Saying Goodbye to Eddie Guerrero (by Chad Matthews)
Submitted by Chad Matthews on Monday, November 14, 2005 at 12:32 PM EST





Saying Goodbye to Eddie Guerrero

“Sometimes in life there are things that are so special that words cannot explain…”

When Eddie Guerrero spoke those words during the lead-in video prior to Wrestlemania XX, I remember wondering to what all he might’ve been referring. After all he’d been through, it could’ve been any number of things. Was it that he was the WWE Champion? Was it his family? Was it being a headliner at arguably the biggest wrestling event of all-time? Or was it just the simple fact that he’d been able to overcome so much in order to reach that day? Whatever it was, I know what he meant, as there are some things in life that are so special that words cannot explain. Unfortunately, a day like today reminds us that there are also sometimes in life so unfortunate that words cannot explain…like at this moment, when I cannot find the words to explain why such a special superstar was taken from us so early in his life.


Eddie’s passing has hit a lot of us right in the gut with a Big Show-sized fist. And, I’ll level with you, I think we’ve lost more than just a fantastic talent that we watch on TV every week. Yesterday after having first heard the news, I took a moment to reflect, and in the midst I wondered to myself, “Chad, why are you feeling this way over the death of someone you didn’t know?” I pondered that self-questioning for a moment, and then came to the following conclusion: ask any fan, and they’ll tell you that when they put as much time into watching and/or writing about professional wrestling or any form of entertainment that consumes so much of their time, they eventually gain a sense of attachment to the people that put their lives into making our entertainment avenues special.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, over the years, I’ve developed a strong sense of attachment to Eddie Guerrero, for despite all the ups and downs of the wrestling product that I have ranted and raved about during my 17-years as a wrestling fan, there have always been a few performers that I could rarely complain about. There have always been guys who are so good at what they do that they make me forget why I ever bother to moan and groan, and just enjoy wrestling for what it is...they have been able to lift my spirits with a great match or promo, and leave me in awe of how they have mastered their craft…and Eddie Guerrero was one of those guys. So, no, I didn’t know Eddie Guerrero personally, but these individuals give us ¾’s of their year…shouldn’t we in some way feel like we’ve known them? I feel that we should…and wouldn’t they, in turn, want us to feel that way? I think that they would, for we share with them a common passion for wrestling, and it’s the tie that binds us…

I definitely think Eddie would’ve wanted us to feel that way. He didn’t have to come back to wrestling after he got his life back together and reunited with his wife and kids. For many…for most…that probably would’ve been enough. Eddie came back to wrestling, though, and we thanked him for it by making him arguably the most over man in the business. And he did us and his family proud by putting on the performances that were often times the stuff of legends.


As I sit here writing, I keep pausing to think of all my memories of him…I think back to when I’d rent old WCW PPVs just to see him win the US title or face Rey Mysterio. I think of February 2004 when Eddie beat Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship…of the very next month when, as Wrestlemania XX faded to black, he and one of his best friends, Chris Benoit, celebrated their championship glory that had been nearly two decades in the making…I think of the UPN special about his life and career…of this entire year of 2005, when Eddie has essentially solidified himself in my mind as one of the most versatile superstars ever to grace the wrestling business…I think of all the Thursday and Friday nights over the last two years that I spent enthusiastically reviewing his every match and promo on Smackdown…and then I finally snap out of my numb gaze when my thoughts turn to his family. I then start writing again, but it’s hard…


I guess I would hope that in the long run, we’ll remember Eddie for his comeback story above all else, for to hear the tale of Eddie Guerrero is to be inspired. And how could you not be? Even if you don’t enjoy the art of pro-wrestling, one cannot deny the heartbreaking, yet motivating story of Latino Heat…the man who fell into the trap of terrible addictions that nearly cost him his kids, his wife, and his life, only to bounce back, regain his family and eventually come back to wrestling, which he’d loved since he was a young boy, and reach the pinnacle of his chosen profession. How can you not find inspiration in that?


It’s just a damn shame that the great comeback story had to end in tragedy…and that it had to come at a time where, professionally, I was of the opinion that Guerrero’s brilliant year was about to be rewarded with a second World title run. As a wrestling fan and SD reviewer, I feel like Smackdown without Guerrero just isn’t Smackdown and that his loss could be a blow that the blue brand can’t withstand. More importantly, though, as a human being and a member of a family, I feel terrible and cannot imagine what the Guerreros are going through right now. With that being said, if this piece ever makes its way to a member of the Guerrero family, I hope it will show that every fan of Latino Heat mourns with you, and wishes you the very best in dealing with this terrible misfortune.


So, I hope Eddie can somehow read this up there, and know that he’ll always be remembered as someone who encouraged us to never let life get you too down…and that even if you do, you CAN battle back and get your life together again. With deep sorrow, I write this piece on this day, the day after Eddie Guerrero has passed away. However, it is with deep appreciation for what Eddie brought to all of us that I write this final farewell to the man, the father, and the wrestler that touched our lives. Eddie said a few months back that he had found a new addiction in his life: respect. On behalf of all of us, I can assure you, Eddie Guerrero, that RESPECT for you is an addiction we will never be able to shake. You were one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time, and a man that we’ll not soon forget.

Viva La Raza,

Matthew Chad McIntyre (aka Chad Matthews), Eric W. 5676 (aka QBZ), Tim Stenlund (aka Manifest), Chris Olson (aka the real deal), Tremayne Young (aka Earl), Shaun Carey-Long (aka Winter), Jason Roy (aka Jaro), Martin Oropeza (aka Al Boo Boo), Matthew Oropeza (aka Zuma), Tomas Pastor (aka Alphonse), Terry, Fullybaked420, Ajay Sharma, Steven Quinlan (aka Godeskian), Seth Brown (aka save_elliot), Christopher MacArthur (aka Boyd_619), Myles London (aka East London’s Finest), Kevin Hayes (aka Se7en), Simon, Kevin Moss, Matt Angelo (aka Bubba Ho-Tep), David Rivera, Joshua Sampson, Mark Airey (aka jblhalloffame), John (aka Snapple), Ricardo Almonte (aka Rick Stallion), Eric Clark (aka Retribution), Andrew (aka hbkmark22), Charles McCarthy (aka CharlieMac), Dan McClure, Mark Wright (aka CrazyBrit), Luke Dunster (aka Darksaiyan), Derek Gutenson (aka Ham Sammich), Gordon Macari (aka Mac 10), Luke (aka Frost) and Ryan Abbott, Steve, Gareth Beal (aka Gazzy), Joshua Martin (aka Jigga the God), Daniel Adams (aka Cynical), David Goodyear (aka Whiplash), Ken Brzezinski, Vinny Piccolo, Joel Zummak, Wes Andrews (aka perfectplex), Wade Bryant (aka Bryant), Doug, Michael Dixon (aka Moshu Dragon), Cody (aka Sunkist), Robb Clarke, Andrew (aka The Franchise), Justin Pratt (aka Locura), Wildfire, G. Smith (aka The Stinger), Greg Wilson (aka Superhero032), Michael Pollack (aka HAcordRD), Jeremy Jimenez (aka ECW Phoenix), Travis Banks (aka SFS), Jay Smith (aka Pissed Off Double J), Richard Moreno (aka Guerrero77), Jamie Hinderliter (aka White Falcon), Scott Knopf, Kyle Gildea (aka SilentK), Vince (aka Signalscorrupted), Hamraj Matharu (aka the singh2g), Von B., TUG, Scott Loh (aka Ladder Match 49), Bryan Rich, Adam W., Adam Stevens, Manuel Castro (aka theironmanny), Brendon Schofield (aka tombstoner), Jared B. (aka Naraku), Nicolas (aka Liontamer), Jonathan Tischler (aka Takeover), Boss Foxx, Troy (aka Juncti), Kyle (aka Sheepy), Abhimanyu (aka Joey_Lovehandles), Stephen Mercado (aka Never4Ever), Aaron C. (aka amherottf), Damon Delaney (aka Nomad), Austin (aka BigKevReturns), Kevin (aka Anglefan25), Chip Valentine (aka Dante), Paul (aka lego_man1326), James Race (aka Christian Loves Blondes), Benjamin King (aka the Beige), Darren Kirkby (aka John Cena’s-prodigy), Aaron H. (aka Can’t Knock the Hustle/MarcusVick4Heisman), Wil, Kurt Holemans (aka Hellspawn), Bryan Van Dusen (aka Undies), Tom McGrath (aka poofycombs), James Liddle (aka Jimbo Hartman), Andre Silva (aka Deathvalley), John Schueler (aka Joeposh)












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