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Ultimate Warrior Responds to His Recent Issue with The Iron Shiek

Posted: May 19th 2007 By: CMBurnham

On May 6, I made a rare appearance at a sports memorabilia/autograph show. Not only was the production first-class, so was the professionalism of the young gentleman, Mr. Bernie Gernay, who contacted, negotiated and worked with me to make the event happen. I can't say enough about the mature, professional conduct of this young man and how his efforts squashed much of the built up skepticism and cynicism I'd acquired over the years while working with incompetent con-artists who rarely ever delivered on what they'd promised to do. His company, Pro Sports Investments, and he have a bright, successful future ahead of them and I am proud to have worked with him on this event and am positively looking forward to working with him in the future. I also want to thank his family, his wife Fran, his brother Dean, his sister Diana and her fianc? Brian for their hard work and making me feel welcome. There are other friends of Bernie's who helped and I thank them, as well.

Of course, there'd been no reason for me to thank these people if there weren't, first, the other people: the Ultimate Warrior fans. In YOUR case, it is not so much that I can't say enough, it's more that there are no words to describe the emotions I have when it comes to all of you. You were the best and you still are. One of the expressions I created many years ago still fits today: Created by Destiny. Bonded by Belief. How true it still is.

The Ultimate Warrior persona impacted all our lives in a positive and inspiring way and even as the years go by our affections for the experience and the bond that was built never fades away. Our lives are still powerfully influenced and our hearts are still warmed by the memories of Ultimate Warrior's energy and determination and the statement he made. You drove hours from others cities, brought your own young children who were not yet even born when I was active in the business but have been turned onto Ultimate Warrior through the pictures, videos and stories you cherish, and you even flew from other countries to just smile, say hello, shake a hand, snap a few pictures, grab a couple of autographs. As many of you witnessed for yourself, you tugged at my heart until I was, often with moist eyes, wearing it on my sleeve.

Not just now as I write this but that whole day, there were several instances where there were not words to tell you how much it meant. I know you came to see me, but I need you ALL to know the honor of meeting you made an equal heartfelt and lasting impression. The only words to describe the fondness you shared is to tell you that you are the best--and you are better. You were better fans and you are better people. I will never forget what you meant to the success of the Ultimate Warrior and how much that experience we "lived" together still means to the living and learning I get to do in my everyday life. Thank you for being who you are. I know our paths are destined to cross again.

Further poignant commentary about this video and this incident is forthcoming late tonight my time, plus some news about what has been going...what hasn't been going...what is going to be going on...

Your Founding Father of Ring Intensity,

Always Believe,

Warrior