“Warrior’s Winnin’ It!” 🤼‍♀️🥇💪🏻

“ Warrior’s winnin’ it, Warrior’s winnin’ it Monsoon!”

That line was spoken by none other than Jesse “ The Body” Ventura during the first few minutes of WrestleManiaVI~ “ The Ultimate Challenge” match between Heavyweight champ, Hulk Hogan and Intercontinental champ, The Ultimate Warrior. It came to me a few weeks ago actually as a possible title with the WWE Universe celebrating the 3️⃣5️⃣th anniversary of their very first WM outside of the US yesterday. Toronto Canada in the Skydome (now the Rogers Centre) was set to host the 6th largest PPV event by the then WWF where lots of other exciting things happened. We had the 1st ever Mixed tag team match, Demolition 3-peating as Tag team champs, and so much more! I will stick to that title for title final match between HH and UW of course. Like I’ve said before~~~April 1 is no Fool’s joke for me and hasn’t been for 35 years!

Before getting into more on that, once again~~~we have a part 2 of sorts. Just like last week to end March, we have another to begin April. These remaining WM’s UW were part of are as follows: April 1, 2nd, and 5th. 1st was WMVI in ‘90, 2nd was WMV in ‘89, and 5th was WMVIII in ‘92. Today, marks WMV’s exact date. Fans of UW won’t like to remember WMV when Bobby Hennan (that weasel) held onto Warrior’s leg behind the ring so the ref couldn’t see. That way “Ravishing” Rick Rude could get the pin and capture the IC belt. Not to worry, though as UW got it back that same year at SummerSlam!

WMVIII was when we got a short glimpse of UW coming to the aid of Hulk near the end of his match with Sid Justice. Most fans know Papa Shango missed his cue, but Hulk was getting beat up by both guys so here comes UW to the rescue. He also did a brief press conference afterwards, which I believe was another first. It counts as UW being part of WMVIII but not technically a match like the other 5. So, the dates are 33 for WMVIII and 36 for WMV this year.

Let’s go with that date of April 5 as I recall a few other events. Newbies~ this is always for you but loyalists~well, read on if you wish. April 5, 2014 also brought Ultimate Warrior’s HOF induction as my family attended our first Cavs basketball 🏀 game together in Cleveland that night. 11 years ago this week if you recall how the dates are the same for 2025. 2 signs fell in my home 2 years later in 2016, which are in my book: “Spirit and Belief” as stories but always remembered fondly by me every year. 2018 brought a book event as I chose that date of April 5 on purpose! Close to the library, I spotted “Sherri Apartments.” Another beautiful moment which brought a chuckle my way and still does. Warrior had two women named Sherri (Shari) , spelled differently in his life.

Here’s something *NEW * for ALL of you to read. I told myself a few weeks ago that this year, I was gonna do it. Despite possible comments, it was going to happen on the big 3-5 of The Ultimate Challenge. Every year, I DO watch as a tribute on its anniversary AND my birthday, which I started decades ago with the VHS tape. I’m usually alone but early April would typically fall on the kids Spring break. I shared my daughter’s comment on Hulk once as I laughed so hard 🤭 but this year was set to be different. Instead of it being my possible lunchtime entertainment~ it could be watched after dinner in the evening or when the dog had been walked. My husband would be around and I did not care. I would LOVE for him to watch with me if he chooses, but either way~ it was time. I did watch it then warriors!!! There were a few topics not to be discussed if he watched with me. No mention of it being “fake” and no talk of steroids. Nope, that didn’t matter. He DID watch and we saw a few other things on my DVD as well. I said more about Warrior ( even outside of wrestling), but then let it go as I didn’t want to overwhelm him! He was super impressed with UW lifting guys up to press… 😌 So, a perfect lead into the next part of the DVD when Warrior discusses lifting Hulk… He totally stayed in the room to watch! A win for me too to FINALLY view it with him…

“ Warrior’s winnin’ it!”~ just like that pic below after their “ Greco-Roman knuckle lock.” That was Jesse once more. On my end, I promised not to echo the commentary I know all too well or not to get a little emotional near the end starting with that hug as I tend to do. First time also the WWF used pyrotechnics as UW got that awesome fireworks display. New decade, new year, new champ, a great 3 count!

Regardless of naysayers or even HH’s “take” on how it all went down specifically, it still was an epic match unprecedented between two true icons in the business. Two good guys for the title~~ another first. I was grateful to hear how emotional Warrior was after that match as many may have just thought he felt entitled only. He wanted to get to that level and did. Very few had that chance back then and despite him always saying: “ I didn’t get him all the way up…” ( meaning pressing Hulk) in interviews, true fans didn’t care. Our hero became the new champ, which in turn made “ Hulkamania” live forever, although it died a little that night.

I was a senior in high school- going on 18 with a big history term paper coming up. How could I concentrate on that? That’s been written and now Warrior’s kids AND mine have passed that age. My daughter ended all 4 of them last year. After viewing it for the first time on “The Ultimate Collection” DVD years ago, I cried~ HARD… I had to pause it and walk away…That totally surprised me as of course I had seen it tons of times. Not on DVD though but outbursts came and went back then. A combo of many things rolled into one. 🥺

There ya have it warriors~~~the remaining 3WM‘s of April for UW‘s career in the WWF with a 35th in “ The Ultimate Challenge” of VI being yesterday. Next week brings more memories for this time of year as we approach 11 with Warrior in “parts unknown.” Until then~~~ always believe as I remember the NEWWWW World Wrestling Federation Champion, The Ultimate Warrior!!!

P.S. 2 Tuesday dates a week apart, just like 11 years ago… 🥹