Tag: gear

The Ultimate Returns

First off, I hope any Dads reading today had a great Father’s Day last week! Hopefully, you got some much needed attention and rest. I’m sure Warrior’s girls sent him their love in their own way as well. 🩷🩷

You will see that image of UW below after winning his “ King of the Ring” match in June 1996 against Jerry Lawler. I wanted the aftermath of when W went over to the Crown 👑 and picked it up, waving his hand like “no way!”Vince’s laugh is always hysterically funny listening to as I never tire when hearing it. I wanted to give that time a mention on here since yet once again, another milestone. 3️⃣0️⃣ years this summer marked the end of UW’s final run with the then WWF, which didn’t finish all too well. I truly believe he wanted to come back under different terms, promote his University, comic books, and such but just have a brief appearance. He wanted to also make an impact which did happen but without those other guys from the Golden Era, he had to be the leader or mentor for the Next Generation or Attitude Era. Most fans know some of what transpired but Warrior still wanted to stick to his own principles, despite management and business decisions.

I just always thought it to be quite ironic how just a year later in 1997, Vince came back to Warrior with a bigger and better offer. What does THAT tell you? Were they desperate for a big name so much after many of the “older” talent jumped ship to Ted Turner’s WCW? Warrior turned down that very lucrative offer so again, what does that say on HIS end? You can come to your own conclusion on this readers. Despite all this, I want to still remember UW’s 1996 run with the WWF positively as fans loved his return and were excited to see him years later.

The other stat to add here as well is that when Ultimate Warrior returned in ‘96, it was the highest rating RAW had seen in quite a while, huge numbers actually so once more something to think about. He still could draw, even after long absences with the company as fans craved his undeniable presence. Yes, he came and went with little or no explanation to those behind their TV screens but for him~~~ all his own reasons. We can disagree all we want but that’s just how it was back then. Did Warrior have some regrets over it all? Possibly as years went on like many of us do over choices made but at the time, he decided what was right for him.

Here’s a little bit of me tagged or “roped” in with this concept for a moment. When I get ready to record the “ Ultimate Truth” podcast, I usually bring my UW action figure and wear either my Warrior girl tank or my UW sweatshirt. The figure (which has its own story…) has been in my possession for years as many know along with the tee now having many as well. The sweatshirt is only a few years old but they return. No, not long absences like UW himself, ha~~~ but the former two would be quite dormant if not for me bringing them back. I’ve been known to bring that action figure to my meditation “arena” at times but not always. Here’s the funny connected with my daughter.

She sees my “gear” of choice out the other day before recording and says to me: “ I saw your figurine out. Awww, he’s so cute!” She’s endearing… I have to agree though! 😉 First, it’s not a FIGURINE as I equate that with some porcelain type of object but LOVE how she acknowledged. Second, she probably meant him being cute because of the size, idea, and all that. Not in the purely physical way. 🤭 I then proceeded to tell her the story about finding it at my preschool job and then~~ 🤫 SHH~~~ stealing it. I said the story is in my book, (“ Spirit and Belief”) plug here, but I never fully shared that with her. I explained my reasons of course but honestly, it’s not technically like taking something from a store, ha ha! So, now she knows more about my action figure, how it sat untouched for years, and now makes returns to my own squared circle for his matches! She also saw my Warrior girl tee hanging up after being washed and asked why I don’t wear it much. Well, I did after first purchasing on the authentic UW website and gear shop back then. I wore it when working out or going to yoga sometimes. I’m not intimidated, but it is slightly tight in the chest area. I can accentuate the “ girls” but not always in public!!! 😲 It’s reserved for special occasions, but does make a return when I see fit (no pun intended!)

Do any of you warriors out there have things or objects that seem to make returns from time to time? Maybe it’s not a big deal but it does happen for many reasons. It could even be a person who isn’t always in your life, but then returns, albeit briefly for whatever reason. I mean your personal people and not a reference to Warrior here. Possibly you find yourself at a place once dominated years back and now you’ve returned…. Think about those times in your own life, which have made ultimate returns or even comebacks to use another word. I bet you can relate if you truly want.

Warrior himself went out to Santa Fe, New Mexico years prior and then eventually settled there once again with his family of girls. Heck, look at his return to WWE after the 18 year long absence. That’s been discussed, but I wanted to focus more on his ‘96 run and it just went from there. Sometimes, that return of a person, place, or thing works for us but sometimes it does not. You will know if that real feeling is there and if you want it to stay. It may not even be by our own choosing but our responses will be. I’m sure fans were so happy to see UW back in the ring after being gone 3.5 years but then unfortunately~~~ a few months later, he seemed to vanish without a trace once again. I understand more now but then again, I never watched once they switched to cable so had no idea really. My only connection was my brother so if he found out anything, I’d be the first to know.

We don’t always need explanations or to become defensive when thinking about returns in such ways. I didn’t have to even share the stories with my girl about my UW stuff either. We feel the need but realistically, it’s not always necessary. Our free will decides all this for us. So warriors, what makes ultimate returns in your life and in what ways? Can you control it or not? If you can, make it truly memorable because that’s how it should be. The good and the bad are part of it all. Let’s just keep the good more. I know I am. It’s not just a T-shirt or action figure either. Make your ultimate returns count because they truly do!

P.S. Here’s the latest release of “ The Ultimate Truth” podcast over at “ The Masters of Wrestling.”

https://youtu.be/pNQRxoTeEsg?is=icTl2bun4EhCC1fl

*** “ Ultimate Warrior vs Sting

WWE vs WCW”

💙💙💪🏻💪🏻🤼

Don’t Forget Your Roots…

A couple of quick things first. Happy Mother’s Day🩷💐 this past Sunday to all those fortunate enough to call themselves by that title. Whether it’s human babes or animal ones, I hope all you ladies enjoyed your day. I sure did with all my “kids.” Interestingly enough, my youngest sister’s birthday fell on that day this year which it has in the past. No birth mother title for her, but she has other ones😉. Next month, Warrior’s birthday falls on Father’s Day which it has also in the past. Dates lining up once again but let’s get into today’s ***RANT*** which it is for me.

I don’t want these kinds of posts but sometimes, enough is enough already (yet again) and stuff has to be vented. No, the unshown as of late U.W. “Most Wanted Treasures” was not my reason with this but let’s just say~~~ it pushed me to my limits. We’ll start with the photo today. You will notice the ol’ WWF logo which has been used before but it gets “roped” in. Boy, am I so glad those years were part of me and not now with WWE content. I refute from dismissing their brand here, don’t worry. WMXL was HUGE and got everyone pumped for what is to come that is for sure. What I am saying is not to forget your roots like I state above.

However you look at that phrase works, and it doesn’t always have to reference your hometown or even family history. No discussion into others thoughts on Warrior refusing to honor where he was originally from instead of “parts unknown” as that has been written but how about the wrestling business in general? Many I believe have forgotten those long ago days of the past, which are so extremely important to remember. You can say ” out with the old and in with the new” but we shouldn’t obliterate and disregard what or who happened first. Without the old, we would never have the new. This can relate to people which I am identifying with, but it certainly can be other ideas too in regards to many events.

Sure, people or places of the past may not want to be remembered in the same way if we had negative experiences or someone broke our trust. The truth is~~~ just because you had a possible horrific time or a person hurt you, it still has to be acknowledged in some way. No, not with an ovation of last week but just recognizing it existed first and continuing moving forward. We have to feel and then heal. The other part of that equation is the good stuff that truly mattered and should still matter. The dirt that gets swept under the rug will resurface eventually but is still part of it all. We can’t forget the roots because that’s where our beginnings are. The positive influences will be remembered differently but also should not be forced out just because of new blood. We all have pasts and everything is part of us. The memories will still be viable without someone’s physical presence.

Are you still with me? I mentioned wrestling so yeah, those were just scenarios but here’s my biggest rant. The WWE did everything they possibly could to bring Warrior back and get him in their HOF years ago which was so incredible and amazing. Yes, 10 years have gone on since that memorable time but that passage should not diminish his character at all and yet it seems to have in my opinion. OK, they released Dana last year as her role really decreased and wasn’t truly needed anymore. They also decided to end the Warrior Award which I don’t have reasons on but perhaps it was too costly or they don’t want the idea of it around anymore. With Dana gone (like I had said weeks ago,) who would present? That part makes sense.

The other choices they made to me were just silly like the wine, really? 🤨🤦🏻‍♀️🍷He drank whiskey so why was U.W. chosen for it along with Taker? I never understood that either. The merch for Warrior items just looks too “cheesy” and not nearly as genuine as before. I know it is a gigantic corporation with mass production, but his logo just seems slapped or should I say~~~ “splashed” on items anymore. They do have much for U.W. which is GREAT but so glad I got an authentic T-shirt years ago from his shop online before it combined with WWE. I’m sure there are those of you who love your Ultimate Warrior gear. I love my few pieces and you surely can. I just feel off about it. They don’t care like they used to and times change, I get that as it does for us all. Maybe some merch aren’t big sellers so business dictates that aspect. Exactly why I am not in that kind of work. 🤷🏻‍♀️

To me though, I truly feel WWE in many ways have forgotten the roots of who they are. You can still honor legends, and they do but perhaps a more exciting way for fans of their generation to enjoy. Not them wrestling anymore~ um- no- but other ideas. That should be separate from the current roster because they deserve to be as it was a past era- the Golden One and before. I realize Warrior had said in his speech about wrestlers knowing when to officially hang up their boots and let the younger guys shine. Of course this is true but we don’t act like they were never part of the business, do we? I will continue honoring Warrior in the way that works for me and that is right here with all of you. WWE and possibly A & E are making a big mistake in not airing that episode. Are they unaware just how many ratings it would generate with his enormous fan base? Perhaps there are other reasons as to why we are uninformed. We may never fully know. I ***DID*** hear it is planning to air in July, we shall see. Why was it originally scrapped, though? True fans will continue to fight for Warrior’s memory despite WWE not as much anymore. I know my roots and in other ways, they run A LOT deeper than just wrestling. It got me to where I am this very day as it did for you too. We all have our own path. My good memories will never just be swept under a rug to be forgotten…

P.S. RANT over. Do you agree? Let me know. Onto a happier post next week! You fans will still honor Warrior in the way you choose to just like me. 💙☺️👏🏻💪🏻

What’s in Your Gear Bag?

Let’s answer this question the obvious way first warriors. We can start with what the Ultimate Warrior would pack in his own gear bag. Am sure there would be a water bottle, sweat towel, change of clothes, an energy drink or snack maybe, and perhaps back in the day- face paint! Your “gear” could be the same ( minus the paint) along with our personal items. Us women could use a make-up boost after sweating to a workout.

Now, let’s think more about what’s really in our gear bag. These things aren’t of a physical nature at all but should always be with us. Confidence, energy, stamina, integrity, determination, and so many other virtues have to be packed all the time. Warrior had plenty of those, do you? Some come out of the bag during that intense workout but some stay hidden always “zipped” shut. It’s not that bad when those traits are just about us but when they involve others is when an ultimate challenge begins. We can work on ourselves all the time in many areas of our lives and it’s tough. It’s even tougher when we tag team relationships into a gear bag that’s already packed full.

Our whole being and personality are packed so tight that when it gets messed up or jostled around, we panic. Hand raised here. 🙋🏻‍♀️ “I know I packed those socks, where are they?” If only life were as simple as a missing pair of 🧦. It isn’t just about bringing that gear bag to the gym everyday. Sometimes we empty the whole thing or simply only pack a few necessary items for a brief time. Quite the metaphor for life as you can probably figure out where this is headed. We let some people in and bring them close but then others we may not ever see at the “gym.”

Do you have a big gear bag always ready to go for anything while being throughly prepared? You could be the one who only brings the essentials and wings it depending on what workout you’ll do. The truth is warriors- we do both and are both. Everyday is not the same although it could start out that way. We may pack for something we don’t truly WANT and then find ourselves missing something we truly NEED. It’s like literally packing for weather we can’t control but of course I mean deeper stuff here.

The workout of life is much harder than just hitting the gym for a few hours. Just make sure despite what you pack, you’ll be prepared for anything because that’s how we have to be. Isn’t that the Boy Scout motto? We make sure we have our wallet, keys, and phone but we need to have our REAL stuff in there too. Your inner character counts the most as possessions can be replaced.

Warrior always brought HIMSELF along with any gear bag he might’ve had. Sure, the gyms changed over the years as did the workouts some but his essence never did. Whether he was in character as the Ultimate Warrior or Warrior, his gear bag contained his disciplines, beliefs, and passions all the same.

Let’s remember no matter where our gear bag takes us, that it’ll keep the good stuff despite any of the bad. We also can’t be so zipped up that’s it’s air tight. Open it up a little to breathe. That workout isn’t gonna be easy all the time but we show up because that’s what warriors do. If something doesn’t work anymore, get rid of it and begin again. Gear, just like relationships change over time so you need to decide what to pack and what to leave behind.

We will always have our physical selves in that gear bag but don’t forget your emotional and mental selves too. Those are just as important if not more so. What’s in your gear bag warriors? Well, only you will really know that answer as most can be the same. Once you leave your workout of life, you’ll know what you packed mattered and made a difference. Warrior made a difference and he wants us all to make one too so always believe! Unzip it and use what works, leave the rest…

P.S. All those who read my synchronicities last week with numbers, it was post number 222! How about that? 😳

www.spiritandbelief.com

~~~Check out my website for book info on Warrior in spirit! THANK YOU to all who have asked, bought it, and are interested. I am always ultimately humbled by your support and will answer any questions if I can (: 📗Also, there is a more spiritual blog for those wanting to explore deeper topics plus other goodies!

~~~ Find me also on Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest 🙂

~~~ Oh, for anyone who was and still is a big fan of Warrior’s there are a few really great Facebook groups out there to share memories with!!! Look for “Ultimate Warrior” or OWN! 💙🙏🏻💪🏻🥰