JBL has shared his emotional memories of learning about the death of his close friend and former rival Eddie Guerrero.
Speaking on an episode of Something To Wrestle, the WWE Hall of Famer said the news was especially painful because Guerrero had turned his life around and was clean and sober at the time.
“I was good friends a lot of those guys, but very close with Eddie. And also, Eddie was completely clean and sober… And then he passed away just unexpectedly, brushing his teeth one morning,” JBL recalled.
He said he knew something was wrong as soon as he arrived at the arena in Minneapolis that day.
“I remember walking into Minneapolis, I guess, the Target Center that day. And I remember seeing Chavo and Rey together, and I knew something was horribly wrong. It was horrifying, incredibly sad news, beyond sad news. But it was really shocking. And I think a lot of that came about because Eddie had such a good lifestyle and a clean lifestyle. And then all of a sudden, something happens one morning, unfortunately, it was his time.”
How JBL Paid Tribute To Eddie Guerrero
JBL added that he and other WWE talent delayed their European tour to attend Guerrero’s funeral and later took part in a tribute show in his honour. He explained that he insisted on changing the finish of his match that night to pay respect to Guerrero.
“I remember that night I was gonna work with Chavo. And the initial plan was for me to go over. I said, ‘There is no way in hell I’m doing a tribute show for Eddie Guerrero, wrestling a Guerrero, and doing anything but doing a job right in the middle of the ring to a frog splash.’ And Vince completely agreed.”
Guerrero, who feuded with JBL for the WWE Championship in 2004, remains one of the most beloved figures in wrestling history.
