The Ultimate Warrior, one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling, died Tuesday at age 54, World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement. 
 
 The Ultimate Warrior, a late 1980s icon of professional wrestling who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday, died Tuesday at 54. Jonathan Bachman/AP Images for WWE 
 
 Born James Brian Hellwig, Warrior legally changed his name in 1993. 
 
 Scottsdale, Ariz., police spokesman Sgt. Mark Clark said Warrior collapsed while walking with his wife to their car at a hotel, and was pronounced dead at a hospital. 
 
 There were no signs of foul play, Clark said. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy Thursday, county spokeswoman Cari Gerchick said. 
 
 Warrior was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday in New Orleans and spoke inside the ring during Monday's "WWE Raw." 
 
 "WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior," read a statement from the company. "We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans. WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior's family, friends and fans." 
 
 Warrior began his career with the World Wrestling Federation in 1987, and by 1990 he had become one of the biggest stars in the company, rivaling the popularity of Hulk Hogan. Warrior defeated Hogan to win the world title at the SkyDome in Toronto that year. 
 
 Hogan was among the wrestling stars to express his condolences on Twitter early Wednesday morning. 
 
 RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH - Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 9, 2014 
 
 As did WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. 
 
 We are all so sad that the Ultimate Warrior has passed away. Our heart is with his wife Dana and his two daughters. - Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) April 9, 2014 
 
 The face-painted Warrior was famous for running to the ring before matches, violently shaking the ropes and giving interviews that were as hurried as some of his matches. 
 
 Editor's Picks The Ultimate Warrior, 1959-2014 The Ultimate Warrior's legacy in WWE can't be overstated, writes Grantland's David Shoemaker. 
 
 Warrior's induction into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday ended an 18-year absence from the company, and he announced he had signed a multiyear deal with the company to serve as an official ambassador. 
 
 In what would be his last public appearance, Warrior put on his mask one last time in the center of the ring and addressed a sold-out crowd at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Monday. 
 
 "No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own," he said. "Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them bleed deeper in something that's larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized by the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him, and make the running the man did live forever." 
 
 Warrior is survived by his wife, Dana, and his two daughters. 
 
 The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

 Ultimate Warrior Dead at 54 Collapsed at AZ Hotel 
 
 Ultimate Warrior Dead -- WWE Legend James Hellwig Dies at 54 
 
 Exclusive Details 
 
 Theis deadhe died suddenly and horrifically, right in front of his wife.We've learned Warrior collapsed without warning outside an Arizona hotel at 5:50 PM Tuesday ... while walking to his car with his wife.He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Warrior -- real name-- was a true WWE legend ... and was one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time. He was 54-years-old.Warrior was just inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before Wrestlemania XXX this weekend ... and this week he made his first appearance on "Monday Night Raw" in years. 
 
 # 
 
 RIPUltimateWarrior 
 
 just tweeted, "Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters."also tweeted, "Your strength of character is to be admired. There will never be anyone like you. Your spirit lives on in your family."-- Warrior's greatest rival -- has also tweeted, "RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH"wrote, "So happy I embraced Warrior with a hug when we saw each other backstage Saturday night.My heart goes out to his family.Always Believe."Warrior posed for some pics at the airport in New Orleans around 6am Tuesday morning. We're told he was in great spirits and offered to take photos with any fan who approached him.WWE posted a message on the official website saying, "WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior. ""Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter. We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans.""WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans. Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters." 
 
 Story developing ... 

 Legendary wrestler The Ultimate Warrior, who was infamous for his colorful warpaint and arrogant stage swagger, died at the age of 54, just days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. 
 
 The death of James Hellwig, a longtime star of the sport who appeared at WrestleMania 30 on Sunday, was announced by World Wrestling Entertainment Tuesday night. 
 
 The Warrior became champion of what was then known as the WWF at WrestleMania VI in 1990 when he defeated another iconic wrestler, Hulk Hogan. 
 
 His longtime nemesis sent his condolences on Twitter early Wednesday. 
 
 “RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH,” tweeted Hulk Hogan. 
 
 The WWE said they were “shocked and deeply saddened” to learn of his passing. 
 
 Hellwig leaves behind a wife and two daughters. 
 
 WWE boss Vince McMahon tweeted: “We are all so sad that Ultimate Warrior has passed away. Our heart is with his wife Dana and his two daughters.” 
 
 The circumstances of his death were not clear early Wednesday. 
 
 TMZ reports officials said Hellwig was walking outside an Arizona hotel with his wife when he collapsed. He was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. 
 
 Hellwig made his final appearance on WWE’s Monday Night Raw, thanking fans and acknowledging the future stars of the business. 
 
 “No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own,” Hellwig told the crowd on Monday. “Every man’s heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe their final breath. And if that man did in his life what makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them bleed deeper and something larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized.” 
 
 He continued: “By the story tellers, by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him and make the running the man did live forever. You, you, you, you, you, you are the legend makers of Ultimate Warrior.”
– The Ultimate Warrior was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Saturday, appeared at WrestleMania XXX on Sunday, and on Monday, he appeared on Monday Night Raw for the first time in years. Yesterday he died unexpectedly, at the age of 54. "Every man's heart one day beats its final beat," he had said during what would turn out to be his final appearance Monday. "His lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them bleed deeper in something that's larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized by the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him, and make the running the man did live forever." Warrior, who was born James Brian Hellwig but changed his name in 1993, started wrestling in 1987 and soon became an icon of the sport and one of its biggest stars, ESPN reports. He's being mourned by his colleagues, including "longtime nemesis" Hulk Hogan, the New York Post reports. "RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH," tweeted Hogan, whom the Warrior defeated at 1990's WrestleMania VI. The Warrior had been away from WWE for 18 years prior to this past weekend, during which he announced he had signed a deal to be an official ambassador for the company. His cause of death is not yet known, but TMZ reports that he was walking outside an Arizona hotel last night with his wife when he collapsed. He also leaves behind two daughters.