WWE World And Insiders React To Death Of The Ultimate Warrior

The tragic death of Ultimate Warrior, aged 54, has provoked numerous tributes from within the wrestling industry. At this time there are no further details to add to our earlier report, however industry expert Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio has commented that "everyones going to think enlarged hearts and that era. He had injuries but I didn't know about any health problems." Meltzer doesn't want to say anything else on the situation as we await further details. Warrior's career was filled with controversy, he was a mainstream star and WWF Champion, but backstage he faced criticism of ego and selfishness. Today it's a different story, the wrestling industry tributes are telling the story of a caring family man and good friend. He really cared about his fans, terming them his 'warriors'. TMZ is noting that Warrior was in good spirits and making time for his fans as he left New Orleans airport around 6am on Tuesday morning. He offered to take photos with any fan who approached him. Later that day he collapsed shortly before 6pm outside an Arizona hotel while walking with his wife. He was pronounced dead at hospital. This was one of the most unexpected tragedies of recent years in the wrestling world. Warrior only got inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame last Saturday, marking the mending of his bridges with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. We all expected Warrior to go on and enjoy a long run as a WWE ambassador and occasional on-air personality. WWE now find themselves with another wrestler death at a young age, arguably the most mainstream big-name star of a generation. This will be covered in a major way across the press. WWE face the immediate issue of having to probably edit a John Cena promo out of Smackdown this Friday, Cena had done various Warrior impressions and jokes which could now be bad taste. WWE should really give Smackdown over to a Warrior special showing some of his finest matches, but that would seem unlikely with the content they have taped already from Tuesday. The tributes continue to pour over the internet. Some of the tweets from wrestling people include - Triple H: "Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters" Stephanie McMahon: "#RIPUltimateWarrior Your strength of character is to be admired. There will never be anyone like you. Your spirit lives on in your family." Kevin Nash: "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." The Bella Twins: "In such shock right now... Prayers go out to Warrior, his wife & little girls. What an amazing man he was. He will always be remembered. RIP" Jim Ross: "Sad to pass along the news that the Ultimate Warrior has died. Condolences to his wife & two, young daughters. RIP Warrior" Vince McMahon: "We are all so sad that the Ultimate Warrior has passed away. Our heart is with his wife Dana and his two daughters." Daniel Bryan: "Heartbroken. My sincerest condolences go out to The Warrior's family. Seeing how much he loved his daughters and his wife this weekend makes it all the more heartbreaking. The Ultimate Warrior was my favorite as a kid, and getting to speak to him this weekend was one of my favorite moments. He was so nice to me. #RIPWarrior" Randy Orton: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the Warrior family. It breaks my heart after seeing how proud his girls are of their father. Stay strong" Batista: "After all these years I finally got 2 tell him that me shaking the ropes was an homage 2 him. Blessed to have had that moment. #onelife" The Rock: "Loss always has a way of reminding us to live and love as greatly as we can. My prayers and strength to his family. RIP Ultimate Warrior."
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Grahame Herbert hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.