Days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, wrestling icon The Ultimate Warrior died on Tuesday. He was 54-years-old.
Sadly, he died suddenly and horrifically, right in front of his wife. According to TMZ, Warrior collapsed without warning outside an Arizona hotel at 5:50PM Tuesday while walking to his car with his wife.
He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Around 6AM Tuesday morning, just hours before his death, Warrior posed for pictures at the airport in New Orleans with fans where he was reportedly in great spirits.
Following the announcement, WWE officials released this statement:
“WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior.”
Hellwig began his career in 1987 and through the years became one of the biggest wrestling stars in the company. He defeated Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to win the world title.
On Saturday the wrestling legend was honored during the Hall of Fame induction — a ceremony that also marked his return to WWE after an 18-year hiatus. During his Hall of Fame speech, he announced that he’d signed a new multi-year deal with WWE to serve as an official ambassador.
You can watch his speech below:
On Monday, during an episode of WWE Raw, he slipped on his iconic mask for a final time and delivered a poignant speech to the excited audience (watch above).
“No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own,” he said. “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 that’s 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,” he said, pointing to the fans, “are the legend-makers of Ultimate Warrior.”
Warrior is survived by his wife Dana and two daughters. May he rest in perfect peace.
SOURCE: ABC | VIDEO SOURCE: YouTube
