Today marks the 20th anniversary of the death of wrestling legend Eddie Guerrero.
One of the greatest luchadores who managed to transition seamless into North America for ECW, WCW and WWE, Guerrero passed away at the height of his career in WWE. He died in 2005 at just 38-years-old and since has been an inspiration to talent all over the world with fans continuing to cheer his name today.
Eddie Guerrero was Rey Mysterio’s uncle by marriage but they were more than that. They were brothers in every sense of the word.
Mysterio wrote a piece honoring Guerrero on The Players’ Tribute site today.
He wrote: “When I publish this letter on Thursday, it will be 20 years to the day since you passed. November 13th, 2005. It’s hard to believe. And it feels so unfair sometimes, just knowing how much life I’ve gotten to live in those years. You didn’t get to see 40 … that’s still painful to think about. Me, on the other hand, I turned 50 last December. Nahhhh I can already see the evil grin on your face, hearing that. “50?!? 50?!? Oh Rey, no…….. You OLD.” I know, WeeWeeto. It’s true. But I’m writing this to you now, and I swear: I could live another 50 years — and when it comes to our friendship, I’d still be Little Bro. I’m forever your little bro. And you’re forever my big brother.”
Mysterio explained why their relationship was so special.
“There was something unique about our friendship…… even going back to that night in Tijuana, before we had any friendship. It’s hard to put into words. But I think I’d say it like this: A lot of wrestlers, they work together in the ring, and then become friends outside the ring. Not us, though. We became friends in the ring — literally in the ring. Through the art of wrestling itself,” he wrote.
He then wrote about how Eddie would be so proud of Dominik, as he is.
“And now it’s 20 years later, and I wish so bad that you could be here to see Dom’s own wrestling career take flight. Honestly … it wasn’t the smoothest flying at first. He debuted in WWE about five years ago (or came back, if you count the custody match) — and “Rey Mysterio’s baby boy” was still very much the character he was playing. No mask (TOO handsome!!!), but other than that he was the same “clean-cut babyface” type I’ve been for most of my career. And he held his own!! Like, his first match ever was at SummerSlam in 2020, against Seth Rollins, one of the best guys on the roster. And I think Dom surprised people that night, and started to earn respect from there. But at the same time……. he wasn’t quite hitting that next level, you know what I’m saying?? And I can already picture you reading this, WeeWeeto, way up in those clouds, and you’re doing that pose where you’ve got your elbows in and your palms open — and you’re giving me that f***ing smirk-shrug, because you know what I’m about to say: Dominik wasn’t fully clicking as “Rey Mysterio’s baby boy”……… so he did what I’m 100% sure you would’ve told him to do. He turned heel, and basically became “Eddie Guerrero’s demon boy.” And that changed everything. When I say you would approve of who Dom has become, Eddie — it’s an understatement. You would love it,” he wrote.
You can read the entire tribute here.
