The wrestling world was shocked when it was announced last week that The Ultimate Warrior a.k.a. Jim Hellwig passed away in what was later found to be complications stemming from heart disease. The Warrior leaves behind a great wrestling legacy as well as his two daughters and wife Dana, who wrote a letter thanking the WWE roster, management, and fans on WWE.com.
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"It is with an absolutely broken heart I reach out to you. Since the passing of my husband, I have been fortunate enough to insulate my sweet girls and myself from the outside world. In this bubble we have grieved and continue to do so," she wrote with the heading 'Dear Warrior's'. "For a week, I did not allow any television or media to seep through our cocoon. I was told, though, of the outpouring of love for my beloved husband and support for, as he always called us, his Warrior Girls. I can only say thank you."
Dana spoke about turning the televisions on in her house to watch the tribute that the WWE made for her husband on Monday Night RAW and said that she cried and celebrated when watching the WWE talent assemble on the stage wearing Warrior gear as a tribute video played and the WWE tolled the bell 10 times.
"I cannot put words to what that video tribute meant," she wrote. "We watched it multiple times and, this morning, it was how I started my day; mornings are the hardest for me. I will treasure that song and those images more than anything I own. Vindication. ULTIMATE PERFECTION."
She continued: "I was told it was reported WWE was "there" for us. "There" is the understatement of a lifetime. They were a warm blanket to us three and we were quickly absorbed into their family. Words are cheap; promises are forever. This family is one I'm honored to be a member of and will gladly be the warm blanket to any of them who need me next."
The Warrior was a tumultuous figure within the WWE, losing his job three times and having a falling out with many of the talent and WWE CEO Vince McMahon through the years. The WWE even created a DVD called The Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior to chronicle his erratic behavior.
The Warrior was able to put personal problems behind him and move on from the controversy with the WWE and other Superstars, making amends that culminated in him appearing at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony as an inductee, WrestleMania XXX and Monday Night RAW on the weekend before his death. His final promo on RAW was bone-chilling as it almost forecasted his passing.
Dana spoke of proudly looking on as her husband made his Hall of Fame speech and redeemed a controversial career, just three days before he would collapse as he was walking to the car with his family the following Tuesday at an Arizona hotel before passing away at a local hospital.
Since his passing, there has been an outpouring of support from Warrior fans, to which Dana wrote she is very thankful.
"To all the ULTIMATE WARRIOR fans: THANK YOU!! He told me when he shook the ropes it was him gathering strength from each of you. Warrior respected you and loved you as do the girls and I," she wrote.
She then spoke of wrestling with The Warrior every now and again and having an undefeated streak that rivaled The Undertaker's, which he lost to Brock Lesnar at this year's WrestleMania XXX.
"The Undertaker and I have a lot more in common than you might think," she wrote. "You see, I had a bit of a streak of my own going for the last 20 years. Yes, Warrior and I would have matches of our own ... He would yell, I would cry, he would submit, I would win - always. My quivering chin and "pooched" lip was always more powerful than any clothesline or gorilla press slam. He'd laugh and shake his head and say,"you win, Pooch," but really we both did."
She added: "My streak was broken April 8, 2014 when he collapsed. I fought and screamed and cried for him not to leave me, but I wasn't to win this round. Heaven won and I lost, but I had the ULTIMATE love for 20 years and my children learned to be Warriors from THE ULTIMATE DAD. I wouldn't trade a moment of the life we shared, good or bad, for anything on God's green earth. He is the love of my life and gave me the gift of our beautiful, sweet, amazing girls. He was loyal and kind and strong and brave. He taught me to live by his creed, "Live Strong, Act Bold, Be Brave. Nothing's too hard to do, ALWAYS BELIEVE," and with that creed I will carry on and make him proud."
The full letter from Dana can be viewed here.
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