Eddie Guerrero Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 14, 2024
Eddie Guerrero Then
Eddie Guerrero was born on October 9, 1967, in El Paso, Texas, into a wrestling family with deep roots in Mexican wrestling traditions.
He grew up surrounded by the sport, with his father, Gory Guerrero, being a well-known wrestler and promoter in Mexico.
Eddie’s passion for wrestling began at a young age, attending matches at the El Paso County Coliseum, where his father promoted events.
Eddie and his nephew, Chavo Guerrero, would even wrestle each other during intermissions, further solidifying his connection to the sport.
Eddie graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1985, then attended the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands University on an athletic scholarship.
There, he entered collegiate wrestling, which laid the foundation for his future as a professional wrestler.
His decision to follow in the footsteps of his brothers and father led him to Mexico, where he began his formal training to become a professional wrestler.
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Eddie Guerrero Wrestling Career
Eddie Guerrero made his professional wrestling debut in 1986 and spent the early years of his career in Mexico and Japan.
Initially, he wrestled under the “Mascara Magica” persona in Mexico’s CMLL, but in 1992, he left for AAA, teaming up with El Hijo del Santo to recreate the famous La Pareja Atómica tag team.
Guerrero also gained international experience in Japan, where he wrestled as “Black Tiger” in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), achieving success by winning the 1996 Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
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In the United States, Guerrero first made a name for himself in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he won the ECW World Television Championship in his debut match in 1995.
His series of matches with Dean Malenko drew attention and helped him transition to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) later that year.
During his time in WCW, Guerrero captured the United States and Cruiserweight Championships, establishing himself as a top-tier performer.
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In 2000, along with Malenko, Chris Benoit, and Perry Saturn, Guerrero left WCW to join WWE (then WWF), where he became part of The Radicalz.
He went on to win numerous titles, including the WWE Championship in 2004, cementing his legacy as one of the most charismatic and talented wrestlers of his generation.
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Eddie Guerrero Wrestling Competition
- Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA)
- Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
- Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
- World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/WWE)
Eddie Guerrero Now
Eddie Guerrero tragically passed away on November 13, 2005, at the age of 38 due to heart failure caused by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Despite his passing, Guerrero’s legacy continues to have a profound impact on the world of professional wrestling.
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He is remembered as one of the most charismatic and talented performers in the history of the sport, with his “Latino Heat” persona and the catchphrase “I Lie! I Cheat! I Steal!” becoming iconic in WWE.
Guerrero was posthumously inducted into several halls of fame, including the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006, cementing his place as a wrestling legend.
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Even years after his death, Guerrero’s influence is felt by fans and wrestlers alike, as his work ethic, in-ring abilities, and captivating personality continue to inspire future generations.
His life and career are celebrated annually by WWE, and his name frequently comes up when discussing the greatest wrestlers of all time.
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FAQs
Eddie Guerrero passed away on November 13, 2005, from heart failure caused by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, likely linked to his past struggles with substance abuse and the physical toll of wrestling.
Rey Mysterio was Eddie Guerrero’s close friend and wrestling rival. The two had memorable feuds in WWE and even portrayed a storyline where Eddie claimed to be the biological father of Rey’s son, Dominik, which led to intense matches. Outside of the ring, they shared a deep friendship.
Eddie Guerrero collapsed in the ring on a few occasions due to exhaustion and the toll his body took from years of wrestling and past substance abuse. However, these incidents were not directly related to his death.
Eddie Guerrero suffered from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition where the arteries harden and narrow, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart, which contributed to his fatal heart failure.