Wrestling Legend The Ultimate Warrior Dies At 54

Wrestlers and wrestling fans mourn the late superstar, stunned by his sudden passing.

By
Tracy Clayton
by Tracy Clayton

BuzzFeed Staff

Jonathan Bachman / AP Images for WWE

The Ultimate Warrior speaking at his induction to the WWE Hall of fame, April 5.

The WWE announced on its website late Tuesday that James Hellwig, known in the professional wrestling world as The Ultimate Warrior, had died.

The Denver Post via Getty Images

The announcement followed rumors of the wrestler's death just days before, leading many to suspect that the announcement was another hoax. Tweets from wrestling stars like Triple H and his wife, Steph McMahon, served as confirmation.

Triple H @TripleH

Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters

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Jim Ross @JRsBBQ

Sad to pass along the news that the Ultimate Warrior has died. Condolences to his wife & two, young daughters. RIP Warrior

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Stephanie McMahon @StephMcMahon

#RIPUltimateWarrior Your strength of character is to be admired. There will never be anyone like you. Your spirit lives on in your family.

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WWE @WWE

BREAKING NEWS: WWE is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of The Ultimate Warrior. http://t.co/6uccA9pkKe

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Bad News Barrett @WadeBarrett

Truly awful news about The Ultimate Warrior's passing. Thoughts go out to his family. RIP.

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Kevin Nash @RealKevinNash

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.

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Hulk Hogan @HulkHogan

RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH

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Hellwig made two public appearances in the last week. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday and appeared on Monday Night Raw on Monday.

WWE / Via wwe.com

During his Monday Night Raw appearance, the wrestler made some poignant comments about death:

No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own. Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe a 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 and something 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, you are the legend makers of Ultimate Warrior. In the back I see many potential legends, some of them with warrior spirits. And you will do the same for them. You will decide if they lived with the passion and intensity, so much so that you will tell your stories and you will make them legends as well. Ultimate. You are the Ultimate Warrior Fans. And the spirit of Ultimate Warrior will run forever!

Video of his Monday Night Raw appearance on April 7.

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Video of his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 5.

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