Fans, wrestlers alike mourn death of 'The Ultimate Warrior' on Twitter
As soon as you heard the cymbals crash and the bass line thump, you knew business was about to pick up. Throughout the 1980s and '90s “The Ultimate Warrior” was among the most popular and beloved heroes in the pro wrestling world, appearing most prominently with the WWF (now WWE) and WCW.
So it came as no surprise when, on Tuesday night, after news of James Brian Hellwig death began to circulate that there was an outpouring of sympathy on social media. The larger-than-life personas he shared the squared circle and spotlight with expressed their grief via Twitter:
RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 9, 2014
Break my heart. I love you forever #RIPUltimateWarrior
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) April 9, 2014
Tomorrow is promised to know one!! Enjoy every second, with a tool called love!! My love to The Warrior and family. RIP
— Rowdy Roddy Piper (@R_Roddy_Piper) April 9, 2014
Deeply saddened. We just had a great talk & buried a senseless hatchet. Talked working together. RIP Warrior. Taking solace we made peace.
— JakeSnakeDDT (@JakeSnakeDDT) April 9, 2014
Just heard a horrible rumor...please tell me @UltimateWarrior is ok ..,,,
— Scott Hall (@SCOTTHALLNWO) 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
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
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
Sad to pass along the news that the Ultimate Warrior has died. Condolences to his wife & two, young daughters. RIP Warrior
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 9, 2014
As big and strong as these performers are, it’s hard to remember that at one point they were fans, just like the thousands they entertain on a nightly basis. Current WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan (real name Bryan Danielson) won the promotion’s undisputed heavyweight title over the weekend at WrestleMania XXX in front of his boyhood idol:
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
... makes it all the more heartbreaking. The Ultimate Warrior was my favorite as a kid, and getting to speak to him this weekend was one...
— Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) April 9, 2014
... of my favorite moments. He was so nice to me. #RIPWarrior
— Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) April 9, 2014
Just this morning Hellwig posed for a selfie with a fan in the New Orleans airport:
I met the ultimate warrior this morning at New Orleans airport pic.twitter.com/BlafbrEUyc
— James (@Jamesfspencer) April 9, 2014
The McMahon family, which has owned the WWE since its inception, was also effusive in its praise of Hellwig’s service to the promotion and mourned his loss:
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
#RIPUltimateWarrior Your strength of character is to be admired. There will never be anyone like you. Your spirit lives on in your family.
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) April 9, 2014
Hellwig was inducted into the WWE’s Hall of Fame on Saturday night, joined onstage by his two young daughters. He also appeared at WrestleMania XXX on Sunday and on Monday Night Raw the following night at the New Orleans Arena. He was invited into the ring to thank his legion of fans during Monday night’s show:
