A week after collapsing in a parking lot and dying, doctors have determined that former WWE wrestling star Ultimate Warrior (born Jim Hellwig) died of natural causes. The high-energy grappler known for his neon face paint, jacked physique and energetic ring entrances, reportedly grabbed his chest before collapsing unexpectedly in an Scottsdale, Arizona parking lot a week ago.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s office determined that Warrior’s death at age 54 was from “natural causes.” The official cause was “atherosclerotic/arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” with no further investigation expected. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty deposits on the walls of arteries, which can lead to a dangerous narrowing of the arteries.
Warrior died just days after being inducted to the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame and is perhaps best known for beating Hulk Hogan in an epic match at WrestleMania VI in 1990.
Hellwig is just the latest wrestling star to die unexpectedly at a young age. Among the others who’ve died in the past decade from heart-related illness: Randy “Macho Man” Savage (2011, age 58, enlarged heart), Eddie Guerrero (2005, age 38, heart failure), Raymond “Big Boss Man” Traylor Jr. (2005, age 41, heart attack), William “Paul Bearer” Moody (2013, age 58, heart attack) and Edward “Umaga” Fatu (2009, age 36, heart attack).
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