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 "WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing
of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate
Warrior," the Stamford, Connecticut-based company said on its
website.
The Ultimate Warrior, whose given name was James Hellwig, began
his WWE career in 1987 and rose to become one of the biggest
stars in WWE history, the company said, highlighting an "epic
encounter" in which he defeated Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to
become a WWE Champion.
The cause of his death was not given. He was added to the Hall
of Fame on April 5.
"We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity
to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also
able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to
address his legions of fans," World Wrestling Entertainment
said.
The 6-foot, 2-inch tall, 280-pound (127 kg) wrestler commanded
the ring in his signature neon garb and long, blond hair, and
face paint, WWE said.
His family could not immediately be reached, and an email sent
through his website was not immediately answered.
In a statement on his website peppered with sarcasm, Hellwig
expounded on philosophy and funneling energy from the ring into
writing, motivational speaking, and his family life after
retiring in the late 1990s.
"Ultimate Warrior ran because I was running him. He was intense
because I already was. Whatever I am doing — wrestling, writing,
working out, speaking, even weaving pot holders — I am going to
do it with action and intensity," Hellwig wrote.
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"I have built an incredibly empowered life on my OWN terms. As a
devoted husband and father, I could not have custom-ordered a more
loving, healthy, spirit-filled, and happy home life," he wrote.
Fans, supporters and wrestlers took to the internet to express their
respect for the wrestler, who is survived by his wife Dana and his
two daughters, WWE said.
"Shocked and very saddened to hear about Ultimate Warrior passing.
Prayers go out to his family! RIP. Loss for words," wrestler Curtis
wrote in a Twitter message.
"RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH," Hulk Hogan tweeted.
"Tomorrow is promised to know one!!" fellow Hall of Famer Rowdy
Roddy Piper tweeted. "My love to The Warrior and family. RIP."
"Icon and friend," WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H wrote in a
Twitter message.
(Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle;
editing by Robert Birsel)
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