“Are You Ready?” (Mania XL thoughts…) 🤔🛎️💙

I just had to use that quote because of Stephanie McMahon’s return to kickoff night 2 of WMXL as that was spoken by Triple H in the past. She introduced the “new Paul Levesque era.” My guess is she will be back soon but we shall see…

So, what will I start with first? I think I’ll go in order a little here with the topics of choice. First up~~~ the Warrior Award. No real statement from WWE regarding its official end but really, they don’t need to do that. Yes, it would’ve been great seeing it reach 10 years, but that wasn’t meant to be. 🥹 Some recipients were very deserving in my opinion (those Warrior probably would approve) but others, not as much. We never had a little girl win.. 😔 With Dana’s release back in September, it would not make sense to see anyone different present, right? Fans are allowed to express their disappointment but we have so MUCH more in Ultimate Warrior and Warrior memories worth cherishing. I find it interesting how very fickle some “fans” can be. OK, times change along with people – this can be true. There are those who are ripping Triple H to shreds because of this decision. Those same “fans” were the ones praising him for being very instrumental with Warrior’s return. I get how mad we are at times but for this? Nope. It’s fine to be a little nostalgic or even bittersweet but mad at Triple H? That shouldn’t be and yet it is for some. A point to add here… Sue Atchison who was 2019’s recipient was recently just released from WWE after 38+ years. I bet she’ll be very missed… 😟

The next part of 40 is the new IC champ. I bet many expected Sami Zayn to end Gunther’s reign of 666 (crazy number…) days but there are always surprises. I figured that would happen just like the big team match of The Rock and Roman defeating Cody and Seth. We have some other NEW*** champs as titles changed hands and of course Cody, who proved he could #finishthestory that his Dad never got to do. Hard to forget a few legends that came out during the “Bloodline Rules” match which made fans go crazy!

I kept going back-and-forth as to my personal prediction on that ending match but you know what was “running” through my mind? Was it Cody’s dad Dusty never winning the belt? Nope. It was Hulk Hogan’s streak and IF WWE would keep it intact or keep Roman’s “reign” going. I really wasn’t sure until I heard about the possibility of special appearances by some others. Were they there to make XL the best ever? Yes but I also think it was to prepare for the next champ, Cody Rhodes. I guess WWE still does love Hulkamania after all, but records are meant to be broken. Just not this time. The Rock or #TheFinalBoss will be back as well so get ready Cleveland forSummerSlam! I wonder if Vince was watching? 😬So very unfortunate on such a momentous milestone but I saw a pic of Linda there…

A few more things to add. Just my point of view here so take it as you will. To backtrack a bit on the Hall of Fame, I have my take. Do I think The Rock’s grandmother Lia Maivia should’ve been inducted? Yes, at some point because of what a pioneer she was as a woman in the business. It’s amazing what she did BUT because of #TheFinalBoss being in the position he’s at, she got in. Again, I think she does deserve that honor, but his influence made it so. The WWE though has always had much respect for the Anoai Family. Also, I believe Hulk should’ve inducted Muhammad Ali, NOT Undertaker? What was that all about? Not the choice I’d make. There are so MANY I would love to see inducted as Demolition comes to mind at the top of my list. We NEED these people in here before everyone is in posthumously. Let’s hear their voices accepting and not their family. I do hope changes get made in that category.

Whew, that’s my list and my rants. I hope everyone loved Mania 40 but I am moving away from that for the rest of this post. Look at the photo below. I don’t even know if any of you do but it’s another first for me, so I guess it gets “roped” in with Mania in a way, ha ha! I have never used a pic of U.W. with only one color of paint- ever. It just came to mind as you will also notice next week (spoiler alert!) with yet another first time type of pic for me. So, just had to use that one today. 

This last part will just be a reflection of my feelings about April 8 coming and going. I kid you not, I genuinely expected to have a big cry fest because after all, we hit double digits and a new decade since Warrior’s passing. I had to do that, true? Well, not so much as you might think. That date was also marked by the beautiful solar eclipse ya know… 🫣😎🌑 Like other events, the hype gets built up (I wrote on this) and then when it’s here, the reaction may not be as emotional. It’s like when my son graduated high school a few years back and now my daughter will be very soon. It was super hard on me for months, hearing “Pomp and Circumstance” as Randy’s theme on my DVDs without losing it through tears. 😭 When the day came, I was emotional but not like I thought. I rarely am in front of crowds anyway. Guess I get it all out of my system before hand.

I read all the social tributes to Warrior like I always do and some truly got to my ❤️ . I wanted to leave my own but decided not to in that way. My memories resurface every year just like all you fans AND I have so many personal family stories of that time as well. All have been shared. Perhaps I’ve made more peace and progress on his passing. That’s a lot of P words. I know I have and he doesn’t want his warriors as crybabies all the time. We all have evolved on that, at least I hope so. I had my rituals but maybe I needed this huge number to go through instead of fearing it getting nearer and nearer when the year began. Like I have said~ I’m stronger than I know and you dear reader are too. We need not cry buckets to remember or have guilt because we don’t. That’s a myth that needs to be clotheslined. I will cry happy tears because I KNOW without a doubt he is always around. “Are you Ready” to always believe? To use WWE’s slogan: Then

Now

Together

Forever

P.S. For any wondering, my one purple blooming tulip I believe got eaten by a deer. 🦌 I will have to transplant them somewhere else for next year! 😠🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Author: Kathy Pickett

I'm a wife, mom of 2 and have always been a huge fan of WWE’s the Ultimate Warrior despite his passing. I created this blog to share my stories relating to him that happened years ago and some are continuing today with his Spirit alive and well! I hope some fans out there relate and enjoy my blog!!! Check out my book “Spirit and Belief” on how Warrior influenced me in spirit. It is filled with humor, family stories, psychic terms, following my intuition, and how everyone has natural abilities we can tap into or get guidance upon. View all posts by Kathy Pickett