Fighters react to the death of the Ultimate Warrior
MMA fighters responded with sorrow at the tragic passing of Jim Helwig, known to millions as The Ultimate Warrior, at just 54 years old.
The mortality rate in professional wrestling is horrendous. Due to drugs, suicide, heart attack, the rate far exceeds that of combat sports, or any sport. Jim Helwig, known as The Ultimate Warrior, died Tuesday at age 54
He passed just three days after being inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame. His induction speech is at bottom. Helwig joins a long, tragic list of ‘rasslers that died at 54, and younger:
Chris Von Erich – 21
Mike Von Erich – 23
Louie Spiccoli – 27
Art Barr – 28
Gino Hernandez – 29
Lance Cade – 29
Jay Youngblood – 30
Rick McGraw – 30
Joey Marella – 30
Ed Gatner – 31
Buzz Sawyer – 32
Crash Holly – 32
Kerry Von Erich – 33
D.J. Peterson – 33
Eddie Gilbert – 33
The Renegade – 33
Chris Candido – 33
Test – 33
Adrian Adonis – 34
Gary Albright – 34
Bobby Duncum Jr. – 34
Owen Hart – 34
Yokozuna – 34
Big Dick Dudley – 34
Brian Pillman – 35
Marianna Komlos – 35
Umaga – 36
Pitbull #2 – 36
The Wall/Malice – 36
Emory Hale – 36
Leroy Brown – 38
Mark Curtis – 38
Eddie Guerrero – 38
John Kronus – 38
Davey Boy Smith – 39
Johnny Grunge – 39
Chris Kanyon – 40
Vivian Vachon – 40
Jeep Swenson – 40
Brady Boone – 40
Terry Gordy – 40
Bertha Faye – 40
Billy Joe Travis – 40
Chris Benoit – 40
Larry Cameron – 41
Rick Rude – 41
Randy Anderson – 41
Bruiser Brody – 42
Miss Elizabeth – 42
Big Boss Man – 42
Earthquake – 42
Mike Awesome – 42
Biff Wellington – 42
Big Daddy V (Mabel & Viscera) – 43
Brian Adams (Crush) – 43
Ray Candy – 43
Nancy Benoit (Woman) – 43
Hector Garza – 43
Dino Bravo – 44
Curt Hennig – 44
El Gigante/Giant Gonzalez – 44
Bam Bam Bigelow – 45
Jerry Blackwell – 45
Junkyard Dog – 45
Hercules – 45
Toni Adams – 45
Andre the Giant – 46
Big John Studd – 46
Chris Adams – 46
Mike Davis – 46
Hawk – 46
Mitsuharu Misawa – 46
Ludvig Borga – 47
Luna Vachon – 48
Steve Dunn – 48
Cousin Junior – 48
Dick Murdoch – 49
Jumbo Tsuruta – 49
Rocco Rock – 49
Sherri Martel – 49
Steve Williams – 49
Doug Furnas – 50
Moondog Spot – 51
Brad Armstong – 51
Bastion Booger/Norman the Lunatic – 53
Ken Timbs – 53
Uncle Elmer – 54
Pez Whatley – 54
The Angel of Death – 54
The MMA world responded with an outpouring of shock and sadness, via Twitter.
Derek Brunson @DerekBrunsonMMA
The Ultimate Warrior died!? Man I use to think I was him when I was a kid. First Randy Macho man now him. RIP
patrick cote @patrick_cote
My favorite wrestler of all time passed away last night !! RIP Ultimate warrior !!!
Jessamyn Duke @jessamynduke
Wow, it’s devastating to leave the gym & see the news of @UltimateWarrior passing away. I’m glad his story at least got some closure. @wwe
Evan Dunham @evandunham155
When I was young and wrestled with my dad and brother I was always The Ultimate Warrior, RIP
Anthony Johnson @Anthony_Rumble
R.I.P Ultimate Warrior
I remember this guy was a beast. My fav wrestler other than Sting, Hulk Hogan, The British Bulldog, Lex Luger and Legion of Doom just to name a few.
Oh and Koko B. Ware.
At the end of the day NOBODY could get the crowd of myself pumped up the way Ultimate Warrior did.
Alistair Overeem @Alistairovereem
•Sad to hear the news my youngtime idol @UltimateWarrior passed away. My condolences go out to his family
•I actually do remember yes 🙂
Soa The Hulk Palelei @soathehulk
As a kid my all time favourite wrestler was @UltimateWarrior Sad to see the legend has passed #RIP
UFC @ufc
We send our condolences to the @WWE community for the loss of @UltimateWarrior. He will always be a legend. #RIPUltimateWarrior
Jesus Christ @Jesus_M_Christ
Some crazy mofo in face paint and arm bands just crashed through the Pearly Gates and power-slammed St. Peter. Badass.