For nearly a decade, the Warrior Award stood as one of WWE’s most emotional and community-driven honors. Established in 2015 in memory of the late Ultimate Warrior, the award was meant to spotlight individuals who embodied unwavering strength, courage, and compassion—much like the inaugural recipient, Conner “The Crusher” Michalek. The touching tribute became an annual reminder of WWE’s charitable heart, especially through its ongoing support of Conner’s Cure.
But here we are in 2025… and the Warrior Award has been nowhere to be found. Not in 2024. Not this year either. No mention. No tribute. Nothing. In its place? A shiny new segment at this year’s Hall of Fame: the WWE Immortal Moment Award, introduced by CM Punk and awarded to Bret Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin for their iconic WrestleMania 13 clash.
Fans couldn’t help but notice the glaring omission. Did the WWE Immortal Award replace the Warrior Award altogether?
The question isn’t just about screen time—it’s about legacy. The Warrior Award gave WWE a rare moment to step away from kayfabe and spotlight fans, backstage personnel, and real-life fighters who exemplified heart over hype. It wasn’t about titles—it was about truth.
So what happened?
Many speculate the shift began with the release of Dana Warrior in September 2023 following the Endeavor acquisition. Dana had been a visible and vocal figure behind the award. As the widow of the Ultimate Warrior, she not only represented the brand but was deeply involved in the creative and community direction of the tribute. Once she was quietly let go, the award seemingly went with her.
Others believe this has more to do with the changing guard at WWE’s top brass. Let’s not forget: the Warrior Award was heavily backed by the former Chairman—yes, the one who shall not be named. He was a known admirer of Warrior, reinstating his legacy and even bringing Dana into the fold in 2019 with a spot on the creative team. With both of them out of the picture, the new WWE regime may have decided to close that chapter altogether.
Enter the Immortal Award. Sure, it’s a cool tribute to legendary moments in WWE history. Hart and Austin’s double turn at WrestleMania 13 deserves praise, no doubt. But its debut feels eerily like a replacement, not a supplement. Especially when community-driven storytelling and charity outreach—once a pillar of the Warrior Award—has taken a backseat.
Maybe WWE is trying to pivot toward nostalgia over inspiration. Maybe it’s an attempt to keep the Hall of Fame show shorter. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s a quiet restructuring of what and who WWE chooses to spotlight going forward.
One thing is clear—fans noticed. The Warrior Award stood for something real, something raw, something that made fans proud of the wrestling community. Its absence, without so much as a mention, feels like a silent farewell.
And for a company built on larger-than-life voices, silence might be the most telling move of all.
