There’s no doubt the Ultimate Warrior became an iconic figure during his wrestling career, but not everyone was fond of the late star.
His time in the WWE was contentious as he fell out multiple times with Vince McMahon over payouts and his use of Human Growth Hormone. He left he company in 1992 under acrimonious circumstances, but returned in 1996 after time had soothed bad feelings between the two. His return saw him defeat Triple H in just 90 seconds at WrestleMania VII. His return wouldn’t last long, however, and he was gone again the following year.
Speaking in a recent interview with Steve Fall on The Ten Count, former WWE star Barry Horowitz took Warrior to task for his lack of in-ring skill, saying the star had nothing to offer beyond his physical appearance and presentation.
“Basically when the Warrior’s music stops, so does the match. It’s time to go back through the curtain, back home. And I’m calling it like it is. I don’t like to knock the people that are passed.”
Barry Horowitz Believes Ultimate Warrior “Disrespected The Business”
Continuing, Horowitz said he believed Warrior to be nothing more than a bodybuilder who never advanced in his wrestling skill. He compared the late star to fellow Hall of Famer Dave Bautista, who Horowitz believed was far more successful in translating his impressive physical presence into in-ring action.
“I think he disrespected the wrestling business and he was a smartened-up bodybuilder. And I’ve seen bodybuilders. Well, maybe you need to do more. I don’t know, because I think back in the day, in his prime, Batista blew him away with his ability, his ring entrance, and his look.”
Legendary announcer Jim Ross seems to agree with Horowitz’s assessment. During a March 2022 episode of his Grilling JR podcast, Ross explained why working with Warrior a “giant pain in the a**.”
Warrior was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2014. He appeared on Raw the following Monday, and tragically passed away the next day.
h/t WrestlingInc