Eddie Guerrero: Worthy or Not?

[TheOneBigWill]

Eduardo Gory Guerrero (October 9, 1967 – November 13, 2005) was a American-born Mexican professional wrestler born into a Mexican wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan and in several major professional wrestling promotions in the United States. He wrestled in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Guerrero's personality was that of a crafty, resourceful wrestler who would do anything to win a match. His catch phrase became "Cheat to Win." Despite being a heel for most of his career, he got over in and outside the ring. Another one of his famous slogans was "I Lie! I Cheat! I Steal!," which was used in one of his entrance themes. He partly used this phrase in his autobiography Cheating Death, Stealing Life.

Throughout his career, Guerrero encountered various substance abuse problems outside of wrestling, including alcoholism and an addiction to painkillers. His problems outside of the ring were sometimes integrated into his angles. Notwithstanding these issues, he won numerous titles during his career, including the WWE Championship. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.

**(This is ONLY his W.W.F/E. career)**

Guerrero and the other WCW wrestlers debuted in the WWF on the January 31, 2000 edition of Raw is War as The Radicalz, interfering in a match including the New Age Outlaws. During his first match with the WWF, a tag team bout pitting the Radicalz against the Outlaws, Guerrero performed his signature Frog Splash off the top rope and severely injured his elbow on the landing. As a result, he was sidelined for several weeks.

In March 2000, Guerrero began pursuing the affections of Chyna, who he referred to as his "Mamacita." Chyna initially rejected his advances, but allied with him following WrestleMania 2000, declaring that she could not resist his "Latino Heat."

Guerrero won his first WWF title on the April 3, 2000 edition of Raw is War by defeating Chris Jericho for the WWF European Championship with help from Chyna. After Chyna abandoned Lita to be attacked by the Dudley Boyz, He and Chyna began a feud with Essa Rios and Lita, which culminated in a European title defense at Backlash 2000, which was also billed as the night of Guerrero's prom (he was said to have just earned a GED). Guerrero defeated Rios after arriving at ringside in a 1957 Chevrolet, even wrestling in his tuxedo pants and a bow tie. Guerrero successfully retained the title against former Radicalz friends Saturn and Malenko in a triple threat match at Judgment Day 2000, before finally losing the title to Saturn at Fully Loaded 2000.

Over the next few months, friction began to build between Guerrero and Chyna. Chyna was upset when Guerrero pinned her to advance in the King of the Ring tournament. At SummerSlam 2000, Chyna won the Intercontinental Championship in a mixed tag match. They had also inserted themselves in the drama between Triple H, Stephanie, and Kurt Angle. Guerrero claimed to not mind and then begged Commissioner Mick Foley to let him take part in a title defense between Chyna and Kurt Angle on the September 4 edition of Raw is War, claiming he was afraid that Angle would injure Chyna. After Angle knocked Chyna down with the title belt, Guerrero "accidentally" pinned her to win his first WWF Intercontinental Championship while trying to revive her.

Chyna became visibly uncomfortable as Guerrero began to cheat in order to retain his title, while Guerrero was upset that Chyna was posing for Playboy magazine, even trying to invade the Playboy Mansion to stop the shooting. Just when it appeared that Chyna would leave Guerrero, he proposed to her and she accepted. At Unforgiven 2000, Chyna helped Guerrero in retaining his title against Rikishi. The engagement was called off when Guerrero was caught showering with two of The Godfather's hos (one of which would become Victoria) claiming that "Two Mamacitas are better than one!"

Guerrero turned heel once again as a result of the incident and then the Radicalz reunited and feuded with the reformed D-Generation X (Chyna, Billy Gunn, Road Dogg, and K-Kwik). They defeated DX at Survivor Series 2000 in an elimination tag team match and assisted Triple H in his match with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Guerrero was later defeated by Billy Gunn for the Intercontinental Championship, with help from Chyna. At Rebellion 2000, Guerrero and Malenko lost to Gunn and Chyna. Benoit left the group to focus on a singles career while the rest of the Radicalz feuded with Lita and Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff). At Armageddon 2000, Radicalz defeated Hardyz in a six-man elimination tag team match.

In early 2001, Guerrero feuded with Chris Jericho, Benoit and X-Pac over Jericho's Intercontinental Championship. At No Way Out, the four men faced each other in a fatal four way match, which Jericho won Guerrero focused on the European Championship, feuding with the champion Test. At WrestleMania X-Seven, he defeated Test to win his second WWF European Championship with help from Saturn and Malenko. Throughout the month of April, Radicalz feuded with Test and his new partners. Guerrero eventually left the Radicalz, siding with the Hardy Boyz and Lita. At this point, Guerrero developed an addiction to pain medication stemming from his 1999 car accident and in May 2001 was sent to rehabilitation. To show his absence, a storyline was created where Guerrero was "injured" by Prince Albert in a match. On November 9, 2001 he was arrested for drunk driving and was subsequently released by the WWF three days later.

Guerrero returned to WWF on the April 1, 2002 edition of Raw, attacking Rob Van Dam. He started feuding with Van Dam. At Backlash 2002, he defeated Van Dam for his second WWF Intercontinental Championship. After retaining the title against Van Dam in bouts at both Insurrextion 2002 and Judgment Day 2002, he finally lost the belt to Van Dam on the May 27 edition on Raw in a ladder match although a drunk fan jumped in the ring knocking down the ladder that Guerrero was climbing causing both Guerrero and Van Dam to think up some new moves to continue the match without any mistakes. Guerrero then started a feud with Steve Austin, but Austin left WWE before a match could take place. Chris Benoit returned to WWE the night Guerrero lost the title and reunited with him. Guerrero and Benoit feuded with Ric Flair for a while and Guerrero even lost a match to Flair at King of the Ring 2002. Guerrero then went on to have a match with The Rock, challenging him for the WWE Undisputed Championship after The Rock sang a version of "La Bamba" with the words changed to insult Guerrero on the July 29 edition of Raw.

On August 1, 2002, Guerrero and Benoit began to wrestle exclusively for WWE's SmackDown! brand. Guerrero began feuding with Edge, to whom he lost at SummerSlam 2002. Eddie continued his feud with Edge, whom he defeated at Unforgiven 2002, they then had a No Disqualification match 2 weeks after Unforgiven on SmackDown which Edge won thus ending the rivalry. With Benoit starting to focus on Kurt Angle, Guerrero aligned himself with his nephew Chavo, forming the tag team Los Guerreros. In contrast to a previous WCW storyline with his nephew, Chavo fully agreed with his uncle as their slogan stated "We lie, we cheat, and we steal, but at least we're honest about it." In order to push the new tag team, vignettes were produced, which included things such as the two finagling their way into a rich lady's house and throwing a pool party.

The duo entered the eight-team tournament for the new Tag Team Championship, sneaking past Rikishi and Mark Henry in the opening round, before starting a feud with the newly formed tag team of Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. In one of the team's definitive moments, Chavo told Benoit that his former friend Guerrero was assaulted by his tag team partner Angle. Benoit ran to make the save, only to have himself locked inside a room. Guerrero then appeared in the room and assaulted Benoit with a steel chair. Benoit and Angle managed to overcome their differences and eventually defeated Los Guerreros in the tournament semi-finals. Later on, Benoit and Angle won the titles. Benoit and Angle then fought for a trophy for being the first WWE Tag Team Champion. Much to Benoit's surprise, Los Guerreros helped him win the match.

At Survivor Series 2002, Los Guerreros faced the new champions Edge and Rey Mysterio and the team of Angle and Benoit for the titles. Eddie made Mysterio submit to The Lasso From El Paso to win their first WWE Tag Team Championship. They were defeated by Team Angle (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) on the February 6, 2003 edition of SmackDown!. Los Guerreros and Team Angle began feuding with each other. Los Guerreros participated at WrestleMania XIX as contenders for the Tag Team Title, along with the team of Benoit and Rhyno. Both teams lost to Haas and Benjamin in a Triple Threat Match. Guerrero participated in a #1 contender's tournament to the WWE Championship, where he lost to John Cena in the first round. At Backlash 2003, Los Guerreros lost to Team Angle in a rematch.

5 days prior to Judgment Day 2003, Chavo tore his biceps. This forced Guerrero to look for another partner. He chose Tajiri. They won the WWE Tag Team Championship, both Guerrero's and Tajiri's second at Judgment Day by defeating Team Angle in a ladder match. The following week, Guerrero and Tajiri managed to retain their title by cheating. In addition, they also defeated Roddy Piper and his protegè Sean O'Haire in Madison Square Garden. After Guerrero and Tajiri lost the title to Team Angle on the July 3 edition of SmackDown!, Guerrero turned on Tajiri, slamming his partner through the windshield of his low-rider truck.

During the summer of 2003, Guerrero had begun driving a customized lowrider to ringside as part of his ring entrance. Guerrero would also capitalize on his "Lie, Cheat, and Steal" anti-hero image by brazenly using illegal tactics behind the referee's back to win matches on occasion. He was well known for hitting someone with a steel chair (or handing the opponent the steel chair and then pretending to be knocked out himself, just as the referee turned around), or using illegal weapons during the match. Despite (or possibly because of) his immoral tactics, Guerrero continued to increase in popularity.

In July 2003, Guerrero competed in a tournament for the United States Championship. He managed to advance to the final round, defeating Último Dragon and Billy Gunn in the process, where he would meet Chris Benoit. At Vengeance 2003, Guerrero turned to his cheating tactics, hitting Benoit with the belt at one point in the match. Guerrero tried to get Benoit in trouble by placing the title belt on top of the unconscious Benoit. It did not work, however, since he knocked out the referee earlier with a belt shot to the kidneys. The match ended with interference and a Gore from Rhyno, Benoit's own partner, who was furious at the team's failure. Guerrero himself said that this was a major point in the character of Latino Heat, since he himself realized that the fans wanted to see him lie, cheat and steal. Guerrero pinned Benoit and won the WWE United States Championship.

At SummerSlam 2003, Guerrero retained his title by defeating Rhyno, Benoit and Tajiri in a Fatal Four Way match. He turned face again by engaging in a rivalry with John Cena. On the September 11 edition of SmackDown!, Guerrero challenged Cena to a "Latino Heat" Parking Lot Brawl Match for the United States Championship, which Guerrero won with help from his returning nephew, Chavo. Next week, Los Guerreros defeated The World's Greatest Tag Team (previously Team Angle) to win the WWE Tag Team Championship for a second time, although it was Guerrero's third reign. Guerrero thus held the WWE United States Championship and one-half of the WWE Tag Team Championship concurrently.

Guerrero engaged in a feud with The Big Show, which involved Guerrero poisoning the Big Show with some laxative laced burritos and then later spraying the Big Show with a sewage truck. The feud ended when Guerrero dropped the United States title to Big Show at No Mercy. Four days later, Los Guerreros lost the Tag Team Championship to the Basham Brothers (Doug and Danny). They began feuding with Basham Brothers, to whom they lost in a title match at Survivor Series 2003.

As Los Guerreros attempted to regain the tag team title, things began to go downhill between Chavo and Guerrero and animosity began to build, although Kurt Angle did his best to get the team back on their feet. Chavo then attacked and turned on Guerrero after he suffered a beating from The Bashams. Guerrero feuded with Chavo and defeated him at Royal Rumble 2004 to settle their feud.

When Chris Benoit defected to Raw after winning the 2004 Royal Rumble, using his title shot to go for Triple H's World Heavyweight Championship, Eddie won a 15-man Royal Rumble style match on the January 29, 2004 edition of SmackDown! to earn a shot at the WWE Championship.

After becoming the number one contender, Guerrero elevated himself to the main event status and began feuding with the WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. At No Way Out 2004, Guerrero defeated Lesnar in the main event to win the WWE Championship. The victory made him only the second-ever Latino WWE Champion in history (following Pedro Morales), and the first Mexican American to win the main world title in an American promotion. His next feud was with Kurt Angle, whom he defeated at WrestleMania XX to retain his title in his first big defense. At the end of this event, Guerrero celebrated in the ring with longtime friend Chris Benoit, who had just won the World Heavyweight Championship.

Guerrero went on to have smaller feuds with the likes of the The Big Show and Rey Mysterio. In March, he started a feud with fellow Texan John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) after JBL interrupted in Eddie's match with Booker T. At Judgment Day 2004, Guerrero defended his WWE title against JBL and retained the title after getting himself disqualified because JBL had kayfabe given his mother a heart attack. At The Great American Bash 2004, Guerrero defended the title against JBL in a Texas Bullrope match. JBL won after Angle (who was General Manager of SmackDown! at the time) reversed the decision after Guerrero appeared to have retained the title. On the July 8 edition of SmackDown!, Guerrero pulled a switcharoo with Shannon Moore, who was wrestling as "El Gran Luchadore" and then Guerrero wore the costume. The next week on SmackDown!, Guerrero faced JBL in a steel cage match for the WWE title where El Gran Luchadore appeared again and cost Guerrero the match. It was later proved to be Kurt Angle. Guerrero continued his feud with Angle again.

At SummerSlam 2004, Guerrero lost to Angle after submitting to his ankle lock. Guerrero then allied himself with the Big Show. Each week Angle and his new allies Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak began targeting Guerrero and Big Show. Guerrero defeated Reigns in a singles match at No Mercy 2004. General Manager Theodore Long booked a Survivor Series Elimination Match between a team led by Guerrero and a team led by Angle. Guerrero's team consisted of himself, Big Show, John Cena (replacing the originally chosen Rey Mysterio), and Rob Van Dam. At Survivor Series 2004, Guerrero's team defeated Angle's team.

Guerrero, along with Booker T and The Undertaker, then challenged JBL for a WWE Championship rematch. Along the way, Guerrero found a partner in Booker T. At Armageddon 2004, Guerrero and Booker's initial teamwork broke away, and the match ended with JBL pinning Booker following the Clothesline From Hell. Afterwards, Guerrero and Booker briefly and unsuccessfully attempted to win the Tag Team Championship.

At No Way Out, Eddie teamed up with longtime friend and sometimes rival, Rey Mysterio and defeated Basham Brothers to win his final title, the WWE Tag Team Championship for a fourth time, with being it Mysterio's third reign. Many expected the new champions to defend their title at WrestleMania 21, but after encouragement from Chavo, instead Guerrero challenged Mysterio to a one-on-one match so they could "bring the house down." The two wrestled a match at WrestleMania with Mysterio getting the win. Although visibly frustrated, Guerrero congratulated his partner. After several mishaps in the weeks following WrestleMania, the growing tension between Guerrero and Mysterio finally erupted when they lost their tag team championship to the new team MNM (Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury) on the April 21 edition of SmackDown!. Although next week, they received a rematch to regain the titles, Guerrero turned heel once again by abandoning his partner, whom he had considered "his family" earlier in the show.

Following his feud with Rey Mysterio, Guerrero was named number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship and given a title match with Batista. Despite this, Guerrero quickly proclaimed himself to be Batista's friend. Batista was wary of Guerrero, however, and a series of matches with MNM only supported his suspicions, as Guerrero appeared to have reverted to his cheating ways. In response to Batista's suspicions, Guerrero helped Batista win a match against his tag team partners, John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Christian.

Batista defeated Guerrero at No Mercy to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. During the match, Guerrero struggled with a decision about whether or not to use a steel chair to secure the victory, eventually opting not to use it and losing as a result. Though the two demonstrated mutual respect after the match, Guerrero seemed displeased by the loss. The day of this event was Guerrero's birthday. After the show went off the air, Batista led the crowd singing "Happy Birthday" to him. Guerrero told Batista that he realized how low he had sunk since losing the WWE Championship in 2004, having attacked his best friend Rey Mysterio. Guerrero told Batista that shaking his hand at No Mercy had returned his respect to him. This turned Guerrero face again.

Guerrero wrestled his final match on the November 11 edition of SmackDown!, defeating Mr. Kennedy to qualify for a place on the SmackDown! team at the Survivor Series, in a match that he would not participate due to his death. Randy Orton was named as the official replacement for Guerrero on the team.

On November 13, 2005, Guerrero was found unconscious in his hotel room (The Marriott City Center) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by his nephew, Chavo. Chavo attempted CPR, but Guerrero was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived on the scene.

An autopsy revealed that Guerrero died as a result of acute heart failure, not caused by steroids, but rather arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Guerrero's wife Vickie claimed that he had been unwell in the week preceding his death. On the November 30 edition of WWE Byte This!, Chavo said that Guerrero had been working hard and was at peak physical fitness as a result, doing cardiovascular and weight training exercises every day. There had been no symptoms or cause of steroids.

Guerrero was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006 by Rey Mysterio, his nephew Chavo Guerrero, and Chris Benoit in Chicago, Illinois on the night before WrestleMania 22. His widow, Vickie, accepted the honor. His list of accomplishments and Championships (according to Wiki) are as follows:

Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
AAA World Tag Team Championship (1 time)[162] - with Art Barr
AAA Hall of Fame (Class of 2008)

Extreme Championship Wrestling
ECW World Television Championship (2 times)

Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Latin American Wrestling Association
LAWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

New Japan Pro Wrestling
NJPW Junior Heavyweight Super Grade Tag League Championship (1 time) - with The Great Sasuke
Best of the Super Juniors (1996)

Pro Wrestling Federation
PWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Hector Guerrero

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
PWI Comeback of the Year (1999)
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (2002)
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (2004)
PWI Stanley Weston Award (2005)
PWI ranked him # 2 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2004.

World Championship Wrestling
WCW Cruiserweight Championship (2 times)
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

World Wrestling All-Stars
WWA International Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)

World Wrestling Association
WWA World Welterweight Championship (1 time)
WWA World Trios Championship (1 time) - with Chavo Guerrero and Mando Guerrero

World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment
WWE Championship (1 time)
WWE Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Chavo Guerrero (2), Tajiri (1), and Rey Mysterio (1)
WWE United States Championship (1 time)
WWF European Championship (2 times)
WWF Intercontinental Championship (2 times)
WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2006)
Eleventh Triple Crown Champion
Fifth Grand Slam Champion

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
5 Star Match (1994) with Art Barr vs. El Hijo del Santo and Octagón at When Worlds Collide in a Hair vs. Masks match on November 6
Best on Interviews (2005)
Feud of the Year (1994) with Art Barr vs. El Hijo del Santo and Octagón
Feud of the Year (1995) vs. Dean Malenko
Most Charismatic (2004, 2005)
Tag Team of the Year (1994) with Art Barr as La Pareja del Terror
Tag Team of the Year (2002) with Chavo Guerrero as Los Guerreros
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2006)

Eddie Guerrero: The last guy on my list of current Hall of Famer's to check-out. This is a huge topic of discussion, and one I'm willing should get a fair number of replies to. Is Eddie Guerrero worthy of being in the Hall of Fame?

Some say yes, some say no. I'm going to say YES and the reason why is because he accomplished a huge amount within the 5 year career he had with the company. He's won the European & Intercontinental Championships, Tag Team Championships, and even the World Heavyweight Championship. That's more than many of the current other "accepted" Hall of Famer's can say for themselves.

The majority of individuals who believe Eddie Guerrero shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame, claim the main reason for his induction is only due to his death. Well, in a ways they're right. He got inducted a mere couple of monthes after he passed away. But that's not to say he didn't deserve it. I'm willing to bet hard money he would've ended up having an even greater career had he remained alive, and I'm firmly willing to bet after he retired, he'd of ended up in the Hall of Fame, anyways. So the fact that his death lead to his entry being earlier than predicted shouldn't have anything do to with it.

Eddie Guerrero is a well-rounded individual, who's accomplished success in all three "big" companies that were around at the time. (W.C.W., E.C.W., W.W.F/E.) He's a well-rounded Superstar to add. Being accomplished in Tag Team, mid-card & Heavyweight divisions. I say this shouldn't even be a question. Eddie Guerrero deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. What are your thoughts and opinions on Eddie Guerrero being in the Hall of Fame? Worthy or Not?

 

[Tastycles]

It's a big "no" from me. Guerrero did win quite a few titles,and he was popular, there's no denying that, but Guerrero only won the big one once and only beat one person on pay per view, so it was hardly the worlds greatest reign.

The reason Guerrero won so much, and probably the reason he won the big title too was that he was wrestling at the time of the brandsplit. When there were suddenly two rosters, but only one roster's worth of main eventers. Before they built people like Orton and Cena up they had to have a lot of single reign, slightly weak champions - JBL, Guerrero and Benoit are perfect examples of this sort of champion.

I can't help but think that had he not died whilst competing for the company, he would never have made it into the hall of fame. He owed a lot of the success of his first run to his pairing with Chyna, and he was lucky to get his second run in all honesty.

A good performer, yes, and who knows, had he gone on for a couple more years, maybe he'd have accomplished a bit more and he would be worthy, but as it was, this was not to be and Guerrero is not worthy of the hall.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

It's a big "no" from me. Guerrero did win quite a few titles,and he was popular, there's no denying that, but Guerrero only won the big one once and only beat one person on pay per view, so it was hardly the worlds greatest reign.

Okay, but let's recap who exactly he did defeat. First, he defeated Brock Lesnar to become the Champion. Nevermind how, just understand that he did.

Second, let's just focus on exactly who he retained his Championship against, and then where. Kurt Angle, at WrestleMania. Now this, if nothing else, definately needs to be shown as why they felt Eddie Guerrero was a top guy and deserved to be viewed as such.

They easily could've given Kurt Angle the Championship. Especially at Wrestlemania, which is the one place Angle hasn't technically won a Heavyweight Championship at.

The reason Guerrero won so much, and probably the reason he won the big title too was that he was wrestling at the time of the brandsplit. When there were suddenly two rosters, but only one roster's worth of main eventers. Before they built people like Orton and Cena up they had to have a lot of single reign, slightly weak champions - JBL, Guerrero and Benoit are perfect examples of this sort of champion.

Okay, but once again.. Kurt Angle & The Undertaker were the top guys on the Smackdown brand. If that were the case, why not just give it to him? The Big Show was another individual on that Brand at the time, if the company didn't want to build Guerrero as a credible Champion, they had the options available to not make it so.

And don't give me the brand split as a viable reason, anyways. If that were the case, then well over half of today's better known top Wrestlers wouldn't be half as credible; Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy and C.M. Punk come to mind instantly.

I can't help but think that had he not died whilst competing for the company, he would never have made it into the hall of fame. He owed a lot of the success of his first run to his pairing with Chyna, and he was lucky to get his second run in all honesty.

How on earth do you figure Chyna made him? She helped him get over as a face, because he was a good heel. That's about it. She hardly made him. Unless you compare that in the same sense that, oh, Karen Angle made Kurt. And Sherri made Shawn Michaels. Or better yet.. Debra McMichael made Steve Austin.

Eddie Guerrero's talent helped him succeed in the industry. His abilities helped him succeed. The only thing that nearly cost him, was his personal issues.

A good performer, yes, and who knows, had he gone on for a couple more years, maybe he'd have accomplished a bit more and he would be worthy, but as it was, this was not to be and Guerrero is not worthy of the hall.

That's just it. Even with all he'd already accomplished, if he would've remained alive, he likely would've won the title off Batista. Especially since later that same year, Batista ended up injured anyways if I remember correctly.

So in the end, I think it's a mute-point. Eddie's death didn't put him into the Hall of Fame, solely. It just pushed him in a lot sooner than anyone expected.

 

[CCS]

He obviously deserved to be in. Everyone saying he only got in because he died is just ridiculous. Eddie accomplished more in his few years than most wrestlers do in 10. He was a great wrestler who but on great matches, and the fans loved him for it. Even if he wouldnt have died so early i gurantee he would have been inducted in the HOF. If you think otherwise, you're crazy.

 

[Tastycles]

Okay, but let's recap who exactly he did defeat. First, he defeated Brock Lesnar to become the Champion. Nevermind how, just understand that he did.

Lesnar was well on his way out of WWE at this point, they had to take the title off him. The fact that even though he was leaving the company and they still couldn't let Guerrero go over him cleanly at No Way Out. Lesnar was at his weakest in his entire pro wrestling creer and he still got screwed out of the title.

Second, let's just focus on exactly who he retained his Championship against, and then where. Kurt Angle, at WrestleMania. Now this, if nothing else, definately needs to be shown as why they felt Eddie Guerrero was a top guy and deserved to be viewed as such.

They easily could've given Kurt Angle the Championship. Especially at Wrestlemania, which is the one place Angle hasn't technically won a Heavyweight Championship at.

Ok, he won at Wrestlemania, but Angle was about to go out for surgery, he couldn't exactly lose, and he had to be on the card. It made sense for him to lose here and make the champion look a bit better. Especially as The Undertaker and Big Show were already engaged in plans at 'mania.

Okay, but once again.. Kurt Angle & The Undertaker were the top guys on the Smackdown brand. If that were the case, why not just give it to him? The Big Show was another individual on that Brand at the time, if the company didn't want to build Guerrero as a credible Champion, they had the options available to not make it so.

Yes they were the top guys, but Kurt Angle was the GM for most of Guerrero's reign, and he probably needed surgery throughout the reign, so that rules him out. The Undertaker has been one of the top guys in the WWE since 1990, but he has never really had long Championship reign. It's just not the way he's booked. So that leaves us with the Big Show, who did have the title around that time, but he could hardly holdit permanently until Angle got back.

And don't give me the brand split as a viable reason, anyways. If that were the case, then well over half of today's better known top Wrestlers wouldn't be half as credible; Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy and C.M. Punk come to mind instantly.

But do you expect those guys to be hall of famers? The Hardy's might go in together, because they were an innovative tag team who both went on to singles success, but if Punk's career continues on the current trajectory, he isn't going to get in. The brand split has meant that there are upper mid carders in the main event, but not everyone in the main event is hall worthy, and Guerrero falls into this category.

How on earth do you figure Chyna made him? She helped him get over as a face, because he was a good heel. That's about it. She hardly made him. Unless you compare that in the same sense that, oh, Karen Angle made Kurt. And Sherri made Shawn Michaels. Or better yet.. Debra McMichael made Steve Austin.

Because if he had been paired up with any other female wrestler, this would not have been as remotely successful. Chyna was by far and away the most successful and recognizable woman in the WWF, and that is why this gimmick didn't fail. OTherwise, his WWF career would have gone the same way that Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko's did when they made the jump. Benoit was definitely the only one of the radicals given anything approaching a decent push, after he was teamed with Shane McMahon. I think they gave him this as something to do, and because of her, it was a success.

Eddie Guerrero's talent helped him succeed in the industry. His abilities helped him succeed. The only thing that nearly cost him, was his personal issues.

His personal issues did cost him. If he hadn't been a drug addict, he wouldn't have died before he reached 40. If he had lived longer he would probably have acheived more, but we can't say for sure.

That's just it. Even with all he'd already accomplished, if he would've remained alive, he likely would've won the title off Batista. Especially since later that same year, Batista ended up injured anyways if I remember correctly.

Would've, should've could have. If he had a career ending injury in his match with Kennedy, then he wouldn't be in the hall of fame. You have to judge people on what they did acheive, not what they might have. Guerrero didn't do enough while he was alive, and while the likelihood is that he would have gone on to greatness, we can't be sure.

There were plenty of people that could have been destined for the top, but that was taken away from them by injury or other circumstances - such as Ahmed Johnson, Owen Hart. Does that mean they should be in the Hall of Fame? Of course it doesn't, because they didn't reach the heights required. While Eddie was a potential hall of famer, he never got to fulfil that potential, and as a result he doesn't go in.

 

[Mr. TM]

Eddie Guerrero deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He was the World Champion, and many other championships were held by him. He was also one of the most popular wrestlers of his time. Now say he did not die, and retired on his own accord at around the time of his death. Hard to do, considering he was probably about to become the champion again (and for years to come win more). But say he did retire. A few years later fans will look back and view his time in the WWE as well as the WCW as exceptional. He helped build the WCW midcard division. He became one of the most popular heels of all time. He had the best feuds on Smackdown. He was a great tag team champion. And he capped it off becoming champion against Brock Lesnar, as well as being part of one of the best moments in Wrestlemania history as he and Benoit embraced as they stood, champions. WWE owes him the Hall of Fame. The man left WCW during WCW's height to come to the WWE. He battled back from drug addictions and gave his reformed life to the WWE. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and would have been in it if he had not died.

 

[klunderbunker]

I'm on the edge here but leaning towards no. Had he won that second world title that he was said to have been in line for just a few days later, then it's a definite yes, but in the summation of eveything he did, I have to just barely say no. He beat Lesnar in a decent match, but it was as if he was just thrown into that match and title reign. No one really jumped out to be the champion at that point with Edge hurt, so Eddie almsot got it by default. Now don't get me wrong. Eddie deserved a title run just if nothing else to test things out and he had a decent one. I'm just not sure if he is HOF worthy. If not, he's very, very close indeed, but it's just barely a no for me.

 

[Father:_Polley]

Eddie's death was what got him in at this stage. In a few years time, Eddie Guerrero may have been deemed worthy to enter the hallowed corridors of the HOF (I said that with a straight face), but you can't deny his death sped the process along.

Taker, Austin, Rock, Flair, Hogan, HHH, Jericho and HBK - what do all these names have in common? They're all people who accomplished more than Eddie Guerrero, but yet are still forced to wait until after Eddie for one reason and one reason only. They were still wrestling and were still alive.

Deny it all you want, Eddie is there because he died at the top of his game... but there because he died nonetheless.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

Eddie's Death Got Him In: Of course it did. But what were we suppose to do, wait for a few couple of decades to pass and induct him when we randomly assume he should've naturally died?

Just like I said in the Owen Hart thread, this isn't the "Hall of Main Eventers". It's the Hall of Fame. Eddie Guerrero was famous for several things he did. Latino Heat. Lying, Cheating & Stealing. All of which made him a fan favorite and well rememberable. His career and legacy from E.C.W. & W.C.W. (both of which are owned by the W.W.E., thus should be used now for their Hall of Fame)

Just because Eddie Guerrero died before he really should've in some's eyes, doesn't mean that should disqualify him from being eligible from entering the Hall of Fame. He still accomplished a great deal.

Tastycles: Some of the note-worthy things you've said aren't holding a lot of ground. So what if Kurt Angle was leaving for surgery. So what if the Undertaker's thing really wasn't being the Champion.. both were still options in which the company could've given either the title to carry into WrestleMania, but they gave it to Eddie instead.

So what that Brock was leaving, and he still had to have someone interfere to help him. It was called a storyline. It helped set-up the same reason on why Goldberg was leaving. It allowed the W.W.E. to cancel both pieces of shit out at once, and give a credible individual a chance to be something.

If Eddie had a career ending injury, he'd still end up in the Hall of Fame, because it isn't (for the last time) a "Hall of Main Eventers". He accomplished a tremendous amount in the 5 year period he was with the company. Infact, I believe only Kurt Angle may of accomplished more, but that's not a proven fact.. that's just coming random off the top of my head.

Owen does deserve in for the same similar reasons. He accomplished a great deal in his career. Sure, both career's (Owen's & Eddie's) were cut short.. but that doesn't mean they should be cut from being eligible. Ahmed Johnson is an entirely other subject, because he only accomplished being an Intercontinental Champion.. once.

The only reason people are even talking about this, is because Eddie was inducted within a year of his passing. That doesn't mean he wouldn't of deserved it though. It just meant guys like Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker & Ric Flair had to wait because their career's were still on-going. My guess is none of them had a problem with Eddie joining the Hall of Fame, either.

 

[Sparky]

Some say yes, some say no. I'm going to say YES and the reason why is because he accomplished a huge amount within the 5 year career he had with the company. He's won the European & Intercontinental Championships, Tag Team Championships, and even the World Heavyweight Championship. That's more than many of the current other "accepted" Hall of Famer's can say for themselves.

But that is saying that RVD, should be inducted and i don't see that happening. I see where your coming from but not every one that has held more then 2 championships should be eligible.

The majority of individuals who believe Eddie Guerrero shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame, claim the main reason for his induction is only due to his death.

I am in this group of people.

Well, in a ways they're right. He got inducted a mere couple of monthes after he passed away. But that's not to say he didn't deserve it.I'm willing to bet hard money he would've ended up having an even greater career had he remained alive

Either that or fucked up. sadly this is the bit that can't be certain. wich is where it makes people like me think that.

, and I'm firmly willing to bet after he retired, he'd of ended up in the Hall of Fame, anyways.

Yeah, if they ever run out of people.

So the fact that his death lead to his entry being earlier than predicted shouldn't have anything do to with it.

but it does. Imagine him winning the title again then doing something stupid. Anything can happen Will, he most likley would of ended up back where he started and i couldn't see Vince inducting him then.

Eddie Guerrero is a well-rounded individual, who's acomplished success in all three "big" companies that were around at the time. (W.C.W., E.C.W., W.W.F/E.)

again, So is RVD

He's a well-rounded Superstar to add. Being accomplished in Tag Team, mid-card & Heavyweight divisions.

Booker T? Kurt Angle? just a couple more that is just like eddie was, and will most likley never end up in the HOF. He shouldn't be in it pure and simple, He was never what people cracked up to be. I actually imagine that if he was alive he would of done a Rock stunt and went to acting.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

But that is saying that RVD, should be inducted and i don't see that happening. I see where your coming from but not every one that has held more then 2 championships should be eligible.

You're right. That's exactly why the Hall of Fame is currently full of people who've not held any Championships and gotten in by their name alone. Be it his death or not, you know who Eddie Guerrero is, so his name alone could've still gotten him in.

But that's not what actually did it, was it? Instead, he has a HUGE list of accomplishments and Championships to his credit. And you can't dispute that all of that didn't just as equally earn him his spot.

All his death did, was earn him his spot.. quicker.

I am in this group of people.

Sorry, I guess not everyone can be open-minded.

Either that or fucked up. sadly this is the bit that can't be certain. wich is where it makes people like me think that.

Well, I guess this is the "Jake Roberts" aspect of everything coming into play. If Jake Roberts ever gets inducted, then that means regardless of how badly he could've ever screwed up.. he still likely would've gotten in.

Yeah, if they ever run out of people.

The truly funny thing is.. he's already in, so it's not like they've ran out of people yet.

but it does. Imagine him winning the title again then doing something stupid. Anything can happen Will, he most likley would of ended up back where he started and i couldn't see Vince inducting him then.

Once again.. Jake Roberts' theory. We'll have to wait and see.

But, to add to it.. short of him trying to randomly have sex with Stephanie McMahon, or attempt to come onto Linda McMahon.. or killing his Family, I doubt he'd fuck up worse enough that it'd warrant Mr. McMahon to absolutely say NO to putting him in.

again, So is RVD

Who says R.V.D. doesn't deserve to be in? He's on the list of threads coming soon, by the way.

Oh, but R.V.D. wasn't accomplished in all 3 companies. Just E.C.W. mainly. His W.W.E. career was 2nd to that, and he barely splashed water in W.C.W.

Booker T? Kurt Angle? just a couple more that is just like eddie was, and will most likley never end up in the HOF.

Are you out of your mind? Booker T. is a toss-up, but assuming he'd ever agree to it, I'm sure he'll end up in the Hall of Fame.

And Kurt Angle is the biggest "lock" you could ever see coming, once again assuming Angle doesn't massively bad-mouth the W.W.E. beyond everything else.

He shouldn't be in it pure and simple, He was never what people cracked up to be. I actually imagine that if he was alive he would of done a Rock stunt and went to acting.

A.) He would've never went to acting. He didn't have that type of skill.

B.) What do you mean, he isn't what people cracked up to be? I'm not even sure that makes sense.. but I assume you mean, he wasn't what People completely loved. Which isn't entirely true.

You don't make it in Wrestling if you don't collect a fan base. Furthermore, you don't get near Heavyweight Championships and win at WrestleManias if you don't have a fair number of popularity.

 

[Tastycles]

You're right. That's exactly why the Hall of Fame is currently full of people who've not held any Championships and gotten in by their name alone. Be it his death or not, you know who Eddie Guerrero is, so his name alone could've still gotten him in.

I know who Crash Holly is too, but it doesn't mean they deserve to go in. Petulance aside, the people who have gotten in by name alone are all from a different era, when you had career tag teamers, when a title changed hands twice a year at most. People like Nikolai Volkoff would have at least won midcard titles if they were around now. Andre the Giant would have held the title more than once, and would have properly held it.

But that's not what actually did it, was it? Instead, he has a HUGE list of accomplishments and Championships to his credit. And you can't dispute that all of that didn't just as equally earn him his spot.

He did acheive a lot, but there are too many people who had a comparable record. If you let him, then RVD, JBL, Kane etc. all have to go in. Between 1999 and 2006, JBL was two mid card titles short of matching Guerrero's title record, when you consider he was only pushed properly as a singles competitor for 2 of those years, it matches up pretty well, but I don't imagine anyone voicing for JBL's inclusion. I'd like to point out that I have decided to ignore JBL's 17 hardcore championships, and haven't included them.

All his death did, was earn him his spot.. quicker.

I'm not staying close minded on his inclusion, and if people of a similar standing from his generation like JBL, RVD and Kane are inducted one day, then I'll concede that Eddie deserves to be too. For the time being, the majority of people in the hall were in the top 5 or 6 of their generation in terms of popularity or notoriety. Eddie was nowhere near that with Undertaker, Angle, The Rock, HHH, Austin etc. all more popular than him.

Well, I guess this is the "Jake Roberts" aspect of everything coming into play. If Jake Roberts ever gets inducted, then that means regardless of how badly he could've ever screwed up.. he still likely would've gotten in.

Considering his death was his own fault, he couldn't really have screwed up any more. This may be harsh, and I feel bad for saying it, especially as he was clean by the time he died, but all things considered if Guerrero had been clean all of his life, he wouldn't have had a heart attack before he was 40 years old. So I'll have to agree with you on this point.

Who says R.V.D. doesn't deserve to be in? He's on the list of threads coming soon, by the way.

Oh, but R.V.D. wasn't accomplished in all 3 companies. Just E.C.W. mainly. His W.W.E. career was 2nd to that, and he barely splashed water in W.C.W.

You know, in the other threads I have said that NWA and AWA successes have been taken into account for previous inductions - people like Peter Maivia and Verne Gagne are testament to this - but I think we are yet to see anyone go in for WCW and ECW acheivements. If and when we do, again I'll grant that Eddie should've gone in. But again, this opens a whole can of worms. If Eddie goes in for what he did in WCW, then surely Sting should? Even if you say that only people who acheived in the WWF/E as well should, then you are still left with an enormous list of people who have to go in - Nash and Goldberg, for a start.

You don't make it in Wrestling if you don't collect a fan base. Furthermore, you don't get near Heavyweight Championships and win at WrestleManias if you don't have a fair number of popularity.

I agree, I really do, but letting Eddie in means that a lot of people who have acheived a similar amount have to go in too, and its a Catch 22 situation. If you don't let them all in then it isn't fair, and if you do, you take away some of the prestige of the hall.

Mysterio, Batista, Benoit and Lesnar have all won championships at Wrestlemania in the last 5 years, and none of them were Hall worthy at the time they did it. It's not the hall of Wrestlemania main eventers either, otherwise Mr T. would be in.

The short summation of my argument is this: If the WWE made it clear that WCW and ECW acheivements count towards induction, he's in. If people like RVD, Booker T and Rey Mysterio get in one day, he's in. But as it stands, I think the lasting significance of his career is far less than that of the majority of people who are in there, so it's a "no", for the time being at least.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

I am wildly unclear on were all of this "overrated becuase of death" stuff came from. Eddie Guerrero was fucking amazing. Easily one of the best pound for pound wrestlers I have ever seen, and I thought this long before he died. I just cant possibly understand how people on these forums can froth and drool so very much over the likes of Macho drink Savage and Rick Steamboat, and just simply dismiss Guerrero. Guerrero was the version of those guys in OUR generation. Regulalry put on the match of the card throughout his carreer. True he only won the WWE title once, but thats more than steamboat did, surely. I say either way you slice things, Eddie has the credentials to make it in. Eddie gets a yes vote from me.

 

[NSL]

No. I was always a fan of Eddie, even back in ECW and WCW. I think he did a great job at working within a feud, and did pretty good on his promos. He had a quality finisher, and a terrific set-up move (The Three Amigos). He held a wide array of titles, everywhere he worked.

However, I never viewed him as anything more than a top-tier mid-carder. He never had "it". He didn't have what made guys like Hogan, Bret, Triple H, and Flair who they were. He had the charisma, and he knew how to work the crowd as a face or a heel. I just don't view him as a hall of famer. It has nothing to do with his untimely death. I agree with KB, that if he won another title, and had even a semi-decent run, he'd be in without a doubt. I'm not upset that he is in. I just don't think he is a hall of famer myself.

 

[Khalifa]

Yes. He was easily one of the best people in the WWE before his death ( talent wise). He could make a stupid feud into a great feud. He had great in-ring skills, heck i just mean he could do anything in the ring. He had amazing mic skills and amazing promo skills. He was like the full package of the wrestling business. He might of had a small run with his WWE title reign but who cares. He beat Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar in 2 months. Then he went on to feud with JBL. But people are forgetting he and Chavo were one of the only teams carrering the tag team divison in 2002-2003. He had amazing feud with the Worlds Greatest tag team and still did well in the Midcard in 2001-2002 before beign drafted to SD.

He is defently worthy of a HOF spot if people like Duggan can get it.

 

[Shocky]

Well without question his death was the only thing that got him in the Hall of Fame, but that's just wording.

It's just amazing too me how many Eddie Guerrero fans and worshippers magically appeared the latter half of November of 2005, as opposed to the earlier part of that same month.

Eddie Guerrero, phenomenal mid card wrestler, great in ring performances, and all of that jazz. In fact, very comparable to Ricky Steamboat, and this is where the tread continues. He got his run with the belt, and it was one of the more forgettable title runs in history. Like Steamboat, both were great on a midcard level, but failed to do anything with the big title when they won it.

He was involved in another big feud in 2005 with Rey Mysterio, and for the most part it is considered one of the more poorly executed feuds of this decade. He had a good shot for two years to prove to everyone that he was worth a look in the main event, and really failed to capitilize on it.

Plus the question of character gets involved into this, and Eddie guerreros character isn't hall of Fame worthy in the slightest.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I think that if you're first long title feud is with JBL then there aren't many chances for you to succeed in the role. He got the belt because he was the Jeff Hardy of that time. He was super over and could do no wrong in the fans eyes at that time.

The feud with Rey was fine, nothing special. It's just that people expected so much more from it. And using Mysterio's son in the angle was tasteless.

I might go so far as to say that he was more deserving in 2005 than he would have been later. People were still raw over his death, so his induction would have been more emotional than if they'd waited.

 

[OIL]

How can people honestly say that he doesn't deserve to be in the HoF? Seriously? The guy was amazing in the ring, technically one of the best. Sure, he's no Bret Hart but he could easily hold his own against him technically, although they're not in the same class. His matches were always entertaining, always. Lie, cheat and steal. Used in all of his matches. And it was classic. Him pretending to be hurt from the ref ect. Maybe it wasn't what everyone enjoyed but it got Eddie over. He just needed better people to fued against when he was WWE Champion. Either way, the guy deserves to be in there.

 

[IBeTheErickSermon]

to sparksta rvd didnt really have success in wcw, so youre wrong

and tastycles the way you look at wrestling is worse than my friend who thinks chris jericho is a bad wrestler because he doesnt say nice things like john cena does

 

[Pimpin]

Definitely he deserved his spot in the hall of fame. The things he did speaks for itself as many of today's stars would kill for a title history like Eddie's. He is one of the founding fathers of the Cruiserweight title that became successful but eventually tarnished by WWE. If he were still alive he would have a few more world title reigns for himself. He had the natural talent, put on better matches than most, can work the crowd as either a face or a heel & had the natural charisma to play his character to perfection.

 

[klunderbunker]

Even after thinking abotu it more, I'd think he still should be in the HOF. He's the Gayle Sayers of wrestling. He didn't get in based on his numbers or resume, but rather what he could have reached combined with what he already had. Sayers didn't die, but he had to retire after a short career. That career was great though, and the potential he had was off the charts. The same holds true for Guerrero. According to just about any report you hear, he was winning the title on Smackdown, when he was ever better than he was before. He was very good in the ring, did good promos, entertained the fans. What more could you ask for?

 

[Tastycles]

Firstly, I'd just like to say that my knowledge of Gale Sayers comes entirely from Wikipedia, so correct me if I'm wrong at any point.

It seems to me that the difference between the two, and why Eddie is unworthy is because Sayers was on top when he was playing, and Eddie wasn't.

From what I can gather, Sayers held, and still holds numerous records, and had three seasons where he was unquestionably the best person in his position. However, Eddie was never really the top guy, he was always just a low end main eventer.

You can't keep the title on Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar indefinitely, because the crowd would lose interest so you have to have other guys who can carry the title for a while. The equivalent today is probably someone like Chris Jericho or Batista. They are not the top heels or faces, but they are legitimate contenders.

Eddie was never the number one guy in terms of his general position, and I don't think he can be considered worthy because of that.

 

[klunderbunker]

At the tiem though Eddie was on the verge of getting the title back from Batista. Sayers wasn't the greatest running back of all time but he was indeed very good and his Hall of Fame induction isn't really one that was a slam dunk. You're right that Eddie wasn't a big time main eventer but he wasn't exactly a curtain jerker either. He wouldn't have been a long term champion, but a lot more like Hardy or Punk. He would have been champion for a few months then go back to doing his thing. I'd think he got in because it was thought he had another 7-10 years in him possibly. If he had, there's no telling what he would have done. That's where teh Sayers aspect comes in.

 

[Tastycles]

I'd think he got in because it was thought he had another 7-10 years in him possibly.

Really though? I mean he was in his late 30s, which is the twilight of the best of people's careers, and then you have to consider that he was a former drug addict. I just don't think his body would have taken much more, even if his heart didn't fail.

I'm just not convinced by the arguments that he would have gone on to be some sort of megastar. He was in his decline, and you have to remember that Cena, Batista, Edge and Orton were in the ascendency when he died. He may have won the title off Batista, granted, but I don't think he would have ended up doing much else.

 

[NOLUBEZ]

I think he got in because of his death to garner more ratings as the hall of fame doesn't really do huge ratings and for the record none of this is meant to be disrespectful to Eddie Guerrero or his "worshippers" and I say that because he's seems to have become the greatest ever or close to it since he died granted he was good and entertaining to watch for some reason though he just became so much better after his death and Vince realized that and ran with it hell Mysterio even got a Royal Rumble Win and World title run out of it and I believe the only reason he was put in so quickly was because fans were shocked and saddened by his early demise and Vince capitalized on it in every way. Sure he should've been put in eventually but not as soon as he was.