Almost every 80's child knows who he is and what he did. The excitement on the Sunday night when WWF took over commercial TV channels and we would see the most colourful characters in the TV history. We all had our own favourites, we saluted the good ones, and booed the bad ones. It was and still is every boys dream at some point, part of the popular culture today and it was one important part of the birth of super heroes.
Sadly, one of our heroes have now moved on to the ring in heaven. Comments as " I can't believe that he is dead" can be seen all over the internet.
So what made him famous?
His bright face paints were unmistakable sign that he was in the house, he took on Hulk Hogan and ended the Hulkmania, he put the Undertaker to the body bag in front of thousands and he made Bobby Heenan to wear a weasel suite. And if you think this was something, he actually changed his name to Warrior 1993, of which name his wife and children still carry today.
The Ultimate Warrior was born James Brian Hellwig on June 16, 1959 in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He was the eldest of five children and was raised by his single mother, and later on by his step father. He started training with weights at 11 years old as he described him self as "the small, insecure kid, who wasn't into any sports." Body building bug got him hooked up after he moved to California and met bodybuilder Robby Robinson. He took part on several contests and was worked his way all the up to Mr. Georgia title and placing the 5th in 1985's Junior USA. From there on he accepted the invitation to become a professional wrestler.
Before becoming The Ultimate Warrior he fought as Jim "Justice" Hellwig of Powerteam USA and The Freedom Fighters. Between 1985 to 1987 he worked his way up to World Class Championship Wrestling and debuted as Warrior in Dallas. The Ultimate Warrior was born after his promoter McMahon had him to do a pre-taped promo as The Ultimate Warrior. During this time he did several TV ads for Westway Ford and was seen in a full wrestling costume with Westway's "Mean Joe Greed" character. He joined WWF in June 1987.
During his colorful carrier in WWF, The Ultimate Warrior has been locked into a coffin, he has entered the room of snakes and he has been buried alive. His feuds with The Undertaker and Jake " The Snake " Roberts were breath taking and dangerous putting his life into a real danger after been bitten by a spitting cobra. He has certainly given everyone a value of their money by beating these challenges. He was suspended from the ring after the SummerSlam 1991 but entered the ring again 1992. The season was short as he was allegedly attached with the rumours of using steroids and he semi retired 1992 but again returned 1996. He retired from wrestling 1998.
2014, Wrestlemania XXX, he was given the place in the WWE Hall of Fame. Two days later, he gave a speech at Monday Night Raw. Sadly, 24 hours later, whilst walking with his wife, he collapsed and was pronounced dead in the nearby hospital.
He was ranked as the most colourful character in the wrestling and he is remembered by many, as one of their favourites. We, as fans, will miss him dearly. May God rest his soul.
"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 story tellers, 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, you are the legend makers of Ultimate Warrior. In the back I see many potential legends. Some of them with warrior spirits. And you will do the same for them. You will decide if they lived with the passion and intensity. So much so that you will tell your stories and you will make them legends, as well. I am Ultimate Warrior. You are the Ultimate Warrior fans. And the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior will run forever!"
—The Ultimate Warrior
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