‘Best ever’ WWE legend died in star nephew’s arms on hotel bathroom floor
The wrestling business is full of legends whose names are still chanted by adoring crowds today.
From Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock to Ric Flair's “wooo” chant and John Cena, the list of bone-fide top tier WWE superstars is endless.
But there is one name that perhaps sticks out above all others – even 17 years after his death.
READ MORE: Impact Wrestling's Kaz challenging for belt that 'defined' career at Bound for Glory
Eddie Guerrero is arguably one of the biggest legends to ever step foot in a squared circle, and his death in 2005 shocked millions around the world.
Nicknamed Latino Heat, Eddie, who would have turned 55 today, was adored by legions of fans for his excellent in-ring ability, his uniqueness on the microphone and his tendency to make you love him and hate him in equal measures.
He was just hitting his peak when news of his sad death was announced.
A multi-time champion, Eddie was part of the legendary Guerrero wrestling dynasty.
He joined WWE in 2000 for a short stint, returning in 2002 to take the wrestling world by storm.
Having won the WWE Championship in 2004 – the culmination of a long storyline with Brock Lesnar which saw every single wrestling fan ever come together to unite behind Guerrero as he took the title at the No Way Out show – many thought that Eddie would be on top for years to come.
Fans urge WWE legend Ric Flair to 'seek help' as he advertises new 'boner pill'
For more wrestling news, exclusive interviews and opinions sign up to our free Piledriver Wrestling Newsletter email here.
But sadly, that didn't happen.
A born-again Christian, Eddie had had issues with drugs and drink in the past, but had been clean for a long time.
So it truly was a shock when his own nephew – fellow wrestler with WWE, Chavo Guerrero – found him unconscious in his hotel room at the Marriott Hotel City Centre in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Eddie had passed out in the bathroom with his toothbrush in his hand, and was just about still alive when he was found.
However, by the time the ambulance arrive, he had sadly died in his nephew's arms.
Ex-WWE star Kelly Kelly totally unrecognisable as she entices fans with hot bikini snaps
An autopsy later revealed that he had died as a result of acute heart failure brought about by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
On the night of his death, a pre-taped episode of Smackdown was due to air, where it was rumoured Eddie was going to win the WWE Championship once again, in a triple threat match against Batista and Randy Orton, although this was later denied by Batista.
The taping was cancelled, and instead WWE went live with an edition of Monday Night Raw.
Chavo actually wrestled on that show – just hours after the sad incident.
He recalled: “When Eddie died, we were in Minneapolis for a super show – RAW and SmackDown show – because the whole crew was going overseas to Europe that night, or maybe the next morning.
Ex-WWE star Paige makes 'f***ing WOW' AEW debut in shock wrestling return
“And after Eddie passed, Vince McMahon, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels all came to me at Eddie’s hotel room and we’re in the hallway, and Vince goes, ‘What do I do? Do I cancel the show?’ I’m like, ‘Absolutely not. Eddie would have never wanted you to cancel the show. The show must go on. We have to do the show.
“I told him, ‘the show goes on and I want to wrestle.’ I felt like Eddie was there for me and I was guided through it.
“Plus, I had JBL wanting to wrestle me and put me over.
“So, he’s a guy that loved Eddie – I loved Eddie, we all did. The fans were behind.
WWE's new boss 'attacked her dad with a steel pipe before he choked her unconscious'
“It was like I couldn’t do anything wrong that night, and I looked back at that match – it was super special, and just getting in that ring and just performing.”
Eddie's legacy lives on in current WWE storylines, with his name being mentioned in relation to his best friend and still active WWE wrestler Rey Mysterio and his son Dominik.
His former wife Vickie still appears regularly as a manager for All Elite Wrestling, too.
To this day, arenas around the world chant Eddie's name, and he remains one of the most beloved superstars to ever step foot inside a wrestling ring.
To get more stories from Daily Star delivered straight to your inbox sign up to one of our free newsletters here.
READ MORE:
- For more of the latest news from the world of the Daily Star, check out our homepage
WWE star Carmella hits out over 'disgusting' fake 'leaked sex pic' with husband
Impact Wrestling's Jessicka labels Bound for Glory 'milestone' in near-two decade career
WWE's new boss 'attacked her dad with a steel pipe before he choked her unconscious'
Ex-WWE star Paige makes 'f***ing WOW' AEW debut in shock wrestling return
Source: Read Full Article
