If you're unfamiliar with how the segment works, here is a quick breakdown: Each edition, a wrestler will be put under the spotlight and rated on a 0-100 scale based on 10 categories that have been broken up into 5 umbrella sections: In the Ring Skills, On the Mic Skills, Appearance, Backstage, and Crowd Reaction. The rating scale is as basic as you can get: 0-1-2-3-4 | 5 | 6-7-8-9-10. It follows the Three-Count Critique method of green being the good, yellow being in the middle, and red being the bad. A perfect 100 is the goal.
He was victorious in the Ultimate Challenge, but how does The Ultimate Warrior rank on Superstar Scores?
THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
Update: On March 20, 2020, we did a recalibration of points for a 25th episode special. In that episode, nearly every wrestler saw some adjustments. Below, you'll see the original scores on the left and then the updated score on the right, with the original description for the original score underneath. For explanation on the updated points, check out the 25th edition podcast.
IN THE RING SKILLS
Athleticism: Does the person have a good signature moveset and finisher? Can they perform a wide variety of moves on a regular basis and not botch them?
My Rating = 4
Warrior's matches weren't that long and they were pretty slow, particularly for someone that would come out to the ring so fast. He admitted it himself, that he would get blown up rather easily, and it shows. If a perfect 10 is more along the lines of a cruiserweight, he just doesn't compare.
Psychology: The wrestler's ability to tell a story in the ring. Do they make you believe it's real or do they forget to sell their injuries properly? Can they make a long match stay interesting and not get boring?
My Rating = 6 / 5
With his character, it's difficult to really tell a big story. Basically, he takes some hits and sells them and then gets pumped up and fights back. It's not the most intricate story, so it isn't the most difficult to tell, but he did it well.
ON THE MIC SKILLS
Charisma: If they get a mic, can they cut a promo without stuttering? Are they repetitive or do they keep things fresh?
My Rating = 10 / 9
Easily the best thing about Ultimate Warrior, outside of his look, is his promos. They're incredibly fun to imitate and they kicked ass.
Character: Is their gimmick(s) interesting? Can they pull off being both a heel and a face?
My Rating = 7
His character was definitely INSANELY popular and very entertaining to the crowd. Points are deducted, though, for a few reasons. First, what exactly WAS his character? It isn't really fleshed out with any kind of backstory or anything of the sort. He's pretty much just an energetic muscular guy. Second, it only works as a babyface and not as a heel.
APPEARANCE
Physique: Are they in the proper shape for their gimmick or are they out of shape? (note: someone like Mabel isn't supposed to look like John Morrison, but Matt Hardy gaining weight deducts his points).
My Rating = 10
As mentioned before, Warrior's strongest points are his promos and his look. This guy looked like someone who completely fulfills the "over the top, tough guy, colorful character" vibe that WWE is always looking for.
Entrance: Their music, the pyro if they have any, whatever taunts or actions they do to make it interesting.
My Rating = 8
His music got you pumped up and when he bolted to the ring and shook the ropes it made people excited (and was fun to imitate).
BEHAVIOR
Backstage: Are they a locker room leader or do they cause problems behind the scenes? Are they bogged down in politics? Do they put other people over or screw people over?
My Rating = 5 / 4
I don't really know what to believe about any positives or negatives, so it's only fair for me to give him an average rating for this. Some people say he caused problems, some sources say that that's overblown, but I wasn't there and the internet didn't exist back then to leak as many things as it does now.
Public Relations: Is this wrestler a public relations problem with arrests and such, or are they someone that promotes the company well, does charities, talk shows, etc?
My Rating = 7 / 4
It's a shame that we weren't able to get Warrior as an ambassador to WWE, where he could have taken his motivational speaking skills and applied them to the sports entertainment juggernaut. Without seeing how that turned out, it's tough to go full-blown with a 10, but I would have to assume that he would have done an admirable job, considering his background and the way he handled himself at the Hall of Fame ceremony.
CROWD REACTION
Popularity: How loud are the cheers and boos for them? Do they sell merchandise? Are ratings up or down when they're on screen? How many Twitter and Facebook followers do they have?
My Rating = 9 / 8
Out of everyone out there during the time of Hulk Hogan, who were the two people that came the closest to matching his value or surpassing it? Randy Savage and Ultimate Warrior. Big pops, lots of merchandise, enormously popular.
Credibility: Is this person someone you would see as a main eventer and a future legend or are they doomed to forever be a jobber?
My Rating = 8
Warrior was a top guy who reached a point where he could be the Intercontinental champion AND defeat Hulk Hogan to win the WWF Championship at the same time. That's huge.
TOTAL SCORE: 74/100 - 67/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: This score seems pretty high, especially considering how it's higher than Mick Foley's and almost the same as Triple H's. But this is mostly because of Ultimate Warrior's popularity being so huge. His in-ring skills were never the best, but his character was over with the crowd and very fun, and definitely etched him into a Hall of Fame worthy spot.
WHAT DID YOUR SCORE TALLY UP TO?
WHO SHOULD WE RATE NEXT?
WHO SHOULD WE RATE NEXT?
LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
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