Immediately proceeding high school Hellwig enrolled himself at Indiana State University. After one year of college he decided that he wanted to become a professional bodybuilder. However Hellwig had already begun experimenting with weights at the age of 11 (just one year before his parents separated). Hellwig won several contests early on in his career as an amateur bodybuilder. He later joined a group with 3 other bodybuilders, in this group was Steve 'Sting' Borden.
As personally recounted by Sting on the WWE Network Original, 'Legends of WrestleMania: Warrior.' Hellwig's size and intensity was larger than life when they first met. Sting stated that Hellwig outweighed him by only 22-23 pounds, but that his aura and presence always made him feel smaller than he actually was. As the story goes, the two athletes worked out together all of the time and eventually became business partners. Borden says they sent out press kits all over the world in order to take their careers to new heights by entering professional wresting. Pro wrestling promoter Jerry Jarrett called them just three days later after receiving their demo. Borden remembers him exclaiming how he can only use 2 out of the 4 members in the group. He selected Borden and Hellwig. Shortly after receiving the call they hopped into Sting's 1983 Thunderbird. It was just 3 days before Thanksgiving 1985, and they drove out to Nashville, TN to meet Jerry Jarrett. Hellwig and Borden entered Mid-South Wrestling promotion as 'The Blade Runners.' They incorporated a 'Road Warrior' like costume, attitude and physique to their performance.
A Warrior is Born
Sting mentions something special in conclusion to this footage that stands out to me, which was Hellwig's impact on kids. I recall being a kid and a huge wrestling fan during this period right before the Ultimate Warrior emerged in the WWF (now WWE). At the time my older brother and I were obsessed with tag team wrestling. However, we were only privy to wrestling in either the WWF or NWA (later known as WCW). Therefore, I hadn't seen Mid-South Wrestling or The Blade Runners. I remember that we used to schedule and perform matches with the local neighborhood boys, and also with my 2 cousins. I can clearly recall the Ultimate Warrior undoubtedly becoming my first favorite Superstar. Once I saw him, like many other kids in my age group I was moved. I felt the need to bug, coerce and plead with my parents to buy me everything I saw with his name, face or logo on it. I had to be him. I believed in everything this character the Ultimate Warrior exuded.
1 year after juggling various wrestling promotions with his tag team partner, Blade Runner Flash (Borden). Hellwig (known as Blade Runner Rock) set his sights onto a solo wrestling career. He began wrestling as 'Dingo Warrior' at WCCW in 1986. He achieved championship success at this promotion as a singles wrestler, and a year later received a call from the WWF. in 1987 Hellwig entered the WWF as Dingo Warrior competing in non-televised house shows. On October 25, 1987 the 'Ultimate Warrior' made his television debut on 'Wrestling Challenge' a WWF original show.
The Ultimate Warrior defeated the Honky Tonk Man at SummerSlam '88 for the Intercontinental Championship. To this day the Honky Tonk Man holds the record for longest reigning Intercontinental Champion at 454 days. I vividly recall watching this match knowing that the Ultimate Warrior was going to take the title at SummerSlam. I used to watch WWF programming weekly with my older brother (where we would practice our favorite moves on one another). On various promos leading up to SummerSlam, the Honky Tonk Man would gloat and go on about his glorious championship reign. I was unimpressed. The Honky Tonk Man made a huge mistake by enticing anyone in the WWF locker room to a match for his title at SummerSlam '88. I just knew that the Ultimate Warrior would be first to accept his challenge by ferociously charging to the ring. I stood elated when I watched the Ultimate Warrior do just that and defeat him in 27 seconds at the PPV. In 1989 the Ultimate Warrior entered into one of the best feuds ever in WWF history with Rick Rude, only to become a 2-time Intercontinental Champion.
The Ultimate Warrior entered the professional wrestling world by storm in the 90's. Hulk Hogan was the face of the WWF in the 80's, and arguably the best known figure in professional wrestling at that time. At the Toronto SkyDome at WrestleMania VI the two icons faced one another in the main event billed, 'The Ultimate Challenge.' This is another match that stands out in my childhood. I was among the other warriors rooting for him to win, which he did. He defeated Hulk Hogan! The Ultimate Warrior became the first ever WWF World Heavyweight Intercontinental Champion that night. He showed myself and all the other warriors to just believe in yourself and you surely can achieve your greatest prize. I was hooked by the Ultimate Warrior and faithfully followed his intermittent pro wrestling career...
Hall of Fame
I heard The Ultimate Warrior's entrance music tumultuously ringing in my head when the news came out that he would be inducted at 2014's Hall of Fame ceremony. I almost began to salivate at the exciting thought of his words and message. There were so many angles this could go. There were his confusing and brow-raisng interviews and promos cut throughout the 90's. There was the controversial DVD WWE released in 2005 titled: 'The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior.' There was a YouTube video a few years back where he went on a rant of distaste towards Hulk Hogan, and even divulged some pretty crazy rumors and stories.
I waited up late night on April 5, 2014 to watch his induction speech a few months back. It was a Saturday night just like tonight, and the time was now. He walked out on stage accompanied by his two adorable little girls. He was a true gentleman, and carried himself with prestige and honor. He put a smile on my face, and the words he used to describe his career and feelings towards his peers were touching. He showed me the side of the Ultimate Warrior that I admired when I was a kid, a leader. Now the man spoke maturely, eloquently and genuinely. He looked a lot older with short grey hair, walking with a limp and breathing heavily during his speech. I still could feel that high-octane pulse watching him in his demeanor on stage in a suit. He was back, and I was pumped. I felt like a kid again.
I saw him the next night at WrestleMania XXX on April 6, 2014 where he was announced the new ambassador of the WWE. He had accepted a WWE Legends contract. He was set to play a background role with up and coming WWE Superstars. He was going to be a coach, a role model and a big part in the development of the future and careers of Superstars. The Ultimate Warrior was seen on RAW the following night of April 7, 2014 after a 18 year long hiatus. In an excerpt from his famous last speech the Ultimate Warrior said this:
While walking to his car the next day on April 8, 2014 the Ultimate Warrior died of a heart attack. He was with his wife and just collapsed at 5:50 PM. He is survived by his wife Dana and 2 daughters; Indiana and Mattigan. He was 54 years old.
THANK. YOU. WARRIOR. You were my Ultimate Favorite Wrestler.
1 comment:
Great blog, I enjoyed reading
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