Hawk: A Warriors Legend Lives On:

      Many years ago the wrestling world experienced a phenominia that would change the course of tag team wrestling forever, the creation of the Road Warriors/Legion of Doom. Hawk and Animal were discovered by Paul Ellering who saw them devastate a couple of punks in a street brawl. For nearly a decade Mike Hegstrand was part of the hottest act in professional wrestling. With his biker boots, spiked shoulder pads, face paint and sculptured physique, the Minneapolis body builder teamed with friend and fellow weight lifter Joe Animal Laurniatis to make up the Road Warriors, pro wrestlings dominant tag team of the 80s.

       Hawk made his pro debut in June 1983 in the N.W.A. where he and Animal won numerous tag team titles. Hegstrand has also won the CWA World Heavyweight Title, IWGP International Title (with Power Warrior) twice. Helped the Hart Foundation defeat Demolition to win the WWF Tag Team Titles at Summerslam 91. Hawk left the WWF after L.O.D.s Summerslam 92 match against Money Inc. He appeared at tapings for Jim Cornettes WWN on January 28, 1994 Reunited with Animal at WCW Clash of the Champions XXX II and requested a title shot against the new tag team champions Sting and Lex Luger. The Road Warriors were involved in an extremely confusing double disqualification against Henry and Phineas Godwinn on June 27, 1997. The Road Warriors were the only tag team to hold the WWF. NWA/WCW and AWA tag team titles.

          Several years ago, Hegstrand became ill while wrestling in Australia. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Hegtrsand was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that attacks muscle fibers. He resumed wrestling, although not as seriously as before. Earlier this summer, the Road Warriors were reunited with their former manager at a show in Chicago to celebrate their years together.

By: Angela (Frack)