Exclusive: Ultimate Warrior Dies at 54... Collapsed at AZ Hotel

TMZ reported and exclusive last night stating that the Warrior was transported to a nearby hospital ... where he was pronounced dead. update-grey-gray-bar The Ultimate Warrior has died ... this according to the WWE.

Warrior -- real name James Hellwig -- was a true WWE legend ... and was one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time. He was 54-years-old.

Warrior was just inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before Wrestlemania XXX this weekend ... and last night, he made his first appearance on "Monday Night Raw" in years.

Triple H just tweeted, "Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters."

Stephanie McMahon also tweeted, "#RIPUltimateWarrior Your strength of character is to be admired. There will never be anyone like you. Your spirit lives on in your family."

Hulk Hogan -- Warrior's greatest rival -- has also tweeted, "RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH"

Kevin Nash wrote, "So happy I embraced Warrior with a hug when we saw each other backstage Saturday night.My heart goes out to his family.Always Believe."

Warrior posed for some pics at the airport in New Orleans around 6am this morning. We're told he was in great spirits and offered to take photos with any fan who approached him.