Cheating death, stealing life : the Eddie Guerrero story

Eddie Guerrero was destined to be a pro wrestler from the moment he was born.

His father was Gory Guerrero, the founding father of Lucha Libre (Mexican pro wrestling), widely considered the best wrestler, pound for pound, in Mexican history.

His older brothers Chavo, Mando and Hector all gained worldwide reputations from Mexico to Japan. Eddie followed a similar route and by 1993 he was one of the top foreign stars in Japan.

Back home however tragedy struck when his tag partner, Art Barr, was found dead in his bedroom in Springfield, Oregon.

Eddie left Mexico for Extreme Championship Wrestling in the US, moving on to the WCW in 1995 and the WWE (then still WWF) in 2000.

A car crash in 1997 had left him addicted to painkillers and this, coupled with alcohol problems, led the WWE to release him for rehabilitation.

Nevertheless with true strength of character he overcame his demons, ultimately returning to become WWE Champion in 2004.

As skilled with the microphone as he was in the ring, Eddie Guerrero's style and charisma won him thousands of fans, who chanted his name each time he enters the arena. This full and frank story of a charmed life almost wrecked by addiction and redeemed by grit and determination is one that every wrestling fan will want to read.