Original Artwork The Xavierite
In professional wrestling, few wrestlers are as universally loved as Eddie Guerrero. Known for his charisma and incredible in-ring skills, Guerrero’s impact has outlived his time in the industry. On Nov. 13, 2024, we commemorated the nineteenth anniversary of Guerrero’s passing, reflecting on his legacy.
In honor of Guerrero, we’ll explore how his career shaped the industry, the lessons he left behind, and how his spirit continues to live on in the hearts of fans worldwide.
Though his life was tragically cut short on Nov. 13, 2005, Guerrero’s legacy remains alive, inspiring future generations of wrestlers and fans alike. His influence is still felt today in the modern era of wrestling.
Eddie defied expectations throughout his career, breaking barriers and capturing the hearts of fans with his “Latino Heat” motto that encapsulated his Latin charm. However, beyond his charming personality and unforgettable matches, it was Guerrero’s passion for pro-wrestling and ability to connect with audiences that cemented his place as one of the all-time greats.
Guerrero is often credited for breaking barriers for small wrestlers, allowing them to reach the top of the ranks. Pro-wrestling was once an industry dominated by wrestlers of large physique. If wrestlers didn’t have the large muscles of a guy like Hulk Hogan, or the height advantage of the seven foot Andre The Giant, they likely wouldn’t make it far in the business.
This ceiling that smaller wrestlers had was shattered by talent like Guerrero and one of his bitter rivals, Rey Mysterio. Guerrero was only 5’8, while Mysterio was 5’4. Both guys were much smaller than the average wrestlers in the business.
However, what they lacked in height, they made up for in talent. As I mentioned in previous articles, Mysterio and Guerrero had one of the greatest rivalries in pro-wrestling due to the excellent chemistry they had in and out of the ring. They were best friends, which made them push each other to the limit every time they were in the ring together.
The matches between Mysterio and Guerrero throughout their careers are what put cruiserweight wrestlers on the map. They proved that you didn’t need to be a giant to be one of the best. Guerrero solidified this when he overcame a height disadvantage and won the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship from Brock Lesnar on Feb. 15, 2004 at WWE’s ‘No Way Out’ pay-per-view.
Guerrero’s career opened the door for today’s generation of wrestlers, which come in all shapes and sizes. He mastered the technical and high-flying styles of wrestling that are common in the modern era. Guerrero was an influence to many including CM Punk, Mercedes Mone, Dominik Mysterio, as well as the many Latino wrestlers who came after him.
In a LiveJournal blog post on the day of Guerrero’s passing, Punk shared some heartwarming words about his idol.
“Eddie Guerrero was a hero of mine. I was fortunate enough to work with him many times, and he helped me more than I could ever put into words.” Punk expressed.
Guerrero’s legacy goes far beyond the ring, as he is also an inspiration when it comes to Latino representation. Guerrero was never afraid to embrace his culture; the biggest example being his “Viva La Raza” catchphrase.
For many Mexican-Americans, embracing their heritage is a struggle, as they don’t feel “American enough” or even “Mexican enough” to identify with either culture. This was never the case for Guerrero. Despite being born in El Paso, Texas, making him a U.S. citizen, he embraced every ounce of his Mexican heritage.
He came from the Guerrero family, a long line of lucha-libre wrestlers in Mexico. Guerrero embraced both his Mexican roots and his American upbringing throughout his career.
This made him the perfect embodiment of a “Chicano”, which blends elements of Mexican traditions with the experiences of living in the U.S. Guerrero brought Chicano culture to the WWE, integrating Spanglish into his promos and even riding to the ring in a low-rider.
Though I may have been too young to be a fan when Guerrero was around, I consider him a huge inspiration. As a Mexican-American myself, Guerrero has taught me to be proud of my Latinidad and always wave my flag proudly.
Despite the time since his passing, Guerrero remains universally loved. His creation, the Latino World Order (LWO) was brought back to the WWE just over a year ago. With this, his memory is presented to a new generation of fans, ensuring that Guerrero’s legacy will live on forever.