Five Years Later

Today marks the 5th anniversary to the day that pro wrestling legend Eddie Guerrero passed away.

Even while there have been a great number of wrestlers who've passed away over the years, Eddie Guerrero's passing is significant to me because he was one of the wrestlers I more or less grew up watching. It was a heck of a journey, to watch as this guy whom was regarded as nothing more then a Cruiserweight (light weight) wrestler, to becoming WWE Champion.

Its a shame in a way, that this man turned his life around from a life of heavy drug and alcohol use, only to succumb to the aftereffects of that lifestyle years later. But then again, I suppose what matters most is that he did find the strength to make the changes in his life.

Even after 5 years, still in memory...

Remembering Eddie Guerrero

I just picked up "Viva La Raza: The Legacy of Eddie Guerrero" tonight and it certainly does not disappoint. While for the most part the commentary from friends and family somewhat shadows what was already said on Eddie's last DVD, there are some new stories and memories shared that makes this worth watching.

The meat of this DVD set are (obviously) the matches, which span across his days from the original ECW, to his final match in WWE. While it is just a brief history of his work, it is still too bad that the stuff he did with (and against) Chris Benoit was omitted from this collection. Though I suppose it is understandable, since I doubt the company wants to associate itself with what Benoit did.

Still, with what is available in this set are easily some of Eddie's best matches and solid proof of why he deserves to be remembered by wrestling fans. I think the new guys that wrestle today can only hope and dream to ever reach the level of a Eddie Guerrero.

My personal favorite match is his Halloween Havok match against Rey Mysterio (Jr.), back in the old WCW. Mask vs. title. Need I say more? What, I do? Fine.

Talk about a crazy, crazy match, these guys flew around and out of the ring like they were both suicidal maniacs. Many of the moves executed in this match were stuff unheard of here in the states, moves that just baffle the mind. In my totally unbiased (yeah, right) opinion, this match is easily one of the best matches I've ever seen coming from WWE/WCW/ECW.

In closing I will simply say this much more: Although he is gone, Eddie Guerrero will never be forgotten.