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On November 13th 2005, one of the
most loved wrestling Superstars to ever step foot in the squared
circle passed away in his hotel room in Minneapolis, MN., just
hours before a scheduled RAW and Smackdown! tapings. On that
night, many believed that Eddie was going to win the World
Heavyweight Title from Batista, who was scheduled to take time
off to undergo back surgery. However, tragedy struck in the
morning of Sunday November 13th as the world of professional
wrestling was shocked and had to say yet another goodbye to
Latino Heat.
EDDIE
GUERRERO FOUND DEAD IN HOTEL ROOM
- Today the wrestling world was shocked by the death of
Eddie Guerrero. WWE.COM broke the story earlier today that
former WWE champion Eddie Guerrero was found dead in his
hotel room in Minneapolis, MN., this morning. One of the
most popular - and hated - wrestling Superstars to ever step
foot inside the squared circle, Guerrero - 38 years old -
developed an addiction to pain medication a couple of years
ago after a car accident that nearly ended his life in 1997.
In late 2001 he was arrested for drunk driving and WWE
released him from his contract a few days later. After
cleaning up himself from the 'demons', Guerrero was welcomed
back in WWE in April of 2002 and has been on a roll ever
since. Eddie is survived by his wife Vickie and his three
daughters. No cause of death has been released.
(Story originally published on November 13th 2005)
SMACKDOWN! MAIN EVENT CANCELED
- Next week's Smackdown! main event was supposed to have
a three way match for the WWE title, involving Randy Orton,
WWE champion Batista and Eddie Guerrero but with today's
tragic news, it is obvious that the plan will change and
most probably it will effect both RAW and Smackdown!
tapings. Batista looked like he was going to drop the title
so he can undergo back surgery and the possibility was that
Eddie was going to end up with the World Heavyweight Title,
starting his 2nd term as champion. Eddie's first successful
title reign ended after he revealed he couldn't take the
pressure of being champion anymore, and dropped the title to
JBL.
(Story originally published on November 13th 2005)
MEDIA
PICKS UP EDDIE'S DEATH
- Local Minneapolis CBS affiliate WCCO has picked up the
story of Eddie's passing along with the Minnesota Star
Tribute newspaper online. Other media who picked up the
story are the Associated Press, the United Press
International, KHBS-KHOG TV, the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
Bucyrus and others. The TNA Wrestling website also has a
note mentioning his death.
(Story originally published on November 13th 2005)
RAW,
SMACKDOWN! TO PAY TRIBUTE TO EDDIE
- It has been confirmed by Vince McMahon that tonight's RAW
and Smackdown! tapings will be a 4 hour (combined 2005) tribute
to Eddie Guerrero. WWE Superstars were given the option not
to wrestle just like when Owen Hart passed away. The
original formats for both shows were immediately scrapped
after today's tragic news. Vince McMahon - who appeared very
calm during the press conference - said that next week's
shows will feature the friends of Eddie Guerrero as they
give their thoughts on the former WWE champion. Smackdown!
will be taped prior to RAW. When asked by one of the members
of the media if he will be there, Chavo Guerrero told them
that he was given the option to fly back home, but Eddie
would want him to be part of the show so he is sticking
around.
(Story originally published on November 13th 2005)
MCMAHON,
CHAVO GUERRERO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE
- WWE.COM has a video of the press conference held
earlier today at the Target Center with Vince McMahon and
Chavo Guerrero. Some members of the media were present at
ringside as McMahon and Chavo answered questions regarding
the death of Eddie Guerrero, how it will effect the company,
tonight's TV tapings and much more. Check it out at WWE.COM.
(Story originally published on November 13th 2005)
MORE NEWS
ON EDDIE'S PASSING
- More details have been released regarding Eddie's
death from this morning. A hotel security member informed
Chavo Guerrero that his uncle missed the wake up call he had
set. Wade Keller from the Pro Wrestling Torch is reporting
that Guerrero was found laying on the bathroom floor with a
toothbrush in his mouth. Guerrero was staying at the
Marriott City Center hotel and police were called in at
around 7:30AM. Attempts were made to revive him however it
was too late. In the press conference, his nephew Chavo said
that the two were supposed to meet for breakfast but Eddie
opted to get in-room service. The two had just arrived
earlier from a flight from Phoenix. The Hennepin County
Medical Examiner was called to the scene but authorities are
being tight-lipped about releasing information regarding his
death.
(Story originally published on November 13th 2005)
YAHOO,
FOX NEWS, CBS AND OTHERS ADD GUERRERO STORY
- Yahoo!, popular Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta
Dello Sport and other news websites added the Eddie Guerrero
story today. On Yahoo!, Eddie's passing made it on the front
page in the Entertainment section with the headline 'WWE
Smackdown!' star Guerrero dies' while over at Fox News a
picture of Guerrero is accompanied by the headline 'WWE Star
Dead' on the 'Today's Features' section. On the Italian
newspaper which never covers pro wrestling, they have an
article explaining Eddie's death. Smackdown! is pretty
popular in Italy with Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio the
most popular ever since John Cena moved to RAW. Other media
outlets who also reported it include CBS News, Sports
Illustrated, Houston Chronicle, Contact Music, El Paso
Times, NBC 10 Philly, USA Today and others.
(Story originally published on November 14th 2005)
WWE SENDS OUT PRESS RELEASE ON GUERRERO'S DEATH
- A press release issued today by WWE said that the company
is deeply saddened for the loss of the 38 year old Eddie
Guerrero, passed away yesterday in his hotel room in
Minneapolis, MN. The press release is very short and noted
that Eddie was the first ever Mexican-American to become a
WWE Champion, by defeating Brock Lesnar at No Way Out in
February of 2004. It is interesting to point out that
Minneapolis was also the city where Brian Pillman was
discovered dead in his hotel room on October 5th 1997.
(Story originally published on November 14th 2005)
RAW
PREVIEW FOR NOVEMBER 14th
- RAW and Smackdown! taped yesterday were tribute shows to
Eddie Guerrero. Superstars from both rosters appeared on
both shows as angles where thrown out of the windows for
this week as WWE Superstars reflected on Eddie's life. Seven
matches were taped for tonight's show. These are Eugene vs
Simon Dean; Shelton Benjamin vs Kurt Angle; Rey Mysterio vs
Shawn Michaels; Ric Flair vs William Regal; Big Show & Kane
vs MNM; a Diva Battle Royal; and John Cena vs Randy Orton.
There are also loads of backstage interviews as Superstars
give their thoughts on Eddie Guerrero.
(Story originally published on November 14th 2005)
FUNERAL
SERVICE FOR EDDIE GUERRERO
- Funeral service for Eddie Guerrero will be held this
Wednesday at 1:30PM, while most of the WWE Superstars will
be in Europe for a loaded tour. Not all WWE Superstars went
on the European tour which starts tomorrow in Italy, and the
show, although will go on as scheduled, will not have all
the advertised Superstars. Many are staying for the funeral
and then they leave for the rest of the tour. Dean Malenko
and Chris Benoit - two of Eddie's closest friends - flew
with the body from Minneapolis. Superstar Billy Graham, who
is a close friend of Guerrero as well and lives nearby in
Phoenix, will be conducting the funeral service along with a
friend at Billy Graham’s church.
(Updated: November 14th 2005)
AUTOPSY DONE ON GUERRERO
- The Minnesota Star Tribune has revealed in today's online
edition that the Hennepin County medical examiner conducted
an autopsy on Eddie Guerrero yesterday but said the cause of
death may not be known for weeks. Local police have said
there were no signs of foul play or indications that his
death was a suicide. Guerrero will be buried in Phoenix, AZ.
(Story originally published on November 15th 2005)
EDDIE
FUNERAL ON THURSDAY
- The word going around is that Eddie's funeral will be held
on Thursday now in Arizona, and not tomorrow. WWE.COM posted
a note from Eddie's wife Vicikie, thanking the fans for
their support and to respect the privacy of the family as
the funeral will be closed to public. Dave Meltzer of the
Observer reported that Chris Benoit, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Rey
Mysterio and JBL will join the WWE European tour later in
the week as they are staying for the funeral.
(Story originally published on November 15th 2005)
UPN SENDS MESSAGE ON GUERRERO
- UPN, the network that carries Smackdown!, has issued a
statement regarding the death of Eddie Guerrero. "All of us
at UPN are deeply saddened by the passing of WWE Superstar
Eddie Guerrero. An incredible performer, who has been a fan
favorite on Smackdown, Eddie will be truly missed, and our
thoughts are with his family and friends." Guerrero was
arguably one of the most popular Superstars in Smackdown!
history and one of the reasons WWE is so popular with the
Hispanic audience.
(Story originally published on November 16th 2005)
FANS TUNE TO RAW FOR LARGEST AUDIENCE
- The Eddie Guerrero tribute show on RAW generated a lot of
interest from WWE fans and others who tuned to the broadcast
as WWE Superstars said their final goodbyes to their friend.
RAW on Monday pulled a 4.5 rating with a 6.6 share for the
two hour broadcast, its best number of the year. It had
hours of 4.6 and 4.4. In weekend ratings, AM RAW did a 0.6
with a 1.5 share.
(Story originally published on November 16th 2005)
MORE VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ON EDDIE
- WWE.COM has added tons of other video testimonials on
Eddie. These include messages from Eric Bischoff, Ted
DiBiase, Trish Stratus, Matt Hardy, Booker T and Sharmell,
Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Michael Hayes and many other
friends and colleagues. You can check them out. Rob Van Dam and Jim Ross also sent in their
message which you can read on WWE.COM.
(Story originally published on November 16th 2005)
HEART
FAILURE ATTRIBUTED TO EDDIE'S DEATH
- Preliminary reports of the autopsy on Eddie Guerrero
suggests a heart failure according to his wife Vickie. "It
was heart failure. It was from his past - the drinking and
the drug abuse. They found signs of heart disease. She (the
examiner 2005) said that the blood vessels were very worn and
narrow, and that just showed all the abuse from the
scheduling of work and his past," she said. Vickie also said
that for the past week Eddie wasn't feeling to well but he
thought he was just "road tired". Unfortunately those were
the first signs of the horrible circumstances which occur ed
on Sunday morning. "It made his heart grow bigger and work
harder and the vessels were getting smaller, and that's what
caused the heart failure. He went into a deep sleep."
(Story originally published on November 16th 2005)
EDGE, ARN ANDERSON SHARE THEIR EDDIE STORIES
- Edge and Arn Anderson were interviewed by WWE.COM to
give their thoughts and reaction to Eddie Guerrero's death
this past Sunday. Edge was unable to attend Sunday's tapings
due to his injury and was very emotional over the phone,
explaining how it was his mom who actually told him about
Eddie's passing. You can listen to them at WWE.COM.
(Story originally published on November 17th 2005)
GUERRERO
TRIBUTE SHIRT, ARMBAND
- WWE has released an Eddie Guerrero tribute t-shirt and
armband like the Superstars wore during RAW last Monday with
all proceedings being donated to the Guerrero family. The
price is $20 for the shirt, which is $5 less than the other
normal WWE t-shirts and the armband goes for $4. You can
check out a screen shot of the shirt. Interesting to note is that seven out of the top
ten items on the WWEShop.com website are all Eddie related.
Vince McMahon in the press conference on Sunday afternoon
stated that Eddie's family will receive royalties "for life"
from merchandise or anything else that has Eddie in it.
(Story originally published on November 17th 2005)
FUNERAL
SERVICE HELD FOR EDDIE GUERRERO
- Funeral for Eddie Guerrero was held yesterday in
Scottsdale, AZ., in a service led by WWE Hall of Famer
'Superstar' Billy Graham. Dave Meltzer of the Observer is
reporting that tons of WWE Superstars attended the ceremony
including Chris Benoit, John 'Bradshaw' Layfield, Rey
Mysterio, Dean Malenko, Edge, Lita, Shane Helms, Doug
Basham, Torrie Wilson, C.M. Punk, Jamie Noble, Kevin Dunn,
John Laurinaitis, Michael Hayes, Steve Austin and the entire
McMahon family. Other non-WWE personnel included Tom and
Bruce Pritchard, Billy Anderson, Charlie Haas, Jackie Gayda,
Mark Jindrak, Konnan, Gail Kim, Mike Tenay, Christian, Billy
Kidman, Sting, Tommy Drake and of course the whole Guerrero
family.
(Story originally published on November 18th 2005)
OFFICIAL
CAUSE OF DEATH RELEASED
- The official report of the death of Eddie Guerrero was
released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner today. The
report states that Guerrero died of natural causes related
to arteriosclerotic heart disease. Guerrero's blood vessels
that supply blood and oxygen to the heart were narrow which
contributed to his death. The former WWE champion was found
dead in his hotel room in Minneapolis, MN., on Sunday
November 13th.
(Story originally published on December 8th 2005)
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