On Nov. 18, the city of El Paso, Texas officially celebrated Eddie Guerrero, one of the most well-known wrestlers to come from the area and one of the most influential performers WWE has ever had. Guerrero was a father, son, brother and wrestler famous for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment. Even 19 years after his death, his impact is still obvious, with fans still wearing his shirts and masks, even driving lowrider cars in tribute to the entrances that made him unforgettable.
Guerrero grew up in a wrestling family. His father, Gory Guerrero, was a major name in Mexican wrestling, and Eddie and his brothers were raised in the ring. While all of them were talented, Eddie clearly stood out from the rest. He wrestled at Jefferson High School in El Paso before turning professional and trained in El Paso, Juárez, and Mexico City, which helped develop the style fans continue to admire.
Before he became a major WWE star, Guerrero wrestled all over the world. He wrestled in small Mexico and Japan matches before taking time in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling in the United States. Guerrero caught the attention of fans quickly because even though he was not the biggest guy, he was fast and entertaining and had his famous “frog splash” finishing move, where he climbed to the top turnbuckle, leaped high and extended his body like a frog and splashed the opponent. His “frog splash” is one of my favorite finishers and, even though other wrestlers do it (Montez Ford, Gunther, Hornswoggle, etc.), Guerrero is the greatest to do it, with only Dominik Mysterio being able to compare.
In 2000, Guerrero joined WWE and reached a new level of popularity. He introduced his “Latino Heat” character and became known for the phrase “¡Viva La Raza!” which fans quickly embraced. His lowrider entrances were more than just a visual. They reflected cultural pride and helped Guerrero stand out during a time when few wrestlers were openly representing their background.
Guerrero also faced serious struggles outside the ring. He battled addiction to steroids and painkillers and was released from WWE during that period. Many wrestlers never recover from setbacks like that, but Guerrero returned stronger. In 2004, he delivered one of the most emotional moments in wrestling history by opening up about his past and later that year defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Undisputed Championship, a victory many fans still consider one of the greatest moments in WWE history.
Guerrero passed away in 2005 due to heart failure, but his legacy continues. His perseverance, loyalty to his family, and dedication to his craft are major reasons El Paso chose to honor him with its own day.
His daughters, Sherilyn and Kaylie, attended the ceremony to accept the honor. Sherilyn told the crowd that her father still lives on, which is clear in how often Guerrero is referenced by fans and wrestlers today. His influence also continues through Dominik Mysterio, whose WWE storylines frequently highlight Guerrero’s lasting impact.
Guerrero was proud of his culture and carried Latino Heat everywhere he went. For many kids in El Paso, he proved that someone from their community could become a world champion. That inspiration is why the city continues to celebrate Eddie Guerrero and his legacy.
