I always wondered what would happen first — Axel Rose rejoins the original members of Guns N’ Roses or the Ultimate Warrior does business with WWE. Stubborn people in heated situations, but at the end of the day, somebody has to concede.

The Ultimate Warrior has signed a deal to be an unlockable character in the new WWE 2K14 video game. The deal is with 2K sports, which makes the game and not with WWE. That deal is coming.

Follow the money.

Despite not having signed a deal with WWE in any capacity yet, Warrior recently spoke to WWE cameras for the first time since 1996. You can see the interview on WWE.com.

Ultimate Warrior takes living the gimmick to a new level of … dedication? Insanity? The man legally changed his name to Warrior. Jim just wasn’t acceptable anymore.

Despite his eccentric ways, if there is ever a character to devote yourself to full-time, the Ultimate Warrior is it. The character is iconic. Everyone knows of the Ultimate Warrior. Like Hulk Hogan, his is a household name synonymous with professional wrestling. Plus, if you live as the Ultimate Warrior, you can get away with saying anything and people just chalk it up to “Well, that’s Warrior.”

Warrior’s been fighting with Vince McMahon for years over just about everything. The biggest shot fired was WWE’s DVD released in 2005 called “The Self Destruction Of The Ultimate Warrior.”

The production documented Warrior’s rise in the wrestling business and his WWE career. It highlighted the high times, but also told a story of him holding up McMahon for more money, not showing up for events, being dangerous in the ring and just being difficult to deal with daily.

But Warrior trying to work again with WWE is a smart thing. You’re only the Warrior if people remember who the Warrior is. If you sit in a cave long enough, eventually those fans forget, don’t care or die. Better to cash in while there is still something to cash in on.

If Bruno Sammartino can get over more than 20 years of battles with WWE, and Martha Hart can settle out of court with WWE, Mr. Warrior can get over one DVD where he gets called out for being unprofessional back in the day. WWE’s starting to look like Pittsburgh with all of the bridges they are rebuilding lately.

Warrior’s an intense personality, but you can’t hate the guy for building a successful brand. The reality is, the guy knew how to work a business that is always trying to work you. If you’re not making any enemies, you’re not making any money. I think a wise business man once said that, brother.

Since Warrior last worked with company in 1996, WWE’s expanded into a global entertainment brand that stretches far beyond the wrestling ring. Just think of all Warrior could do in today’s WWE.

Imagine him giving a “Be A Star” anti-bullying speech! Kids would stop bullying simply because they’d have to join together to figure out what the hell Warrior just said. Or join together to laugh. Either way, recess is more peaceful.

How about Warrior starring in the next WWE film. “The Marine 4: One Warrior Nation.”

If all else fails, Brad Maddox always can be removed to free up the RAW General Manager position.

Or what if USA Network ran promos all week announcing that on the next RAW, the Ultimate Warrior will be in control. Tell me that wouldn’t pop a big number.

Anyway you look at it — whether it’s for the money, for the fans and for the ego — Warrior has taken his first step toward being back in the WWE family. The company must do whatever it takes to keep the momentum going.

Besides, it has to happen. Triple H needs payback for making his WrestleMania debut by jobbing to Warrior in a one-minute match.

Trib Total Media staffer Justin LaBar has a wrestling column every Monday and Friday. He also hosts Wrestling Reality at sportstalk.triblive.com every Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m.

---

Copyright ©2026— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---