The Ultimate Warrior Dead; Cause of Death Unknown as WWE Star Dies Following Speech on Raw (VIDEO, PHOTO)
The man known as The Ultimate Warrior has died just days after making his first appearance on WWE Monday Night Raw since 1996. His death has caught everyone off-guard and has shocked the WWE world.
"Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe their 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 in something larger than life, than his essence, his spirit will be immortalized," Jim Hellwig, aka the Warrior, said during Monday Night Raw.
He started in the World Wrestling Federation in 1987 and quickly became a sensation, with his legion of Warriors rivaling the Hulkamaniacs following Hulk Hogan. The two squared off in an epic battle at Wrestlemania VI, where Warrior defeated Hogan and earned the title of Champion.
Hellwig had his name legally changed to Warrior in honor of his character who never lost popularity even after he retired. Fans were ecstatic to see him included in the WWE videogame 2K14, which signaled the beginning of a comeback for Warrior. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014 on April 5, appeared at Wrestlemania XXX on Sunday, then gave a final speech on Monday Night Raw.
According to TMZ, Warrior collapsed outside a hotel in Arizon on Tuesday night while walking to his car with his wife. He was immediately taken to a hospital but later pronounced dead at the age of 54. No cause of death has been released yet, but the WWE community is reacting with shock and gratitude to the man who they called Warrior.
"Just woke up and found out that the Ultimate Warrior has passed away. I'm shocked #RIPUltimateWarrior," tweeted wrestler CM Punk.
"Thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the Ultimate Warrior's friends and family. #RIPUltimateWarrior," added The Miz.
Watch Warrior's final speech to fans HERE:
