Ultimate Warrior
Ultimate Warrior Interview (Oct 1997)
Moderator (Speaker) Welcome everyone, our guest tonight is a former WWF World Champion, The Ultimate Warrior. Please send in your questions.
redrocker97 (Prodigy Member) It's great to have you on Jim, and best of luck on all your endeavors... The last 2 projects you were involved in last we saw you in the WWF dealt with some sort of WWF wrestling school, and those great comics... What happened with those projects???
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) The school, Warrior University, is still open. When I went back to work with WWF, the idea was to open Warrior University as a training facility for future WWF wrestlers, which is an excellent idea. One of the biggest mistakes Vince made was not having a minor league where he could pull talent from. When I went back the last time it was under a different arrangement than anyone was accustomed to. Warrior University was outside that and was to be my company, Ultimate Creations working with Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Titan. We ran one spot on a program and were inundated with requests for the package. From that package I set up a thing called "One Day Camps". Out of that we had about 2000 guys over the course of a dozen camps. The camp revolved around a no bull session with me and I'd give the behind the scenes info to smarten them up. Out of those guys maybe 3 guys had any potential at all to be pro wrestlers. The rest were guys that were couch potatoes that knew how to work remote controls. While Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) these camps were going on, I had already had the fallout with the WWF. Remember, Warrior University wasn't just a backroom...it was a 16,000 sq ft facility that was closed to the public. After I had all these guys come and saw the potential, as disappointing as it was, I knew I had to relocate it if I was going to continue doing the wrestling school. On a side note here, Warrior University as a school was never first and foremost my idea for Warrior University. My initial concept, and the Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) concept I'm working on today for Warrior University is to create training centers for young kids that have on staff teachers that teach a "Warriorized" message about the value and the importance of physical fitness, but also the basic concept of 'knowledge is power', and using the intensity of Ultimate Warrior as the spokesperson for it. Anyway, three of the guys came up to me and continued to contact me after the camps after I decided to relocate the facility, and I have continued to work with Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) those guys and they are out there right now. The facility has been relocated to Northern Arizona up by the Grand Canyon. I'm working with a gentleman that does fitness camps all over the world and we're putting together a format now to put it into a weekend or week long camp targeted at young men and we'll instill in them self reliance, and the whole Warrior ideology. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) There is a specific area of my webpage that deals with this, and you can go to the "Sports Entertainment" of my new site. It's located at http://www.ultimatewarrior.com
Moderator (Speaker) Be sure to check out the Wrestling for Smarts topic on the Wrestling BB for the latest discussion on the current happenings in the wrestling business today. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) The Comic is still happening, and there is also an entire comic area of the site. I have five different domains. One is about Generation Warrior, the Sports Entertainment section with pictures and info back to my Freedom Fighters days with Sting, the Warrior Workout domain with my own workout schedules and exercise and training, the Warrior Comic Book Domain. Each domain is very detailed. There's also a Warriors World domain with products and T-shirts.
LAX Kevin (Prodigy Member) How did you react to the rumors about your death and how did your family react?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I've heard that rumor dozens of times, and the fact of the matter is you just don't react. Anytime you're in the public eye, people are going to make up rumors. You can't track down every rumor and the creator of every rumor. You just let it go.
HBKisGodBarr (Prodigy Member) There have been rumors that you are going to start your very own pro wrestling organization, are you?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) No, not at all. I had an experience where I genuinely wanted to do something on a local level out west and experience had taught me, when you try to work with people who don't have the same strength of commitment, it just doesn't work out. It would be very difficult to compete in today's market against WCW and WWF, but especially the Turner organization in general. It takes a lot of money to do it successfully. If you aren't going to be successful, why do it at all.
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JPatton (Prodigy Member) When you were in the WWF, how prevalent was the use of painkillers, and have you ever used them?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Yes, I have. I think anybody in that position would. I read some comments from Bruno Sammartino where he said he only took aspirin. They never had the travel schedule back then they have now, and that isn't an excuse..but you asked the question and I'll tell you the truth. Each individual should know their own limits to what they can and can't do. The sad part about it is people start using them as a crutch. You're going to have that type of behavior in every level of life.
JPatton (Prodigy Member) What was your reaction to Brian Pillman's death?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Anytime you have anybody that gets taken before they grow into old age it's sad. I didn't know Brian personally, and he had just come into the WWF as I was leaving. It's very sad when anyone dies like that regardless of the circumstance.
Met Life (Prodigy Member) You should go to WCW and you and hogan can fight again... Be WCW and then WCW could kill NWO. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) It's a work
Banned JEP (Prodigy Member) Warrior, Good to have ya back on Prodigy. Here are my Questions. 1. Why do you think Promoters like Vince and Even Eric Bishoff think you are hard to work with? Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Because I have principals and I won't sell out my principals for any amount of money. Bottom line is, I know the value of the Ultimate Warrior.
richwill (Prodigy Member) Warrior- When is your website going to open? Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) It's open now. You can access it at http://www.ultimatewarrior.com
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Virginia BA (Prodigy Member) Out of all the "older" wrestlers, Piper, Hogan, Flair, Savage and over 40, which one do you think is the best?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Hogan. Hogan IS wrestling. He lives for the business, he loves the business. That doesn't take anything away from the fact that everybody else works just as hard, but the whole reinvention of Hogan as a heel is ingenious and it's a plan Hogan had in his pocket a long time ago. Here's a way to look at it. Hogan was known as THE babyface, as what wrestling represented all over the world for all those years, and he turned heel. You take a guy in the business that's been babyface for a year Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) he has to think about if it's a good idea. Whatever personal issues aside, and I didn't get a chance to get to know Hogan all that well, I sit back and respect and admire him for what he's done and for the focus he's had on the business. You've got to. If you don't, all it says is that you're jealous and insecure about your own selfworth.
Rick Austin (Prodigy Member) Who did you enjoy facing the most?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Probably Rick Rude, and Randy Savage. I enjoyed them all. I don't think when you're working with talent like that, and business is good, you enjoy just working....because the boys live from night to night waiting for another judgment to come down on the match they've had.
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McDGare (Prodigy Member) What do you think your greatest match was?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) The Hogan match, obviously. That's a match that will never ever be forgotten...by me or by wrestling fans. For a lot of reasons. McDGare (Prodigy Member) How do you feel about Vince McMahon?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I have no respect for him whatsoever. At one point, even after the first two fallout's I had a respect for him because of what he had done with professional wrestling. This time back, I got a very clear picture of the real Vince McMahon. It has no value whatsoever.
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Steve Bundy (Prodigy Member) UW, do you ever plan on making another comeback?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) No, at this time I do not. Of course, because of the character I portray, it's always in the back of my mind. However, with only two teams to play for and one of those not being an option, the choices are limited. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) It's very easy, especially when you do something as successful as the Ultimate Warrior, to get stereotyped. Although I'm not trying to create another role in entertainment, "PROJECT WARRIOR" is very important to me and I believe is the next level beyond the Ultimate Warrior as a wrestler. Now Who
SW (Prodigy Member) Thanks for joining us. Could you describe for us what happened during the day and during the match when you defeated Hogan for the World Title at The Skydome? What it meant to you and how it changed your career?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Those that know of my story know that I am not a 2nd or 3rd generation wrestler. I originally entered professional wrestling with another Superstar, Sting. I never doubted I would become successful in anything I chose to do, but who could have predicted the success I had in pro wrestling. The event on that day was almost anti-climatic. It was a goal that was shot for and I think anybody understands when you shoot for a goal and reach it, people that are achievers like myself, need to set Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) sites on something higher. Goals that seem far away and then are eventually achieved sometime become too real and not that big of a deal anymore. Now Who
SW (Prodigy Member) You and Vince have had your disagreements before, why did you never go to WCW? Was there ever talks, even now, with Eric Biscoff or anyone from WCW about wrestling for them or were there any talks in the past?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) My reason for not going their before (since my 96 return) was simply because I always kept myself busy with other things. I have never felt as if I had to depend on professional wrestling to insure a future for myself. I've always invested in myself and things have always found their own way. My reason for not going to WCW this time is because I have pursued litigation against WWF to clearly straighten out property related issues. WWF has for many years told business related entities that Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) that they own the Ultimate Warrior. That is not true. With my "PROJECT WARRIOR" business goals, it's imperative that these issues, falsely claimed by Titan, need to be resolved once and for all. I did have one conversation with Eric Bischoff prior to my 96 return. My loyalty for the WWF at the time overruled any intention I may have had about working for WCW. We never got beyond the one phone call. It was never anything more than just a hello. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) As a matter of fact, by the time any further phone calls should have or would have taken place, I had already signed with the WWF.
Moderator (Speaker) To visit the Ultimate Web Site, goto http://www.ultimatewarrior.com for the thoughts of one of the most exciting WWF wrestlers of all-time
lava5 (Prodigy Member) Is the name "Ultimate Warrior" or the character likenesses still trademarks of Titan or do you have the rights?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) One of the conditions of my return in 96 was that all the trademark rights, wrongly applied for in 1987 by Titan, be reassigned to me. That did take place. I am, according to the Trademark and Patent Office of the United States, the rightful owner of all Ultimate Warrior related trademarks. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) As we have proceeded with nearing the trial dates, and settling issues related to Warrior copyright, they still remain mine. Titan claims, however that I only returned to get the assignment of the trademarks and then to leave and go wrestle someplace else. It doesn't take much thought to figure out who someplace else is. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) If Titan's claims are correct....then I ask why has it been over a year since I left there, and I'm not wrestling anyplace else. Moderator (Speaker) Want to join a trivia league? If so, take a look under the Trivia topic on the Wrestling BB and join one of the great leagues like ZEN, RWT, or PTQL. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) It seems to me, with all the misconstrued rumors about, that if Titan's claims were indeed my intentions, I sure have wasted 3 or 4 years in the prime of my life not making money from it. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) We have a court date for the resolution of these issues in March of 1998. My lawsuit, although Titan tried to pull it into Federal Court in Connecticut, is in the state courts of Arizona. Recently, because of rumors due to newsletters and Internet communication that Titan surveillance's in a paranoid regular fashion, they filed an overnight motion to try to get a temporary restraining order preventing me from using Warrior as a wrestler. They failed. The transcript is public record. Am I Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) going to post it on my website...no. The rumor that got them so concerned was when WCW was promising an impact player. It turned out to be Mr Perfect, but Titan apparently believed the rumors that it might be me. They filed their motion, and it failed. Point is, Titan has no influence on my decisions to be out in the marketplace wrestling right now.
Fire Stone (Prodigy Member) Hi Warrior. I would like to know, I hope you will be honest.. Did you ever take steroids during your stay in the WWF??
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Of course I have. I've never been dishonest about that. That's why I never caught any flack and was never brought up on any charges. I was honest from the beginning about that. There was a time when steroids were legal and you could get them from a physician. Steroids are no longer legal, and I don't do illegal things.
Tough Dude (Prodigy Member) Is it true that there have been several "Ultimate Warriors"?? Or are you the one and only?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I'm the only one. I've always been the only one. There's never been another. For someone to believe that is totally absurd. For me to say I'm the only one isn't going to change your mind about it, so why ask.
Schmiznid (Prodigy Member) Mr. Warrior - if you were unfortunate enough to suddenly pass away...would you want your widow to go on television after your death and tell the public that you were really a nice man, loving husband and father, with more than three working brain cells...or would you think that was tasteless?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Tasteless. I'm sure it's not something that Brian discussed with anybody. My better half has more sense than that.
ChiBears (Prodigy Member) Warrior saw you at Garden State Track you were great!!! Will you ever get back into the big two, this being WCW & WWF? What about ECW???
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I know how genuine everybody's inquiry is about my return to professional wrestling, and I will never forget that chapter in my life...but I can't let what seems like only a moment of my life set the stage for my future. If I return to professional wrestling, I promise that I will, as I have done each successive time, return even more colorful, more intense, more dynamic, from what you remember before. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) But I cannot promise that I will ever return to professional wrestling.
ImTheFireman (Prodigy Member) Do you still keep in touch with your former tag team partner Sting?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Last time me and Sting were tag team partners, neither one of us had a care in the world. Matter of fact, a short story....we had so little money when we first started training with Red Bastein, that we got caught one night in a grocery story eating Colby cheese in the aisle. They caught us just as we had a mouthful of that dry cheese. We both ran so far and so fast that both of us thought we were going to have to perform CPR on one another, but with still a mouthful of cheese, can you Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) imagine? Sting now has a family and kids, and has been very successful in his own right. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I know that we have both stood back in astonishment and admiration of one anothers careers....but the tag team days were long ago and seem like a whole different dimension.
The UKL' CE (Prodigy Member) Warrior,What Are Your Thoughts on ECW?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Although I know nobody there personally, and don't think that I've worked any length of time with anyone there, except for of course Rick Rude....I have the utmost respect for people who have the fortitude and the balls to do something totally against main stream. For that alone, my hat is off to them. However, just as I don't spend very much time watching the more easily accessible wrestling shows like NITRO or RAW, I don't think that I would put forth the effort to get my hands on under Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) ground tapes and such. I'm sure I would enjoy it, as Bob Ryder has told me, maybe some day.
Georgie123 (Prodigy Member) Jim- Are you planning any autograph sessions in the New York, New Jersey, PA. area any time soon??
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) None are scheduled, but we talk with people every day that put on collectors shows, pop culture shows, comic book store owners, other various business owners, about me coming for guest appearances. Usually, those who call are very very poorly organized. I have always tried to carry myself in a personal appearance capacity the same as what people know from my wrestling ring performances, with the utmost in professionalism. Unfortunately, the majority of those who contact us seem to conduct Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) themselves otherwise.
Moderator (Speaker) To read the latest thoughts of our Wrestling Area Leader, check out Notes From Bob under the Wrestling For Smarts topic on the Wrestling BB. Moderator (Speaker) For access to former chat transcripts, check out the Wrestling Area in the File Library. Just Jump: file libraries to get there!
GqNJDayton (Prodigy Member) At Wrestlemania when you beat Hogan, was it a last minute decision or was it always planed for you to beat Hogan? Also what are your thoughts on Mr. Bolea?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) It went back and forth a few times but not on the day of the event. It was determined, I guess, a week out...and it didn't change from then. I've already stated my feelings on Hogan. I don't know him personally enough to speak about him. I anything you do in life, nobody should carry unearned guilt for watching out for themselves. Never. In the wrestling business especially, you've got to watch your own ass. To hold something against someone only because they watch out for themselves Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) isn't right.
Dayton (Prodigy Member) If you were inducted to the WWF Hall of Fame, would you accept the award or show up at the ceremony? Thanks again for joining us!
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) No.
Kendall K (Prodigy Member) I have heard that you are a Chiropractor, any truth to this???
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Before I got into wrestling. What you don't use, you lose. I would not attempt to go out and open a practice, if that's what you mean.
GqNJDayton (Prodigy Member) I'm sure you've been asked before but what would Vince have to do reconcile the rift between you two and to get you back in the ring?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) My principals don't have a price. Moderator (Speaker) Each and every Monday Night, join us in the shared Prodigy/Prodigy Internet NITRO/RAW room for all the hot action as it happens.
Warrio'sBarr (Prodigy Member) What are your thoughts on Shawn Michaels? Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I think Shawn is a great performer inside the ring once the match gets started. Everything else other than that gets under my skin. It's annoying, and dumb.
JustWannaSKP (Prodigy Member) I have never heard your thoughts on "The Renegade"... (Well, maybe I have... I just forgot.) Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) It never got to me like it did to the fans of the Ultimate Warrior. It was such a pitiful attempt that it was hard to get mad about it. Besides, if I got in a rage every time somebody tried to sell a ticket or make money off a 900 line by dropping my name, I would have gone totally mad a long time ago.
Stone Cold 5 (Prodigy Member) Do You plan to continue your WARRIOR comic book?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Yes. The Warrior comic book is my project to get the message out about the "PROJECT WARRIOR" concepts, and also eventually take into an animated movie. Many people know, and if you don't, I'll tell you....a lot of great blockbuster movies start out as comic books. It was such a natural, anyway. For years people referred to the Ultimate Warrior character as if he walked off the pages of a comic book. Now, with the creation of the Warrior ideology, coupled with the comic book illustration, it Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) becomes an excellent project for animation. Stay tuned.
Moderator (Speaker) Prodigy's own Japanese News Reporter, Zach Arnold, runs an exciting trivia league called the ZEN promotion. To join, e-mail him at MWUD37B@prodigy.com
DeThWlnDz (Prodigy Member) Why change your name to Warrior? Was that just to screw the WWF out of royalties on the name or to keep them from doing what they eventually did with the Diesel/Ramon gimmicks?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Everything Warrior, as it relates to Ultimate Warrior as a professional wrestler, me changing my name to Warrior, happened long before Kevin Nash and Scott Hall came along. I changed my name to Warrior back in 1992. The primary reason why I changed my name to Warrior was simply my believe that my wrestling career and the statement it made, as great as it was, was simply the springboard for "PROJECT WARRIOR", and as it's spokesperson and leader, I believe I am Warrior. I live my life as a Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Warrior in principals and beliefs every single day. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) On that note, let me state what "PROJECT WARRIOR" is, for there are many of my fans and those who know of my professional wrestling career that may think I have become brittle of mind and am living in the desert of Arizona stuck inside a teepee. Nothing could be further from the truth. If I had to sum up what I have been doing, I would have to say I have been expanding my knowledge and "PROJECT WARRIOR" is the outcome of that. My professional wrestling career, I believe, happened to give me Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) and those who will benefit from "PROJECT WARRIOR" an excellent opportunity to plug into the mission statement of "PROJECT WARRIOR", and that is this, "PROJECT WARRIOR" is my mission, for real, to invoke an impetus within the human race which becomes a driving force in each and every individual to utilize the full capabilities of their life as a human being, both physically and mentally. Ultimate Warrior was my physical statement. Nobody has outdone it and nobody on here tonight can foresee Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) anybody stepping up to the plate and exceeding it. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) If I can't be a part of professional wrestling, then I can use who I am to make it clear to others that they can be just as I have anything they want to be. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) A Warrior, and that includes myself as the man Warrior, knows that it starts in your head. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) This is what keeps me going. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) This is how you will see and feel the power once again.
BanKickersMV (Prodigy Member) Warrior, when can we expect another of your movies to hit the airwaves. Undoubtedly, your last one was the made-for-cable movie of the year!
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) You didn't see me at the Oscars?!? Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I have no pursuing interest in wanting to do live movies. I have no doubts about the comic book character becoming animation, but even I could not do that story live.
redrocker97 (Prodigy Member) One the greatest of all time, Bruno Sammartino, has pretty much denounced the WWF, due mostly to the business acumen of Vince McMahon.He says he doesn't follow the sport anymore. My question is, has the same held true for the Ultimate Warrior? Are you still a fan and follow the sport? What do U watch??
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) It's only natural that I check in once and awhile and check in to see what's going on. Like everyone else, or maybe unlike anyone else, I don't give it much thought. I watch it to be entertained. Like any entertainment, you have good and bad. To say I don't like RAW at all, or I don't like NITRO at all, is too much of a universal statement. Sure, there are things I like and things I don't. The thing I like best about RAW is the opening of the show, the footage they show. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Being out of touch like I am, I don't really have much more insight as to what or how a show came to be than you do. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I know what I like to watch and I know what I don't. I too, read the interview with Bruno. The only point I would make is I would not let my personal feeling influence how I felt about any one particular show. Bruno simply doesn't care for how professional wrestling is presented today. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I think it's highly unrealistic to think or to wish that any business, entertainment or otherwise, doesn't evolve in 20 years. The very fact that we are communicating via a computer screen says so. I think Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Bruno's personal opinion has tainted his viewpoint about wrestling overall.
Ishbu1 (Prodigy Member) Are you still under contract to the WWF?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) No Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) The unfortunate thing for any talent once they leave or decide to no longer stay in one of the two organizations is they do not have a forum to express what really happened. Most people that work in professional wrestling, I'm talking about the boys here, sign whatever documents are put Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) in front of them. It's totally different from other 'legitimized' professional sports. It's simply unbelievable what continues to go on. I really believe that with Turner's organization, and the hiring of more notable personnel running the business side of it, these things will one day completely change.
ULT WARRIOR (Prodigy Member) How did you come up with the idea of the "Ultimate Warrior?"
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Specifically, Ultimate Warrior...many of you will know, and once again if not I'll tell you, when I first went to the WWF they tested me...meaning I had not yet appeared on TV. I had come to the WWF from World Class Championship Wrestling where I had already made a character quite popular even with limited regional exposure. I'm talking about the Dingo Warrior. The Warrior concept was developed in World Class Championship Wrestling. When I went to the WWF, I continued to use the Warrior Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) character exactly as it had been used in World Class Championship wrestling up until my first television appearance for the WWF. I remember very clearly how it happened. Titan, at that time, used to do these things called 'pretapes' wherein while you were wrestling in your match, a smaller screen would be inset where you would be cutting a promo about an opponent or whatever it may be. My pretape for my first television appearance was simply me introducing myself. My first television Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) appearance was taped in Green Bay, and around the same time the Pile Driver album was being produced and in these make ready interview rooms where they set up where they tape television, I had been asked earlier in the day to tape my pretape. As I said, my introduction. When I walked into the room Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Vince was there with probably 12-15 of the top talent back then. That would have been Hillbilly Jim, Don Muraco, Bob Orton, Koko B Ware, Greg Valentine, The Bulldogs. Vince summons everyone to take a break but the Bulldogs over the last 8-9 months while I was being tested had become good friends. Since they knew it was my first television appearance, they stayed in the room to try to make me lose my concentration in front of Vince, and of course to make me screw up my pretape. As everyone Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) cleared out of the room except the Bulldogs and a couple of other guys, Vince told me what I was to do, I was to do my pretape introducing myself. He told me to drop the Dingo, and just use Warrior. Well, as the camera rolled, and I was cutting the promo I said "I am not this Warrior, I am not that Warrior, I am the Ultimate Warrior". When Vince first heard it, he yelled at the camera guy to cut, and said 'What'd he say, what'd he say'. The Bulldog's in their accent yelled "Ultimate", and Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Vince goes "Ultimate, Ultimate...I like it, let's go with it". For the next few months Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith wouldn't let up on how everything went down. That's how I came up with Ultimate.
FaLLingxDoWn (Prodigy Member) You recently came back to the WWF, what happened? When Gorilla Monsoon threatened suspension until you started showing up for matches. Why didn't you show?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) As I have said, that whole weekend from the litigation point of view is very sensitive. However, even Bob Ryder, has transcript of my ignorance as to what Gorilla Monsoon said and what WWF announced online and at the houseshows where they were saying I had refused to wrestle. I knew nothing about anything except that my father was soon to pass away, which he did on Sunday of that weekend. I contacted both Vince and Linda, spoke with each of them and told them of such on Friday, the day of the Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) first missed show at around noon. Their decision to do what took place after that was totally unknown and literally surprised me. So many different stories have come afloat since that weekend. As a fan of the WWF, whether or not you were a fan of the Ultimate Warrior, you deserve nothing but the truth. In time, the truth will be told.
JPatton (Prodigy Member) Some argue the Pillman death could have been avoided, as many say they "saw it coming." Having spent time early on in Texas with the Von Erichs (and with Kerry in the WWF) and seeing their problems, do you feel it is possible at all to reach out to people with these type struggles?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Without getting into too much debth here, simply because I think you reach a point where you become entrenched, my own beliefs are that when your time comes your time comes. Can it be avoided so it doesn't happen prematurely? Each of us has our own belief. More specifically, can people on the outside control the actions of those they care about or love? I don't think so. As many know, I was very close to Kerry. Even though I extended everything I have and own I could not rescue him from Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) what ultimately happened. Kerry had an unusual belief or arrangement in regards to what he thought took place when we were no longer here. He simply thought he was meeting up with his brothers, and the party would continue from there. Do any of us know? No. Yet, it's the one thing we simply cannot avoid.
McDGare (Prodigy Member) What did you think of the getting locked in the casket by the Undertaker angle?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) It didn't bother me. At the time, I remember even making a joke that it was the first amount of rest that I had had in sometime.
FabFiveKM (Prodigy Member) Have you ever considered making an appearance or two in ECW at the Arena? Without the face paint, I'm sure you'd get quite a reaction there...
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) No. It has never crossed my mind.
abomidabIe (Prodigy Member) Did you see Jim Cornette's tirade? If so what did you think?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) No, I did not see it. I heard about it on Bob Ryder's 1Wrestling.com website, but I think we can all agree anytime it is done in that way it simply is just seen as embarrassing. You almost feel bad and want to cringe for the person who's doing it.
Juggalo KT (Prodigy Member) What are your feelings on McMahon, Bischoff, and Heyman? (If you ever met with Heyman).
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I think it's pretty clear how I feel about Vince. Eric Bischoff, on my website I get into a little more detail about how I feel about WCW/NWO. This is my take on Eric Bischoff and his involvement over at WCW. Turner's acquisition of Eric Bischoff saved the organization. Now, that does not mean he is solely responsible for saving the organization, yet without him in there to orchestrate and format a comeback they'd still be drowning in pitiful ideas and excuses. As I've told Bob, anytime you Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) have a booker who also wears tights, you're asking for trouble. On my website, I talk a little bit about Ric Flair. All of them are great guys, I'm sure, personally...but for the longest time, the kept WCW stagnated by making themselves part of every upcoming story and issue. I don't think that Eric Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Bischoff came up with all the ideas. I state that very pragmatically on my site, but I do believe that he has used his listening capabilities by hearing the ideas of Hogan, someone who loves and lives for this business. Paul Heyman, I do not know. I only know that he runs and orchestrates ECW. ECW, for the good or bad of it, seems to be on the tip of everybody's tongue. Other than that, I cannot say.
Schmiznid (Prodigy Member) Mr. Warrior...they call Dean Malenko the man of 1000 holds. If you had to count the number of holds you used during your career...would you need to use both hands, or would only one suffice?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) That's a good one. The Ultimate Warrior also has the Ultimate sense of humor. Unlike others, I've never tried to cloud my weaknesses. I will be the first to say that it is my strengths in physicality that gave rise to the great success that I had. Compared to what a wrestler of 1000 moves may be able to do, and without knowing the time, the energy, and the perseverance a gentleman such as Mr. Malenko, who you've got to have a respect for, put into his training...I know in my heart that Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) no less than an equal amount...and I'd bet everything I have that even more went into developing the strengths I had to the utmost. On a final note, I would say that although limited in the number of zeros attached to the number of wrestling moves I may know, I would compare bank accounts with any technical wrestler alive.
FritzRIP (Prodigy Member) After wrestling for awhile in World Class in the 1980's, what are your thoughts on the death of the man wrestling fans know as Fritz VonErich?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) When I wrestled in WCCW, Fritz was not running the business on a day to day business. David Manning was in the beginning, then Bruiser Brody, then a gentlemen by the name of George Scott a former booker in WCW back in it's heyday came in at the tail end. I did, however, hold negotiations, for whatever it was worth back the, with Fritz over my decision to move on. If I remember correctly, it was simply over allowing me to make money off selling 8x10's. Even back then, while sometimes making Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) only $50 a night, I knew if I believed in myself enough and in my principals, that I couldn't stay. That was when I left WCCW. Other than that, I know that whatever the man did in his lifetime, no matter how rich or successful he was, when he died, he had to have felt more pain than any of us will ever know. The question I have, and the age old adage I believe 'what goes around comes around'....what in God's name did that man ever do.
Crimelord (Prodigy Member) When will your web site be open?
Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) It opened officially this evening. I would ask that nobody presupposes that it's limited to just information about my wrestling career. It's about all that I am, and all I will continue to become during the rest of my life. Check it out at http://www.ultimatewarrior.com Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) I remember the last time I came on here with Bob, and I had mentioned my intentions about making a web presence. I've done that now. 'Til the day I die, whether I ever return to professional wrestling or not, I will always encounter those who were fans of the Ultimate Warrior. The memories of being him, the memories of what he became, will never leave my memory, just as I'm sure they will never leave yours. I would say as I sign off here tonight, that as much as you miss him, miss seeing him Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) bring to life and instill intensity to people in arenas, nobody misses him more than the person who brings him to live. Ultimate Warrior (Speaker) Always believe......Warrior
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