It is a sad reality that far too many wrestlers have died too soon, too many to list here. However, one of the most tragic deaths comes from one of the most beloved wrestlers, Eddie Guerrero, and today, November 13, 2015 marks the ten year anniversary of his death.
I had been thinking of Guerrero recently after hearing Sasha Banks talk about what an influence Eddie was on her life and her career on an episode of Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast. On the show she expressed her love for Eddie and how he was her favourite wrestler. She also told the sad story of her attending the November 14, 2005 Monday Night Raw unaware of Guerrero’s passing. She brought a sign she made that said “I love Eddie” and she had hoped he would see it as she watched her favourite wrestler of all time do what he did best from the front row. Banks was heartbroken, as were millions of Guerrero’s fans, and that pain, though it may have subsided, hasn’t completely gone away in ten years which is a testament to how Eddie captured our hearts.
I consider Guerrero to be one of, if not the most inspirational wrestler I have ever known. He had hit rock bottom, drugs and alcohol were ruining his life. His marriage was falling apart, his friends were worried about him, and he lost his job, getting released by WWE in 2001 after being arrested for drunk driving. It was quite possibly the lowest point in his life. It seemed that he was spiralling out of control, but he found his way back. Eddie kicked the drugs, reunited with his wife Vicki, got his job back at WWE and went on to have one of the most successful short runs in wrestling. That, to me, is inspiring. To see someone drowning in their own personal demons, watching as their life spins out of control, then to watch that same person not only get their life back on track, but to come back with such a renewed focus and determination, I’ve never had a wrestler be more of an inspiration than Eddie, and I am certain that I’m not alone in that feeling.
Seth Rollins, in regards to his recent knee injury and the road to recovery said that he needs to Redesign, Rebuild, and Reclaim. Though a torn ACL and drug and alcohol problems are very different, I view Guerrero as using that same model when he reached his lowest. He had to redesign his life, rebuild broken relationships, and reclaim his career. He succeeded in all of those coming back to the most success his career had ever seen, winning the WWE Championship in 2004 from Brock Lesnar. It is through this kind of tale of redemption that I’m reminded of the line from Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, “It is only after we have lost everything that we are free to do anything.”
Eddie Guerrero was both loved and hated, an excellent baby face and an equally excellent heel. He subscribed to the motto, “Lie, cheat, and steal” but the biggest thing that he stole may have been the hearts of his millions of fans. Even a decade after his death, Guerrero lives on in the very hearts that he stole.
Rest in peace Eddie, we miss you.
