| The Ultimate Warrior |
| The Ultimate Warrior
Height: 6'2" Weight: 275 lbs. Real name: Brian James Hellwig (he legally changed his name to Warrior in 1993) Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona Pro debut: November 1985 Finishing move: Gorilla Press Slam, Splash Other aliases: Blade Runner Rock (Mid-South), The Dingo Warrior (WCWA), The Warrior (WCW) Career highlights: WWE Heavyweight Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion (2), WCCW (World Class) Texas Heavyweight Champion, WCCW (World Class) Tag Team Champion (w/Lance von Erich) Trained by: Red Bastien, Rick Bassman, Bill Anderson History: "I...I thought you were dead!" These were the first words out of "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan's mouth when the Warrior reappeared in the wrestling world in late '98. Jim Hellwig's return to the ring has reminded many fans of wrestling history. Hellwig began his "wrestling" career as a bodybuilder, alongside Sting and other wrestlers in Powerteam USA. Hellwig then began tagging with Sting in various promotions, first as the Freedom Fighters, then becoming the Blade Runners, Rock (Hellwig) and Flash (Sting). The two wrestled well together in the Mid-South, yet never managed to earn the Mid-South Tag-Team Titles. In 1986, "Rock" headed to the World Class Wrestling Association. As the Dingo Warrior, Hellwig became a fan-favorite, feuding with such wrestlers as Matt Borne, Buzz Sawyer, and others. In November '86, Dingo and Lance von Erich defeated Borne and Master Gee to win the WCWA Tag-Team Titles. They held the titles for less than a month before losing to Brian Adias and Al Madril. This did not deter the Warrior. A few months later, Dingo managed to beat Bob Bradley to win the WCWA Texas Heavyweight Title, which he held against all comers for over 4 months. After losing the title to Al Perez, the Dingo Warrior decided to leave the WCWA. In late 1987, the Ultimate Warrior made his debut in the WWF. At first, he mainly wrestled against mid-carders, rarely engaging in the major matches. His wrestling physique and maneuvers were noticed, however, and he was given a shot at the WWF Intercontinental Title in August '88. The Warrior quickly disposed of the Honky Tonk Man to earn his first gold in the WWF. He then began a major feud with "Ravishing" Rick Rude. It started at the Royal Rumble in '89, when the two wrestlers engaged in a "Posedown". The Warrior was obviously winning, so Rude and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan brutally attacked Hellwig. This led to many matches between the two. The Warrior lost the I-C belt to Rude, then came back a few months later to reclaim it, nearly to the day he had first won it the year before. By now, the Ultimate Warrior was one of the most popular wrestlers in the WWF. Only one was thought to match his stardom at the time: Hulk Hogan. The two met at Wrestlemania VI, two champions facing off in one of the great matches in WWF history. After a brutal battle which featured both wrestlers' finishing moves, the Warrior managed to defeat Hogan for the WWF World Title. It was the Ultimate Warrior's finest hour. After vacating the I-C belt, the Warrior defended the WWF World Title for more than 9 months, feuding with Mr. Perfect (Curt Hennig), Haku (Meng), and others. But it was the feud with the "Macho King" Randy Savage that eventually cost him the World Title, as Savage hit the Warrior with his sceptor during his match against Sergeant Slaughter, who pinned him for the belt. The war between Savage and the Warrior truly began then, as the two wrestlers attacked each other repeatedly over the next month, and faced off in a "retirement" match at Wrestlemania VII, in which Savage landed numerous Flying Elbows, yet could not put the Warrior away. Savage was finally defeated by the Warrior, in another of the great matches in WWF history. The Ultimate Warrior then went on to feud with Jake "The Snake" Roberts and the Undertaker, then briefly left the WWF in 1991. He reappeared to help out Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania VIII, when he was attacked by Papa Shango and Sid Justice. After a short feud with Shango, the Warrior briefly aided (and fought with) "Macho Man" Randy Savage. The two were teamed for a few matches as the Ultimate Maniacs. Then the Warrior again left the WWF, to open the "Warrior University", a wrestling school in Arizona. He had a few tours with small-time wrestling organizations, but mainly stayed away from the big-time circuits for a few years. At Wrestlemania XII, the Ultimate Warrior returned to the WWF, easily defeating Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Although he had a few memorable feuds against Goldust and Owen Hart, the Warrior did not win any titles and soon was back out of the WWF. He again stayed away from the sport for a few more years, prefering to help others instead. In September '98, the Warrior appeared at a Monday Nitro amid smoke and fire, declaring war against "Hollywood" Hogan and the nWo Hollywood faction. He announced the forming of the One Warrior Nation and began mind games on Hogan. He "kidnapped" the Disciple, one of Hogan's most loyal followers, and turned him against Hogan. Hogan and the Warrior met at Halloween Havoc '98, where Hogan won by having his nephew, Horace Hogan, interfere. Soon after, Hogan "retired", leaving the Warrior without his reason for returning to the ring. A few weeks later, both the Disciple and the Warrior were released by WCW. |
 |