Eddy Guerrero passes away

[Guest heyimbro]

The conference was just.. chilling. Chavo, as mentioned above, acted surprisingly calm.

[Guest JMA]

I really wish I hadn't come online today. This is just...I can't find the words. When I was reading this thread I couldn't accept that all of this was real. I don't know what else to say.

 

RIP Eddie.

[Steviekick 0]

I just watched the press conference, and Chavo is coming across as a hell of a nice guy. I have a lot of respect for him.

[iliketurtles 0]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5724133.html

 

When World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Eddie Guerrero didn't answer his wakeup call Sunday and didn't respond to a knock on his hotel-room door, security and Guerrero's nephew forced their way into his room and found the 5-feet-8, 220-pound superstar on the floor, said Minneapolis police.

 

Efforts to resuscitate the 38-year-old weren't successful and the WWE was suddenly thrust into the task of finding the delicate balance between continuing with tonight's wrestling show while paying tribute to one of its biggest attractions.

 

"This is a huge loss," said WWE chairman Vince McMahon. "Eddie was a wonderful, fun-loving human being. Eddie was a consummate performer."

 

"I know Eddie would want the show to go on," said his nephew and fellow WWE wrestler, Chavo Guerrero.

 

Chavo Guerrero said he found his uncle dead shortly after 7 a.m. in his room at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.

 

Police said there are no signs of foul play or indications that Guerrero's death was a suicide. His death is under investigation.

 

Chavo Guerrero and McMahon said Guerrero was open about his past drug and alcohol abuse but they said he'd celebrated four years of sobriety just days ago. Whether or not his past chemical abuse factored into his death is unknown, McMahon said.

 

Guerrero was in the Twin Cities with 60 to 80 other wrestlers to film "Friday Night Smackdown" at the Target Center.

 

Guerrero became WWE champion in February 2004, when he defeated Brock Lesnar, a former University of Minnesota wrestling standout. Guerrero lost the title four months later.

 

Guerrero was featured on the UPN series "WWE Smackdown!" and was the son of Mexican wrestler Gory Guerrero. He is survived by his wife Vickie and daughters Shaul, 14; Sherilyn, 9, and Kaylie Marie, 3.

 

In May 2004, UPN aired the special "Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story." The one-hour program chronicled his childhood and his struggle with drug addiction that almost cost him his job, family and life before his recovery and eventual capture of the WWE championship.

 

Guerrero was born into Mexico's first family of professional wrestling, and grew up in El Paso, Texas. He and his three older brothers were all wrestlers.

 

His drug escapades as an adult included flipping his car going 130 miles per hour while taking Ecstasy. Doctors told the family that it was unlikely he would survive. From there, he went numerous binges abusing cocaine, alcohol and pain killers. He was fired by the WWE, his wife filed for divorce, and the IRS seized his wages.

 

After recovery, he remarried his wife, reclaimed his job and became the second wrestler of Hispanic heritage to be WWE champion.

 

While a cause of death for Guerrero wasn't immediately known, the pro wrestling profession has seen numerous premature deaths in recent years, some tied directly to steroid use.

 

In a March 2004 report, USA Today said that at least 65 wrestlers had died since 1997 - 25 from heart attacks or other coronary problems. Many had enlarged hearts. In five of the 25 deaths, medical examiners found that steroids might have played a role. Excessive steroid use can lead to an enlarged heart. In 12 others, coroners cited evidence of use of painkillers, cocaine and other drugs.

 

Steroids played a role in the deaths of several pro wrestlers since 1997, USA Today reported. Among them:

 

Curt Hennig, 44, died of acute cocaine intoxication in 2003. His father said a lethal combination of steroids and painkillers contributed to his death.

 

Davey Boy Smith (the British Bulldog), 39,died in 2002 of an enlarged heart with evidence of microscopic scar tissue, possibly from steroid abuse, a coroner said.

 

Louie (Spicolli) Mucciolo, 27, died from coronary disease in 1998. Investigators found an empty vial of the male hormone testosterone, pain pills and an anxiety-reducing drug.

 

Richard (Ravishing Rick Rude) Rood, 40, died from an overdose of "mixed medications" in 1999.

 

(Flyin') Brian Pillman, 35, was taking painkillers and human-growth hormone when he died from heart disease in 1997, his widow said.

 

 

Staff writer Paul Walsh contributed to this report. Chao Xiong • 612-673-4391

[Slickster 0]

Eddie G. tribute video ('In Loving Memory' by Alter Bridge)

[jester 0]

Count me among the shocked and depressed. Like Downhome, I thought this was somebody's stupid ass prank when I saw the thread. Now I'm wishing it was.

 

I am also really angry. I don't feel that Eddie got the really good run that he deserved, particularly with the belt.

 

Somebody else here said that WWE took Eddie for granted. They are so right.

 

And now he's gone.

[iliketurtles 0]

I'm not sure if anyone lives in the Minneapolis area, but this looks to be the big story going on.

 

They've got some pictures too:

 

http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_317110540.html

[Steviekick 0]

The worst part about this is how I've pretty much spent the whole day online reading about this. It's amazing how someone that you never met can have such an effect on you.

[Guest]

The worst part about this is how I've pretty much spent the whole day online reading about this. It's amazing how someone that you never met can have such an effect on you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Seconded for emphasis.

[iliketurtles 0]

I hope Eddie gets in the Hall of Fame at Wrestlemania 22 this year.

[pochorenella 0]

Godspeed, friend Eddie. You were a great among greats, and I will cry tonight for you. I'll miss you. Viva la Raza!

 

Ve con Dios, amigo Eddie. Eras un grande entre los grandes, y esta noche lloraré por ti. Te extrañaré. Viva la Raza!

 

R.I.P Eddie Guerrero.

[SuperJerk 0]

Chavo Guerrero and McMahon said Guerrero was open about his past drug and alcohol abuse but they said he'd celebrated four years of sobriety just days ago.

[UZI Suicide 0]

The worst part about this is how I've pretty much spent the whole day online reading about this. It's amazing how someone that you never met can have such an effect on you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Definitely. We become more attached to these wrestlers then we even realize. It feels like a good friend died, even though I've never met the man.

[Enigma 0]

Count me among the shocked and depressed.  Like Downhome, I thought this was somebody's stupid ass prank when I saw the thread.  Now I'm wishing it was.

 

I am also really angry.  I don't feel that Eddie got the really good run that he deserved, particularly with the belt. 

 

Somebody else here said that WWE took Eddie for granted.  They are so right.

 

And now he's gone.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You cannot blame WWE for Eddie's title reign. Meltzer said that Guerrero was originally supposed to be a long-term champion until at least November 2004, but he was in the verge of a mental breakdown because Smackdown business was soft when he was champion and was putting way too much pressure (and blame) on himself. So Vince & Eddie agreed that it would be best for him to take the belt off of him early. Eddie just couldn't handle the pressure of being a world champion when business is down.

[haVoc 0]

Did I get the wrong impression from the press conference? They're going to tape one tribute show and air it for Raw and SD this week?

[krease 0]

Eddie G. tribute video ('In Loving Memory' by Alter Bridge)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks for that - it brought tears to my eyes...

 

RIP Eddie. You'll be missed.

[Guest Human Highlight Reel]

I still can't really believe it. For the last while I've thought of Angle, Benoit and Eddie as the reasons I still watched WWE programming. Of those, Eddie was the most consistently entertaining. His charisma, mic skills and in-ring prowess were incredible. He was a jack of all trades, and he mastered them too. I feel like I've lost someone personally, because I have practically idolised this guy. Since I heard I haven't stopped looking on the Internet for things about him, match history and stuff. I dunno what else to say. I'll miss him.

 

R.I.P. Eddie Guerrero. You will be sorely missed.

[Adam 0]

That was my first feeling, that a guy I idolised in some ways was gone. I enjoyed watching him perform, but I wanted to be like him, he was an idol. I would assume that many feel the same way. That's why this death effects us the way that it does.

 

I think the fact that his life story was brought out, and that he interacted so well with the fans makes this harder for the fans, as we feel closer to Eddie than we do a lot of other wrestlers.

[Invictus 0]

It's still hard to believe this is real, it was just completely out of left field. My thoughts go out to his family and friends, I can't imagine how difficult this is for them.

 

I still remember at the first house show I ever went to, when he stood up on the turnbuckle during his intro, I was a few rows back from the ring and was standing and clapping for him. He stopped, looked and pointed at me, and gave me a little nod and a smile.

 

I'll miss you Eddie, Rest in Peace.

[Jericholic82 0]

I don't know what to say. Damn

 

 

I just picked him for my fantasy team oddly enough last night.

 

RIP

 

Damn this sucks

 

 

Our last memory was him cheating to win wow

 

Im pissed and sad at the same time, this is too much like Brian

 

Prayers to his family

[Papacita 0]

Yeah, what really makes it hard is that in the past year or so we've gotten to see his close family members and everything on TV. I mean, you always hear stories about how so and so left X amount of family behind, but for you to actually be able to put a face to it...it's really fucked up to think about it.

[Guest AndrewisyourHero]

I..I got nothing. To have someone like Eddie, supremely talented in the ring, able to play both face and heel convincingly..wow. I loved the Lie, Cheat, Steal gimmick-Eddie brought so much passion to that. It made sense for Eddie, as it showed you how smart of a wrestler he was to have such a mastery of the ring and his surroundings.

 

What makes this worse, as has been previously mentioned, is Eddie was finally at a point where his life was getting to be, if not totally, back on track. He was one of the most consistently over people with the crowd, was liked backstage by everyone, and had conquered his personal demons, was working on strengthening his family bond, and had made peace with God.

 

Orale, Homes..you'll be missed.

[Jericholic82 0]

To think he survived the horrible accident and overdoes and to just die like this(very much like Pillman actually). This happens too much in wrestling. Im still in shock right now but I know this is going to haunt me for a long time (not that that matters, who knows how his kids are doing)

 

Would it be wrong to say that thankfully he was a face at the end instead of this happening during his evil heel run earlier in the year?

[Downhome 0]

It is ironic that this happened soon after his "New Eddie Guerrero" gimmick started. If he had to go out, it does put a smile on my face, however slight, that he went out as a happy, friendly, caring, old time face.

[Downhome 0]

Also, go here to download the press conference:

 

http://rapidshare.de/files/7595474/Press_Conference.wmv.html

[Sass 0]

Fuck this noise...

 

I haven't been this saddened by another wrestler's death since Hashimoto's. This is a sad day for wrestling fans everywhere. I offer up my condolences to his family and (many) friends.

 

Thank you for the memories Eddy. You will be missed.

 

Fuck.

[Guest New Jake]

Awe...shhit...ugh...fuck no, no no NO!!!

 

I come home from sunday overtime to this tragic news. You can imagine the injury added to this bad day.

 

Fuck that. Eddie Gurrero is gone. RIP man. All I can really say is couldn't have happenedat a more unusual time.

[Jericholic82 0]

actually I didnt pick him for my team I was thinkign about it for some erason yesterday. Hell I just came online for an unknown reason. Something made me. Just like with Candido.

[BorneAgain 0]

Would it be wrong to say that thankfully he was a face at the end instead of this happening during his evil heel run earlier in the year?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Not at all. I'm glad that in Eddie's last match it was him being the "Lying, Cheating Stealing" wrestler so many fans and smarks loved alike, with him coming down with the lowrider looking as happy as he was a year and half ago. It wasn't his best match, but it was Eddie being Eddie. and sometime you can't ask for more than that.

[Guest Hass of Pain]

Just absolutely heartbreaking stuff.