The Greatest Thing to Happen in 1990: The Ultimate Warrior on The Arsenio Hall Show

by Howie Decker @HowardTheDeck on January 11, 2013

in Memorygasms

I honestly don’t know where to start.

 

Children of the 80s, regardless of their level of WWF fandom, were aware of the Ultimate Warrior. He was an odd choice for a near-crossover star, making a few mainstream appearances and national advertising endorsements. For all of the flashy and specialized WWF Superstars of the day, the Ultimate Warrior was one of the hardest to follow (at least you knew where Coco B. Ware was coming from). Warrior was responsible for one of the oddest and most incoherent promos in pro wrestling history.

So why does everyone remember him? Because of things like this:

“Do I call you Ultimate?”

What does he keep looking for between the couch and the chair? More hairspray?

Warrior is one of the only guys in the history of the business that stayed in character for every type of appearance ever. CM Punk was on AMC’s “The Talking Dead” last month and he definitely did not interrupt zombie analysis to demand respect from the audience, and to remind them of how many days he has held the WWE Championship.

Superstars like John Cena and Sheamus are often more teddy bear than wrestler when they appear on late night talk shows.

The days of pro wrestlers staying in character for mainstream appearances is over, which is what makes this little gem a national treasure.

 

 

Brian Morin January 11, 2013 at 5:33 pm

That plane crash promo was so funny that even my non-wrestling fan wife was laughing.

Howie Decker January 14, 2013 at 11:03 pm

It’s universally funny/odd/frightening/sad

shezcrafti January 11, 2013 at 6:47 pm

More cocaine.

shezcrafti January 14, 2013 at 10:49 pm

That’s what I was suggesting he was looking for, in case that wasn’t clear…

O_o

Howie Decker January 14, 2013 at 10:57 pm

Got it. Warrior’s green room request list: Aqua Net, protein shakes (strawberry), baby oil, coke, Coke, face paint.

Jason Gross (@SockOfFleagulls) January 11, 2013 at 9:18 pm

Nicely done, sir. Here is a close 2nd on that list…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09yOZsZuxMY

Howie Decker January 14, 2013 at 11:02 pm

Amazing.

Count Marzo January 12, 2013 at 7:39 am

He did similar shit on Regis and Kathy Lee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpoaC_XHVSY

I remember setting the vcr to tape this as I was in school while Regis and Kathy Lee was on. 🙂

Howie Decker January 14, 2013 at 11:02 pm

Yes! Setting the VCR was so stressful. I was always afraid it wouldn’t record.

Dante January 12, 2013 at 12:13 pm

I love that we all just accept his wardrobe, as it’s so far down the list of things to talk about.

Howie Decker January 14, 2013 at 11:01 pm

Right!?

Ben January 12, 2013 at 3:16 pm

More Ultimate Warrior posts please.

Howie Decker January 12, 2013 at 3:26 pm

I’m on it.

ClarenceRHM January 12, 2013 at 8:30 pm

The Warrior’s an odd case. He was interesting and had mystique until his 1998 WCW stay. Now, he’s just bizarre.

Howie Decker January 14, 2013 at 10:58 pm

Absolutely. He’s fascinating to watch as he still calls out Hogan and other guys

Newt January 15, 2013 at 12:53 am

Basically, nothing beats the Arsenio Hall show. Sure, Warrior makes this appearance, but he always had awesome guests. Hogan, Savage, Jason Vorhees… Man, they just don’t make em’ like that anymore.

Howie Decker January 15, 2013 at 12:58 pm

You’re right. The only talk shows that come close in terms of fun and irreverent segments are Conan and Fallon, but nothing like having Jason Voorhees or other “in-character” people on as guests.

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