View source for Eddie Guerrero

{{Short description|American professional wrestler (1967–2005)}}
{{family name hatnote|Guerrero|Llanes|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name               = Eddie Guerrero
| image              = Eddie Guerrero 2004.jpg
| caption            = Guerrero in 2004
| birth_name         = Eduardo Gory Guerrero Llanes<ref name="AutobiogName" />
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1967|10|9}}
| birth_place        = [[El Paso, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2005|11|13|1967|10|09}}
| death_place        = [[Minneapolis|Minneapolis, Minnesota]], U.S.
| spouse             = {{Marriage|[[Vickie Guerrero]]|April 24, 1990}}<!--As marriage ended by death of Guerrero, not by death of his spouse, the year 2005 is omitted here. See instructions on [[Template:Marriage]] for more info-->
| children           = 3, including  [[Shaul Guerrero]] 
| family             = [[Guerrero family|Guerrero]]
| alma_mater         = [[New Mexico Highlands University]]
| names              = Black Tiger (II)<ref name="OWOW"/><br/>El Caliente<ref name="OWOW"/><br/>Eddie Guerrero<br/>Eddy Guerrero<ref name="WCW">{{cite web|url=http://www.wcw.com/superstars/guerrero.shtml|title=WCW Bio|access-date=June 23, 2008|publisher=WCW|archive-url=https://archive.today/19990508150440/http://www.wcw.com/superstars/guerrero.shtml|archive-date=May 8, 1999}}</ref><br/>Gory Guerrero Jr.<ref name="OWOW"/><br/>Máscara Mágica<ref name="OWOW"/>
<br/>Latino Heat<ref name="OWOW"/>
| height             = 5 ft 8 in<ref name="WWESupers"/>
| weight             = 220 lb<ref name="WWESupers">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/eddieguerrero|title=Eddie Guerrero Hall of Fame profile|access-date=December 15, 2018|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=August 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818200025/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/eddieguerrero|url-status=live}}</ref>
| billed             = El Paso, Texas, U.S.<ref name="WCW"/><ref name="WWESupers"/>
| trainer            = [[Gory Guerrero]]
| debut              = September 5, 1986<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name=rfecw71/>
}}
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}
'''Eduardo Gory Guerrero Llanes'''<ref name="AutobiogName" /> (October 9, 1967 – November 13, 2005)<ref name="OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/e/eddie-guerrero.html|title=Eddie Guerrero Profile|access-date=March 23, 2008|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling|archive-date=August 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829202725/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/e/eddie-guerrero.html|url-status=live}}</ref> was an American [[professional wrestler]]. He was best known for his tenures in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) and the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) / [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE), along with his appearances in Mexico and Japan. A prominent member of the [[Guerrero wrestling family]], being the son of first-generation wrestler [[Gory Guerrero]], he is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential professional wrestlers of all time.

Guerrero's [[gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] was that of "Latino Heat", a crafty, resourceful wrestler who would do anything to win a match. His [[catchphrase]] became "I Lie! I Cheat! I Steal!" and was used in one of his entrance themes; he partly used this phrase in the title of his 2005 autobiography, ''Cheating Death, Stealing Life''. Despite being a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] for most of his career, he was [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Over|popular]] in and out of the ring and was at the peak of his career as a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] during 2003–2005, becoming the top wrestler on the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]] in 2004. He experienced various [[substance abuse]] problems, including [[alcoholism]] and an addiction to [[Analgesic|painkillers]]; these real-life issues were sometimes incorporated into his [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#A|storylines]].

Guerrero spent much of his early career wrestling on the [[Mexican professional wrestling]] scene and forming a popular [[tag team]] with [[Art Barr]]. After the death of Barr, Guerrero received his first mainstream exposure in the United States in 1995 by joining ECW and winning the [[ECW World Television Championship]] two times. Later that year, Guerrero moved to WCW, where he became [[WCW United States Champion]] and [[WCW Cruiserweight Champion]] and also led the [[Latino World Order]]. He left WCW in 2000 after the company failed to elevate him to a main event spot.

He moved to WWF during the [[Attitude Era]] with his WCW colleagues [[Chris Benoit]], [[Dean Malenko]] and [[Perry Saturn]], who formed a group called [[The Radicalz]]. Guerrero went on to win the [[WWF European Championship]] and [[WWF Intercontinental Championship]] before he was released in 2001 due to addiction issues. After being rehired in 2002, he formed [[Los Guerreros]] with his nephew [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo]], winning the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]], and established himself on the SmackDown brand. He climbed to [[main event]] status and won the [[WWE Championship]], his sole [[World heavyweight championship (professional wrestling)|world championship]] at [[No Way Out 2004]]. He lost the title [[The Great American Bash (2004)|later that year]] but remained a popular main eventer until his sudden death on November 13, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE |url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/eddieguerrero |access-date=March 4, 2023 |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322211219/https://www.wwe.com/superstars/eddieguerrero |url-status=live }}</ref> He was posthumously inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]], [[AAA Hall of Fame]], [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' Hall of Fame]], and [[Hardcore Hall of Fame]].

== Early life ==
Guerrero was born and raised in [[El Paso, Texas]],<ref name="WCW"/><ref name="WWESupers"/> where he graduated from [[Jefferson High School (El Paso, Texas)|Thomas Jefferson High School]] (La Jeff) in 1985. He attended the [[University of New Mexico]], and then [[New Mexico Highlands University]] on an [[athletic scholarship]]. It was there that Guerrero entered [[collegiate wrestling]] before moving to Mexico to train as a professional wrestler.<ref name=rfecw71>{{cite book|title=The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling|last1=Loverro|first1=Thom|first2=Paul|last2=Heyman|author3=Tazz|first4=Tommy|last4=Dreamer|year=2006|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=1-4165-1058-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/71 71]|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/71}}</ref> He followed in the footsteps of his brothers and father, who had also wrestled in Mexico. As a boy, he would attend the wrestling promotions held by his father [[Gory Guerrero]] at the [[El Paso County Coliseum]]. Guerrero's father allowed him and his nephew [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo]] to wrestle each other during intermissions.

== Professional wrestling career ==
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2016}}

===Early career (1986–1992)===
Guerrero debuted in 1986. In 1989, he appeared with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) as a [[Job (professional wrestling)#Jobbers|jobber]], most notably wrestling [[Terry Funk]]. In 1991, he would return for [[WrestleWar '91]], wrestling a [[dark match]], teaming with [[Leonardo Carrera|Ultraman]] to defeat Huichol and Rudy Boy Gonzalez. Guerrero wrestled as the original "Máscara Mágica" in [[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre]] (CMLL) until his departure in 1992. He then left the company to pursue a career with [[Asistencia Asesoría y Administración]]. Although the Máscara Mágica [[gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] was popular, CMLL owned the rights to the character. Guerrero then appeared on a televised AAA show as Máscara Mágica, only to then unmask himself along with the aid of his tag team partner that night, [[Octagón]].

=== Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (1992–1995) ===
{{see also|Los Gringos Locos}}
In Mexico, Guerrero wrestled mainly for [[Asistencia Asesoría y Administración]] (AAA), teaming with [[El Hijo del Santo]] as the new version of La Pareja Atómica (The Atomic Pair), the [[tag team]] of Gory Guerrero and [[El Santo]].

After Guerrero [[List of professional wrestling terms#Turn|turned]] on Santo and allied with [[Art Barr]] as "la Pareja del Terror" ("the Pair of Terror"), the duo became arguably the most hated tag team in [[lucha libre]] history.<ref name="OWOW"/> Along with Barr, [[Konnan]], Chicano Power, and [[Louie Spicolli|Madonna's Boyfriend]], Guerrero formed [[los Gringos Locos]] ("the Crazy Americans"), a villainous [[List of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]].<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="losgringoslocos">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/los-gringos-locos.html|title=Los Gringos Locos' Profile|access-date=March 23, 2008|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling|archive-date=December 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231075228/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/los-gringos-locos.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Guerrero later said that no matter how many people joined los Gringos Locos, the stable was all about Barr. Locos feuded mostly with El Hijo del Santo and his partner [[Octagón]], eventually ending in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Luchas de apuestas|Hair vs. Mask match]] at the first Lucha [[pay-per-view]] in America, ''[[AAA When Worlds Collide|When Worlds Collide]]'', which they lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/aaa/la.html#1194|title=When Worlds Collide results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162847/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/aaa/la.html#1194|url-status=live}}</ref>

Guerrero and Barr's first break would come when they were noticed in late-1994 by the owner of [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW), [[Paul Heyman]], and were approached about wrestling for him in 1995. Barr, however, died before he could join ECW with Guerrero.

=== New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1992–1996) ===
In 1992, Guerrero began wrestling in Japan for [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW), where he was known as the second incarnation of [[Black Tiger (professional wrestling)|Black Tiger]]. He became more successful upon his return when he won the [[Best of the Super Juniors#1996|1996 Best of the Super Juniors tournament]] of [[Cruiserweight (professional wrestling)|junior heavyweights]]. He received a shot at the [[IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship|IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion]] [[The Great Sasuke]] at Skydiving J, but lost the match.<ref name="wcw96">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#1996|title=Eddie Guerrero's WCW Career (1996)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#1996|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995) ===
Guerrero won the [[ECW World Television Championship]] from [[2 Cold Scorpio]] in his debut match for [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW) on April 8, 1995, at [[ECW Three Way Dance|Three Way Dance]].<ref name=rfecw85>{{cite book|title=The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling|last1=Loverro|first1=Thom|first2=Paul|last2=Heyman|author3=Tazz|first4=Tommy|last4=Dreamer|year=2006|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=1-4165-1058-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/85 85]|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/85}}</ref><ref name="ecwtv">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/history/ecwtvtitlehistory/|title=ECW World Television Championship history|access-date=March 13, 2008|publisher=WWE|archive-date=February 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229141746/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/history/ecwtvtitlehistory|url-status=live}}</ref> He went on to have a series of acclaimed matches with [[Dean Malenko]] before they both signed with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) later that year.<ref name=btr85>{{cite book|title=Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures|last=Fritz|first=Brian|year=2006|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=1-55022-726-2|page=85}}</ref> Guerrero lost the [[ECW World Television Championship]] to Malenko on July 21 of that year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995c.html#072195|title=ECW results – July 21, 1995|date=July 21, 1995|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514004735/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995c.html#072195|url-status=live}}</ref> but Guerrero regained the title on July 28.<ref name="ecwtv"/> Guerrero lost the ECW Television Championship back to 2 Cold Scorpio on August 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995c.html#082595|title=ECW results – August 25, 1995|date=August 25, 1995|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514004735/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995c.html#082595|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, they had their last match which ended in a draw in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Series variations|two out of three falls match]] at the [[The Arena (Philadelphia)|ECW Arena]]. After the match, the locker room emptied and the two were carried around the ring by their fellow wrestlers while the crowd chanted "please don't go".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995c.html#082695|title=ECW results – August 26, 1995|date=August 26, 1995|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514004735/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995c.html#082695|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== World Championship Wrestling (1995–2000)===
==== Beginning (1995–1996) ====
Guerrero returned to WCW in mid-1995 along with Dean Malenko and [[Chris Benoit]] with whom he had worked with in NJPW and ECW.<ref name=btr85/><ref name=btr86>{{cite book|title=Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures|last=Fritz|first=Brian|year=2006|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=1-55022-726-2|page=86}}</ref> Guerrero competed in his first match on August 30, losing to Malenko, which aired on the October 7 episode of ''[[WCW Saturday Night|Saturday Night]]''. Guerrero made his televised debut in WCW on the September 17 episode of ''[[WCW Main Event|Main Event]]'' against [[Alex Wright]] in a match which ended in a no contest after Guerrero injured his knee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#95|title=Fall Brawl 1995 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413111226/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#95|url-status=live}}</ref> Guerrero won a rematch against Wright on the October 21 episode of ''Saturday Night''. His first televised pay-per-view appearance was at [[World War 3 (1995)|World War 3]] where he competed in the 3-ring, 60-man World War 3 battle royal for the vacant [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]]. Guerrero was one of the final nine men in the battle royal (notably being one of only two men in the group to be under the age of 35, the other being [[Big Show|The Giant]]) until he was tossed out of the ring by [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#1995|title=Eddie Guerrero's WCW Career (1995)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#1995|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#95|title=World War 3 1995 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=June 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623095355/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#95|url-status=live}}</ref>

At [[Starrcade (1995)|Starrcade: World Cup of Wrestling]] in December 1995, Guerrero represented WCW in a WCW vs. NJPW World Cup tournament, which saw him losing to [[Shinjiro Otani]] in the match, but WCW would go on to win the series at 4–3.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#95|title=Starrcade 1995 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=February 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222221018/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#95|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, Guerrero received several shots at the [[WWE United States Championship|United States Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Konnan]] at [[Uncensored (1996)|Uncensored]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#96|title=Uncensored 1996 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=June 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623212141/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#96|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Ric Flair]] at [[WCW Hog Wild|Hog Wild]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#96|title=Hog Wild results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=April 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420063202/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#96|url-status=live}}</ref> He feuded with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen during 1996 after Guerrero's partner [[Arn Anderson]] turned on him during a tag team match against Ric Flair and [[Randy Savage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/slambore.html#96|title=Slamboree 1996 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=August 22, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020822184216/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/slambore.html#96|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Championship reigns (1996–1997) ====
In late 1996, he feuded with [[Diamond Dallas Page]] after defeating him in a match at ''[[Clash of the Champions XXXIII]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXXIII |title=Clash of the Champions XXXIII results |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128103446/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html |archive-date=November 28, 2010 }}</ref> He started feuding with DDP to steal his [[nickname]] of "Lord of the Ring", but lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#96|title=Halloween Havoc 1996 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=March 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331015039/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#96|url-status=live}}</ref> Guerrero participated in a tournament for the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Championship and defeated DDP in the final round at [[Starrcade (1996)|Starrcade]] to win the United States title in December 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445413112 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first United States Championship reign |access-date=February 15, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127070159/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445413112 |archive-date=November 27, 2005 }}</ref>

In 1997, Guerrero defended the United States Heavyweight Championship against [[Scott Norton]] at ''[[Clash of the Champions XXXIV]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXXIV |title=Clash of the Champions XXXIV |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216015015/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html |archive-date=February 16, 2008 }}</ref> [[Sean Waltman|Syxx]] in a [[ladder match]] at [[Souled Out (1997)|Souled Out]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/nwoppv.html#97|title=Souled Out 1997 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=June 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623094940/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/nwoppv.html#97|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Chris Jericho]] at [[SuperBrawl VII]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VII|title=SuperBrawl VII results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=June 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623094945/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VII|url-status=live}}</ref> His reign came to an end at [[Uncensored (1997)|Uncensored]] when Dean Malenko defeated him for the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#97|title=Uncensored 1997 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=June 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623212141/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#97|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the title loss, Guerrero defeated Malenko in a non-title rematch on the next night's ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Monday Nitro]]'' before taking time off. He returned to WCW after a two-month hiatus on the June 9 episode of ''Monday Nitro'' and avenged the title loss by interfering in Malenko's title defense against [[Jeff Jarrett]] and attacking Malenko, costing him the title and turning heel in the process.

Shortly after his return, Guerrero feuded with Jericho focusing on Jericho's [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|Cruiserweight Championship]]. He challenged Jericho for the title at ''[[Clash of the Champions XXXV]]'' but lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXXV |title=Clash of the Champions XXXV results |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421024241/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html |archive-date=April 21, 2008 }}</ref> Guerrero demanded a rematch for the title. In the opening match of [[Fall Brawl (1997)|Fall Brawl]], Guerrero defeated Jericho to win the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/349956 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first Cruiserweight Championship reign |access-date=February 15, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219170913/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/349956 |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}</ref> He [[List of professional wrestling terms#D|dropped]] the title to [[Rey Mysterio Jr.]] at [[Halloween Havoc (1997)|Halloween Havoc]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Luchas de apuestas|title vs. mask match]] where Mysterio's mask was also on the line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#97|title=Halloween Havoc 1997 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=March 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331015039/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#97|url-status=live}}</ref> On the November 10 episode of ''Monday Nitro'', he regained the Cruiserweight Championship from Mysterio,<ref name="cruiser">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/|title=WWE Cruiserweight Championship official title history|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=February 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219195259/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser|url-status=live}}</ref> and made a successful title defense against Mysterio at [[World War 3 (1997)|World War 3]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#97|title=World War 3 1997 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=June 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623095355/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#97|url-status=live}}</ref> After retaining the title against [[Dean Malenko]] in the opening bout of [[Starrcade (1997)|Starrcade]] in December 1997,<ref name=411mania>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/48457|title=The Furious Flashbacks – WCW Starrcade '97|first=Arnold|last=Furious|date=January 19, 2007|publisher=411mania|access-date=June 10, 2008|archive-date=February 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202160837/http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/48457|url-status=live}}</ref> Guerrero dropped the title to [[Último Dragón]] the following day on the December 29 episode of ''Nitro''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/nitro122997 |title=WCW Nitro: December 29, 1997 |date=December 27, 1997 |publisher=The Other Arena |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026201049/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997%2Fnitro122997 |archive-date=October 26, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== Latino World Order; Filthy Animals (1998–2000) ====
{{Main|Latino World Order|Filthy Animals}}

On the March 9, 1998 episode of ''Nitro'', Guerrero's nephew [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]] lost to [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] in a match. After the match, Guerrero delivered a suplex to Chavo for the main purpose of  teaching him a lesson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro030998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060115200837/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998%2Fnitro030998 |archive-date=January 15, 2006 |title=WCW Nitro: March 9, 1998 |date=March 9, 1998 |publisher=The Other Arena |url-status=dead }}</ref> On the March 12 episode of ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]'', he defeated his nephew Chavo in a match and forced him to become his "slave".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/thunder031298 |title=WCW Thunder: March 12, 1998 |date=March 12, 1998 |publisher=The Other Arena |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010521223311/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998%2Fthunder031298 |archive-date=May 21, 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At [[Uncensored (1998)|Uncensored]], Chavo was forced to support Guerrero when he faced Booker T for Booker's [[WCW World Television Championship]]. Guerrero lost the match after receiving a [[Dropkick#Missile dropkick|missile dropkick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#98|title=Uncensored 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=December 22, 2007|archive-date=June 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623212141/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#98|url-status=live}}</ref> Guerrero and Chavo feuded with Último Dragón. Chavo lost to Dragón at [[Spring Stampede (1998)|Spring Stampede]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#98|title=Spring Stampede 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=January 31, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131210018/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#98|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Slamboree (1998)|Slamboree]], Guerrero defeated Dragón despite interference from Chavo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/slambore.html#98|title=Slamboree 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=August 22, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020822184216/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/slambore.html#98|url-status=live}}</ref> After the match, Chavo kissed Eddie and began to display insane behavior. At [[The Great American Bash (1998)|The Great American Bash]], Chavo got an upset victory over Guerrero.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#98|title=The Great American Bash 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=February 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220014859/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#98|url-status=live}}</ref> They faced each other in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Luchas de apuestas|hair vs. hair match]] at [[Bash at the Beach (1998)|Bash at the Beach]] which Guerrero won. Continuing to show his crazy behavior Chavo would shave his own head while Guerrero looked on in disbelief.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#98|title=Bash at the Beach 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=April 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406041758/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#98|url-status=live}}</ref> Guerrero saved Chavo from beatings by [[Stevie Ray]], seeming that he would align with Chavo but he wanted his release.<ref name="wcw98">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#1998|title=Eddie Guerrero's WCW Career (1998)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#1998|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite his success and popularity, Guerrero had been one of many wrestlers who were frustrated at never being given a chance to be main event stars in WCW. These frustrations came to a head when Guerrero requested that WCW President [[Eric Bischoff]] either [[Push (professional wrestling)|push]] his character or give him a raise for family reasons. Bischoff responded by allegedly throwing [[coffee]] at Guerrero (however, in his autobiography, Guerrero states that Bischoff accidentally knocked his coffee off the table and that it was a complete accident that he was hit). Furious, Guerrero demanded Bischoff release him from his contract on a live episode of ''Nitro''. Guerrero then left the company for months, angry at Bischoff for what he had done. Guerrero later returned to WCW, leading to the belief that maybe Guerrero's angry speeches against Bischoff were a [[List of professional wrestling terms#W|work]] (Guerrero later confirmed it to be a [[Shoot (professional wrestling)|worked shoot]]). Guerrero would later contradict himself on WWE's [[DVD]] ''Monday Night War'' claiming that he tried to put personal differences aside for the good of the company, yet found himself angry and outraged once more because of Bischoff's supposed continued refusal to elevate Guerrero and other similar wrestlers. He let [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Brian Adams]] pin him and get an upset victory in a match.<ref name="wcw98"/>

On-screen, Guerrero responded to Bischoff's actions by forming the Latino World Order (LWO), which was a take-off of Bischoff's [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]].<ref name="lwo">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/lwo.html|title=Latino World Order (lWo) Profile|publisher=[[Cauliflower Alley Club|Online World of Wrestling]]|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=November 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106080151/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/lwo.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The group was an answer to Bischoff's "refusal" to push Latino wrestlers in ways they felt they deserved.<ref name="lwo"/> The LWO was formed in October when Guerrero returned to WCW, with [[Héctor Garza]] and [[Leonardo Carrera|Damien]].<ref name="wcw98"/> The group eventually grew to encompass almost all the Mexican wrestlers working for WCW at the time. They mainly feuded with Rey Mysterio Jr. and [[Billy Kidman]] because they wanted Mysterio to join the group. He faced Kidman in a match for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship, but Mysterio interfered and helped Kidman win the match and keep the title.<ref name="wcw98"/> However, Guerrero was involved in a car accident on New Year's Day 1999 that cut short the LWO storyline.

After his return on the May 31, 1999 episode of ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Monday Nitro]]'', Guerrero became a founding member of the [[Filthy Animals]] alongside Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/f/filthy-animals.html|title=Filthy Animals Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=September 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012841/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/f/filthy-animals.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They feuded with the [[Raven's Nest#Necro Ward/Dead Pool/Dark Carnival|Dead Pool]] ([[Insane Clown Posse]] and [[Vampiro]]). They received two straight victories over the Dead Pool at [[Road Wild (1999)|Road Wild]] and [[Fall Brawl (1999)|Fall Brawl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#99|title=Road Wild 1999 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=April 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420063202/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#99|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#99|title=Fall Brawl 1999 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413111226/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#99|url-status=live}}</ref> They next feuded with [[Revolution (WCW)|Revolution]] ([[Shane Douglas]], [[Chris Benoit]], Dean Malenko, and [[Perry Saturn]]). Guerrero was victorious over Saturn by disqualification in a singles match at [[Halloween Havoc (1999)|Halloween Havoc]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#99|title=Halloween Havoc 1999 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=March 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331015039/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#99|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Mayhem (1999)|Mayhem]], the Animals lost to Revolution in a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Elimination tag team matches|mixed tag team elimination match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/mayhem.html#99|title=Mayhem 1999 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=February 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222223010/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/mayhem.html#99|url-status=live}}</ref> When [[Vince Russo]] was fired as WCW [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#B|booker]] and replaced by [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]], Guerrero asked for and received a release from his contract on January 19, 2000.<ref name=btr48>{{cite book|title=Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures|last=Fritz|first=Brian|year=2006|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=1-55022-726-2|page=48}}</ref> He signed with the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) in 2000 along with fellow WCW stars Benoit, Malenko, and Saturn.

=== World Wrestling Federation (2000–2001) ===
{{main|The Radicalz}}

[[Image:Val Venis vs. Eddie - King of the Ring 2000.jpg|thumb|Guerrero (upside down) performing a Hurricarana on [[Val Venis]] at [[King of the Ring (2000)|King of the Ring]] in June 2000]]
Guerrero, [[Chris Benoit]], [[Dean Malenko]] and [[Perry Saturn]] debuted in the WWF on the January 31, 2000 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw is War]]'' as [[The Radicalz]], interfering in a match involving [[The New Age Outlaws]], establishing themselves as faces.<ref name=btr51>{{cite book|title=Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures|last=Fritz|first=Brian|year=2006|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=1-55022-726-2|page=51}}</ref> During his first match with the WWF, a tag team match with Perry Saturn against The New Age Outlaws, Guerrero performed a [[frog splash]] off the top rope and dislocated his elbow when he landed the move; as a result, he was sidelined for several weeks. Guerrero and Saturn had originally been booked to defeat The New Age Outlaws, but due to his injury, Guerrero panicked and told [[Road Dogg]], who was in the tag team match with [[Billy Gunn]] against Guerrero and Saturn, to immediately pin him.<ref name="wwf2000">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2000|title=Eddie Guerrero's WWF Career (2000)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2000|url-status=live}}</ref>
After losing their "tryout matches" upon entry, The Radicalz aligned themselves with WWF Champion Triple H and became a heel faction.

In March, Guerrero, who was wrestling as a heel, began pursuing the affections of [[Chyna]], who he referred to as his "Mamacita". At the time, Chyna was allies with [[Chris Jericho]] and initially rejected his advances. On the April 3 episode of ''Raw is War'', Guerrero faced off against Jericho for the [[WWE European Championship|WWF European Championship]]. During the match, Chyna turned on Jericho and helped Guerrero win, and later explained her actions by declaring that she could not resist his "Latino Heat".<ref name="wwf2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm16/results/ |title=WrestleMania 2000 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201071437/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm16/results/ |archive-date=December 1, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro/358878 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first European Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224031506/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro/358878 |archive-date=February 24, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="raw2000">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_2000/ |title=RAW is WAR results, 2000 |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607173238/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_2000/ |archive-date=June 7, 2008 }}</ref> After Guerrero abandoned [[Lita (wrestler)|Lita]] to be attacked by [[The Dudley Boyz]], he and Chyna began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with [[Mr. Águila|Essa Rios]] and Lita, ending in a European title defense at [[Backlash (2000)|Backlash]] on April 30, which was also billed as the night of Guerrero's [[prom]] (he was said to have just earned a [[General Educational Development|GED]]). Guerrero defeated Rios after arriving at ringside in a 1957 [[Chevrolet]], even wrestling in his tuxedo pants and a [[bow tie]].<ref name="wwf2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2000/results/ |title=Backlash 2000 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223181833/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2000/results/ |archive-date=February 23, 2008 }}</ref> Guerrero turned face and successfully retained the title against former Radicalz friends Saturn and Malenko in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]] at [[Judgment Day (2000)|Judgment Day]] on May 21,<ref name="wwf2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2000/results/ |title=Judgment Day 2000 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215122749/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2000/results/ |archive-date=February 15, 2008 }}</ref> before losing the title to Saturn at [[Fully Loaded (2000)|Fully Loaded]] on July 23.<ref name="wwf2000"/> The two slowly began to become popular with the fans, but 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 (2000)|King of the Ring]] tournament.<ref name="wwf2000"/> Then at [[SummerSlam (2000)|SummerSlam]] on August 27, Guerrero and Chyna wrestled an Intergender tag team match against [[Trish Stratus]] and [[Val Venis]], who at the time was the reigning [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Champion]]. The Intercontinental Championship was on the line in the match, and whoever scored the pin would win the title. Guerrero's team won the match, but Chyna scored the pin on Trish and became a two-time Intercontinental Champion.<ref name="wwf2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2000/results/ |title=SummerSlam 2000 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621022644/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2000/results/ |archive-date=June 21, 2007 }}</ref> Although Guerrero said he did not mind that Chyna was the champion, on the September 4 episode of ''Raw is War'' he went to WWF Commissioner [[Mick Foley]] and asked to be inserted into Chyna's title defense against [[Kurt Angle]] claiming that he did not want Angle to hurt his "mamacita". During the course of the match, Angle knocked down Chyna with the title belt and Guerrero laid on top of her to try to revive her. However, this resulted in Guerrero "accidentally" [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinning]] Chyna as her shoulders were still on the mat, and thus Guerrero won the match and his first Intercontinental Championship.<ref name="wwf2000"/><ref name="raw2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322640 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first Intercontinental Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221163609/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322640 |archive-date=February 21, 2008 }}</ref> 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 photo shoot.<ref name="wwf2000"/> Just when it appeared that Chyna would leave Guerrero, he proposed to her and she accepted.<ref name="wwf2000"/> At [[Unforgiven (2000)|Unforgiven]] on September 24, Chyna helped Guerrero in retaining his title against [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]].<ref name="wwf2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2000/results/ |title=Unforgiven 2000 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331223246/http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2000/results/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008 }}</ref> The engagement was called off when Guerrero was caught showering with two of [[The Godfather (wrestler)|The Godfather]]'s [[Prostitution|hos]] (one of whom would later wrestle as [[Lisa Marie Varon|Victoria]]) claiming that "two Mamacitas are better than one".<ref name="wwf2000"/>

Guerrero turned heel again as a result of the incident. Then, The Radicalz reunited and feuded with the reformed [[D-Generation X]] (Chyna, Billy Gunn, [[Road Dogg]], and [[Ron Killings|K-Kwik]]) (DX). They defeated DX at [[Survivor Series (2000)|Survivor Series]] on November 19 in an elimination tag team match and assisted Triple H in his match with [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]].<ref name="wwf2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2000/results/ |title=Survivor Series 2000 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224051027/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2000/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008 }}</ref> Guerrero was later defeated by Gunn for the Intercontinental Championship on the November 23 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]''.<ref name="wwf2000"/> At [[Rebellion (2000)|Rebellion]] on December 2, Guerrero and Malenko lost to Gunn and Chyna.<ref name="wwf2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rebel.html#2000|title=Rebellion 2000 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=August 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831000747/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rebel.html#2000|url-status=live}}</ref> Benoit left the group to focus on a singles career while the rest of The Radicalz feuded with Lita and [[The Hardy Boyz]] ([[Matt Hardy|Matt]] and [[Jeff Hardy|Jeff]]). At [[Armageddon (2000)|Armageddon]] on December 10, The Radicalz defeated The Hardy Boyz and Lita in an elimination tag team match.<ref name="wwf2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2000/results/ |title=Armageddon 2000 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331220625/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2000/results/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008 }}</ref>

In early 2001, Guerrero feuded with Chris Jericho, Benoit, and [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] over Jericho's Intercontinental Championship. At [[No Way Out (2001)|No Way Out]] on February 25, the four men faced each other in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|fatal four-way match]], which Jericho won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2001/results/|title=No Way Out 2001 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 16, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309210536/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2001/results/|archive-date=March 9, 2008}}</ref> Guerrero focused on the European Championship, feuding with the champion [[Test (wrestler)|Test]] defeating him at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]] on April 1 to win his second and final European Championship with help from Saturn and Malenko.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm17/results/ |title=WrestleMania X-Seven official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119085101/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm17/results/ |archive-date=November 19, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro/358838|title=Eddie Guerrero's second European Championship reign|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 16, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219211128/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro/358838|archive-date=February 19, 2008}}</ref> On the April 26 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Guerrero would lose the title to [[Matt Hardy]]. At [[Backlash (2001)|Backlash]] on April 29, Guerrero competed in a Triple threat match for the WWF European Championship but failed to win the title. In April, The Radicalz feuded with Test and his partners. Guerrero eventually left the Radicalz, siding with The Hardy Boyz and Lita. At [[Insurrextion (2001)|Insurrextion]] on May 5, Guerrero defeated [[Grand Master Sexay]]. Around this point, Guerrero developed an addiction to pain medication stemming from his 1999 car accident and in May 2001 was sent to [[drug rehabilitation|rehab]], missing the entire [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion storyline]] that featured his former fellow WCW (and later ECW) wrestlers. To explain his absence, a storyline was created where Guerrero was "injured" by [[Matt Bloom|Albert]] in a match.<ref name="wwf2001">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2001|title=Eddie Guerrero's WWF Career (2001)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2001|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 9, 2001, he was arrested for [[Drunk driving (United States)|drunk driving]] and was subsequently released by the WWF three days later.

=== Independent circuit (2001–2002) ===
Guerrero started wrestling on the [[independent circuit]] after his release from the WWF. On February 23, 2002, he faced [[Super Crazy]] on the debut show of [[Ring of Honor]] known as ''The Era of Honor Begins'' to crown the first-ever [[IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship|IWA Intercontinental Champion]]. Guerrero lost the match.<ref name="indy">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#indy|title=Eddie Guerrero's Independent Career (2002)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#indy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/roh/020223.html|title=The Era of Honor Begins results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=August 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810014959/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/roh/020223.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 24, he debuted in the Australian promotion [[World Wrestling All-Stars]] (WWA) at [[List of WWA pay-per-view events#The Revolution|The Revolution]] beating the champion [[Juventud Guerrera]] and [[Psicosis]] in a Triple Threat match for the [[WWA International Cruiserweight Championship]].<ref name="indy"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwa/020224.html|title=Revolution results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701190436/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwa/020224.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 1, he defeated the champion [[CM Punk]] and Rey Mysterio in a Triple Threat match for the [[IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name="indy"/><ref name="iwamsh">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ky/iwams/iwams-h.html|title=I.W.A. Mid-South Heavyweight Title|publisher=The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=March 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315011826/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ky/iwams/iwams-h.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He dropped the title back to Punk one day later on March 2.<ref name="indy"/> He vacated the WWA Cruiserweight title in April 2002 after returning to the WWF.<ref name="indy"/>

=== Return to NJPW (2002) ===
Guerrero also returned to [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW) for a brief period in March 2002, this time unmasked. He aligned himself with the villainous [[Team 2000]] stable, and primarily teamed with [[Silver King (wrestler)|Black Tiger]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=42012|title=NJPW Hyper Battle 2002 - Tag 11 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.cagematch.net|access-date=March 5, 2019|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711194445/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=42012|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Return to WWF/E (2002–2005) ===

==== Teaming with Chris Benoit (2002) ====
Guerrero returned to the WWF on the April 1, 2002 episode of ''Raw'', attacking [[Rob Van Dam]].<ref name="wwf2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2002|title=Eddie Guerrero's WWE Career (2002)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2002|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020401.html|title=RAW results – April 1, 2002|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=February 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217020600/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020401.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Guerrero feuded with Van Dam, defeating Van Dam for his second and final [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] at [[Backlash (2002)|Backlash]] on April 21.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2002/results/|title=Backlash 2002 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=February 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221193738/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2002/results/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322708 |title=Eddie Guerrero's second Intercontinental Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427172456/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322708 |archive-date=April 27, 2007 }}</ref> After retaining the title against Van Dam at [[Insurrextion (2002)|Insurrextion]] on May 4<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/02.htm|title=Insurrextion 02 - London, England - Wembley Arena - May 4, 2002 (9,308; sell out)|website=The History of WWE|access-date=April 18, 2018|archive-date=January 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124154530/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/02.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Judgment Day (2002)|Judgment Day]] on May 19,<ref name="wwe2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#wwe|title=Eddie Guerrero's ''RAW'' Career (2002)|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#wwe|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2002/results/ |title=Judgment Day 2002 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215114025/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2002/results/ |archive-date=February 15, 2008 }}</ref> Guerrero finally lost the title to Van Dam on the May 27 episode of ''Raw'' in a [[ladder match]] in which a fan in an [[Edmonton Oilers]] [[NHL uniform|jersey]] pushed him off a ladder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw020527.html|title=Raw results – May 27, 2002|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=July 28, 2024}}</ref> Guerrero then feuded with [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], but Austin left the WWE before a match could take place.<ref name="wwe2002"/> [[Chris Benoit]] returned to WWE the night Guerrero lost the title and reunited with Guerrero. Guerrero and Benoit feuded with [[Ric Flair]] for a while and Guerrero lost a match to Flair at [[King of the Ring (2002)|King of the Ring]] on June 23.<ref name="wwe2002"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/kingring.html#2002|title=King of the Ring 2002 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=February 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222220156/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/kingring.html#2002|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Image:Eddie Guerrero on a corner.jpg|thumb|Guerrero lies on a corner, one of his characteristic traits.]]

On the August 1 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Guerrero and Benoit moved to WWE's [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] [[WWE brand extension|brand]]. Guerrero feuded with [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]], to whom he lost at [[SummerSlam (2002)|SummerSlam]] on August 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2002/results/|title=SummerSlam 2002 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 16, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122093534/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2002/results/|archive-date=November 22, 2008}}</ref> Guerrero continued his feud with Edge, whom he defeated at [[Unforgiven (2002)|Unforgiven]] on September 22; they then had a no disqualification match on the September 26 episode of ''SmackDown!'' which Edge won thus ending the rivalry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/results/|title=Unforgiven 2002 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 16, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919160646/http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/results/|archive-date=September 19, 2010}}</ref>

==== Los Guerreros (2002–2004) ====
{{Main|Los Guerreros}}

With Benoit focusing on [[Kurt Angle]], Guerrero aligned himself with his nephew [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo]], forming the tag team [[Los Guerreros#World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2004)|Los Guerreros]].<ref name="smackdown02"/><ref name="losguerreros">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/los-guerreros.html|title=Los Guerreros Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=May 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523234406/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/los-guerreros.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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". To push the new tag team, [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Vignette|vignettes]] were produced, which included things such as the two finagling their way into a rich lady's house and throwing a pool party. These segments marked the beginning of the rise of popularity for the team, especially Eddie, who continued to use the mannerisms.<ref name="smackdown02">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#sd|title=Eddie Guerrero's ''SmackDown!'' Career (2002)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#sd|url-status=live}}</ref>

The duo entered the [[Professional wrestling tournament|eight-team tournament]] for the new [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]], sneaking past [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]] and [[Mark Henry]] in the opening round,<ref name="smackdown02"/><ref name="losguerreros"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/021003.html|title=SmackDown! results – October 3, 2002|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141132/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/021003.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="smackdown02"/><ref name="losguerreros"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/021017.html|title=SmackDown! results – October 17, 2002|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=February 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216233236/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/021017.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later on, Benoit and Angle won the title. Benoit and Angle then fought for a trophy for being the first WWE Tag Team Champions. Much to Benoit's surprise, Los Guerreros helped him win the match.

At [[Survivor Series (2002)|Survivor Series]] on November 17, Los Guerreros faced the new champions Edge and [[Rey Mysterio]] and the team of Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit for the titles. Guerrero made Mysterio submit to the ''[[Professional wrestling holds#Cloverleaf|Lasso from El Paso]]'' to win their first WWE Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2002/results/ |title=Survivor Series 2002 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223190500/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2002/results/ |archive-date=February 23, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/330070 |title=Los Guerreros' first Tag Team Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051123021244/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/330070 |archive-date=November 23, 2005 }}</ref> They turned face due to their popularity. They lost the titles to [[The World's Greatest Tag Team|Team Angle]] ([[Charlie Haas]] and [[Shelton Benjamin]]) on the February 6, 2003 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref name="smackdown03">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2003|title=Eddie Guerrero's ''SmackDown!'' Career (2003)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2003|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030206.html|title=SmackDown! results – February 6, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=March 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310012715/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030206.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Los Guerreros and Team Angle began feuding with each other. Los Guerreros participated at [[WrestleMania XIX]] on March 30 as contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship, along with the team of Chris Benoit and [[Rhyno]]. Both teams lost to Team Angle in a triple threat match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm19/results/|title=WrestleMania XIX official results|date=April 17, 2002 |publisher=WWE|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=July 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709133741/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/19|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Backlash (2003)|Backlash]] on April 27, Los Guerreros lost to Team Angle in a rematch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2003/results/ |title=Backlash 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224033139/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2003/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008 }}</ref>

Chavo legitimately tore his biceps, forcing Guerrero to look for another partner. He chose [[Yoshihiro Tajiri|Tajiri]], and they won the WWE Tag Team Championship, Guerrero's second and Tajiri's first at [[Judgment Day (2003)|Judgment Day]] on May 18 by defeating Team Angle in a ladder match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2003/results/ |title=Judgment Day 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327021814/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2003/results/ |archive-date=March 27, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/330108 |title=Eddie Guerrero and Tajiri's first Tag Team Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124171719/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/330108 |archive-date=November 24, 2005 }}</ref> The following week, Guerrero and Tajiri managed to retain their titles against Team Angle by cheating.<ref name="smackdown03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030522.html|title=SmackDown! results – May 22, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=June 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601191131/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030522.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They also defeated [[Roddy Piper]] and his protégé [[Sean O'Haire]] in [[Madison Square Garden]] on the June 26 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref name="smackdown03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030626.html|title=SmackDown! results – June 26, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=April 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420101557/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030626.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After Guerrero and Tajiri lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to The World's Greatest Tag Team (previously Team Angle) on the July 3 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Guerrero turned on Tajiri, slamming Tajiri through the windshield of his low-rider truck, turning heel once again. This heel run didn't last very long as Guerrero continued to receive cheers from the crowd.<ref name="smackdown03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030703.html|title=SmackDown! results – July 3, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=May 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524071823/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030703.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Eddie Guerrero on SmackDown cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|Guerrero in 2004]]
In July, Guerrero competed in a tournament for the [[WWE United States Championship]]. He managed to advance to the final round, defeating [[Último Dragón]] and [[Monty Sopp|Billy Gunn]] in the process,<ref name="smackdown03"/> where he would meet [[Chris Benoit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030710.html|title=SmackDown! results – July 10, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119131640/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030710.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030717.html|title=SmackDown! results – July 17, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421185109/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030717.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Vengeance (2003)|Vengeance]] on July 27, 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 championship belt shot to the kidneys. The match ended with interference and a ''[[Professional wrestling attacks#Spear|Gore]]'' from [[Rhyno]], Benoit's partner, who was furious at the team's failure. Guerrero pinned Benoit and won the United States Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2003/results/|title=Vengeance 2003 official results|publisher=WWE| access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215001055/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2003/results/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = December 15, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411113 |title=Eddie Guerrero's second United States Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050724010107/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411113 |archive-date=July 24, 2005 }}</ref>

At [[SummerSlam (2003)|SummerSlam]] on August 24, Guerrero retained his title by defeating Rhyno, Benoit, and Tajiri in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|fatal four-way match]].<ref name="smackdown03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/results/ |title=SummerSlam 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619060949/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=June 19, 2007 }}</ref> He later began a feud with [[John Cena]], turning face once again. On the September 11 episode 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.<ref name="smackdown03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030911.html|title=SmackDown! results – September 11, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222062056/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030911.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The next week on ''SmackDown!'', Los Guerreros defeated The World's Greatest Tag Team to win the WWE Tag Team Championship, making Guerrero a double champion (beginning Guerrero's third tag title reign).

Guerrero engaged in a feud with [[Big Show]], which involved Guerrero giving Big Show some [[laxative]] laced [[burrito]]s and then later spraying Big Show from a sewage truck.<ref name="smackdown03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/031002.html|title=SmackDown! results – October 2, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=January 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120103458/http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/031002.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/031009.html|title=SmackDown! results – October 9, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220091204/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/031009.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The feud ended when Guerrero lost the United States Championship to Big Show at [[No Mercy (2003)|No Mercy]] on October 19.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2003/results/ |title=No Mercy 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210125038/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=December 10, 2008 }}</ref> Four days later, Los Guerreros lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to the [[Basham Brothers]] ([[Daniel Hollie|Danny]] and [[Doug Basham|Doug]]).<ref name="losguerreros"/><ref name="smackdown03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/031023.html|title=SmackDown! results – October 23, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220144226/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/031023.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They began feuding with the Basham Brothers, but failed to regain the championship at [[Survivor Series (2003)|Survivor Series]] on November 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2003/results/ |title=Survivor Series 2003 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102150217/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=January 2, 2008 }}</ref> As Los Guerreros attempted to regain the tag team titles, things began to go downhill between Chavo and Eddie, as animosity began to build. Chavo then attacked and turned on Guerrero after he suffered a beating from the Basham Brothers on the January 8, 2004 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref name="losguerreros"/><ref name="smackdown04">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2004|title=Eddie Guerrero's ''SmackDown!'' Career (2004)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2004|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040108.html|title=SmackDown! results – January 8, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220091214/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040108.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Guerrero feuded with Chavo and defeated him at the [[Royal Rumble (2004)|Royal Rumble]] on January 25 to settle their feud. After the match Eddie attacked Chavo causing him to bleed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988118/results|title=Royal Rumble 2004 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815000250/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988118/results|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== WWE Champion (2004) ====

[[File:EddieandBenoitWMXX.jpg|thumb|right|Guerrero (right) with close friend [[Chris Benoit]] celebrating as reigning World Champions at [[WrestleMania XX]]]]

When [[Chris Benoit]] jumped to the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw brand]] after winning the Royal Rumble match, using his title shot to go for [[Triple H]]'s [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]], Guerrero won a [[Royal Rumble (2004)#SmackDown! Royal Rumble|15-man Royal Rumble match]] on the January 29 episode of ''SmackDown!'' to earn a shot at the [[WWE Championship]].<ref name="smackdown04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040129.html|title=SmackDown! results – January 29, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118132327/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040129.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After becoming the number one contender, Guerrero elevated himself to main event status and began feuding with the champion [[Brock Lesnar]], whom he defeated to win the WWE Championship in the main event of [[No Way Out (2004)|No Way Out]] on February 15, his first world championship win in WWE. The victory made him a Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2004/mainevent/ |title=Brock Lesnar vs. Eddie Guerrero for the WWE World Championship |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325074757/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2004/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 25, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541411112 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first WWE World Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219080351/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541411112 |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}</ref> Guerrero's next feud was with [[Kurt Angle]], whom he defeated at [[WrestleMania XX]] on March 14 to retain his title in his first big defense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results/ |title=WrestleMania XX official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604175935/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results/ |archive-date=June 4, 2011 }}</ref> At the end of WrestleMania, Guerrero celebrated in the ring with longtime friend Chris Benoit, who had just won the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/mainevent/ |title=Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223191312/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 23, 2008 }}</ref>

On the March 25 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Guerrero started a feud with fellow Texan [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL) after JBL interrupted Guerrero's title match with [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]].<ref name="smackdown04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040325.html|title=SmackDown! results – March 25, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=June 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621113406/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040325.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The rivalry would soon turn personal when at a non-televised live event, JBL caused Guerrero's mother to suffer a ([[kayfabe]]) [[heart attack]] while in attendance at ringside. At [[Judgment Day (2004)|Judgment Day]] on May 16, Guerrero defended his WWE title against JBL, retaining the title after getting himself [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualified]], hitting JBL with the championship title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2004/mainevent/ |title=Eddie Guerrero vs. JBL for the WWE Championship |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821193702/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2004/mainevent/ |archive-date=August 21, 2008 }}</ref> The match witnessed Guerrero bleed heavily mid-way in the match as a result of Guerrero performing a [[Blading (professional wrestling)|bladejob]] after a stiff headshot ringside with a chair from JBL. It was later explained that Guerrero cut too deep, thus hitting an artery. After the match concluded, Guerrero was persuaded to go to the hospital by WWE producer [[Bruce Prichard]] where his wound was stitched up and he received IV fluids.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/eddie-guerrero-blade-job-jd-2004-wwe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510010914/https://411mania.com/wrestling/eddie-guerrero-blade-job-jd-2004-wwe/ |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |title=Bruce Prichard on Eddie Guerrero Having a Nasty Blade Job at Judgement Day 2004, Says Vince McMahon Hated It |work=411Mania |last=Harris |first=Jeffrey |date=May 7, 2019 |access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|quote="The chair shot was very stiff. [...] Eddie went deep. Very deep. I had no idea until I watched that tape back how much blood there was, I have seen some bloodbaths in Japan, Europe, Mexico and Texas-I had been in several-I have never seen anything like that."|source=<small>Layfield recounting the match between him and Guerrero at the [[Judgment Day (2004)|2004 Judgment Day]] event.<ref>{{cite web|first1=John|last1=Layfield|title=My feud with my friend Eddie|url=http://www.layfieldreport.com/my-feud-with-my-friend-eddie.blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010071654/http://www.layfieldreport.com/my-feud-with-my-friend-eddie.blog|archive-date=October 10, 2014|access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref></small>}}

At [[The Great American Bash (2004)|The Great American Bash]] on June 27, Guerrero defended the title against JBL in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Strap match|Texas bullrope match]]. JBL won after Kurt Angle (who was [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General Managers 2|General Manager]] of SmackDown! at the time) reversed the decision after Guerrero appeared to have retained the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2004/mainevent/|title=JBL vs. Eddie Guerrero in a Texas Bullrope Match for the WWE Championship|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 17, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071213162746/http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2004/mainevent/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=December 13, 2007}}</ref> On the July 8 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Guerrero pulled a switcharoo with [[Shannon Moore]], who was wrestling as "[[El Gran Luchadore]]" and wore the costume.<ref name="smackdown04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040708.html|title=SmackDown! results – July 8, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118160106/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040708.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On the July 15 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Guerrero faced JBL in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel Cage match|steel cage match]] for the WWE title where El Gran Luchadore appeared again and cost Guerrero the match; he later revealed himself as Kurt Angle. Guerrero continued his feud with Angle.<ref name="smackdown04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040715.html|title=SmackDown! results – July 15, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=May 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504054400/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040715.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

At [[SummerSlam (2004)|SummerSlam]] on August 15, Guerrero lost to Angle after submitting to his [[Professional wrestling holds#Ankle lock|ankle lock]].<ref name="smackdown04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2004/results/ |title=SummerSlam 2004 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818114213/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2004/results/ |archive-date=August 18, 2008 }}</ref> Guerrero then allied himself with [[Big Show]]. Each week Angle and his new allies [[Matt Wiese|Luther Reigns]] and [[Mark Jindrak]] began targeting Guerrero and Big Show. Guerrero defeated Reigns in a singles match at [[No Mercy (2004)|No Mercy]] on October 3.<ref name="smackdown04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2004/results/ |title=No Mercy 2004 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219171744/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2004/results/ |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}</ref> [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General Managers 2|General Manager]] [[Theodore Long]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#B|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)|Survivor Series]] on November 14, Guerrero's team defeated Angle's team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2004/results/ |title=Survivor Series 2004 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224051102/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2004/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008 }}</ref>

==== Final storylines (2004–2005) ====
[[Image:ReyAndEddie.jpg|upright|thumb|Guerrero (left) and Mysterio with the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]] belts]]

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)|Armageddon]] on December 12, Guerrero and Booker T's initial teamwork broke away, and the match ended with JBL pinning Booker T following the ''[[Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|Clothesline From Hell]]''.<ref name="smackdown04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2004/mainevent/ |title=JBL vs. Undertaker vs. Booker T vs. Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Championship |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323110323/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2004/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 23, 2008 }}</ref> Afterwards, Guerrero and Booker T briefly and unsuccessfully attempted to win the WWE Tag Team Championship.<ref name="smackdown04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/041230.html|title=SmackDown! results – December 30, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220170600/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/041230.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|Royal Rumble]] on January 30, 2005, Guerrero entered the namesake match at #1 and lasted 28:11 before being eliminated by Edge. In a skit before the Royal Rumble match, he drew his number the same time [[Ric Flair]] drew his. In an attempt to get a better draw, Guerrero switched his number with Flair's (and stole Flair's wallet in the process). Theodore Long made him return both items before the match. Flair would enter at #30.

At [[No Way Out (2005)|No Way Out]] on February 20, Guerrero teamed up with longtime friend and sometimes rival, Rey Mysterio and defeated the [[Basham Brothers]] to win his final title, the WWE Tag Team Championship for a fourth time, with it being Mysterio's third reign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2005/results/|title=No Way Out 2005 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 17, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309220548/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2005/results/|archive-date=March 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/329962 |title=Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio's first Tag Team Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050710080355/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/329962 |archive-date=July 10, 2005 }}</ref> Many expected the new champions to defend their titles at [[WrestleMania 21]] on April 3, but after encouragement from [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo]],<ref name="smackdown05">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2005|title=Eddie Guerrero's ''SmackDown!'' Career (2005)|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193940/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/eguerrero.html#2005|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050317.html|title=SmackDown! results – March 17, 2005|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217074919/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050317.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Guerrero challenged Mysterio to a one-on-one match instead so they could "bring the house down".<ref name="smackdown05"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050324.html|title=SmackDown! results – March 24, 2005|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220091314/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050324.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The two wrestled a match at WrestleMania with Mysterio getting the win. Although visibly frustrated, Guerrero congratulated his partner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm21/results/ |title=WrestleMania 21 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030070957/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm21/results/ |archive-date=October 30, 2007 }}</ref> After several mishaps in the weeks following WrestleMania, the growing tension between Guerrero and Mysterio finally erupted when they lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to the new team [[MNM (wrestling)|MNM]] ([[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny Nitro]] and [[Joey Mercury]]) on the April 21 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04212005/|title=His Time Is Now|date=April 14, 2005 |publisher=WWE|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221195620/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04212005/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the next week they received a rematch to regain the titles, Guerrero abandoned Mysterio, whom he had considered "his family" earlier in the show, costing them the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04282005/|title=Second Chance|date=April 21, 2005 |publisher=WWE|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=March 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331202753/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04282005/|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the end of the May 5 episode of ''SmackDown!'', he saved Mysterio from an attack by Chavo and MNM, before attacking Mysterio, leaving him bruised and bloody after [[suplex]]ing him onto a set of steel steps, turning heel in the process. Guerrero then adopted a new, brooding [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]]. During this time, he also stopped driving his low-riders down the ring and walked to the ring slowly with a frown on his face, gained a new theme which was a darker remix of "Lie, Cheat, And Steal" and started using his other finishing move, the ''[[Professional wrestling holds#Cloverleaf|Lasso from El Paso]]'', more often.<ref name="smackdown05"/> At [[Judgment Day (2005)|Judgment Day]] on May 22, Guerrero lost to Mysterio by disqualification after hitting Mysterio with a chair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2005/results/ |title=Judgment Day 2005 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224003033/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2005/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008 }}</ref>

On the June 30 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Guerrero threatened to reveal a secret about Mysterio and his son [[Dominik Mysterio|Dominik]]. The storyline grew to involve the families of both men, with both sides pleading for Guerrero not to reveal the secret.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06302005/|title=Jackpot!|date=June 23, 2005 |publisher=WWE|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=July 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716164531/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06302005/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mysterio defeated Guerrero again at [[The Great American Bash (2005)|The Great American Bash]] on July 24, a match with a stipulation that if Guerrero lost, he would not tell the secret.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2005/results/|title=The Great American Bash 2005 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211021901/http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2005/results/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = December 11, 2007}}</ref> Yet Guerrero revealed the secret anyway on the following episode of ''SmackDown!'' – telling Dominik and the audience that Guerrero was his real father. In the following weeks, Guerrero revealed the details of the secret in a series of what he called "Eddie's Bedtime Stories".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07282005/|title=JBL going to SummerSlam|date=July 21, 2005 |publisher=WWE|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=May 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527081240/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07282005/|url-status=live}}</ref> During that time he now had a dark comical gimmick. He claimed that he had a child out of wedlock (Dominik) while his marriage was going through hard times. He claimed he then allowed Mysterio and his wife, who were "having trouble conceiving", to adopt the child as their own.<ref name="smackdown05"/> At [[SummerSlam (2005)|SummerSlam]] on August 21, Guerrero lost a ladder match over Dominik's custody to Mysterio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2005/results/ |title=SummerSlam 2005 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060721215239/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2005/results/ |archive-date=July 21, 2006 }}</ref> On the September 9 episode of ''SmackDown!'', their feud ended when Guerrero defeated Mysterio in a steel cage match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09092005/|title=Changing Nights|date=September 2005 |publisher=WWE|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=December 26, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226052948/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09092005/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following his feud with Mysterio, Guerrero was named number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship and given a title match with [[Dave Bautista|Batista]]. Despite this, Guerrero quickly proclaimed himself to be Batista's friend. Batista was well aware of Guerrero's sneaky reputation, and despite eventually accepting his friendship (initially to keep an eye on him), Batista would continually play mind games with Guerrero to expose his true intentions. A series of matches with MNM only supported Batista's suspicions that Guerrero was up to no good, as Guerrero appeared to have reverted to his cheating ways.<ref name="smackdown05"/> In response to Batista's suspicions, Guerrero helped Batista win a match against his tag team partners, JBL and [[Christian Cage|Christian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/10072005/|title=Friend or foe?|date=September 30, 2005 |publisher=WWE|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224005145/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/10072005/|url-status=live}}</ref> Batista defeated Guerrero at [[No Mercy (2005)|No Mercy]] on October 9 to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in what would be Guerrero's last pay-per-view match. 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2005/mainevent/ |title=Batista vs. Eddie Guerrero for the World Heavyweight Championship |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114192032/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2005/mainevent/ |archive-date=November 14, 2007 }}</ref> He would make his entrance the following ''SmackDown!'' using his signature low rider and old entrance theme with Batista, and turning him face once again. Guerrero wrestled his last match on the November 11 episode of ''SmackDown!'', defeating [[Mr. Kennedy]] by disqualification using his signature lie, cheat, and steal tactics, which allowed him to advance to the ''SmackDown!'' [[Survivor Series (2005)|Survivor Series]] team. After the match, Kennedy hitting him with a steel chair. On the date of his death, a triple threat match between himself, Batista, and [[Randy Orton]] was supposed to take place to air on the following episode of ''SmackDown!'' for the World Heavyweight Championship, in which Guerrero had been booked to win the title so Batista could take time off to heal from an injured back {{citation needed|date=September 2021}}, but that was later denied by Batista in his own book. Yet Stephanie McMahon was adamant that Guerrero was supposed to win the World Heavyweight Championship, thus starting his second main title reign. Orton was given Guerrero's spot in the traditional Survivor Series elimination match between the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]! brands at Survivor Series on November 27, which SmackDown! would win, with Orton being the sole survivor.

== Professional wrestling style and persona ==
After the death of his friend [[Art Barr]], Guerrero started to use the frog splash in tribute, which became his most common and well known finishing move.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/guerrero.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516021550/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/guerrero.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 16, 2015|title=Eddie Guerrero|website=canoe.com}}</ref> He also used to perform 3 sequential suplexes, calling the triad the "Three Amigos”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://superluchas.com/chavo-guerrero-mexwarrior-recuerda-a-eddie-guerrero-para-superluchas-vivalaraza/|title=Chavo Guerrero @mexwarrior recuerda a Eddie Guerrero para @superluchas #VivaLaRaza|first=Eduardo Cano|last=Vela|date=November 13, 2013|access-date=December 12, 2018|archive-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722213609/https://superluchas.com/chavo-guerrero-mexwarrior-recuerda-a-eddie-guerrero-para-superluchas-vivalaraza/|url-status=live}}</ref> He would also use a variation of the Texas cloverleaf submission hold, dubbing it the "Lasso from El Paso".

Towards the end of his life and career, Guerrero was known for driving low rider cars to the ring during his entrances. He started doing this while tag teaming with his nephew [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo]] and continued doing it after the team split in 2004, along with Guerrero carrying on the wider "Lie, Cheat and Steal" gimmick that he and Chavo used as a tag team. He stopped doing this in May 2005 after turning on Rey Mysterio, instead showing a more sinister and spiteful side to his character. He briefly resumed driving the low rider again in October after turning face following his feud with Batista.

Also in his later career, Guerrero was known for cheating and breaking rules to win matches, even as a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] (heroic) character, most of whom typically try to follow the rules. As a face, this would be used to give his character the quality of a lovable rogue and, at times, balance out cheating carried out by other heels by taking advantage for himself. As a heel, it would instead be used to draw heat from the crowd by making him appear cowardly or dishonest, while gaining an unfair advantage on his opponents.

One such tactic, often included in his matches, saw Guerrero employ what commentator [[Taz (wrestler)|Tazz]] would refer to as “The Smoking Gun"; Guerrero would retrieve a chair, championship belt, or other unauthorized item and toss it to his opponent as the referee turned around from a distraction. As the referee began assessing the issue, returning the item to its original location, or arguing with Guerrero's opponent, Guerrero would gain an advantage of some sort to win the match. Some matches had Guerrero smack a chair on the mat and toss the chair to his opponent and lie on the ground, pretending to have been struck by the chair. When the referee turned around and saw the opponent had the chair, they would assume it was used on Guerrero and call a disqualification in Guerrero's favor. Guerrero was also known for his resourcefulness via other means, such as at [[WrestleMania XX]] by rolling up [[Kurt Angle]] after loosening his own boot while trapped in the Ankle Lock.

== Other media ==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2016}}
On March 13, 2004, Guerrero ([[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]]), along with [[Big Show]], [[Trish Stratus]] and [[Chris Jericho]], made a guest appearance on ''[[MADtv]]'' as he and the other wrestlers "beat up" [[Frank Caliendo]] (portraying [[Jay Leno]]) while [[Aries Spears]] (portraying [[The Tonight Show Band|''The Tonight Show'' Band]] leader [[Kevin Eubanks]]) watched on. There have also been several DVDs and books released about his life and career, including ''Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story'' (DVD, 2004), ''Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story'' (book, released on December 5, 2005), and ''Viva La Raza: The Legacy of Eddie Guerrero'' (DVD 2008). Additionally, the song "We Lie, We Cheat, We Steal" that he performed with Chavo was released on the ''[[WWE Originals]]'' CD.

Guerrero's catchphrase during the latter part of his career with WWE was "Viva La Raza" (which is Spanish for "Long Live the Race"). In the mid parts of his career, Guerrero took the title of "Latino Heat", which was also his theme song in the early 2000s. He has also been featured in WWE's Best Smackdown matches video of its 15-year Friday Night span, upon the show being moved to Thursday nights on Thursday, January 15, 2015, he features in 5 of the top 15 matches including the number 1 spot where his No Disqualification bout with Edge topped the list of best Smackdown matches.

On May 26, 2024, Eddie was the subject of the ''[[Biography: WWE Legends]]''.

===Video games===
{|class="wikitable"
|+Key
|style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
|Denotes video games that were released posthumously 
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Game
! Notes
|-
| 1997
| ''[[WCW vs. the World]]''
| First video game appearance 
|-
| 1997
| ''[[WCW vs. nWo: World Tour]]''
|
|-
| 1997 
| ''[[Virtual Pro Wrestling 64]]''
| Only released in Japan
|-
| 1998
| ''[[WCW Nitro (video game)|WCW Nitro]]''
|
|-
| 1998
| ''Shin Nippon Pro Wrestling: Toukon Retsuden 3''
| Only released in Japan
|-
| 1998
| ''[[WCW/nWo Revenge]]''
| 
|-
| 1999
| ''[[WCW/nWo Thunder]]''
| Unlockable character
|-
| 1999
| ''[[WCW Mayhem (video game)|WCW Mayhem]]''
| Last WCW video game appearance
|-
| 2000
| ''[[WWF No Mercy (video game)|WWF No Mercy]]''
| First WWF/E video game appearance
|-
| 2000
| ''[[WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role]]''
|
|-
| 2001
| ''[[WWF Betrayal]]''
| 
|-
| 2001
| ''[[With Authority!|WWF With Authority!]]''
|Online game
|-
| 2001
| ''[[WWF Road to WrestleMania]]''
|
|-
| 2001
| ''[[WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It]]''
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[WWF Raw (2002 video game)|WWF Raw]]''
|
|-
| 2002 
| ''[[WWE Road to WrestleMania X8]]''
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth]]''
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Legends of Wrestling II]]''
|
|-
| 2003
| ''[[WWE Crush Hour]]''
| 
|-
| 2003
| ''[[WWE WrestleMania XIX (video game)|WWE WrestleMania XIX]]''
| 
|-
| 2003
| ''[[WWE Raw 2]]''
| 
|-
| 2003
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain]]''
| 
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Showdown: Legends of Wrestling]]''
|
|-
| 2004
| ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning]]''
|
|-
| 2004
| ''[[WWE Survivor Series (video game)|WWE Survivor Series]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| 2004 
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw]]''
|
|-
| 2005 
| ''[[WWE WrestleMania 21 (video game)|WWE WrestleMania 21]]''
| 
|- 
| 2005
| ''[[WWE Aftershock]]''
| Cover athlete ([[PAL]] version)
|-
| 2005 
| ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning 2]]''
|
|-
| 2005 
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006]]''
| Last video game to be released while Guerrero was alive
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2006 
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Legend wrestler
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2007
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] version only <br/> Legend wrestler
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2011
| ''[[WWE All-Stars]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| 
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2011
| ''[[WWE '12]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Legend wrestler
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2012
| ''[[WWE WrestleFest#Follow-up titles|WWE WrestleFest]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| 
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2012
| ''[[WWE '13]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Legend wrestler
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2013
| ''[[WWE 2K14]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Legend wrestler
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2014
| ''[[WWE SuperCard]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| 
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2016
| ''[[WWE 2K17]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Unlockable wrestler through in-game currency
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2017
| ''[[WWE 2K18]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Unlockable wrestler through in-game currency
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2018
| ''[[WWE 2K19]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Unlockable wrestler through in-game currency
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2019
| ''[[WWE 2K20]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Unlockable wrestler through in-game currency
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2020 
| ''[[WWE 2K Battlegrounds]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
|
|- 
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2022
| ''[[WWE 2K22]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
|
|- 
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2023
| ''[[WWE 2K23]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Unlockable through in-game currency
|-
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2024
| ''[[WWE 2K24]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Unlockable through Showcase
|-
|- style="background:#FFFFCC;"
| 2025
| ''[[WWE 2K25]]''{{dagger|alt=Video games that were released posthumously}}
| Unlockable through in-game currency
|}

== Personal life ==
From 1990 until his death in 2005, Guerrero was married to [[Vickie Guerrero]], with whom he had two daughters: [[Shaul Guerrero|Shaul Marie Guerrero]] and Sherilyn Amber Guerrero, both of whom became wrestlers. He also had another daughter named Kaylie Marie Guerrero during his two-year separation from Vickie.<ref>Guerrero, Eddie. ''Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story'', p. 67.</ref>

Following several injuries in his career during the 1990s, Guerrero became addicted to alcohol and drugs, including painkillers and performance-enhancing substances; he suffered three drug overdoses prior to being released from the WWF in 2001, following which he worked towards getting sober.<ref>{{cite episode |date=March 24, 2020 |title=Benoit Part One |series=[[Dark Side of the Ring]] |season=2, episode 1 |publisher=[[Vice Media|Vice Studios Canada]] |network=[[Vice TV]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/938257-six-years-later-remembering-the-life-and-death-of-eddie-guerrero|date=November 13, 2011|title=Six Years Later: Remembering the Life and Death of Eddie Guerrero |work=[[Bleacher Report]] |access-date=February 15, 2025}}</ref>

Guerrero was a close friend of fellow wrestlers [[Art Barr]], [[Chris Benoit]], [[Kurt Angle]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Rey Mysterio]], [[Matt Hardy]], [[Chris Jericho]], [[John Layfield|JBL]], and [[Dave Batista|Batista]]. He was a [[born-again Christian]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canoe.com/category/sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206141403/http://canoe.com/category/sports|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 6, 2017|title=Canoe Sports |access-date=January 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.angelfire.com/ny2/RayNRon/misc/tributeshows.html|title=Eddie Guerrero Tribute Show Transcripts|website=[[Angelfire]]|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=May 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522043114/https://www.angelfire.com/ny2/RayNRon/misc/tributeshows.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast |title=Eddie Guerrero Tribute |work=The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy |host=Matt Hardy and Jon Alba |publisher=Podcast Heat |date=November 11, 2022 |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-extreme-life-of-matt-hardy/id1600449717 |access-date=July 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Matt Hardy recalls last conversation with Eddie Guerrero |website=Times of India |date=November 14, 2022 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/wwe/top-stories/matt-hardy-recalls-last-conversation-with-eddie-guerrero/articleshow/95505274.cms |access-date=July 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Matt Hardy Remembers Eddie Guerrero On The Anniversary Of His Death |website=SEScoops |date=November 13, 2022 |url=https://www.sescoops.com/news/matt-hardy-remembers-eddie-guerrero-on-anniversary-of-his-death |access-date=July 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Matt Hardy Shares Last Conversation With Eddie Guerrero |website=PWMania |date=November 14, 2022 |url=https://www.pwmania.com/matt-hardy-shares-last-conversation-with-eddie-guerrero |access-date=July 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=Matt Hardy |user=MATTHARDYBRAND |number=1459629818274893833 |title=It was 16 years ago today that we lost a great man & phenomenal pro wrestler, my friend, Eddie Guerrero. I'll never forget how amazing Eddie was & how much he was loved by everyone. Miss you, EG! |date=November 13, 2021 |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/matt-hardy-eddie-guerrero-tribute/ |access-date=July 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WWE SmackDown Tribute to Eddie Guerrero (Nov. 18, 2005) |website=WWE.com |date=November 18, 2005 |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/11182005 |access-date=July 12, 2025}}</ref>

== Death ==
On November 13, 2005, Guerrero's nephew [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo]] found him unconscious in his hotel room at the [[Marriott Hotel City Center]] in [[Minneapolis]].<ref name="Death">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/15/sports/othersports/eddie-guerrero-professional-wrestler-dies-at-38.html|title=Eddie Guerrero, Professional Wrestler, Dies at 38|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 13, 2005|access-date=July 5, 2022|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705232403/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/15/sports/othersports/eddie-guerrero-professional-wrestler-dies-at-38.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/news/pro-wrestler-eddie-guerrero-found-dead-wbna10029582|title=Pro wrestler Eddie Guerrero found dead|date=November 13, 2005|website=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]|access-date=July 5, 2022|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706031435/https://www.today.com/today/amp/wbna10029582|url-status=live}}</ref> Chavo later explained that Guerrero had passed out in his hotel bathroom with a toothbrush in his hand and that the basin water was running; he added that he was still alive when he was discovered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vicetv.com/en_us/video/benoit-part-one/5e5ed19e9202a153ee37abb1|title=Benoit Part One|publisher=Vice Media|date=March 24, 2020|access-date=August 19, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606031129/https://www.vicetv.com/en_us/video/benoit-part-one/5e5ed19e9202a153ee37abb1|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon the ambulance's arrival at the scene, he was pronounced dead at the age of 38. His funeral service was officiated by [["Superstar" Billy Graham]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/228843-loads-more-coverage-on-eddie-guerreros-passing-inside|title=Loads More Coverage On Eddie Guerrero's Passing Inside|publisher=Evolve Media Holdings|date=November 17, 2005|access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
The episodes of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' on November 14, 2005, and ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' on November 18, 2005, were both filmed on November 13 and each aired as tributes to Guerrero. All storylines were put on hold and no WWE employees were forced to perform, although several matches took place, including one featuring Chavo. ''Raw'' started with all the wrestlers and numerous backstage personnel onstage as [[Vince McMahon]] addressed the live crowd, before finishing with a [[ten-bell salute]]. In addition to the ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' tribute shows, [[Impact Wrestling|TNA]] dedicated its [[Genesis (2005)|Genesis]] event (which aired the evening of his death) to Guerrero,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnappv/genesis05.html|title=Genesis 2005 results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|quote=An "In Memory of Eddie Guerrero" screen was shown at the beginning of the show.|archive-date=September 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930215955/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnappv/genesis05.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Ring of Honor|ROH]] renamed their next show to Night of Tribute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/roh/051119.html|title=Night of Tribute results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 17, 2008|quote=Show began with a 10-bell salute to Eddie Guerrero with the ROH roster present.|archive-date=February 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220090918/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/roh/051119.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ohio Valley Wrestling|OVW]], WWE's then-developmental territory, also paid tribute to Guerrero on their television taping. Many of the wrestlers there wore armbands with Guerrero's initials on them. Other wrestlers, primarily Guerrero's nephew Chavo and friends Mysterio and [[Christian Cage]], began paying tribute to him in their matches by using his Frog Splash finisher. [[Combat Zone Wrestling|CZW]] also paid tribute to Guerrero with a ten-bell salute during one of their events. Mysterio and [[CM Punk]] dedicated some of their matches to Guerrero. The [[3 Doors Down]] song "[[Here Without You]]" was used in tribute videos for Guerrero, as was the [[Johnny Cash]] song "[[Hurt (Johnny Cash song)|Hurt]]".

Guerrero is regarded as one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/wwe-ten-year-anniversary-of-wrestling-great-eddie-guerrero-s-death-111315|title=Ten-year anniversary of wrestling great Eddie Guerrero's death|date=November 13, 2015|work=[[Fox Sports]]|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=October 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018044017/http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/wwe-ten-year-anniversary-of-wrestling-great-eddie-guerrero-s-death-111315|url-status=live}}</ref> In a poll of the WWE roster, he was ranked the 11th greatest professional wrestler of all time.<ref name="top50">{{cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/from-the-bowery-wwe-top-50-superstars-of-all-time-disc-1/|title=From the Bowery: WWE Top 50 Superstars of All Time (Disc 1)|last=Leighty|first=Robert Jr.|date=February 2, 2011|website=411Mania|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921205611/http://411mania.com/wrestling/from-the-bowery-wwe-top-50-superstars-of-all-time-disc-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ric Flair]] ranked Guerrero as one of his top 10 opponents, while [[Chris Jericho]] said he was the best performer in the world when he was "on".<ref name="top50"/> [[Kurt Angle]] named Guerrero as the second greatest professional wrestler of all time, behind [[Shawn Michaels]], stating: "[Eddie] could have been the absolute greatest of all time because when I wrestled, he was still in that top three we were talking about, so Eddie had it all. He was so entertaining, but he also had all the technique. He was such a great wrestler and he got it. He got finishes. He knew how to structure them."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://popculture.com/wwe/2017/04/17/kurt-angle-chris-benoit-top-3-all-time/|title=Kurt Angle Names Controversial WWE Star In His All-Time Top 3|website=WWE|date=November 8, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2019|archive-date=September 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920193046/https://popculture.com/wwe/2017/04/17/kurt-angle-chris-benoit-top-3-all-time/|url-status=live}}</ref> WWE named Guerrero one of the most beloved and accomplished WWE superstars of all time,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgqwXh-LfNE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/GgqwXh-LfNE| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Eddie Guerrero's championship victories|date=October 9, 2019|publisher=WWE|access-date=April 19, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> one of the best technical wrestlers ever,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/greatest-technical-wrestlers|title=The greatest technical wrestlers ever|date=June 13, 2012|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629052421/http://www.wwe.com/classics/greatest-technical-wrestlers|url-status=live}}</ref> and the fifth greatest performer in the history of the company's SmackDown brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/15-greatest-superstars-smackdown-history/page-12|title=15 greatest Superstars in SmackDown history|date=August 19, 2014|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=May 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526060828/http://www.wwe.com/inside/15-greatest-superstars-smackdown-history/page-12|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Championships and accomplishments ==
[[File:Chyna and Eddie Guerrero - King of the Ring 2000.jpg|thumb|Guerrero (right) as [[WWF European Champion]] in June 2000]]
[[File:Eddiecampeonparejas.jpg|thumb|Guerrero is a 4-time [[WWE Tag Team Champion]] with 3 different partners]]
* '''[[Asistencia Asesoría y Administración]]'''
** [[AAA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[AAA World Tag Team Championship#AAA/IWC World Tag Team Title history|1 time]])<ref name="Titles">{{cite book|author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will|title=Wrestling Title Histories|publisher=Archeus Communications|year=2000|isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref> – with [[Art Barr]]
** [[AAA Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2008)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://luchalibreaaa.com/eddie-guerrero.php|title=Eddie Guerrero|access-date=June 18, 2011|work=[[Lucha Libre AAA World Wide]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619074408/http://luchalibreaaa.com/eddie-guerrero.php|archive-date=June 19, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
** Men's Wrestling Award (2008) {{small|as part of [[Los Guerreros|The Wrestling Guerreros]]}}<ref name="Cauliflower2008">{{cite web|title=Honorees|url=http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/awards/honorees|work=[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]|access-date=September 27, 2020|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706161143/https://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/awards/honorees|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[Extreme Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[ECW World Television Championship]] ([[List of ECW World Television Champions|2 times]])<ref name="ecwtv"/>
* '''[[Hardcore Hall of Fame]]'''
**Class of 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=97820&p=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917075920/https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=97820&p=3 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |title=ECW Originals vs. TNA Stars, Hardcore Hall Inductions & More: Complete House of Hardcore 10 Coverage From Philadelphia, PA |work=PWInsider |last=Johnson |first=Mike |date=November 13, 2015 |access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref>
* '''[[Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South]]'''
** [[IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship]] ([[IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="iwamsh"/>
* '''Latin American Wrestling Association'''
** LAWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bodyslamming.com/wwe/latinoheat.html|title=Latino Heat's profile|publisher=BodySlamming.com|access-date=August 31, 2009|archive-date=December 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208191708/http://www.bodyslamming.com/wwe/latinoheat.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
* '''[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]'''
** [[Best of the Super Juniors]] III ([[Best of the Super Juniors#1996|1996]])<ref name=BOSJ>{{cite book|author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will|title=Wrestling Title Histories|publisher=Archeus Communications|chapter=Japan; Top of the Super Junior Heavyweight Champions|page=375|year=2000|isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref>
** Junior Heavyweight Super Grade Tag League (1996) – with [[The Great Sasuke]]<ref name="Titles"/>
* '''[[Pro Wrestling Federation]]'''
** PWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with [[Héctor Guerrero]]<ref name="Titles"/>
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** [[PWI Comeback of the Year|Comeback of the Year]] (1999)<ref name="PWI Awards">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|title=PWI Awards|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|publisher=[[Kappa Publishing Group]]|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=January 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121172943/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[PWI Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]] (2002, 2004)<ref name="PWI Awards" />
** [[PWI Stanley Weston Award|Stanley Weston Award]] (2005)<ref name="PWI Awards" />
** Ranked No. 2 of the top 500 wrestlers in the [[PWI 500|''PWI'' 500]] in 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/2004.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2004|access-date=May 8, 2015|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|archive-date=May 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503174825/http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2004.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 81 of the top 500 wrestlers of the "''PWI'' Years" in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years|access-date=September 15, 2010|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707054220/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 18 of the top 100 tag teams of the "''PWI'' Years" with Art Barr in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi100tg.htm |title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 100 Tag Teams of the PWI Years |access-date=July 20, 2011 |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325080845/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi100tg.htm |archive-date=March 25, 2009 }}</ref>
* '''[[World Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WCW Cruiserweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions (1991–2007)|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/349956 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first WCW Cruiserweight Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219163137/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/349956 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350002 |title=Eddie Guerrero's second WCW Cruiserweight Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219181041/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350002 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 }}</ref>
** [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445413112 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first WCW United States Heavyweight Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013193013/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445413112 |archive-date=October 13, 2013 }}</ref>
**WCW United States Championship Tournament (1996)
**Battlebowl Championship Ring (1996)
** [[Starrcade 1995|World Cup Of Wrestling (1995)]] - with [[Randy Savage]], [[Lex Luger]], [[Johnny B. Badd]], [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]], [[Chris Benoit]], and [[Alex Wright]]
* '''[[World Wrestling All-Stars]]'''
** [[WWA International Cruiserweight Championship]] ([[WWA International Cruiserweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ictwwas.html|access-date=June 26, 2008|last=Palma|first=Richard|title=WWAS — WWA International Cruiserweight Championship history|publisher=Solie|archive-date=March 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314082113/http://solie.org/titlehistories/ictwwas.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''[[World Wrestling Association]]'''
** [[WWA Trios Championship]] ([[WWA Trios Championship#title history|1 time]]) – with [[Chavo Guerrero Sr.|Chavo Guerrero]] and [[Mando Guerrero]]<ref name="Titles"/>
** [[WWA World Welterweight Championship]] ([[WWA World Welterweight Championship#title history|1 time]])<ref name="Titles"/>
* '''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
** [[WWE Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541411112 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first WWE Championship reign |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021002133/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541411112 |archive-date=October 21, 2013 }}</ref>
** [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF/WWE Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/intercontinental/322640 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first Intercontinental Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925162533/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/intercontinental/322640 |archive-date=September 25, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/intercontinental/322708 |title=Eddie Guerrero's second Intercontinental Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110004236/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/intercontinental/322708 |archive-date=November 10, 2013 }}</ref>
** [[WWE United States Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411113|title=Eddie Guerrero's second United States Championship reign|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121002604/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411113|archive-date=January 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates/|title=WWE United States Championship|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-date=December 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212060631/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[WWE European Championship|WWF European Championship]] ([[List of WWE European Champions|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/euro/358878 |title=Eddie Guerrero's first European Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322051402/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/euro/358878 |archive-date=March 22, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/euro/358838 |title=Eddie Guerrero's second European Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322051252/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/euro/358838 |archive-date=March 22, 2012 }}</ref>
** [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWE Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|4 times]]) – with [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]] (2), [[Yoshihiro Tajiri|Tajiri]] (1) and [[Rey Mysterio]] (1)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/330070 |title=Los Guerreros' first WWE Tag team Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008152203/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/330070 |archive-date=October 8, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/330108|title=Eddie Guerrero and Tajiri's first WWE Tag Team Championship reign|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019084943/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/330108|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/330172 |title=Los Guerreros' second WWE Tag Team Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017021840/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/330172 |archive-date=October 17, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/329962 |title=Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero's first WWE Tag Team Championship reign |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019115321/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/329962 |archive-date=October 19, 2013 }}</ref>
** [[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame (2006)|Class of 2006]])<ref name="WWESupers"/>
**[[List of WWE tournaments#WWE United States Championship Tournament (2003)|WWE United States Championship Tournament]] [[Vengeance (2003)#Tournament bracket|(2003)]]
**[[Royal Rumble match#Other Royal Rumble matches|15-man SmackDown! Royal Rumble]] (2004)
** [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of WWE Men's Triple Crown winners|Eleventh]] [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)|Triple Crown Champion]]
** [[Grand Slam (professional wrestling)#WWE Grand Slam Champions|Sixth]] [[Grand Slam (professional wrestling)|Grand Slam Champion]]
* '''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best on Interviews|Best on Interviews]] (2005)<ref name=ObserverAwards>{{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 26, 2011|title=Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue|periodical=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=Campbell, CA|pages=1–40|issn=1083-9593}}</ref>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1994) <small>[[Los Gringos Locos]] vs. AAA</small><ref name=ObserverAwards/>
** Feud of the Year (1995) <small>vs. [[Dean Malenko]]</small><ref name=ObserverAwards/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Charismatic|Most Charismatic]] (2004, 2005)<ref name=ObserverAwards/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Tag Team of the Year|Tag Team of the Year]] (1994) <small>with Art Barr as La Pareja del Terror</small><ref name=ObserverAwards/>
** Tag Team of the Year (2002) <small>with Chavo Guerrero as [[Los Guerreros]]</small><ref name=ObserverAwards/>
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2006)
*The Official Wrestling Museum 
**The Official Wrestling Museum Hall of Fame (2025)

== ''Luchas de Apuestas'' record ==
{{See also|Lucha libre#Luchas de Apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" width=100%  style="text-align: center"
|-
!width=20% scope="col"|Winner (wager)
!width=20% scope="col"|Loser (wager)
!width=20% scope="col"|Location
!width=20% scope="col"|Event
!width=15% scope="col"|Date
!class="unsortable" width=5% scope="col"|Notes
|-
|Eddie Guerrero (hair) || [[Ari Romero]] (hair) || Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua || Live event || 1987 || 
|-
|Eddie Guerrero (hair) || [[Negro Casas]] (hair) || Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua || Live event || N/A || 
|-
|[[Hijo del Santo|El Hijo del Santo]] and [[Octagón]] (masks) || Eddie Guerrero and [[Art Barr]] (hair) || Los Angeles, California || [[AAA When Worlds Collide]] || {{dts|November 6, 1994}} || 
|-
|[[Rey Mysterio|Rey Mysterio Jr.]] (mask) || Eddie Guerrero ([[WCW Cruiserweight Championship|Championship]]) || Las Vegas, Nevada || [[Halloween Havoc (1997)|Halloween Havoc]] || {{dts|October 26, 1997}} ||
|-
|Eddie Guerrero (hair) || [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.]] (hair) || San Diego, California || [[Bash at the Beach (1998)|Bash at the Beach]] || {{dts|July 12, 1998}} || 
|}

==See also==
* [[List of premature professional wrestling deaths]]
* [[List of professional wrestling memorial shows]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="AutobiogName">{{cite book|last=Guerrero|first=Eddie|title=Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story|year=2020|publisher=Pocket|location=London|isbn=978-0-7434-9353-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/cheatingdeathste00guer/page/10 10]|author2=Krugman, Michael|quote=Last, but definitely not least, came the baby of the family, yours truly, Eduardo Gory Guerrero Llanes.|url=https://archive.org/details/cheatingdeathste00guer/page/10}}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* {{Find a Grave|12341545}}

{{Eddie Guerrero}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Guerrero, Eddie}}
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