Happy Birthday, Eddie Guerrero

Happy birthday, Eddie Photo Credit: WWE.com

Eddie Guerrero would have turned 47 today. The legendary WCW, ECW, and WWE performer died in his Minneapolis hotel nearly nine years ago of heart failure. Guerrero's family boasted several legendary wrestling legends, but I fully believe that was the best and brightest from his house. Though he went through rough patches and struggles with substance abuse, he was able to put together stellar runs everywhere he worked, culminating with a co-headline role and curtain call at WrestleMania XX with lifelong friend and future murderer [REDACTED].

I have eulogized and paid tribute to Guerrero many times in the past, and I will continue to do so into the future, as he's one of my favorite wrestlers of all-time. Today though, I think I will let his work speak for itself. October 26, 1997, World Championship Wrestling held its annual Halloween Havoc pay-per-view event. Guerrero was the WCW Cruiserweight Champion, and Rey Misterio, Jr. was a challenger who so wanted that title that he wagered his mask. This match is not only one of my favorites of all-time, it is clearly one of the greatest matches in professional wrestling history. These two met several times before that date, and they wrestled several times afterwards (even once for the custody of Mysterio's son). However, this match is their masterwork, and it's a fitting tribute to one of the greatest wrestlers ever on the anniversary of his birthday.