However, one chair shot heard round the world turned Guerrero into a bloody mess.
WRESTLER EDDIE GUERRERO FULL
Eddie, who’s full of P and V, comes into this match with the swagger of a hit-man with one mission. Unlike any of the other matches on this list so far, this was a brawl. In a rivalry that became racially charged, JBL attacked Eddie’s heritage, even threatening his family.JBL starts the match with a promo against the Los Angeles crowd before the bell so the crowd is ready to get their pitchforks out, too. JBL had gone from beer-drinking, cigar-smoking tough guy to wannabe tough guy millionaire. How could this one not be on the list? Eddie met his match versus his greatest villain in John Bradshaw Layfield.
It ends with a double pin and a touching goodbye for both competitors. It was 1990’s American technical wrestling at its finest – Eddie and his friend Dean avoided the blood and guts ECW fans were used to, instantly catapulting the hardcore promotion into a new light.
WRESTLER EDDIE GUERRERO SERIES
This match, as well as the series that lead up to it, was ECW’s version of a premier league. In a two-out-of-three falls match, this was the ECW swan song for both Guerrero and Malenko. It’s been said by some that this match was the first time Vince McMahon saw Guerrero as future world champion.ġ6) vs. This promo is a great back and forth – without giving too much away, Eddie stands toe to toe with Rock and held his own not only in the promo, but in the match to follow. While celebrating and electrifying as only The Great One can, Guerrero interrupted. The Rock was the newly crowned WWE Undisputed Champion and on a collision course with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. The Rock (WWE Monday Night Raw, July 22, 2002) If you find it and watch it you’ll see that it would stand up easily against many of the jaw-dropping NXT matches we’re accustomed to nowadays.ġ7) vs.
WRESTLER EDDIE GUERRERO PRO
So if you bear with me, jumping back to New Japan Pro Wrestling, it’s wild that this match happened in 1994. However, these two men were lifelong friends and a Guerrero top 20 would be woefully lacking if you didn’t acknowledge the tremendous chemistry these two men had. This a controversial entry for obvious reasons and I’m in no way ignoring the horrifying acts of one Chris Benoit. Chris Benoit (Pegasus Kid) (NJPW, April 16, 1994) This led to one of the best heel promos of Eddie’s career the week after, and arguably set him up to be a ruthless top guy if he wanted, too.ġ8) vs. Then it all changed – Guerrero saved his buddy from a 2-on-1 attack, only to mercilessly beat and bloody him without a mask. At first, Guerrero just wanted to beat Mysterio, but Rey kept finding a way to win. It’s perhaps one of the great rivalries of modern wrestling because these two men fought across multiple countries and between multiple wrestling companies.
One of the highlights of 2005 was the back-and-forth friendly rivalry between Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero. On this night, Black Tiger II bests Liger, a legend who still competes today.ġ9) Turns his back on Rey Mysterio. This is a great watch: Both men trade off spectacular and innovative moves such as the brainbuster, Ligerbomb and the tope atomico. It was at this point in his career that Guerrero was really coming into his own, developing the his mixed style of lucha libre, puroresu and chain wrestling. Jushin Thunder Liger (New Japan Pro Wrestling, June 12, 1996)Īfter starting in CMLL and AAA, Guerrero moved to New Japan and adopted the Black Tiger II character.
This list of his greatest matches and moments will hopefully highlight why Guerrero deserves to be in the conversation of greatest of all time.Ģ0) vs. Guerrero’s legacy is the inspiration he gives the many men and women who follow in his footsteps. Latino Heat had a short time as a full-fledged main-eventer, but his in-ring excellence, energy and unbridled charisma made him a star in the eyes of wrestling fans long before he ever won a world title. With the 12th anniversary of Eddie Guerrero’s passing just last month, I wanted to look back at his tremendous career.