10 Backstage Stories About The Ultimate Warrior We Can't Believe

The Ultimate Warrior was one of the most charismatic wrestlers in WWE throughout the 80s and into the 90s. With his colorful face paint and tassels, Warrior had the crowd on their feet when he ran to the ring and shook the ropes before a big fight.

While Warrior was a fan favorite, behind the scenes he caused a lot of controversy. Throughout the years, stories have popped up that paints him in an unflattering light. Like other stories, the ones about Warrior are hard to believe. So let's take a look at some of the backstage stories about The Ultimate Warrior.

10 Friends With Linda McMahon

When the Ultimate Warrior was announced as part of the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame, everyone wondered who would induct him. Fans were surprised when he chose Linda McMahon to do the honors. As we would later learn from her speech, Linda and Warrior were very good friends. While Warrior had a reputation of being difficult and alienated most of the locker room, Linda remained by his side. Prior to his induction, Warrior sent out a tweet praising Linda for her integrity and for being the only person who understood him.

9 Falling Out With Sting

Back in the 1980s when they were starting out on their wrestling careers, Warrior and Sting were friends. In 1985, the men wrestled together as the tag team The Blade Runners. They were making waves in Mid-South Wrestling, but just months after making their debut, the two split up to focus on their singles careers. While the two would go on to have successful wrestling careers, they never repaired their friendship. Sting has said that their difference in personalities is what ultimately led to the end of their bond, claiming that Warrior was high-strung and paranoid.

8 Someone Else Played Warrior

There's been plenty of wrestling urban legends throughout the years and one of them involved Warrior. In 1992, Warrior returned to WWE at WrestleMania 8 after being on break for over eight months. Fans noticed a difference in Warrior's appearance which included weight loss and a new hairstyle. His new appearance led to a rumor that the original Ultimate Warrior died and that another wrestler was hired to play him. This rumor has been debunked. Sadly, in 2014 just days after his Hall of Fame induction, the Ultimate Warrior died of a heart attack.

7 Came Up With The Squash Match Against Triple H

Warrior left WWE in 1992, but four years later he would return to the company. His first match upon his return took place at WrestleMania 12, where he defeated Triple H. The fight lasted under two minutes with Warrior walking out the victor that night.

According to reports, the match was supposed to be longer, but Warrior refused to put Triple H over, and that's how the squash match ended up happening. The match is considered one of Triple H's worst, and fans agree that he deserved better in his WrestleMania debut.

6 Eric Bischoff Knew The WCW Run Would End Badly

Like many former WWE stars, Ultimate Warrior jumped shipped to the competitor. In 1998, the star joined WCW. His storyline consisted of him feuding with his old nemesis Hulk Hogan, who was now part of the heel stable nWo. While Eric Bischoff was happy to have Warrior on board at WCW, he knew early on that things wouldn't work out. When Warrior made his debut, he was supposed to give a short promo, instead he ended up rambling for over 20 minutes. Bischoff knew at that moment that Warrior's WCW run would be a bust.

5 Was Going To Get Another Championship Run

At WrestleMania 6, Warrior made history when he defeated Hulk Hogan to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. He would hold the title for nine months before losing it to Sgt. Slaughter at the 1991 Royal Rumble. From late 1991 to 1992, Warrior took a break from the company, but made his return in time for WrestleMania 8. Upon his return, there were big plans for Warrior, including another run with the WWF Championship. Unfortunately another title run wasn't in the picture. Six months after his return, Warrior was released due to a failed drug test.

4 Pay Dispute With Vince

There was a lot of friction in the past between Warrior and his boss Vince McMahon. One of their earliest spats came in 1991 over a pay dispute. Warrior sent a letter with a list of demands, including a pay increase. He stated that if Vince didn't agree to his demands, he would stay home. Vince eventually gave in, but the two would have many other disputes over the years. Despite all the animosity that grew, Warrior and Vince made up, and in 2014 he was announced as a Hall of Fame inductee.

3 Legally Changed Name To Warrior

Jim Hellwig is the man behind the Ultimate Warrior persona. Much like his wrestling character, Hellwig was known to be larger than life, high-strung, and eccentric. His wrestling persona became synonymous who he was in real-life. Hellwig loved the gimmick so much that in 1993, he legally had his name changed to Warrior.

While fans thought it was odd, the court granted Hellwig his request and he soon became known as Warrior. When he marred his wife Dana in 1999, she and their daughters would use Warrior as their last name.

2 Real Life Feud With Hulk Hogan

Warrior had a reputation of being difficult and not getting along with his co-workers. Over the years, there's been countless stories about the wrestlers he didn't like. One person at the top of the list is Hulk Hogan. Warrior and Hogan's onscreen rivalry seemed to continue off-screen as well. Reports suggest Warrior was jealous of Hogan and wanted to be treated like a top star just as Hogan was. Throughout the years, Warrior even took potshots at Hogan. The two men eventually made up during WrestleMania 34 weekend when Warrior was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

1 Snubbed A Kid

WWE has done a lot of work with Make-A-Wish foundation. In the 1980s, with Ultimate Warrior being a top star, kids loved him. During a show, a boy was brought backstage to meet his favorite wrestler The Ultimate Warrior.The boy and his family met several other wrestlers that night, but Warrior was the main one he wanted to meet. However, as the night wore on, the little boy waited for Warrior, who never showed up. Bret Hart talked about the incident in his autobiography and how he lost respect for Warrior because of his actions.

NEXT: 5 Best Looks Of The Ultimate Warrior's Career (& 5 Worst)