The legendary WWE wrestler known as “The Ultimate Warrior” — but given the birth name of James Hellwig — has died at the age of 54, just days after he was inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame.
TMZ reported that the athlete “collapsed outside an Arizona hotel at 5:50 p.m. on April 8th … while walking to his car with his wife. Warrior was transported to a nearby hospital … where he was pronounced dead.”
The WWE called the wrestler, who officially changed his name to Warrior in 1993, “one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever,” who defeated the equally famous Hulk Hogan in one “epic encounter,” Fox Sports reported.
The figure left wrestling to work as a bodybuilder and then as a motivational speaker.
His longtime nemesis, Mr. Hogan, sent condolences via a Twitter posting on Wednesday morning, The New York Post reported: “RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH.”
The cause of his death was not released or reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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