[WWW] Slam 11.7.03 The Warrior rebutts TJ Madigan

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/11/07/249908.html

The Warrior rebutts TJ Madigan

By The WARRIOR -- For SLAM! Wrestling

Ultimate Warrior pulls a fast one 
 
[ The Warrior during his stint in WCW.  ]

TJ, hello. Warrior here. I receive over 500 e-mails a day; it was
natural someone would forward me your article. I appreciate parts of
it and take umbrage with others.

To begin, as the creator, owner and performer of Ultimate Warrior, I
find no disagreement with your pro-Ultimate Warrior points. In fact,
you make my case -- your article is an excellent affirmation entirely
supporting the same line of defense I use to defend for my career when
others throughout the industry, pseudo-friends and foes, want to
irrationally bash it as if the character wasn't an impact player or
even go further and speak of his career as if it did not exist at all.
Ultimate Warrior "got over" (sounds like he's still "over", even with
you) and was enjoyed because he struck a chord, pure and simple.

Others -- many, many others -- had the same opportunity and they
failed. It's the truth --take it or leave it. I realize my immodesty,
confidence and self-esteem bothers people, but I'm proud of what I
accomplished during my Sports Entertainment career and am not
embarrassed to defend its worth. The critics are the ones who should
be ashamed, especially those who tell untruths.

It may surprise you and those like you (part despising
criticaster/part zealous fan) to hear me say it, but I've had much
less to do with perpetuating the legend of the Ultimate Warrior
persona than all those who keep excitedly reliving him through their
remembered childhood fantasies, only later to ridicule the character
now that they've "grown up" and gotten oh, so mature. I appreciate it.

Now, be honest, who's swerving who? 

You haven't read anything at my site. If you had, you could not
honestly make (and mean) the statements you have about the contents of
my numerous posts. It would be impossible. There is a disclaimer right
on the front/menu page telling that the writings are a combination of
different writing voices (you're a writer, you understand that, yes?
no?), all relevant to an incredible and sincere learning process I set
out on and want to tell others about. The story about that, and the
story behind my name change which you take a potshot at, are endearing
and empowering. Only a nincompoop with a cold, cruel heart could find
otherwise.

[]
  

I have countless communications and professional relationships that
refute every letter of every word of every sentence you write
attempting to ridicule my writings. Frankly, that kind of criticism
has become very worn out and boring. Blatantly absurd. Each time
someone comes to my site expecting to discover the discombobulation
and outer-space rhetoric they've been told they will find, they end up
writing me at great length telling me the only thing they disbelieve
is how well I've articulated my views and how proud they are to know
they followed my career. Simply put, they tell me they are glad to now
know the man behind the face paint. They get it:

When one achieves chronological maturity, it is important to think and
act that way. The organizations I work with across the country are
some of the most-respected organizations on the planet. Anyone who
wants to know can find out for themselves; those who don't, just don't
want to.

I have worked very hard to build another career, invested
intellectually in myself and had to prove myself all along the way.
Every speech I have ever given at conferences and forums is asked for
in transcript; no others are. And they aren't asked for so they can be
sleazily marked-up and used as the sick satire vulgarly displayed at
abundant tasteless wrestling sites that are frequented by those, who
like you, find fun in making false claims. Your vague, unsubstantiated
critiques are simply another affirmation, of sorts, that we live in
cultural times where virtue is reviled and vice is praised. I will,
though, accept your reference to Lord of the Rings, on its success
merits alone. Who's swerving who?

I will meet you halfway and acknowledge that my announcement was
somewhat of a swerve, albeit creatively done; a play on words. But I
will add that those who have come to know me should look at themselves
for wantonly expecting that an announcement was coming that I would
return to work for the McMahons.

I guess in this industry that's putridly natural, seeing how every
other "shooter" went back and choked on their pride and God knows what
else. I happen to have a stiffer backbone and deeper sense of pride
and integrity. I happen to believe that what a man says he is, that's
what he should be. That's what my word means. And not even a stroke
can make me go back on it. You read that last sentence right, it's no
swerve.

Warrior 

The Warrior currently does speaking engagements for the Young
America's Foundation (www.yaf.org), and one of his primary messages to
his audience is that the "power in your life comes from using your
mind not your muscles." He contacted SLAM! Wrestling to respond to
T.J. Madigan's November 1st column in the Calgary Sun. "The Ultimate
Warrior's career gets bashed probably more than anybody else," he told
SLAM! Wrestling's Greg Oliver. "Take the career for what it was." The
44-year-old Warrior is tired of being derided for moving on with his
life, and now dwelling on the past like many of his wrestling
contemporaries. He writes regular posts for his web site,
www.ultimatewarrior.com and encourages fans to head there to read more
of what he has to say. He can be emailed at [EMAIL PROTECTED]