Wrestling star Ultimate Warrior dies in Scottsdale at 54
Apr 9, 2014, 6:58 AM | Updated: 12:28 pm
PHOENIX — Just days after being inducted into his sport’s Hall of Fame, WWE wrestling star the Ultimate Warrior died Tuesday evening in Scottsdale.
James Brian Hellwig collapsed while walking with his wife at the Gainey Suites Hotel near Scottsdale Road and 73rd Street, said Scottsdale Police.
Warrior was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy Thursday, county spokeswoman Cari Gerchick said, but foul play is not suspected.
WWE had confirmed the death but not where it happened or cause of death.
Warrior (Hellwig legally changed his name), 54, had been welcomed into the Hall of Fame over the weekend and had appeared at WrestleMania30 in New Orleans.
The Ultimate Warrior had a falling out with the WWE and did not appear on its TV shows after July 8, 1996, until last weekend. He had reconciled with wrestling impresario Vince McMahon> he appeared before a crowd for the final time during the Hall of Fame weekend on “Raw.” He shook the ropes and the crowd went wild.
Watch the @UltimateWarrior's final address on @WWE programming this past week on #Raw. http://t.co/D1yiFU3UIt #RememberWarrior
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2014
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
