Ultimate Warrior, WWE hall of famer, dead at 54
The Ultimate Warrior, the retired U.S. professional wrestler who just days ago was inducted into the WWE hall of fame, has died at the age of 54.
The WWE released a statement on its website saying it is "deeply saddened" to hear about the passing of "one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever." The organization sent "its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans."
The cause of his death was not given.
He was inducted into the WWE's hall of fame at a ceremony on Saturday in New Orleans, and appeared at WrestleMania 30 the following day at the Superdome. It was his first appearance on WWE television since 1996, when he left the company after an acrimonious split with its chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon.
On Monday, the iconic wrestler addressed his screaming fans from the ring at a WWE Raw live event.
"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."
A man's spirit is immortalized by the memory of the people who honour him, he said while wearing a plastic mask that mimicked the multicoloured face paint he was known for wearing to the ring.
"You, you, you," he said, pointing at people in the audience. "You are the legend makers of Ultimate Warrior."
He began his WWE (then known as the WWF, or World Wrestling Federation) career in 1987, and went on to defeat Hulk Hogan to become WWE champion at WrestleMania 6 in 1990 in Toronto. It was his only top championship in the company, and he successfully defended it for nine months.
Born James Hellwig in Indiana, he legally changed his name to Warrior in 1993. He is survived by his wife and their two daughters.
On mobile? Watch The Ultimate Warrior's speech here.
On mobile? Watch The Ultimate Warrior's 1989 anti-smoking PSA here.
