The Road Warriors: A Tag Team for the AgesThey were the road warriors, literally and figuratively. Mike "Animal" Hegstrand and Joseph "Hawk" Laurinaitis, a duo that dominated the tag team division for over two decades. From the American Wrestling Association (AWA) to World Championship Wrestling (WCW), the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), they left a trail of broken bodies and shattered dreams in their wake.Their first match took place on June 11, 1983 – a date that marked the beginning of a legendary career. And what a start it was! The Road Warriors, as they came to be known, quickly established themselves as the most feared and respected tag team in the business. Their signature move, the Doomsday Device (a spiked shoulder pad-assisted powerslam), sent opponents flying into oblivion.Their AWA tenure saw them claim the World Tag Team Championship on multiple occasions, while their NWA stint earned them the NWA World Tag Team Championship, as well as the NWA World Six Man Tag Team Championship and NWA International Tag Team Championship. In 1990, they made the leap to WWF (now WWE), where they became known as LOD 2000.But the Road Warriors' greatest achievement was their ability to adapt. When Hawk retired from in-ring competition due to injuries, Animal continued on his own, competing under the name Animal Warrior. The two even reunited for a few matches, wrestling as Hawk Warrior and Animal Warrior in NJPW. It wasn't long before they reformed as Legion of Doom (LOD), their iconic duo back together once more.Their last match took place on July 11, 2003 – a testament to the enduring legacy of these road warriors. Together, they left an indelible mark on professional wrestling, their names etched in the annals of history alongside other greats like the Hart Foundation and the Steiners. When it comes to tag teams, there's no one more iconic than the Road Warriors – a duo that will forever be remembered as a force to be reckoned with.
| Members: | Animal and Hawk |
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| Promotions: | AWA, Independent, Japan, NJPW, NWA, WCW, WWE, WWF |
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Facts
Road Warriors: A Legacy of Power• The Road Warriors, composed of Animal (Joseph Michael Laurinaitis) and Hawk (Michael James Hegstrand), are widely regarded as one of the greatest tag teams in professional wrestling history.• Their unique "road warrior" gimmick, which featured a war paint-inspired face paint design, was a hallmark of their in-ring persona.• The duo's first match took place on June 11th, 1983, and they would go on to compete for various promotions throughout their careers, including World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).• The Road Warriors were a dominant force in the tag team division, holding multiple championships across different promotions. They won the WWF World Tag Team Championship, NWA World Tag Team Championship, NWA World Six Man Tag Team Championship, NWA International Tag Team Championship, and AWA World Tag Team Championship.• Hawk was known for his intense matches and innovative moves, including the "Hawk Splash" - a top-rope diving headbutt that became one of his signature finishing maneuvers.• Animal, on the other hand, was renowned for his incredible strength and power, often using his sizeable frame to overpower opponents in the ring.• The Road Warriors' partnership was marked by a fierce loyalty and camaraderie, which helped fuel their success as a tag team. They were known for their intense matches and ability to tell a compelling story through their in-ring performances.• One of the most notable feuds in Road Warriors history was with the Hart Foundation (Bret "Hitman" Hart and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart) in the WWF, which culminated in a legendary match at WrestleMania VI.• The duo's popularity extended beyond their in-ring performances. They were featured on various merchandise, including action figures, trading cards, and apparel.• After a successful career spanning over two decades, the Road Warriors disbanded in 2003. Hawk tragically passed away on October 19th, 2003, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of professional wrestlers.• Animal continued to work in various promotions after Hawk's passing, ultimately retiring from active competition in 2015.
