R.I.P.: Eddie Guerrero 1967-2005
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As almost anyone who knows me or is even a casual reader of my blatherings on this site, I'm a fan of pro wrestling. I mean, I even wrote a screenplay/comic book
on the subject. I get asked why I would even want to watch it in the first place, since it's "not real". Well that much is obvious but last time I checked, Star Wars wasn't a documentary either. I enjoy the athleticism and, when done properly, the storylines and characters. It's a weird blend of live theater, morality play and just kick ass toughness and athleticism. I also have some personal feelings regarding it as well. When my parents got divorced, my Dad used to take me and my sister to the Boston Garden to see the matches every month and we'd spend the weekend with him. Add to that, the fact that the life of a pro wrestler and the life of a standup comic are very similar (except we don't get bashed with blunt objects...at least on a good night). Lots of travel, time away from loved ones, perfoming for an audience who may or may not be as appreciative of your craft as you'd like. The politics and hierarchy of moving up the card/show. It's all very similar, indeed. I think that's what draws me to wrestling the most now that I've hit adulthood and am on my own path to chase my bliss...it's the people who are in it.
One of these people, and one of my favorite performers to watch, is Eddie Guerrero.
On Sunday November 13, 2005 Eddie Guerrero passed away suddenly and tragically at the Marriott Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn at the young age of 38. No word is known on the cause of death, but it was reported that he was found with his toothbrush still in his mouth, indicating that whatever happened took him over quite quickly.
For those who have heard of him, he had a years-long battle with substance abuse and addiction. His abuses were known throughout the business and by those who followed it. In the last four years, though, Eddie found a new life and cleaned himself up. His nephew (and fellow WWE wrestler) Chavo Guerrero remarked in a press conference that Eddie has "just celebrated four years of sobriety", making the story even more tragic.
You have to wonder how much abuse the human body can take. Eddie may have been off booze and pills, but his 5'9 frame was carrying much more weight than it should have been carrying due to steroid abuse. Eddie was never a huge guy, but his personality, wit and working ability in the ring set him apart from the generic, cookie-cutter muscleheads working in the ring. He too, feel prey to the industry standard that bigger is better and I have to think that all of that strain, combined with the indulgences of the past had to lead to his untimely demise. It's only speculation on my part, but the clues are there. If that is the case, I would think it was time Vince McMahon took a stand and started protecting his wrestlers instead of rewarding the gassed up ones for being "larger than life" and turning heads at airports.
That's neither here nor there, because for now, there is just loss. WWE has lost a major star and someone who their Smackdown brand was being built around. Fans have lost one of the most entertaining and exciting wrestlers in the business but all of that pales in comparison to the loss that his family and close friends feel right now. My heart goes out to them and much love and light is sent to the Guerrero family in this darkest of times.
My favorite memory of Eddie occurred at the end of Wrestlemania 20. Eddie, always having been pegged as "too small" to be seriously pushed at the top of the card had just won Smackdown's version of the World Title from Brock Lesnar. His real life best friend Chris Benoit ended the big show by taking the RAW brand version (WWE has split into two seperate "leagues" that only combine for the big pay per views) World Title. Benoit, another wrestler who was always pegged as "too small and too bland" to be a World Champion had to let his in ring ability do the talking. Both are amazing athletes and true artists in what they can do in the ring. After Benoit's title victory, Eddie came to the ring and the two best friends embraced as confetti and streamers rained down on them. The two wrestlers no one ever gave a chance in hell to be pushed to the top because they didn't fit the "standard" of what a World Champion should be, ended one of the biggest pay per views in the history of the business as just that. Champions. Two friends embraced and celebrating the culmination of years and years of struggle, sacrifice and passion.
We should all be so fortunate.
You can click here to read a bio of Eddie's career as well videos (including the WMXX celebration described above) and other tributes to Eddie Guerrero. Tonight's Monday Night RAW will be a tribute to him as well. That airs at 9:00 on the USA network.
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