The WWE star, who legally changed his name from James Brian Hellwig to his ring name in 1993, entered the WWE Hall of Fame at Sunday's WrestleMania 30 and gave an impassioned speech on Monday Night RAW.
According to reports, Warrior was walking from his hotel room to his car with his wife just before 6pm yesterday when he suddenly fell to the ground and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
"Loss always has a way of reminding us to live and love as greatly as we can. My prayers and strength to his family. RIP Ultimate Warrior," tweeted The Rock.
"Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters," added WWE COO Triple H, with Hulk Hogan, whom Ultimate Warrior worked with for so many years, writing simply: "RIP WARRIOR. Only love."
Ultimate Warrior played a key part in the then WWF's boom in the early 90s.