Tag: Warrior Award

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. 💙☺️👏🏻💪🏻

“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! 😠🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

The Warrior Synchronicities 😳🙋🏻‍♀️😬

Hello there warriors! I missed connecting with you all last week as we enjoyed our little getaway in Hocking Hills, Ohio. We were surrounded by 7 ( how fitting for today…) acres of woods on the property. We explored waterfalls, caves, and the kids loved zip lining. It was a great Spring Break but now we are getting into this month of April.

I found that video pic courtesy of RocketFuel on YouTube and decided to use it for today. I’ve been trying to find some photos that show either the Ultimate Warrior or Warrior himself in new and different ways. This one of course shows no face paint but when he rocked the sunglasses and cap. All that hair was pulled back in 1996 for many interviews. Such a different look than what most fans were used to. He was talking about Jerry Lawler and “The King of the Ring.”

Now, let’s get into all of these Warrior synchronicities that I’m sure you’re interested to find out about. First, let’s look at the date once AGAIN. Yet another Wednesday of significance that falls on blog day. We have a three count these past few weeks! 4/14/14 was WWE’s RAW tribute to Warrior which I’ve blogged already. If I would’ve written last week, yet another synchronicity. 4/7/14 was Warrior’s final RAW appearance with his emotional farewell. Last year we had April 1st and 8th ( we all know those dates well) and this year it’s the 7th and 14th.

Another date to remember is this year’s Hall of Fame which was held on a Tuesday. Warrior passed on a Tuesday and how fitting that Rich Hering was the Warrior Award recipient. He has been with WWE for over 50 years now and was the one who went to Santa Fe, NM to help Dana and her girls. He knew Warrior for many years. What a great honor to receive the most ultimate and this well deserved award. Congrats to Rich and also Titus O’Neill for being this year’s winner. He is the first wrestler recognized for this award and Dana as an ambassador worked with Titus on many events. He does incredible charity work along with his own foundation. Thank you WWE for the recognition of these two great warriors.

Another “celebration” of sorts happened while I was away. This blog turned 4.5 years old on April 4th. The 4th month of being 4.5, 4 days before Warrior’s passing. More 4’s in store…. Thank you readers for staying with me and for those new, please stick around. I hope you are never disappointed.

All I will say about Warrior’s passing is this: 7 years, 7 letters, 7 in Heaven. There are 7 chapters in the book “A Life Lived Forever” so we have that too. I could say more about that number but I won’t. What I will add though is something I noticed on April 8th. Think WAY back if you’ve been here long enough or have even read my book “Spirit and Belief.” I had mentioned tulips blooming in my planter the year he passed and that there were 7. That many had never bloomed and haven’t in 7 years. The morning of the 8th, I noticed one burst in bloom. Only one but on THAT day. There’s another synchronicity and yes, I cried just a little standing with awe in the driveway alone staring at my one purple tulip. It has warmed up here in April very similar to 2014. I will ultimately remember. 💙💜

Did or do any of you get synchronicities similar? Yes, I am a numbers girl and have listed plenty but signs can be everywhere or anything if you truly stop, notice, and believe. It’s how it makes you FEEL that’s most important.

Warrior talked much about destiny, karma, and fate but I wonder if he ever had other signs? Things do come together for various reasons and get lined up by the Universe or “gods.” I DO know without any doubt, he realizes that power now. People say “rest in power” instead of “peace” and I believe there are times of rest up in parts unknown. Warrior did find peace before he passed but power- oh yes. Then and now. That’s energy which never goes away.

Synchronicities matter warriors so take notice however you can. I even found a blue Jay feather out in the grass on our trip. The kids were zip lining and my husband and I walked the dog around this big, wide open field. Warrior would love all the land and then at my feet was one of my signs. I looked upward and said to myself: “Thank you Warrior.” We can thank him for his years on this planet but he is always thanking us for the loyalty, support, and love shown to him despite naysayers. The years will go on as will synchronicities. Use your energy and get out there in the world. There will only be one Warrior but we all can be truly ultimate if we line up the synchronistic signs to always believe! 🙏🏻✨

www.spiritandbelief.com~ My website has a more spiritual blog, book info, ( reviews are always appreciated here or on Amazon!) and other great stuff!

~~~~Find me also on Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest (:

Ultimate Warrior 2019?

Before I begin today’s post, a quick acknowledgment is sent out to WWE’s own Sue Aitchison on receiving the Warrior Award this year during the HOF ceremony. Sue has been a longtime WWE employee for over 30 years and heads up the Make-A-Wish program. She has helped grant wishes to over 6,000 kids! I am so excited to see another woman receive this honor! Well deserved and congratulations to Sue!! 👏🏻🏆

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the idea of U.W. being bad but today harbors another idea… A new question has been coming to my mind lately and maybe some of you Warrior fans or WWE followers can help me? I have often wondered if the Ultimate Warrior character would work in pro-wrestling today. Let’s look at their slogan of Then, Now, and Forever. Of course then. Of course forever. What about now? My first answer was an emphatic NO! Then, I thought of the little things. Remember, I don’t watch today so again all my feelings.

The paint is still used by some performers in small ways, some guys have a lot of hair going on, yelling- yes, muscles- ok, there’s all that. The no’s of course would be the running, addressing the “gods,” thumping his chest, shaking ropes, snarling, and let’s not forget all that color. Dana Warrior has also said she misses the colorful performers of yesteryear with all their gear. Sure, a little of that still exists but not like it did back then.

The bigger issue of the U.W. character probably not working today is the lack of creativity. Warrior had also said this. The storylines can get pretty crazy– that I know but so much more is scripted today. The performers don’t have as much “control” in a way like they had years ago. Warrior would agree and walk just on that alone.

I think in the earlier years, Vince McMahon let them do so many things with less “pulling on the strings” or being fed a script. They were really trying to become more mainstream in the media and with fans. I know this is true since so much of what I’ve watched on videos is not censored like it is today! Am sure those were jokes but sometimes I literally can’t believe what some of the commentators just said!! 😬

The entertainment industry has changed of course so it’s up to them if adapting fits with their ways. There are several performers who were opponents of Warrior’s still in WWE today. They’ve probably adapted to fit in with 2019’s entertainment standards. I really believe some of what they do would intrigue Warrior. His manager Steve mentioned getting him back into paying attention just a little several years prior to his passing. Very different watching versus signing contracts and performing.

Who knows really? Warrior did always have tons of ideas but sometimes Vince had others. It’s hard to change but evolve we must. Like I’ve also said, my brain is old school with this. I do love how WWE is able to keep it fresh all the time. The women ROCK! I love how their evolution is more mainstream than ever and with Mattigan Warrior planning her run to the ring– even better! 💖

Warrior entered the then WWF at a perfect time as it was his destiny. They needed another good guy superhero and he needed them. He was involved in so many insane antics then so he’d probably love the stunts and props of today. I just feel he’d want more creative input and they don’t get as much anymore.

So, overall– would his character work today? As a whole, no. In pieces, yes. Would Warrior agree? Yes. It’s all of him or none of him (as some performers tried to emulate) and I concur. Sure, you can create a brand new “version” of a similar Ultimate Warrior but it wouldn’t be authentic and he surely is/was.

I do like the versatility of what they have in WWE today. Many performers use their real names. Rarely heard of back then unless it was part of the gimmick. Some also don’t really feel the need to add to their gear much at all. Just the basics. It works and that’s all that matters. Warrior would get bored but hey, it’s the now!

Some pay homage to our “heroes” of the past and that’s different as they consider them mentors. What an honor that is. I heard how Batista shakes ropes and Warrior loved that. To create a character that remains in minds and hearts forever is truly legendary. The current superstars are already doing this as we have our superstars of an era gone before.

To be an ultimate warrior in 2019 is much more than what he brought to television. He pointed in the crowd and said how we all are the ultimate warrior. It isn’t defined by gender. We must strive for our best selves and stay true to our beliefs. That’s what an ultimate warrior means to me as I know it’s how Warrior lived as well. Whether or not a character similar to his graces television again, there will never be another. There will never be another me or you either. Be the ultimate warrior version of your BEST self Then, Now, and Forever… 2019 into the future!!! ⚡️🔥🚀👍👊🏻

#ultimatewarrior #WWE #HOF

#warrioraward #danawarrior

Wait, “what’s next”?

The one thing I have never wavered from with these writings is my emotion involving all Warrior topics and this post is no different. If you’ve been here with me a while– you have heard it all or at least I thought so. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. 🤗 If you are a newbie, strap on those boots and gear up because more stories are still going to be told.

As I think back on all things relative to Warrior, I realized my thoughts on his statue and the Warrior Award have never been shared. Was this something I even wanted to write about? Then, I remembered the emotions at a particular moment during that time and realized my thoughts needed to come clean. What fan wouldn’t love both of these prestigious honors for the man we respected and admired? Who wouldn’t agree and say: ” Yes, his spirit should be immortalized in those ways!” Well, let’s just say that it took me some time to get there.

I know this might sound shocking to some of you considering my blogs, respect, and even my book Spirit and Belief but let me share with you how it was for me back then. After Warrior passed, there seemed to be many things coming out all at once and for me, it was exhaustible. There was his Ultimate Collection DVD, ( which was planning to be released anyway) the Always Believe DVD, soon after the statue, Warrior Award, and then still later– Warrior Day. Sometimes I had to catch my breath!

Even from someone gone from the business almost twenty years and having passed, that’s still A LOT!! 😳 There were other little things too and how could I forget Dana’s blog? That still gets my heart every single post. 💖

So many, many thoughts raced thru my mind during all this time and the timeline seemed to blur into oblivion… I had so many emotions raging that I couldn’t figure out where one began and another ended. Happiness, sadness, anger, disappointment, anxiety, feeling surprised, confused… You name it, I owned them all. I hadn’t followed WWE in years as I’ve stated before so my feelings felt explosive in a way. Why are they doing all this REALLY??? Guilt? Getting his fans on “their” side? Being apologetic? Offering ” condolences?” Media PR? Ratings for the shows? The list went on for me… I became ambivalent towards it all.

I seemed to compare it to a friend whom you’ve had a falling out years before with and now they want to make-up with you anyway they can. This was like that with me before I really understood it all. The book A Life Lived Forever explains so much more in detail leading up to a few years before Warrior’s HOF induction. Most fans knew nothing until it got closer.

We all know there would be no award had he lived among countless other events. I can attest to this personally with my life. I also thought only wrestlers who had passed got a statue, so many things I never knew. Does he deserve one? You bet he does, alive in person or not!!! Forget the “technical wrestling ability” many say he lacked. You do not want to debate that with me! You know who you are… 🙄🤭It’s the image, not necessarily the moves. I believe this with any character in the WWE, not just of Warrior. It’s about the lasting longevity that leaves a legacy a character becomes thru fans and their devotion. It’s never about the what, it’s more about the how and why.

That brings me back to the why of all these extra things. Yes, WWE wanted Warrior back for years and he would’ve been an ambassador like Dana is now. We can’t figure out all the whys ever but just try to understand they are more important than the whats.

Once I sat down and heard about the first Warrior Award– and this is my reason sharing today, I actually said: ” What’s next, a statue?” I had no idea at the time they had been creating one with Dana’s help. No idea at all… I began crying as it seemed so overwhelming like this all shouldn’t be happening. I KNOW differently now and am so grateful WWE acknowledged the Ultimate Warrior with appreciation and respect.

Us fans owe everything to Triple HHH ( aka Paul) whose persistence brought our favorite back home. I am glad Warrior stepped away to raise his family and pursue other business ventures. He needed to during that time. I am extremely glad he finally had his moment at Wrestlemania XXX weekend to show everyone he really was (is) “a good guy.”

So, what is next? Lots of new merchandise, there was Camp WWE, and probably Mattie running to the ring someday! Dana has said she wants to be “bad!” Her Dad was a good character who got away with being “bad” so only time will tell… I will be watching for sure! I was just playing around with the whole what’s next? idea in my head one day when I thought of a street name. The only name that came to me was “Warrior Way.” After all, there is no street, road, avenue, lane, or anything else that fits. Once I thought more about it, I chuckled. Us fans already have our OWN Warrior Way and we don’t need a street or sign telling us so.

Like he said in his RAW speech, ( and I won’t quote, too much for me… 😪) but the character does live on in all of our true warrior spirits and we have to be the ones pushing his legacy forward. Despite what others may think, that was his greatest wish for us. That’s where his always believe slogan originated from. He always had the “what’s next?” mentality and he wants the same for us. I certainly took on that Ultimate Challenge myself and still am today.

We can have a statue, award, ( which exemplifies a warrior spirit and I believe it’s time for another woman!) DVD’s, merchandise, a special day or anything else but what truly counts is what’s inside us, not outside. Even though at that time my emotions were a wreck, I never forgot the WHY of Warrior. I didn’t know WWE’s why then but Warrior’s never left me, even though he physically did.

My advice to you warriors out there is to find your own “what’s next?” and keep going. Dana did and we need to also. Sure, there are things you could never have imagined happening in your life but we need to keep those boots on to find the next, and next, and next. Overwhelming? Yes! Emotional? For sure! That is the what of life and we need to get to the how and why. 👢🤔

Our first reaction to something rarely is our last. Do something in your life that will make you glad you reached for the next thing instead of becoming dormant. I treasure all the things WWE and Dana have done and are continuing in honor of Warrior and his memory. We are obligated also to have that spirit of continuing on to the next as is our life-blood to do so.

It has always been in my veins so how could I ignore something so powerful? I wish the same for you to follow the Warrior Way and continue on with ” what’s next?” It could just very well become Ultimate!

P.S. Enjoy our Independence Day and celebrate those Founding Fathers believing in : “what’s next?”👏🏻👍🎇🇺🇸