In 1995, the Ultimate Warrior, a former bodybuilder, cover model, and WWE Champion, released a workout video intended to be inspirational rather than an instructional tape.
As much as I’m a fan of the Warrior, I was inspired to turn it off. Not because it’s bad, though opinions may vary, but because the key points were clear. One takeaway: despite the narrative that Warrior’s appeal was all about his physique, the video shows the sheer effort he put into building it.
While others focused on their in-ring work, Warrior devoted himself to crafting his character’s look. It’s a reminder that presentation often carries a wrestler further than technical skill, which is still true today.
Of course, some will mention the use of supplements and their potential dangers.
To that, I say this. In an industry where performers routinely take 20-foot bumps off ladders through tables, the moral panic over a prescribed cycle feels hypocritical. We accept joint destruction for a “holy shit” moment, so why clutch pearls over the chemistry used to look the part?
If we celebrate the wrestlers for sacrificing their spines on extreme spots for our entertainment, we should at least respect the discipline and extreme regimen it takes to look like a superhero while doing it.
