Without a doubt one of the better known instances of "taking it with you," the former Jim Hellwig adopted the name and persona of the "Dingo Warrior" when working for World Class Championship Wrestling. When the call came from up north, Hellwig heeded its summons. Upon his arrival in Stamford, he continued to use the Dingo Warrior name for house shows, but when it came time for his big television debut, Vince didn't want a mere Dingo Warrior to appear; he wanted to show the world The Ultimate Warrior. Full of energy and intensity, Hellwig did what he does best, shaking ropes and gorilla-press slamming foes all the way to the World Heavyweight Championship. So invested in his gimmick was he that Hellwig would legally change his name to Warrior, which is now the surname of his wife and children. Warrior and WWE would end up going to court over the rights to the character, with Warrior coming on top and taking it with him to WCW, where he would appear as simply "The Warrior." And, lest we forget, his return to WWE earlier this year saw him assume the persona one last time, delivering what some people see as his own eulogy just hours prior to his death.
Former Nintendo Power writer, current Nintendo Force writer. Wrote the book on Mega Man (The Robot Master Field Guide). Was once fired by Vince McMahon. Dabbles in video games, comic books, toys, and fast food curiosities. Once had a new species of exotic bird named after him. It died.
You can find more of his writings, musings, and other such things on his websites at Nyteworks.net.
