The City of El Paso will be honoring the late Eddy Guerrero next week with a day dedicated to the former wrestling star.
Twenty years after his death at age 38, Guerrero will be recognized with “Eddy Guerrero Day” on November 18 with a ceremony at City Hall at 9 a.m. in El Paso.
The event is open to the public and will stream on YouTube, with fans encouraged to dress up and wear Lucha masks.
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Since he died in 2005, his legacy has continued through his influence over myriad performers, with “Eddy” chants continuing decades later during spots crafted by Rey & Dominik Mysterio, Mercedes Moné, and many others.
Guerrero lost his job with the WWE in November 2001 after a DUI, but turned his life around, attacking the independent scene and receiving high grades for his professionalism. It earned him a call from WWE and returned in April 2002 during the start of the brand split, and grew to become one of the most popular characters in the company.
After teaming with nephew Chavo in 2002 & 2003, they split the two up and Eddy soared to become WWE Champion in February 2004, defeating Brock Lesnar in San Francisco at the No Way Out pay-per-view.
He held the belt for four months, losing to JBL and remaining on the SmackDown brand. His last major program was with Rey Mysterio, which was a ratings bonanza for SmackDown on UPN and culminated with a ladder match at SummerSlam in 2005.
Guerrero was in a program with champion Dave Bautista when he died in November 2005 due to heart failure.
His death occurred hours before a double taping in Minneapolis, before the Raw & SmackDown crews were scheduled for the European tour. The shows went forward as tribute editions for Guerrero.
In the months ahead, Guerrero’s death was incorporated into a storyline involving Mysterio and Randy Orton, which received enormous criticism, including those affiliated with the company.
Shortly after his passing, WWE introduced its Wellness Policy and would induct Guerrero into its Hall of Fame the following year.
