One of WWE’s most iconic and exciting Superstars will take his place in sports-entertainment history on Saturday, April 5, 2014. It was announced today that Ultimate Warrior will return to WWE after an 18-year absence be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at a ceremony at Smoothie King Center (formerly New Orleans Arena), as a part of the WrestleMania XXX festivities.

"The Ultimate Warrior was the most intense, colorful, competitive and outspoken Superstar in sports-entertainment history, and his contributions to WWE were extraordinary," said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. "We are thrilled to induct The Ultimate Warrior into the WWE Hall of Fame."

When his trademark theme music hit, Warrior would burst out of the dressing room and sprint towards the ring, causing a frenzy of excitement amongst WWE fans. Inside the squared circle, Warrior was an intense competitor and responsible for many of the most memorable moments in WWE history. 

Watch the Hall of Fame ceremony LIVE on WWE Network |  Rare Warrior photos

At the inaugural SummerSlamin 1988, he defeated the Honky Tonk Man in record time to win his first of two Intercontinental Championships. Two years later, Warrior defeated Hulk Hogan to become WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI in one of the most exciting matches to ever take place on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

Warrior would continue to captivate audiences around the world with epic encounters against legendary Superstars like Undertaker and Randy “Macho Man” Savage. After a storied career that also saw him rekindle his rivalry with Hogan in WCW, Warrior stepped away from the ring in 1998. Last year, he was featured in the WWE2K14 video game as a downloadable character, giving the next generation of WWE fans a chance to “feel the power of the Ultimate Warrior.”

Watch highlights from Ultimate Warrior's incredible career

Additional WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2014 inductees will be announced over the coming weeks.  

Tickets for the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at New Orleans Arena go on sale this Saturday, January 18 at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. All tickets are subject to service charges and facility fees.

WrestleMania XXX takes place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, April 6, 2014, live on WWE Network. For more information on how to get WWE Network, click  here. WrestleMania XXX will also be available on pay-per-view. Check with your cable, satellite or telco provider for availability.

Full WWE Hall of Fame Coverage |  WrestleMania XXX news