The Ultimate Warrior was never my favorite. I was a really angry ten year old when he beat Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania 6. Partly this hatred was Freudian: I had older parents and so I found much more comfort in Hogan's loping big boot and atomic leg drop as opposed to the Warrior's energy chaos. Partly I held him in disdane because it was so clear that he was 'roided up. And partly because once he won the WWF Heavyweight Championship, he couldn't run with the ball. The belt was off him in less than 9 months -- to Iraqi-turncoat Sargeant Slaughter, of all people (a proxy to get the belt back to Hogan).
I knew nothing about wrestling politics at the time, but it was always clear that Warrior was an outsider and I hated that as a kid. Now I don't. It was really cool to see him inducted into the Hall of Fame just three days prior to his death. I'd wax philosophical about the purification of the soul via accomplishment, but no father wants to leave young children behind. His death is very sad. His death two days after such a prophetic speech is startling.
The Macho Man, the Big Boss Man, Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, and now the Ultimate Warrior. And in a different way Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero. These men made choices. But for being such a source of entertainment and inspiration to me as a child and a young man, I'm disheartened at the price of their success.
Wrestling is scripted, but it isn't fake.
Thank you, Warrior!