Remembering Eddie Guerrero

In November 2005 fans of professional wrestling were shocked to learn about the passing of Eddie Guerrero. Eddie Guerrero, an active WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) wrestler, was found dead in his hotel room at the age of 38. Autopsy reports deemed the cause of death as heart failure. Eddie Guerrero was beloved by wrestling fans. Every November many diehard wrestling fans commemorate the life of Eddie Guerrero by sharing tribute videos on youtube, watching old Eddie Guerrero matches, and posting favorite Eddie Guerrero memories in online chat rooms.

As a second generation wrestler Eddie Guerrero grew up around professional wrestling. Eddie Guerrero's career first started to take off while Guerrero wrestled in Japan. American wrestling promoter Paul Heyman took note of Eddie Guerrero and brought him to ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling). From there Eddie Guerrero's career took off. Please join me as I pay tribute to Eddie Guerrero by revisiting the man's storied career from ECW to WCW (World Championship Wrestling) and finally to the WWE.

ECW
In the early years of ECW Eddie Guerrero, along with Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Too Cold Scorpio, and Chris Jericho, gave the promotion credibility. Mainstream wrestling fans stereotyped ECW as "garbage" wrestling (untalented wrestlers hitting each other with weapons) but Eddie Guerrero and the other wrestlers named above broke that stereotype. They showcased a style of wrestling never seen before by American wrestling fans. Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Too Cold Scorpio, and Chris Jericho revolutionized the American wrestling industry.

Eddie Guerrero's best work in ECW was the series of matches he had with Dean Malenko. Guerrero and Malenko were evenly matched. The two traded the ECW TV Title back and forth. In their final ECW match Guerrero and Malenko wrestled in a two-out-of-three falls match to decide once and for all who the better wrestler was. The match is still talked about today as one of the greatest matches in ECW history.

WCW
Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, and Chris Benoit all left ECW for WCW at the same time. At first their careers continued to gain momentum but after a little while their careers began to stall. WCW bookers refused to push the three to the next level. Backstage Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, and Chris Benoit were dubbed "vanilla midgets". Bookers thought the three were too small and didn't have enough charisma to be pushed to the next level.

Despite the behind the scenes frustrations, Eddie Guerrero came out night after night and showcased his talents to the fans. Guerrero had a number of great matches, especially with Dean Malenko and Rey Mysterio Jr. In 1997 Eddie Guerrero defended the WCW Cruiserweight Title against Rey Mysterio Jr. at Halloween Havoc in a mask versus title match. If Guerrero won Rey Mysterio Jr. would have to unmask but if Mysterio won he would win Guerrero's championship. The match was one of WCW's best in 1997.

While Eddie Guerrero shined inside the wrestling ring frustration continued to build behind the scenes. In January 2000 Eddie Guerrero was one of 14 wrestlers to ask for his release from WCW. Once he was granted his release Eddie Guerrero became WWE bound.

WWE
Eddie Guerrero entered the WWE along with Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn, all of whom also received their releases from WCW. The four became known as The Radicalz. After awhile The Radicalz went their separate ways. Eddie Guerrero captured the attention of many wrestling fans when he started working with Chyna. Eddie Guerrero and Chyna's "Mamacita" material showcased Eddie Guerrero's charismatic side for the first time. Soon enough Eddie Guerrero was given the nickname "Latino Heat". Guerrero's career was once again gaining momentum.

The momentum Eddie Guerrero's career was gaining came to a screeching halt when Guerrero was released from the WWE for drug use. After sobering up Guerrero found himself once again working for the WWE. Soon after his return Eddie Guerrero made one of his dreams a reality, as Eddie became World Tag Team Champions with his nephew Chavo Guerrero. However, the best was yet to come for Eddie.

In February 2004 Eddie Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship for the first time in his career. The phrase may be cliché but Eddie Guerrero's title win was magical. Guerrero overcame obstacles in his career and drug addiction in his personal life. For these reasons wrestling fans consider Eddie Guerrero a hero; and for those very same reasons Eddie Guerrero's legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of wrestling fans everywhere.

SOURCES
1. The Death of WCW by R.D. Reynolds & Bryan Alvarez
2. "Viva La Raza- The Legacy of Eddie Guerrero" DVD