When you talk of wrestling icons there is one colourful superstar who immediately springs to mind - the Ultimate Warrior.
Skysports.com looks back at the Ultimate Warrior's distinguished career in our series of superstar reviews
When you talk of wrestling greats there is one superstar who immediately springs to mind with his extreme appearance and ox-like strength - the Ultimate Warrior.
The colourful competitor became a folk hero by the time his distinguished career drew to a close in 1998, and his legacy will live on for decades to come.
After a muted introduction to WWE life in 1987 - the Ultmiate Warrior powered to fame the following year as he overcame the Honky Tonk Man to claim the Intercontinental Title.
After gradually establishing a reputation amongst a fine era of competitors, the Arizona-born superstar quickly built up the first feud of his career as he took a particular disliking to "Ravishing" Rick Rude.
The mutual hatred began at the 1989 Royal Rumble after the pair became engaged in a "posedown" which Rude was being beaten at comprehensively.
Refusing to be outdone, Rude and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan turned on Warrior and a series of matches between "Ravishing" and his posedown nemesis ensued.
Breathtaking
The Warrior initially lost the Intercontinental Title belt to Rude before winning it back a few months later - on the exactly same day he had won it the previous year.
By this time the Warrior had grabbed the hearts of WWE lovers across the globe, and his next most significant bout was to go down as one of the greatest matches in history.
At WrestleMania VI the Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan locked horns for the first time in a breathtaking match which saw both men's special moves unleashed.
However, in what was undoubtedly the Ultimate Warrior's finest hour he was to prevail victorious as Hogan missed his Leg Drop and he cashed in by delivering his Gorilla Press Slam and Splash to snatch the gold away from his old rival.
After vacating the Intercontinental belt, the Warrior defended the WWE World Title for more than nine months during feuds with Mr. Perfect, Haku and many more.
However, it was to be a rivalry with the "Macho King" Randy Savage that eventually cost him the World Title as Savage struck the Warrior with his sceptor during his match against Sergeant Slaughter, who pinned him for the belt.
Disappearance
After relinquishing the gold in cruel circumstances, the Ultimate Warrior was out to seek his revenge - and he did just that.
A retirement match between Savage and the Warrior at WrestleMania VII ended the Macho King's glittering career as the Ultimate Warrior withstood a flurry of Flying Elbows before winning.
In 1991, after further battles, this time with Jake "The Snake" Roberts and the Undertaker, the Ultimate Warrior briefly disappeared off the WWE scene after he was locked in a coffin, buried up to his neck, and bitten by a cobra by Roberts & the Undertaker
His reappearance came at WrestleMania VIII where he helped out old foe Hulk Hogan after he was attacked by Papa Shango and Sid Justice.
After a short feud with Shango, the Warrior had a short spell fighting in tandem with "Macho Man" Randy Savage.
The pair were teamed for a few matches as the Ultimate Maniacs. Then the Warrior again left the WWE, to open the "Warrior University", a wrestling school in Arizona.
Memorable
In 1996 his reappearing act was brought into fruition again at WrestleMania XII, the Ultimate Warrior returning this time to defeat Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
Although he had a few memorable feuds against Goldust and Owen Hart, the Warrior failed to claim any further titles and was soon back out of the WWE.
In September 1998, the Warrior appeared at a Monday Nitro amid smoke and fire, declaring war against "Hollywood" Hogan and the nWo Hollywood faction.
Hogan famously looked on in disbelief and said: "I...I thought you were dead!". Ultimate Warrior went on to form the One Warrior Nation and begin mind games on Hogan.
He "kidnapped" one of Hogan's loyal servants - the Disciple, and turned him against Hogan. "Hollywood" and the Warrior clashed at Halloween Havoc '98, where Hogan ran out victor by having his nephew, Horace Hogan, interfere.
However, Hogan's "retirement" triggered the end for the Ultimate Warrior, and, with no further reason to carry on in the squared circle, his historic 11-year career came to an end after he was released by WCW.
Legends to come:
- Bret "The Hitman" Hart
- Hulk Hogan
- The Rock
Others available on request...
