Just three days after achieving the highest honor in wrestling by going into the WWE Hall of Fame, The Ultimate Warrior, a.k.a Jim Hellwig, collapsed and eventually died outside of his hotel on Tuesday evening, and updates indicate that he died of natural causes as the wrestling world reacts on social media.
TMZ reported that the Warrior collapsed outside of his hotel in Arizona at 5:50 p.m. while walking to his car with his wife. He was then taken to a local area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 54.
Details are still coming in as to what caused his death, but Wrestlingheadlines.com reports that it was likely natural causes.
TMZ reported that Warrior was seen taking photos at the New Orleans Airport with fans around 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning and that he was said to be in good spirits and was very approachable, and took pictures with anyone who came up to him.
The wrestling world is stunned to wake up to the news of the Warriors passing and some past and present legends and superstars have taken to Twitter to share their reactions to his untimely passing:
We talked,both forgave each other,we hugged ,we shook hands as we told each other I love you,I am so sad,God bless his beautiful family HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 9, 2014
RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH — Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) 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
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
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Warrior family. It breaks my heart after seeing how proud his girls are of their father. Stay strong
— Randy Orton (@RandyOrton) April 9, 2014
Heartbroken. My sincerest condolences go out to The Warrior's family. Seeing how much he loved his daughters and his wife this weekend... — Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) 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
So happy I embraced Warrior with a hug when we saw each other backstage Saturday night.My heart goes out to his family.Always Believe. — Kevin Nash (@RealKevinNash) April 9, 2014
After all these years I finally got 2 tell him that me shaking the ropes was an homage 2 him. Blessed to have had that moment. #onelife
— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) April 9, 2014
WWE.com offered the following statement:
"WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior. 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. Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters."
The Warrior made his first appearance on Monday Night RAW since 1996 this week in New Orleans after being inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday and appearing at WrestleMania XXX on Sunday in New Orleans and cut what is now seen as an eerie promo about death:
"No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own. Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe a 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 and something 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, 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. Ultimate. You are the Ultimate Warrior fans. And the spirit of Ultimate Warrior will run forever!"
Warrior traveled the world with many promotions but is mostly remembered for his stints in the WWE. HIs most famous moment was pinning Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI (1990) to win the WWE Championship in the infamous Ultimate Challenge where the Ultimate Warrior put up his Intercontinental Championship and walked out of the Toronto SkyDome with both titles.
He'll be remembered by the wrestling world as one of the most influential superstars of all-time.
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