Rest In Peace: WWE Hall of Famer Ultimate Warrior

God works in mysterious ways. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when hearing the terribly sad news that James Brian Hellwing, better known as the Ultimate Warrior, passed away Tuesday evening at the age of 54.

Warrior was known for being the most charismatic and high octane professional wrestler the industry ever got to witness in World Wrestling Entertainment.  Growing up as a child and getting to see his electrifying, heart pumping entrance as the music kicked on as he exploded down the entrance ramp like a cannon ball will be wrestling memories I will carry forever.

Warrior, which legally became his name in 1993, finally had received the ultimate recognition for his storied career by getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday evening in New Orleans, LA part of Wrestlemania XXX weekend.

The wrestler that was billed from “Parts Unknown” leaves us with a mystery as eerie as his persona.  Warrior gave a long, yet exciting speech during his induction ceremony that gave long lasting WWE fans the closure that they needed.

On Monday Night RAW, the day after Wrestlemania XXX, the Warrior surprised the WWE Universe with what would be his last appearance on TV.  Warrior gave another great, intense speech that now gives me goose bumps when I read the words.

"“Every man’s heart one day beats its final beat,” Warrior said. “His lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them bleed deeper in something that’s larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized by the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him, and make the running the man did live forever.”"

Warrior began his storied career with the World Wrestling Federation in 1987 (2 years before I was born), and by 1990 he had become one of the biggest stars in the company, rivaling the popularity of Hulk Hogan. Warrior defeated Hogan to win the world championship at the Sky Dome in Toronto, Canada.

Most of the current WWE roster took to Twitter to express their thoughts and prayers for Warrior and his family.  The tweets came from the likes of Hulk Hogan, HHH, The Rock, and who I thought tweeted the best one – Dave Bautista. Bautista reflected by tweeting, “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 best part of Warrior’s induction speech was near the opening when he made beautiful remarks toward his wife Dana and his two daughters.  Warrior acknowledged he had accomplished many great things in the wrestling business but there was no better accomplishment than getting be a father to his two daughters, Indy and Mattigan.

Warrior left WWE fans of the past and present with a remarkable speech and gave us closure on his WWE career.  However, just as you would expect in an eerie Warrior fashion, his departure leaves us with questioning with – “Did he know his days were numbered?”

Rest In Peace – Warrior.