'You must show no mercy - nor have any belief whatsoever in how others judge you - for your greatness will silence them all.' -- Ultimate Warrior
DAYTONA BEACH -- The Ultimate Warrior, one of the most charismatic in-ring performers in professional wrestling and just inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this weekend prior to Wrestlemania XXX at the Superdome in New Orleans, has died. He was 54.
His death was announced on WWE.com and carried by TMZ. No details were released on a possible cause of death of the wrestler, whose real name was Jim Hellwig, married for a second time and father of two daughters.
Here is what TMZ reported: 9:52 PM PT -- Officials tell TMZ ... Warrior collapsed outside an Arizona hotel at 5:50 PM on April 8th ... while walking to his car with his wife.
“WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior,” according to a statement released by the WWE early this morning on its website.
The Ultimate Warrior, who had returned to the WWE after an 18-year-abscene to be enshrined in the 2014 Hall of Fame, made his final appearance on "Monday Night Raw," during which he donned a mask covering his nose and cheeks showing his old Warrior paint, during which he said in part:"No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own."
As if foreshadowing his own death, the Ultimate Warrior added, "Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. 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."
Here is the rest of WWE's statemwnt on the Ultimate Warrior: "Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter. We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans."
The WWE message concluded, "WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans. Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters."
Professionakl wrestling fans in greater Daytona Beach, like those around the world were stunned tby the shocking news.