Author: The Ultimate Warrior’s Final Match: A Poetic Encounter
After making homophobic remarks just three years prior, the Ultimate Warrior finished his career in an almost poetic fashion by facing off against the openly bisexual Orlando Jordan.
This is the story of Warrior’s final match.
The Final Match of The Ultimate Warrior
During the late ’80s and early ’90s, The Ultimate Warrior was one of the biggest stars in all of wrestling.
James Hellwig’s character was larger than life and was just what the then-WWF desired for their premier superstars. The bright colors he bared and the muscle-bound physique he possessed saw him rise to the top of the proverbial sports entertainment ladder.
From Dingo Warrior to Iconic Legend
He joined the WWF in 1987 under the moniker of the "Dingo Warrior" before eventually becoming a global household name as The Ultimate Warrior.
Hellwig and his cartoon-like character were pushed to the moon, culminating in him achieving the unthinkable: pinning Hulk Hogan in the main event of WrestleMania VI at Toronto’s storied Skydome.
Triumph to Final Farewell: The Ultimate Warrior’s Surprising Career Conclusion
He had reached the pinnacle – few in the game can say they pinned Hogan, let alone cleanly for the WWF title in "The Showcase of the Immortals."
Who would imagine that just 18 years later, he would be ending his career in the middle of a ring in Spain? Probably not a fifteen-year-old boy by the name of Orlando Jordan, the man who would stand opposite Warrior for his final hurrah in 2008.
Warrior’s Final Opponent: Orlando Jordan
Orlando Jordan would proceed to attain the height of the big leagues in 2003 and would eventually become a staple of WWE’s blue brand. His breakout role would see Jordan aligned with WWE champion JBL in Layfield’s cabinet.
JBL and Orlando Jordan: A Controversial WWE Championship Reign
Fans and critics panned the much-maligned, almost year-long reign as WWE champion, but in hindsight, JBL encompassed what a real heel should be – he was fiercely hated. Jordan ably assisted him throughout the majority of his title reign. It would all prove to be a priceless experience for Jordan conducting heat and being able to be involved in main-event matches and segments.
WWE Departure to European Stardom: Orlando Jordan’s Journey
In 2006, after three years within the ‘E’ including a U.S. Championship run, Jordan was wished the best in all of his future endeavors, and the independent scene beckoned. A promotion relatively unknown to the U.S. would house Jordan and allow him to blossom into a star for one of the hottest promotions professional wrestling in Europe had ever seen.
The Match
It wasn’t unfamiliar for sizable crowds to attend Nu-Wrestling Evolution. The burgeoning company regularly garnered crowds of 5,000+, and for a show in Madrid on April 19th, 2008 – a reported 16,000 were in attendance to see Orlando Jordan crowned NWE Heavyweight Champion.
The Ultimate Confrontation: Orlando Jordan vs. Ultimate Warrior
Coincidentally, Ultimate Warrior was in town to receive an award and set the scene for Hellwig to compete in NWE. A confrontation between Jordan and Warrior took place.
A match of considerable magnitude in the European territory was booked – Orlando Jordan vs. Ultimate Warrior for the NWE Heavyweight Championship in Barcelona, Spain, on June 25th, 2008.
The Ultimate Farewell: Ultimate Warrior’s Last Ever Match
We didn’t know it at the time, but it was to be Hellwig’s last ever professional wrestling match.
A reported 15,000 fans turned out to witness Warrior’s comeback bout, ten years after he retired while working for WCW. For Hellwig to come out of retirement to wrestle in Europe, you can only assume he was paid a substantial amount of money, considering he had not been tempted to step out of retirement for a decade.
NWE’s Ambitious Expansion: Attracting Top Wrestling Talent
The NWE had started in Italy and had also staged shows in Switzerland and Spain. A multitude of alumni from major professional wrestling organizations in the U.S. had made their way to Europe, including Rikishi, Scott Steiner, Christian Cage, Ultimo Dragon, Ken Anderson, Vampiro, and Gangrel. They were investing heavily in talent from North and South America.
Orlando Jordan’s Excitement: Reflecting on His Historic Match
As Jordan’s historic match with Warrior neared, my PWB podcast co-host and I phoned NWE headquarters to speak with Jordan, who was living in Italy at the time, promoting the intriguing contest.
"I’m excited to have the opportunity to be in Barcelona and have such a big match. For me, it’s a big deal," the champion said.
Orlando Jordan’s Bold Confidence: Embracing the Challenge of Facing Ultimate Warrior
"Warrior was a great, great competitor in his time. He had fans all around the world (and is) an icon today. Like you, I’m sure; I was a little warrior myself. But then, you know, it’s time to grow up (laughs). I’m an adult, and I’m moving on. I’m the NWE champion, and Warrior wants to make a comeback. That’s great, but I think he chose the wrong person to do that with, man."
Orlando Jordan’s NWE Pride: Declaring Himself the Star of the Promotion
"NWE’s the place to be (laughs)," Jordan told us.
When quizzed on who, if anyone, NWE should add to their roster, he proudly exclaimed, "They don’t need anybody else; they got me."
Orlando Jordan’s WWE Reflections: Fond Memories
Trained by Rocky Johnson, father of The Rock, Jordan spoke fondly and somewhat sadly on his time with WWE.
"I had a very good time. Towards the end, some things didn’t go the way I would like to have seen them (go)," he reflected. "I wasn’t happy with some things, but that’s just life. You deal with it, and you move on. I had a home in WWE for the time that I was there. Now I got a new home in the form of NWE, and I’m very happy here."
Orlando Jordan’s Defiant Message: Confronting The Ultimate Warrior
As we concluded the interview, it was time to get Jordan’s final thoughts and parting words for The Ultimate Warrior.
"June 25th, it’s me: Orlando Jordan, NWE Heavyweight Champion vs. The Ultimate Warrior. He’s a very controversial man in his views and everything, and I do my thing. You can tell by my playboy lifestyle and the money I spend, and the clubs I go to. So, me and Warrior have a conflict, man. Just remember this: I do what I want to, I say what I want to, and I act how I want to. You’re not gonna change that."
Navigating Controversy: Orlando Jordan and The Ultimate Warrior Clash
The ‘controversial’ term that Jordan referred to isn’t exactly a rare word to read in any tale regarding the wacky world of pro wrestling, but controversial Warrior most certainly was. Jordan lived an openly bisexual life, and Hellwig, at a Young Republicans event at the University of Connecticut in 2005, said (to the surprise of the crowd) that "queering don’t make the world work."
Clash of Styles: The Ultimate Warrior vs. Orlando Jordan
Other derogatory comments regarding the late Heath Ledger, who starred in Brokeback Mountain, would also come to fruition. He didn’t hold back in his conservative views.
The match itself on June 25th, 2008, was much akin to any of Warrior’s matches. It was slow and deliberate. He was a showman – not a five-star worker or someone relying on highspots for attention. It was old-school and thus felt like a main-event from any 1990s WCW or WWF PPV.
The large crowd was relatively passive throughout, surprising given the historical significance. Dana Warrior was ringside, and their two daughters even entered the ring before the match commencing. Utilizing his experience working lengthy matches on SmackDown, Jordan did a great job of creating spots for the 49-year-old Warrior to rest at certain moments.
Jordan got swept up in the excitement during the encounter and even planted a big, wet smooch on Warrior’s mouth.
The Final Chapter: A Hall of Fame Career Ends
Warrior had no choice but to reciprocate, despite his history of vehement homophobia. Seventeen minutes in, two lariats and a shoulder block brought down the curtain in a slightly flat conclusion on what would be a Hall-Of-Fame career. Warrior celebrated with the Spanish fans as his daughters rejoined him, and he held aloft the NWE Heavyweight Title (albeit holding it upside down)!
Warrior subsequently grabbed the mic and bid his farewells to the NWE fans…
Behind the Paint: The Ultimate Warrior Reflects
"I have something I want to say. First of all, I want to thank the NWE for its hospitality, friendliness, professionalism and bringing me over here to Spain to wrestle in this return match after ten years of being absent from the ring.
“I created and performed an incredible persona, the Ultimate Warrior. I talked about, during this return, how, when I become this character – there’s a transformation that takes place, and that’s indeed true. But, behind the face paint, there are certain personality characteristics of the Ultimate Warrior that are still mine in my everyday life.
Ultimate Warrior’s Thoughts on Humility and Growth
One of those that doesn’t happen to be Ultimate Warrior’s is modesty and humbleness when it’s needed. I was once, when I started- Orlando (Warrior motions over towards Jordan) if you’d honor me with your presence for a couple more minutes…"
Warrior continued, "When I was your age and got my first shot in wrestling and the WWF, I was one of those big young bucks. I was full of myself in good ways and bad. I’m twenty years older than you; I’ve learned a lot since then. I want to thank you for teaching me a lesson this evening and really stepping up and really working on the ring rust that is in this body.”
Emotional Tribute and Passing of the Torch to Orlando Jordan
“You, as you mature in your career, good guy or bad guy, attitude or humble, you’re going to be one of the greats in this business. I know that. I didn’t take this match to win this belt to take home back to America. It belongs here, with the NWE.”
The Ultimate Warrior’s Emotional Farewell
Warrior continued, “I want to extend an invitation to Orlando if he, rather than me, will now put it in a tournament and win it on his own professional, competitive merit because I know he can do it. When I leave this evening, the belt will stay. It will be your choice. Thanks again. I love the Ultimate Warrior fans from all over the world. I appreciate it."
He left the belt in the ring and walked away, never to compete again.
The Concluding Chapter of The Career of The Ultimate Warrior
In 2014, during WrestleMania 30 weekend, The Ultimate Warrior was inducted into the WWE Hall-Of-Fame. On the Monday Night Raw that followed, he appeared in-ring for an impassioned promo for one final time. Less than 24 hours later, James Hellwig suffered a heart attack and passed away at 54 years of age. I can still vividly remember hearing the shocking news after a week of fans celebrating his career.
June 25th in 2008 turned out to be the concluding chapter of The Ultimate Warrior’s career inside the squared circle. That night in Spain now possesses its very own piece of professional wrestling nostalgia and trivia not to be forgotten. 15,000 were there when the curtain dropped one last time.
Rick Rude: A Ravishing Man with a Tragic End
“He refused to budge.”
Rick Rude was a unique, once-in-a-lifetime kind of wrestler. He went by the nickname “Ravishing” — and rightfully so. He had a solid moveset, great looks, and unbridled arrogance with the in-ring skill to back it up. He played hard in the ring but even harder out of it.
Mr Perfect Curt Hennig – A Great Life with an Unfortunate End
On camera, Curt Hennig was arrogant, and he backed up his Mr. Perfect persona brilliantly. However, outside of the ring, it was a different story.
Learn the story of an extraordinary life with an unfortunate end.
Doink The Clown – A Troubled Life For the Man Behind the Paint
Doink the Clown found fame in early 1990s WWE, but there was, unfortunately, trouble along the way for Matt Borne, the man behind the paint.
Read Doink The Clown – A Troubled Life For the Man Behind the Paint
Secret Life and Tragic Passing of WWE Wrestler “Crush” Brian Adams
Hailing from Kona, Hawaii, “Crush” Brian Adams was a dominant force who underwent many striking transformations over his 17-year career.
After retiring from the ring, he worked as a bodyguard for “Macho Man” Randy Savage and was excited about opening a fitness spa alongside Marc Mero in Florida. Instead, sadly, tragedy struck.
Read “Shaka, Brah!” – The Tragic Tale of ‘Crush’ Brian Adams
Owen Hart’s Death: What Really Happened, From Those There
VINCE McMAHON: “Earlier that day, I was shocked and surprised by what Owen said.”
On May 23rd, 1999, the wrestling world mourned the loss of Owen Hart. People behind the scenes on this unthinkable day reflect on the tragedy, answering the all-important questions.
Learn more in Owen Hart’s Death: What Really Happened, From Those There
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