Eddie Guerrero
The story of Eddie Guerrero is one of inspiration and heartbreak. After personal demons cost the second generation
Superstar his career and family, he dedicated himself to becoming clean and returning to society. The inspirational Guerrero
eventually defeated his demons and returned to greatness. Tragically, however, Eddie Guerrero was taken from the world
shortly after clawing his way back to the top of sports-entertainment.
 EDDIE GUERRERO FEATURES |
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Second Generation Superstar
As the son of influential Mexican wrestler Gory Guerrero, Eddie grew up in and around the business. From an early age, it
was clear his passion was professional wrestling. He spent most of his time in the family's wrestling ring, which was
situated in the backyard. Before his fifth birthday, he was already delivering dropkicks to his older brothers.
Once he became old enough, Guerrero started competing professionally in Mexico and Japan. It wasn't until he began
working for Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1995 that he gained any true exposure in the United States. While in ECW,
Guerrero captured the Television Championship on two occasions, but it was his classic matches against Dean Malenko that
caught the eye of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) officials.
While things were going great for Guerrero inside the ring, his personal life was in severe jeopardy. In 1998, an
impaired Guerrero nearly killed himself in a violent car wreck. Fortunately, Guerrero lived, but he failed to address the
demons that were invading his life. In 2000, Guerrero jumped ship to the World Wrestling Federation where he gained instant
notoriety as Chyna's fun-loving boyfriend. Affectionately referred to as "Latino Heat," Guerrero won the European and
Intercontinental Championships within his first year with the company. However, Guerrero's in-ring success couldn't help
fend off his personal demons. Addiction again caught up with him. This time, it cost him his wife and job. He had hit rock
bottom.
Turning Around His Life
Rather than slipping further into addiction, Guerrero used his recent woes to help drive him. He eventually crushed his
demons, won back his wife and was given a second chance with the World Wrestling Entertainment. The WWE fans welcomes back
the new Eddie Guerrero with open arms. Much like is first stint with the company, he compiled an impressive list of
championships. In addition to becoming a four-time WWE Tag Team Champion (twice with his nephew Chavo, once with Tajiri,
once with Rey Mysterio), Guerrero had the honor of bringing the United States Championship back to prominence in 2003.
Guerrero's greatest in-ring conquest came in February 2004 when he defeated Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at
No Way Out. The victory brought Guerrero full circle and completed his quest for redemption. As WWE Champion,
Guerrero earned the ultimate opportunity of defending his title at WrestleMania XX at the famed Madison Square
Garden. In the world of sports entertainment, there is no greater honor. Guerrero seized the opportunity, defeating Kurt
Angle to retain the title.
Guerrero's inspirational WWE Championship reign came to an end when John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated him in a Texas Bull
Rope Match at The Great American Bash in June 2004. Undeterred by the loss, Guerrero, as he had done so many times
before, fought to regain his lofty status. By late 2005, he had solidified himself as a legitimate threat for the World
Heavyweight Championship.
A Tragic End
On November 13, 2005, Guerrero was found unconscious in his hotel room in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by his nephew, Chavo.
Chavo attempted CPR, but Eddie was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived on the scene. He was thirty-eight years old. An
autopsy revealed that Guerrero died as a result of acute heart failure due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
In the days that followed, the entire wrestling world publicly mourned the tragic loss of an inspirational human being.
In 2006, Guerrero took his rightful place in wrestling history when he was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
The night's celebration was proof that the great memories of Eddie Guerrero will live on forever.