A childhood hero to many passed away yesterday. Just days before his passing, Warrior - as he legally changed his name to - gave a foreshadowing speech in front of an adoring crowd. Check out what he had to say above.
The Toronto Star reports: The Ultimate Warrior, one of the most colourful stars in pro wrestling history, has died, the WWE said. He was 54.
The WWE said Warrior, who legally changed his name from James Hellwig to his wrestling moniker, died Tuesday. Scottsdale, Ariz., police spokesman Sgt. Mark Clark said he collapsed while walking with his wife to their car at a hotel and was pronounced dead at a hospital.
There were no signs of foul play, Clark said. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy Thursday, county spokeswoman Cari Gerchick said.
Hellwig was one of pro wrestling’s biggest stars in the late 1980s. The Ultimate Warrior became the first wrestler to defeat Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania when he used his finishing splash for the pin to win the championship in front of 67,678 fans at Toronto’s SkyDome in a match billed as “The Ultimate Challenge.”
Some consider it one of the greatest matches in sports entertainment.
