10 WWE Superstars Who Sabotaged Their Own Careers
2. Dingos Ate My Baby
Debuting in the WWF in 1987, the Ultimate Warrior (formerly Jim Hellwig, later just Warrior) was earmarked as the natural successor to Hulk Hogan. It’s possible that no wrestler was ever handed so much on a silver platter only to throw it away.
An instant crowd favourite, it didn’t matter to them that the chiselled physique was due to years of steroid abuse, or that the intense promos were utter nonsense, or that the running and shaking of the ropes would have Warrior gassed within minutes.
Warrior’s own opinion of himself was even higher than theirs and just as delusional. In July 1991 he faxed Vince McMahon, mid-contract, refusing to work until he received an immediate half million dollar cheque followed by a raise and perks in line with Hogan’s own deal.
Vince, canny carny that he is, agreed to all of Warrior’s demands until SummerSlam was over... and then walked it all back, suspending him. Warrior tried to quit instead - but with another year left on his contract, WWF simply ignored him.
Returning briefly the following year, a failed drug test led to his release; returning briefly in 1996, more disputes over money caused him to bail again. His wrestling career puttered out with a short run in WCW: a riot of nonsensical supernatural storylines resembling less a pro wrestling angle than the plot of his abortive comic book.
Following his change of career to a bizarre, hectoring form of ‘life coaching’, the rest was bigoted ranting… and finally, silence.