock" there are thousands of Micky Rourke from the "Wrestler". In fact I would say that movie is honestly one of the most accurate sports representations on the big screen you will find.

I don't doubt that. I still miss "The Macho Man" Randy Savage. He was one of my favorite sports entertainment personalities.

[Nitro-C5]

Originally Posted by onedef92

I don't doubt that. I still miss "The Macho Man" Randy Savage. He was one of my favorite sports entertainment personalities.

I knew him... He was a really good guy in person (most of them are).

Another thing Wrestlers have in common is "Wife Swapping", seriously.

Ric Flair and Arn Anderson were my Business Partners for 6 years, and also consulted for Lex Luger and Sting. With that I saw things that honestly if I posted no one would believe. Very different lifestyle than any other Pro Sports/Celebrities.

[Yerf Dog]

Originally Posted by Nitro-C5

In fact I would say that movie is honestly one of the most accurate sports representations on the big screen you will find.

And Marisa Tomei.

[onedef92]

Originally Posted by Nitro-C5

I knew him... He was a really good guy in person (most of them are).

Another thing Wrestlers have in common is "Wife Swapping", seriously.

Ric Flair and Arn Anderson were my Business Partners for 6 years, and also consulted for Lex Luger and Sting. With that I saw things that honestly if I posted no one would believe. Very different lifestyle than any other Pro Sports/Celebrities.

Guess they take the whole, "bros before hoes" thing literally, huh? Interesting.

[jaxgator]

Originally Posted by The_Dude

Same age as me. I wonder what killed him.

I believe Julian nailed it...

Ultimate Warrior died of heart attack, report says

An autopsy report has confirmed American pro wrestling icon The Ultimate Warrior died of a massive heart attack.

TMZ reports the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy concluded there was no foul play in the death of Ultimate Warrior, born James Brian Hellwig, who died suddenly on April 8.

No drugs or alcohol were in the star’s system at the time.

The medical examiner officially classified the death as “Atherosclerotic/Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease”, otherwise known as heart disease.

He was reportedly clutching his chest outside an Arizona hotel at the time of his death.

Ultimate Warrior died of heart attack, report says | Fox News

[onedef92]

Originally Posted by jaxgator

I believe Julian nailed it...

As remarkable as it is, the old ticker can't take but so much. We have approximately 3,111,552,000 heartbeats in a lifetime. Make the most of 'em because most of us don't know the day nor hour it will stop.

[American Made]

I remember him