Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan III?

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Way back when, I was a little Hulkamaniac.

That should come as no shock to anyone who has read this blog before.

However, I was also intrigued by The Ultimate Warrior.

These two wrestling superstars personified heroism in different ways.

Hulk Hogan was the Boy Scout, waving the American Flag, defending honor, pride and integrity, living by the demandments of training, prayers and vitamins.

The Ultimate Warrior was the embodiment of rage and passion.  Uncontrolled, untamed -wearing bright colors with big hair, face covered in neon paint, he was an action figure come to life.

Their battle at Wrestlemania VI in Toronto was one of the biggest matches of all-time.  It’s very rare to have a “dream match” where both competitors are good guys or “faces.”  Warrior defeated Hogan in an attempt to “pass the torch” and create a new #1.

While Warrior was immensely popular with the fans, he came and went from the industry for much of the next decade.  He had some more good runs with the WWF, including a comeback attempt around Wrestlemania XIII, before disappearing for a while.

He returned in the late 1990s in WCW, where Hogan was the prime villain (heel), in order to confront his old nemesis.

That run was disappointing, as it is best remembered for the trap door Warrior used causing a career-ending injury to Davey Boy Smith, which led to painkiller abuse and his ultimate death.

Over the years, Hogan has become a reality show star, which tore his family apart.  He is no longer the hero he was in the 1980s, but he is still one of the most recognizable people on the planet.

Warrior pursued artwork, motivational speaking and other interests.  WWE made a DVD about him that outlined his alleged shady business practices.  A seemingly endless parade of stars and insiders took shots at Warrior.

So, neither of them has anywhere near the level of shine on them they used to.

Which is what makes this so sad.

Warrior will be releasing a long-form video discussing his disdain for Hogan.  Here’s a preview that was released this week:

It’s sad to see my two favorite prime-of-their-life wrestlers at such public odds at this stage.

Who does it help?

Kicking around anger doesn’t make you less angry – it often does the exact opposite.