My Kingdom of Honor co-host and I are doing a new series exclusively for our Patreon subscribers called Wrecked with Rasslers. We are going to be choosing one wrestler and picking four matches or moments that we would want with us if we were stranded on a desert island. This series will focus on wrestling and wrestling only as the real-life stuff you can find else where. To listen to the series please check out our Patreon site here.
Coming from the Guerrero wrestling family, there was no doubt that Eddie was going to be a star. The business was in his blood and he was part of wrestling royalty. But Eddie didn't have things handed to him on a silver platter, he went out and busted his ass for everything he got. He was verse in many styles from Lucha Libre to chain wrestling and could adapt to perform with anyone. From his wars in New Japan and ECW to his time as the undeniable Latino Heat in WWE, Eddie had charisma in spades, an unmatched work ethic and the desire to turn every moment into gold. His life was unfortunately cut short but there is no denying that there is, was, and forever will be only one Eddie Guerrero. So lets take a look at the matches and moments that I personally feel represent Eddie best.
Ironically since we are limiting ourselves to only four matches, my absolute favorite versions of Eddie aren't being represented. After his heel turn in 1997, while with WCW, he showed us that undeniable charisma in every promo he did, every match he was in, and even when he sauntered down to the ring. The second period of time was when he teamed with Chavo in 2003. The los Guerrero's vignettes are some of the greatest things I have ever seen. Definitely take a look at that moment in time as it is one of the greatest moments I can remember. It speaks volumes to the catalog of matches Eddie had that my favorite Eddie periods can't even crack my top 4.
NJPW Super J-Cup 4/16/1994 vs Chris Benoit (Wild Pegasus)
Before ECW, before WCW and way before WWE Eddie wrestled as Black Tiger in NJPW. Before the match we get some pushing and a middle finger from Eddie right into Benoit's face. This one gave you a lot of the classic Eddie moves mixed with some great mat wrestling. Throw in some classic Benoit moves and some great heat between the two and you've got a match for the ages. There was a pop up huricanrana that was beautifully done by Eddie and a spring board huricanrana that had a chance to go south in a hurry but Eddie recovered his balance and performed it to perfection. A missed crossed body countered into an arm drag turned into a pin for Benoit and 25 years later this match still holds up as one of the greatest ever.
Raw 7/22/02 Vs the Rock
The match was brilliant, but paled in comparison to the promo that preceded it. Eddie stood toe to toe with the Rock in a verbal battle. The emotion that Eddie showed when he blamed the Rock for making his little girls cheer for someone other than their father was priceless. Jump forward to the main event and these two put on a fast passed match with a very fiery Eddie that proved what we all learned two years later. He is ready to hang with the heavyweights. Eddie countering the Rock Bottom into a roll up was a thing of beauty and the Rock looked like he was reeling for a good portion of the match. A Peoples Elbow and the Rock scoring the pinfall couldn't take away from the amazing performance that Eddie put on.
No way Out 2004 vs Brock Lesnar
The perfect redemption story for Eddie Guerrero came to a dramatic conclusion in this fantastic big man versus little man story. Eddie came in as the clear cut favorite and the fans were electric for him. Brock coming out to the ring first and letting the the challenger enter last helped build the suspense and made a rabid crowd even more energetic. Brock's speed and power vs Eddie's heart and resilience told such a beautiful David vs Goliath story that I could watch this match over and over again. The submissions moves that ate up a good portion of the second half of the match added to the drama and Eddie hitting the three amigos was impressive. Eddie misses the frog splash and eats an F-5 but the ref was down and couldn't count. Lesnar goes out to get the title belt, when he gets back in the ring, he gets hit with a spear by Goldberg. The crowd gets solidly behind Eddie who picks up the title belt and misses hitting Brock with it. He counters the F-5 into a DDT on the title belt, hits the frog splash for the pin and the crowd delivers one of the loudest pops I've ever heard.
ECW 8/7/95 vs Dean Malenko
Unfortunately the standoff to begin this match has been duplicated beyond all recognition of the greatness that was on display here, however, when Eddie and Dean did it, it was a thing of beauty. Some of the moves that Eddie pulled off showed unparalleled athleticism that made him look like Will Ospreay 20 years before there was Will Ospreay. This match was a technical masterpiece with just enough hard hits and fast paced action to make it an all time classic. Unlike their more famous and popular last match in ECW that ended with a double pin, this one ended up with a roll up and Eddie winning the TV title in the process.
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