Real Name: James Hellwig ( Changed to Warrior)
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 280 LBS
FROM: QUEENS, NEW YORK
BORN: JUNE 16, 1961
PRO DEBUT: 1985
Finishing Move:
Warrior Press (Gorilla Press-Slam) , Warrior Splash
(http://www.knowyournews.com/pastbios/warrior.html)
Jim Hellwig got his start in November 1985, working in Memphis for Jerry Lawler/Jerry Jarrett promotions, as well as for Mid South Wrestling (UWF). He started as a tag team wrestler with Steve Borden, who is best known as Sting. The two teamed up with two other wrestlers as Powerteam USA, but became better known as the Bladerunners, Rock and Sting.While in the UWF, the Bladerunners broke up. Hellwig moved on to Texas, and World Class wrestling in Dalla.
He was known as the
Dingo Warrior, and looked very much like the man that later became famous.
He became friends
with the legendary
Von Erich family, particularly the late Mike Von Erich.
In late 1987, Jim Hellwig debuted in
the WWF as the Ultimate Warrior. His first big television appearance came
in a
10-man battle royale
on WWF Superstars of Wrestling. He lost the match, but sparked peoples'
attention for his look, power, and wild style. Next came a feud against
Hercules, that saw the Warrior defeat his opponent at Wrestlemania 4. Soon,
the Warrior was a man to be reckoned with in the WWF. Then on August 28,
1988, the Honky Tonk Man was scheduled to defend the Intercontinental title
at Summerslam against Brutus Beefcake. Beefcake was injured prior to the
event, and it was announced that the number one contender would face the
champ. Honky refused to be told his opponent before the match, saying he
wanted a surprise. And boy, did he get one. The Ultimate Warrior roared
down the aisle, and disposed of Honky Tonk in a matter of seconds, becoming
the new Intercontinental champion.
Following his title win, the Warrior
became one of the WWF's signature stars. He plowed through the competition,
seemingly unstoppable.
Then came the 1989 Royal Rumble. The Warrior took part in a Super Posedown
with
"Ravishing" Rick
Rude. Rude attacked the Warrior at that event, setting up their match at
Wrestlemania 5. The
Ravishing One used
assistance from manager Bobby Heenan to win the match, and the title. However,
four months later at Summerslam, the Warrior once again
defeated Rude to become the Intercontinental champion.
With the belt again
in his possession, the Warrior's star continued to shine. It was inevitable
that he'd be taking that final step up to the World title. At the 1990
Royal Rumble, the Warrior stepped into the ring for the first time against
WWF champion Hulk Hogan. Hogan eliminated the Warrior from that event (with
the assistance of others), and soon after the match was signed. Champion
vs. champion, title vs. title; Hulk Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior at
Wrestlemania 6. With over 65,000 people
in attendance, the Warrior defeated Hogan to capture the WWF title.
The Ultimate Warrior became a phenomenon. The WWF's most popular wrestler. He packed arenas, he sold scores of merchandise, he appeared on several radio and television programs. He reached the top of the ladder. The Warrior would go on to defend the title against all comers, including an impressive victory over old foe Rick Rude in a cage match at Summerslam '90. Then at the 1991 Royal Rumble, UW lost the gold to Sgt. Slaughter due to interference by Randy Savage. The Warrior swore revenge, and defeated Savage at Wrestlemania 7 in a Retirement Match.
In the summer of 1991, after teaming with Hulk Hogan to defeat the team of Sgt. Slaughter, General Adnan and Colonel Mustafa at Summerslam, the Ultimate Warrior took time off from wrestling.
Eight months later, the Warrior made a surprise return to the WWF at Wrestlemania 8. He had lost a lot of bulk due to getting off of performance enhancing drugs, and rumours circulated that the original Warrior had died. But it was the same Hellwig, with the same intensity. During this WWF stint, the Warrior developed a reputation for being difficult to work with. He wanted things done his way, and only his way. He left the WWF in November of that year, and filed a $6 million+ lawsuit against the WWF in 1993, a lawsuit he eventually dropped.
In 1996, the Warrior
once again returned to the WWF. Again, his reputation as being a powerhound
were evident, and he was fired from the company a few months later after
failing to appear at several events on which he was advertised.
He disappeared from
wrestling for another two years, before popping back up in wrestling recently
with WCW. His stint there wouldn't be long lasting either, and he disappeared
again after losing a PPV match to Hulk Hogan.
Today, rumours regularly circulate regarding the eminent return of the Warrior, but that return has never happened. His days are now spent maintaining a wrestling school based in Arizona, as well as a line of clothing, a comic book and other endeavors.