Many fans and industry professionals were pleased if not entirely surprised when Ultimate Warrior was announced as the first inductee into this year's WWE Hall of Fame class. There were signs that fences were in the process of being mended around his inclusion in the marketing efforts for and content of the WWE 2K14 video game released last fall. And with 2013's induction of Bruno Sammartino, we had seen the proof that the company and, more importantly, its Chairman, were willing to let bygones be bygones in the name of business.
The same could not be definitively said of fellow wrestlers that Warrior may have burned with his reputed backstage behavior or loud and controversial opinions since his in-ring days ended.
Surprisingly enough, Hulk Hogan - the subject of some of Warrior's most pointed and cutting invective - quickly dismissed heat between the two men with some casual remarks. There have even been rumors that Hogan, who was calling the man an "ass clown" as recently as two years ago, could be the man to welcome him into the Hall at this year's ceremony.
Unfortunately, it's not going well with all of The Man from Parts Unknown's former co-workers.
Jake "The Snake" Roberts, who just recently had a feel good moment of his own on the Old School edition of Raw and has been rumored for a possible spot in the Royal Rumble match or a Hall of Fame slot of his own, was asked about Warrior's nod in a recent episode of Sirius XM's Busted Open show. In response to a question about their careers not being comparable, Roberts responded:
I know, man! I know that. But maybe they're taking in a-holes and not great talent. I don't know.
Understandably, Warrior took the "a-hole" comment personally. And in typical Warrior-style, he threw gasoline on the fire when he responded on Twitter:
One a-hole instills honor and pride, The other horror and pity, One grows wise on great stories. One reads bathroom stalls and still grovels
— The Ultimate Warrior (@UltimateWarrior) January 21, 2014
Question for former talents now "hypocrite" born-again Christians. Where do we go to find you practicing the beliefs of Christianity? Hell?
— The Ultimate Warrior (@UltimateWarrior) January 21, 2014
Jake has lobbied for a spot in the Rumble match repeatedly over the past year, but has also insisted that he doesn't need that or a spot in the Hall to complete his career. In reporting on this, Wade Keller at Pro Wrestling Torch comments that having The Warrior and The Snake in New Orleans for this year's Hall ceremony would make for a combustible situation - but it's not clear if that would be a reason to avoid putting Roberts in this year or a selling point.
Stay tuned for any further shots fired in this verbal shoot between two legends.