Debut & Early Career
Eduardo Gory Guerrero Llanes was born on October 9, 1967, in El Paso, Texas. He is the son of Gory Guerrero, an extremely successful luchador. After competing as a collegiate wrestler for New Mexico Highlands University, Eddie moved to Mexico to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Eddie made his pro wrestling debut in 1986. He performed across Mexico in addition to working as a jobber for WCW. In 1992, Eddie’s career began to take off as he made a name for himself in AAA. He and his tag team partner Art Barr dubbed themselves la Pareja del Terror (“the Pair of Terror”). The two of them became one of the most despised teams in Mexico.
Eddie also briefly worked for NJPW under the mask of Black Tiger. In 1996, he won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. He also had a brief tenure with ECW, during which he became ECW World Television Champion.
World Championship Wrestling
In 1995, Eddie returned to WCW. He feuded with stars like Konnan and Ric Flair, Diamond Dallas Page, and the Four Horsemen. He won his first title in the company at Starrcade 1996, where he defeated DDP for the United States Heavyweight Championship.
Eddie’s time in WCW is perhaps most remembered for his creation of the LWO, the Latino World Order. The faction was a response to Bischoff’s refusal to push Latino wrestlers to the top of the card. The group’s principal rivals in the ring, though, were Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio. In May 1999, Eddie formed a new faction called the Filthy Animals alongside Konnan and his former nemesis Rey Mysterio.
WWE Debut
Eddie made his WWE debut on January 31, 2000, alongside Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn as part of The Radicalz. The faction initially worked as babyfaces against The New Age Outlaws, but later turned heel when they aligned themselves with WWE Champion Triple H.
In April 2000, Eddie formed a partnership with the powerhouse Chyna, who joined Eddie’s side because she could not resist his “Latino Heat.” Despite being heels, the pair became incredibly popular among WWE fans, prompting the company to turn them face.
Unfortunately, hardships began to show for Eddie following a car accident in 1999. He developed an addition to pain medication, causing him to be sent to rehab in Mary 2001. On November 9, 2001, Eddie was arrested for a DUI. He was released from WWE three days later and returned to competition on the independent circuit.
WWE Return & Championship Reign
Eddie made his return to WWE on the April 1, 2002 episode of Raw and subsequently entered a feud with Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam. At Backlash 2002, Eddie defeated Van Dam to claim the title.
During his second tenure with WWE, Eddie formed alliances with several tag team partners, including Chris Benoit, his nephew Chavo Guerrero, Booker T, and his longtime friend/rival Rey Mysterio.
The watermark of Eddie’s WWE career came at No Way Out 2004 when he defeated Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship. This victory made Eddie a Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion.
Death & Legacy
Eddie’s career was cut tragically short on November 13, 2005, when he passed away due to heart failure. The following episodes of Raw and Smackdown were made to be tribute episodes for the deceased star.
Today, Eddie Guerrero is widely regarded as one of the greatest performers to ever step foot in a WWE ring. Not only was he remarkably athletic, but he had a magnetic charisma that few wrestlers could even dream of emulating.
