How is it July already warriors? Hope everyone in the U.S. had a fantastic Independence Day celebration as I do love fireworks and all the hoopla. ๐บ๐ธ๐งจ๐๐Let’s remember our freedom first. This topic is kinda a doozy so get ready to RUMBLE wrestling fans. I really wanted to use another emoji above that involved a finger but I really can’t… ๐ This post can apply to everyone else just to be fair since that’s how it should be. This idea came to me after hearing several interviews on repeat over and over again. ๐คฌ๐It got me fired up as this post was born. It does concern two people as maybe some that are or were WWE fans can probably figure out. To me, the Ultimate Warrior was NOT a “replacement” for Hulk Hogan and I’ll share why. I can be unbiased but you can have your own thoughts too.๏ฟผ
I realize how the business worked. I lived and breathed through it all as a fan but we never saw behind the scenes. I was older as well so understood a little more at that time. Yes, Warrior was groomed to be next in line as the NEW face and eventual NEW champ. I get it, really I do. Sometimes, I chuckle despite some defensiveness since these wrestling topics are STILL talked about today and probably will forever be. Vince did love Warrior for many years in lieu of all their disagreements but I cannot just keep tolerating the word “replacement” in a literal sense. Even some podcasts I enjoy mention this quite frequently and seem to ask every person their opinion. We have to ask everyone ya know! ๐ตโ๐ซIt’s just so draining since come on, get to something else. They need the ratings and those questions always linger but it’s sad how with the entire history of talent, that is usually front and center.๏ฟผ
Warrior portrayed his character as his OWN and certainly not a replacement even though some just chalk up his career to besting Hogan and that’s it. I realize the torch had to be passed so the WWF back then could build up a new, good guy. Maybe some had feelings Warrior didn’t pull off the Heavyweight reign in the way they wanted but it was money based and who’s filling the seats. I did agree with one guy who stated how quite possibly they could’ve built around “Warrior Wildness” or too bad OWN didn’t exist until yours later. Hulk had Hulkamania and many catchphrases yet Warrior didn’t do anything similar so Vince became a little stuck. Some even blamed it on poor opponents or storylines but still not a replacement to me. The likability factor needs to be there but we just can’t BE exactly like someone else.๏ฟผ
Let’s switch this up to some of us here. Are we all replaceable at work or in a career? Maybe not entirely but overall, you are. Somebody else can get your spot even though you seem to be the best at it. They might not be right now but with time, patience, and training they will be soon enough. There are some who solely believe Warrior was just hired to top Hulk with no personal involvement at all. Did Warrior care at the time? Probably not entirely but we all know how much that changed and yes, I would care too. How would you feel if your coworkers or even boss said you were just hired to replace another without truly taking the time to invest in your skills? WWF did invest in Warrior but he wanted to do the character his way. Maybe you wouldn’t notice so much but me, yep.
OK, those arguing will claim Warrior had little “technical” skills and only got by on charisma and a good physique. You can say that as those worked to his advantage for sure. Many get jobs like that in the non-wrestling world too. We have to take emotion out of it but can we? I can’t which is why I’m not in that business sense but my opinion is just mine. Warrior knew their plan as time went on and had tremendous respect for Hulk as his mentor. We all know this but when it becomes more of you being a number in a way and not a name, that’s where I feel like clotheslining someone! Warrior wanted nothing more than to be himself and fought hard to prove that every day- in and out of the ring. He would never want to be a replacement only as we really shouldn’t either.๏ฟผ
Of course this is very different with one’s personal life but nobody wants to be seen as the R word when it comes to relationships especially. We aren’t just robots doing a job, we do have a mind and heart to consider also. The next best thing could be around the corner and if that’s you, have you earned your place or is it just because someone left or could be? So much to think about for sure and some opinions on this will never change in spite of many discussions. I would thoroughly dislike being thought of only to replace another. We do need a livelihood but at what cost will it take to be enough before we walk away? Warrior left for other reasons but we all become affected in many situations. Respect needs to be on both sides and if it isn’t, there will be problems.๏ฟผ
All right, I did like the Ultimate Warrior for those physical reasons at first but I fought that and learned to see more. Some never do or never did but some still tried. We all need to be someone besides that next big replacement and shouldn’t feel the need to prove ourselves worthy. We all struggle with worthiness and once you know yours, deep down you really do become irreplaceable. Whatever others think, the belief you have in yourself can never be replicated no matter if it’s business or your personal life. Don’t settle for being a replacement if it means sacrificing your integrity. Warrior never did and became so much more than being that next BIG champ. Hogan’s “replacement?” Warrior was never that to me so stop arguing and let’s move on.๏ฟผ..
P.S. I DO admire some of these podcast guys as they do have knowledge of the biz despite being little boys back then. I just wish some convos could be different.๏ฟผ.. sigh..,
*** I am here also with a more spiritually based blog (most of the time!) so head on over for lots more in depth topics! Plus, don’t forget to find my book on Amazon and other outlets which details all about my beginnings on wrestling, Warrior, dreams, family stuff, and psychic terms explained in a fun way (: A review is much appreciated. ๐
*** I am also over on Twitter, YouTube, and in a U.W. fb group… ๏ฟผ
mywarriorwritings.com 