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Warrior began
his "wrestling" career as a bodybuilder, alongside Sting
and other wrestlers in Powerteam USA. Warrior then began tagging with
Sting in various promotions, first as the Freedom Fighters, then becoming
the Blade Runners, Rock (Warrior) and Flash (Sting). The two wrestled
well together in the Mid-South, yet never managed to earn the Mid-South
Tag-Team Titles. In 1986, "Rock" headed to the World Class
Wrestling Association.
As the Dingo Warrior, Warrior became a fan-favorite. In November '86,
Dingo and Lance von Erich defeated Borne and Master Gee to win the
WCWA Tag-Team Titles. They held the titles for less than a month before
losing to Brian Adias and Al Madril. This did not deter the Warrior.
A few months later, Dingo managed to beat Bob Bradley to win the WCWA
Texas Heavyweight Title, which he held against all comers for over
4 months. After losing the title to Al Perez, the Dingo Warrior decided
to leave the WCWA.
In late 1987, the Ultimate Warrior made his debut in the WWF. At first,
he mainly wrestled against mid-carders, rarely engaging in the major
matches. His wrestling physique and maneuvers were noticed, however,
and he was given a shot at the WWF Intercontinental Title in August
'88. The Warrior quickly disposed of the Honky
Tonk Man to earn his first gold in the WWF. He then began a major
feud with "Ravishing"
Rick Rude. It started at the Royal Rumble in '89, when the two
wrestlers engaged in a "Posedown." The Warrior was obviously
winning, so Rude and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan brutally attacked
Warrior. This led to many matches between the two. The Warrior lost
the I-C belt to Rude, then came back a few months later to reclaim
it, nearly to the day he had first won it the year before. By now,
the Ultimate Warrior was one of the most popular wrestlers in the
WWF. Only one was thought to match his stardom at the time: Hulk Hogan.
The two met at Wrestlemania VI, two champions facing off in one of
the great matches in WWF history. After a brutal battle which featured
both wrestlers' finishing moves, the Warrior managed to defeat Hogan
for the WWF World Title. It was the Ultimate Warrior's finest hour.
After vacating the I-C belt, the Warrior defended the WWF World Title
for more than 9 months, feuding with Mr.
Perfect (Curt Hennig), Haku (Meng), and others. But it was the
feud with the "Macho
King" Randy Savage that eventually cost him the World Title,
as Savage hit the Warrior with his sceptor during his match against
Sergeant Slaughter, who pinned him for the belt. The war between Savage
and the Warrior truly began then, as the two wrestlers attacked each
other repeatedly over the next month, and faced off in a "retirement"
match at Wrestlemania VII, in which Savage landed numerous Flying
Elbows, yet could not put the Warrior away. Savage was finally defeated
by the Warrior, in another of the great matches in WWF history.
The Ultimate Warrior then went on to feud with Jake
"The Snake" Roberts and the Undertaker, then briefly
left the WWF in 1991. He reappeared to help out Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania
VIII, when he was attacked by Papa Shango and Sid
Vicious. After a short feud with Shango, the Warrior briefly aided
(and fought with)
"Macho Man" Randy Savage. The two were teamed for a
few matches as the Ultimate Maniacs. Then the Warrior again left the
WWF, to open the "Warrior University," a wrestling school
in Arizona. He had a few tours with small-time wrestling organizations,
but mainly stayed away from the big-time circuits for a few years.
At Wrestlemania XII, the Ultimate Warrior returned to the WWF, easily
defeating Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Although he had a few memorable
feuds against Goldust and Owen Hart, the Warrior did not win any titles
and soon was back out of the WWF. He again stayed away from the sport
for a few more years, prefering to help others instead.
In September '98, the Warrior appeared at a Monday Nitro amid smoke
and fire, declaring war against "Hollywood" Hogan and the
nWo Hollywood faction. He announced the forming of the One Warrior
Nation and began mind games on Hogan. A few weeks later, the Warrior
was released by WCW. The Warrior's current wrestling position is unknown.
Title Summary:
WCWA
Tag-Team Champion w/ Lance von Erich
WCWA Texas Heavyweight Champion
WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion (2)
WWF World Heavyweight Champion
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