Tag: King of the Ring

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”

💙💙💪🏻💪🏻🤼

My Warrior Welcome

** I started the month with Warrior in a title and am ending the month the same…💙

Welcome everyone! I had to say that to all of you because of the subject today but a few things are first. Regarding last week~~~ shortly after I posted~~~ another funny moment came to be. Not sure if any of you connected this tidbit but a big NOOO from me. I did NOT conjure up the name Amanda because of “ The Brother Love Show” segment of 1990 featuring “ Amanda Ultimate Warrior.” Nope, nope, nope, but it popped in my head as quite a chuckle. 😄

The next thing will just be a paragraph that I will devote to WM41 since no discussion last week. I’m sure fans know results by now, right? I will mention a few things but not every match in detail. I believe the 2 matches spread out over both nights involving the Triple Threats were the most exciting overall. Seth Rollins defeating Roman Reigns and CM Punk on night 1️⃣ and Iyo Sky defeating both Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley on night 2️⃣. What about Paul Heyman? I was not that shocked… I looked up videos of course. John Cena also defeating Cody Rhodes was not a total surprise for me considering his retirement year and besting Ric Flair at 17 titles. I dislike him as a heel but my prediction is hopefully~~~ 🤞🏻 he’ll return to his good ol’ self before he leaves. I did watch most of the HOF as well but really just for Lex Luger and Triple H’s speeches. Both were amazing and incredible. “ The Game” even acknowledged his father-in-law in his hour long speech, how about that? Loved also how Diamond Dallas Page ( aka- DDP) inducted Lex while Shawn Michaels ( aka- HBK) inducted Triple H… There can be more to tell like where was “ The Rock?” or (aka- #thefinalboss) but I will leave it at that. Let’s get into my Warrior welcome…

That photo below ⬇️ is a rare one I saw of Warrior from ‘93 when he wrestled in Germany. No paint but thought it was a good one so it gets used today. 🥰 OK~~~so that takes me to a welcome of sorts. I have this painted cardboard welcome sign that is part of my yard decor. I love shopping for all of that! It’s pretty old now but once we move, I’ll start over with new. I do still like it and it’s over 11 years old now, probably close to 13. The reason I know this is because 11 years ago, I decided to touch it up after fading in the sun. Gee~~~ 11 years ago… I just recently received “The Ultimate Collection” DVD then and couldn’t wait to watch it over the next few days. As it turned out, we had a rainy morning so no walk. While beginning the UC content, I brought in that welcome sign to redo it with my daughter’s art supplies. I could’ve used it as a photo but nah, it’s faded again anyway. Interestingly how it became a post but stay with me on this. It was an * ACTUAL* Warrior welcome with me receiving the DVD and then repainting the welcome sign. The irony is too funny. I always remember when hanging it outside every year. 😉

I was reminded of Jerry Lawler’s speech before his match with UW as part of “ King of the Ring” in 1996. Jerry was addressing the crowd on UW’s return and how everyone was glad to see him come back. He then goes on and states how he believed Warrior “ has overstayed his welcome!” This was after “ The King” 🤴🏻 hit UW over the head with that portrait of him he painted. My welcome sign brought this story to life so back then, I must’ve just put out my yard decor and brought in that to fix. Do you wear out or overstay your welcome? Maybe it’s reversed when you are the recipient of guests. After a few hours, I call it a day~~~ whether at another’s house or hosting at my own. Rarely did we have overnight guests, except my in-laws years ago and even then two nights it would be for out-of-towners. I’m not overly antisocial but also I’m not the hostess to the mostest. It’s not my style but I will do the best I can, briefly. We’ve all been on both sides of this I bet. Which is more challenging for you? I guess it depends on the people you are with. It’s all about the energy we give off and are around.

People can wear out a welcome but just like my sign, objects are more direct. I had a summer welcome mat with beach balls outside my sliding door for years. I loved it and despite putting it away for winter, it still faded overtime. We have to replace stuff when it gets worn or old but people are never replaced. Whether you enjoy another’s company or not, everyone is their own unique self never to be replicated in spite of possible similarities with others. You can decide if that relationship has overstayed its welcome or if you will always accept it as is. Warrior will never wear out his welcome with me and won’t ever be replaced, like that beach mat or even sign.

I’m sure some may remember me sharing those few months after Warrior’s passing when I would think: today is the day when he will wane somewhat, fade, or get worn out (if you will) from my memory. You also may know how that day never came, not EVER. I was perplexed for the longest time as it didn’t seem “normal” after a long while. Again, so grateful to know why NOW but it was quite the match that I physically lost. Yeah, he would fade a little but in other ways, I won~~~ BIG… 💖

So, my warrior welcome was a DVD which brought about a sign, all in one day. I know you fans will always welcome UW with your loyalty and devotion. You don’t need an actual mat or sign by your door either. Perhaps you may feel different with being welcomed or even welcoming others but it’s all in how we respond. I do hope however, that you show kindness in lieu of disagreements. They can have their views and you can have yours but welcome others opinions. Be open to listening to ideas different than your own because we need to be that way. I believe in genuine welcoming but do understand it being difficult. It is for me sometimes as well. I disagreed with Warrior on certain topics but I would never not welcome him then or now. I welcome YOU readers every week too. Until next week, which will be May already!

***Kathy (I had to use my name again….) 🙋🏻‍♀️

P.S. Pics or videos I also could’ve used today: “Amanda Ultimate Warrior” or “ King of the Ring” but nope- those have been shown already… ☺️🤭💪🏻👑

The Warrior WHAT’s?😏😬

Here we are at the end of another month warriors, as I resume these writings after taking last week off. More on that vacation in a different post as this one is “JACKED” with lots of well, you’ll get the idea if you just look at my selfie. It’s a fun one so I hope you stick around until the final bell rings🛎️if you will.

I initially wanted to call this post: “Things that Make you Go Hmmm…” like the C & C Music Factory song but decided to go with my own title instead. I thought of 5️⃣ things but numbers 3 and 5 I knew or at least were aware of prior. 3 are songs or lyrics and 2 reference gear or perhaps Warrior’s look at the time .

Let’s “lock up” and start this match.

Here’s number one.

First up is when Warrior partnered with Sting back when they were: “The Blade Runners.” The music they used was: Styx’s “Castle Walls.” This I had known for a while, but only because someone commented on a YouTube video. I did know that song, but forgot that instrumental part which totally fit with The Blade Runners vibe I think. Look up the song as there’s one lyric which struck me. It’s about destiny at the end. Do you think Warrior was influential with choosing the song or maybe it was chosen for them? I don’t know but just a little trivia once again. I can see him beginning his destiny even back then. This starts the Warrior WHAT’s?

Number two.

Did you fans know when Warrior was Dingo, his theme music briefly became Bonnie Tyler’s blockbuster hit: “Holding Out for a Hero” from the movie: “Footloose?” My girl just was part of her school musical in the spring, where the kids performed “Footloose” so very nostalgic for me. I love all the songs! 🥹I never knew he used that song, only “The Warrior” by Scandal. Perfect song for him, don’t you think? 

Number three.

This one is about Ultimate Warrior’s gear. This one is also probably quite common. Warrior had said he didn’t want to necessarily accentuate his looks but yeah, very much talked about~~~ A LOT… When Warrior and “Macho Man” Randy Savage tag teamed in a match versus “The Nasty Boys” during the SummerSlam Spectacular event in 1992, the Ultimate Warrior came out in a nude singlet. 😮If you read comments on this match from YouTube, the match itself barely gets mentioned but most are asking if Warrior was NAKED?! Really people? 🫢Use your brains, 🧠 but it just shows you what the topic mostly was about. Why did he wear that? Maybe just to garner more attention with him and Randy or to be different as he always was. I’m not entirely sure but boy was that ever the issue. Yeah, he painted his bare A**!!! 😂😜

Here’s number four.

We are back to songs again here. This one also references Warrior’s look as well (or at least in my mind…) Many fans may be aware of some guys after leaving WWF(E), went to Germany in 1995 with their CWA for a bit. Warrior had several matches but of course couldn’t use his theme music of “Unstable” so what to use? Well, I happened to come across some videos a while back as no, I am not looking them up all the time. I saw Warrior come out and thought that music sounded like a band I knew. I kept listening and then finally looked it up. The song is: ” Sticky Sweet” by Mötley Crüe. Not as popular on the radio as some of their others. That’s another song you can look up with some of the lyrics. Warrior was definitely playing to many of those physical attributes of his if you know the song. 😏 That brings out that girl who is always waving at me 🙋🏻‍♀️as I see her~~~ she makes me giggle but I don’t push her aside anymore. She is there for a reason, and I applaud 👏🏻 her. Great song and it worked for The Warrior for sure. I can be biased, but it’s all ME!!! He wore pants then too, there is a line in the song about that. 👖🔥😉

This last one of number five brings us to 1996 involving Ultimate Warrior’s feud with Jerry “The King” Lawler for “The King of the Ring” tournament. 👑This final one is that girl coming back… 🫣On “The Ultimate Collection” DVD, Warrior mentions how he was in the best shape of his life then and coming back after being gone 3.5 years, he wanted to give people what they remembered about the character~~~ namely, his look. They show right at that moment a clip of U.W. and I always noticed his trunks. You’ll read why… Maybe you don’t or haven’t but I just laughed once again right when he says: “his look…” ( meaning the U.W. character,) my head tilts the side. Why? Well, I’ll tell you… His trunks which of course depict the famous logo. He had put 2 on the front pointing inward along with the back so they are positioned just so on the side. Yep, I noticed. His look! Kathy had tilt, ha ha! I promise that is *** NOT*** typically me as I loved when his face paint would wear off but with that intro, how could I not make that connection? I was not always looking SOUTH! 🙂‍↔️Come on guys reading~~~ you notice the ladies and their physicalities right? Why were the logos sideways and not straight? Maybe there wasn’t enough room. WHY??? Always makes me giggle every time as Warrior knew what he was doing. I bet he noticed, but if not, it makes my WHAT’s? list for sure!

There you have it readers. My top 5 of Warrior WHAT’s that made me go hmmm. 🤔I bet you fans can think of your own. Maybe in a future post, I’ll list some others.

P.S. I laughed when writing this as some go way back in my memory but some found their way to me in other ways… Yeah, yeah, I still see her waving. 👋 ☺️