Smackdown
Robert Igoe's 11/18 Smackdown Report: Eddie Guerrero Memorial Episode
By Robert Igoe
Nov 18, 2005, 23:18

First of all, I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m not objective during this particular review. But as you may have read elsewhere on this site, Eddie Guerrero was my favorite Smackdown superstar. No one else even close. So if I add a few comments here and there, just bear with me. You’ll get the entire show reviewed, I promise.

Actually, I feared that I wouldn’t even be able to do this review at all because of trouble with my Internet. My heart sunk. Of all the reviews not to be able to do, I had to get this one done. So I want to publicly thank the staff of Adelphia Cable for fixing the trouble on such short notice. Thank you.

On with the show:

A graphic of Eddie Guerrero preceded the WWE promo.

Eddie’s music played and Batista came out driving a lowrider, obviously upset. Tazz promised they would do their best to deliver a show Eddie would be proud of. Batista walked to the ring without giving any indication of his injury. Most likely, Batista’s emotion won’t let him feel any physical pain on this night. Batista took the mike as the fans chanted Eddie’s name. Batista said that Eddie would not want to see him crying, but that he can’t help it. Batista didn’t know what to say, but told the fans that he loved his family (he repeated that twice). He also said that Eddie fought back from hell to win back his family. Batista said he wanted to make it clear that he loved the business and that no matter how much pain he was in, he could find peace in the ring. At this point, Batista found it too hard to continue, so the fans chanted Eddie”’s name again to give him strength. Batista said that he knows Eddie is with God and has found peace. But he says he’d give anything to have him back and that he wants to make sure the fans remember him. Batista laid the belt on the hood of the lowrider as Tazz talked about how the tough-as-nails Batista was brought to tears because of his emotion and his love for his friend.

A video played of Eddie with a different song that the one from Raw. I think the song is called “Here Without You” by Three Doors Down

Another commercial for the WWE toys, including the ring that keeps saying “He’s going to feel that tomorrow.” What, he’s not feeling it now?

A clip of Eddie talking about his childhood. His mother said he liked the name Eduardo and his father agreed. Eddie said his father originally tried to learn to box, but ended up in wrestling. Eddie talked about his brothers and sisters and how close they are, especially Chavo Jr. He spoke very highly and lovingly of the children and it came off as genuine.

Matt Hardy pinned Carlito.
A match between a guy who didn’t get booked very well and a guy who’s now a disappointment on two shows. Hardy came out in an Eddie shirt, but Carlito came out in his own shirt. Both wore and Eddie armband. Michael Cole talked about how Carlito’s show was where the feud between Eddie and Rey Mysterio started. Tazz said that Carlito, another second generation star, looked up to Eddie. Carlito tried to whip Hardy into the ropes, but Hardy caught his hair and whipped him into the turnbuckle. Carlito his a drop toe hold and sent Hardy out of the ring. Carlito hit a suplex as Tazz continued to talk about Eddie from his ECW days. Tazz said he hated having to follow him. Hardy powered out of a bow and arrow, but Carlito hit a gut-wrench suplex. Carltio went to the second turnbuckle but caught a boot to the head on the way down. Hardy came back with some basic moves, then hit a side effect. Carlito came back with a unique flying neckbreaker to take control. Hardy fought out of a superplex and hit Carlito with a leg drop. Carlito escaped a Twist of Fate, but Hardy reversed a suplex into the Twist of Fate for the pin. A good, solid match between two guys I wouldn’t expect one from.

Vince McMahon is choking up as he calls Eddie a “classic performer.” He said everyone in the locker room was Eddie’s “familia.” Vince said that Eddie was “a damn good man.”

Eddie talked about how when you get something back you lost, you appreciate it all the more. He’s talking about his wife. She said she looked into his eyes and saw that Eddie had found peace and knew she could take him back. Vicki even took in Eddie’s daughter from an extramarital affair. The children spoke of how happy they were to see their parents reunited. Eddie never denied his sins or tried to make excuses, but he was open about them and honest. Eddie was wise enough to know that people are generally forgiving when you do that.

Legion of Doom pinned Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch
The burial of Cade and Murdoch is complete. The two dominated Heidenreich, but went down almost instantly once Animal tagged in and Cade got hit with the Doomsday Device.

Now this match is so symbolic of how poorly tag teams are promoted. When the Legion of Doom/Road Warriors were making a name for themselves in the old NWA, you saw them on television rarely and when you did, you saw them squash their opponents in seconds. It caught your attention and you wanted more. You wanted it so much that you actually were honored to be able to pay to see more of them at the arena or pay-per-view smash into some big stars.

Now, a promising new team like Cade and Murdoch come out, they get shown on television every other week and they get shown looking quite mortal against their competition on free television. I’d venture to say that if Cade and Murdoch had debuted 20 years ago, they’d have been a smash hit.

Booker T talked about his days in WCW and admitted that he and Eddie didn’t always get along as well as they did in WWE, even coming close to getting into a fight backstage. But Booker said he and Sharmell were praying for Eddie and his family and that he’s glad they became closer. Booker said the talent would do a great show for Eddie. He said he loved Eddie and he’d see him again someday.

Chavo talked about the “Lie, Cheat and Steal” vignettes, in which Eddie and Chavo usually ripped off people who acted smarter than they were. What’s the saying about how you can’t cheat an honest man. They were hilarious and Eddie said that at least his character was honest about his dishonesty. Vicki talked about how her dog steals things in the house, and that it takes after Eddie when it does that. Still, Eddie was the kind of charming rogue that made you feel sorry for him on the few occasions where he got what he had coming to him. During the feud with Rey Mysterio, Nancy would tell me that Eddie would get his. I just nodded, knowing full well that he already got his. And most likely, he got everyone else’s too.

Big Show said Eddie was someone full of joy and life because of his family and his faith. His only comfort in losing Eddie is knowing he’s with God. Show had a lot of trouble keeping his composure, but ended by telling Eddie he loved him.

Eddie talked about all the sports he played in school until he devoted himself to wrestling. Eddie worked out in the family’s backyard ring and helped with his father’s promotion in El Paso. During intermission, Eddie and Chavo Jr. would wrestle in the ring and the fans would be so intent on watching them, they wouldn’t buy popcorn or other concessions.

Chavo Guerrero Jr. pinned JBL
Thank God Chavo isn’t doing the Kerwin White junk anymore. He was always more entertaining as Eddie’s comic sidekick in his exploits anyhow. As for JBL, it’s an honor for him to do the job to Chavo. And if he hadn’t, probably 30 guys backstage would have stepped up. Amazing to think these two were on the Rita Cosby show together to honor Eddie.

Chavo was crying as he went to the ring and fired up the crowd. I was surprised to see JBL make his normal entrance, but he looked almost numb coming to the ring. JBL stuck to brawling, while Chavo worked on headlocks, pulling some hair to keep his grip. He broke the hold on the referee’s count, then poked JBL in the eye. JBL went out of the ring and got hit with a flying plancha. JBL tried to hide behind Jillian Hall, but got hit anyways. He went back in the ring only to get hit with a flying dropkick. JBL caught the next attempt and hit a fallaway slam. JBL locked in a sleeper, but Chavo escaped and hit JBL with a dropkick as he came off the ropes.

Chavo rolled out of the ring and tossed a chair into the ring. As the ref was distracted removing it, he brought in another chair. But just as the ref was about to catch him, he tossed the chair to JBL and laid on the ring. After the referee admonished JBL for his “cheating” and got rid of that chair, Chavo hit JBL with a low blow, hit the Three Amigos and finished JBL with a frog splash for the very emotional win.

Eddie’s mom talked about how he wanted to always sleep in her arms or his father’s. He even wanted her to carry him to school until he was a block away, then he’s get down and run the rest of the way like his mother wasn’t even there. She also showed a picture of the pedal car Eddie loved to drive as a child. His taste in cars only improved from there.
Cole talked about Eddie reaching his lifelong dream of main eventing at WrestleMania XX defending the WWE title against Kurt Angle. He said he was even more excited because his wife was there to watch him. Vicki said she was proud of him. Highlights of the match. Now why has no one else ever thought to just loosen the boot to defend against Angle’s anklelock? You know, I’m trying to describe these moments and interviews, but it just isn’t as good as seeing them fore yourself. I don’t know why I never got “Cheating Death, Stealing Life” yet, but I guarantee you I will soon. And when I do, I’ll review it for you all.

JBL called himself Eddie’s arch-nemesis. He said he needed state police to escort him out of the arena in El Paso. He said he and Eddie created riots almost everywhere because of how emotional they got the fans. He said Eddie was his enemy in the ring, but his dear friend in real life. He says that Eddie was the one who pushed for him to get main event matches and that he helped him through a divorce and his next marriage. JBL says he was a better person because of Eddie. JBL says he wished he could see Eddie come out in the lowrider one more time.

Footage shown of Eddie taking the WWE title from Brock Lesnar

Juventud Guerrera won a cruiserweight battle royal
Most of the cruierweights were in “I’m Your Papi” shirts. That’s fitting. Without Eddie Guerrero showing that a lighter guy could main event, these guys wouldn’t have gotten this far. Especially the Mexicools, so it’s fitting that Juvi won this one. The match began with the Smackdown guys ganging up on the two Raw entries, but it soon turned into a regular battle royal. Scotty Too Hotty got to hit a double WORM on Nunzio and Shane Helms, pointing tearfully to heaven before that. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Kid Kash won and I think Eddie would have liked that. But Kash will have his day. Juvi tossed out Paul London for the win.

A video montage looked at the Latino Heat era, with plenty of shots of Chyna. Has anyone heard from her since Eddie died? As hokey as this angle may have seemed, it did help Eddie get pushed and it was damn entertaining.

Footage was shown of Eddie’s last match, his Smackdown fight against Kennedy. The ref bump, that wicked smile, the chair trick, the unfair disqualification win, Kennedy retaliating with the chair and us feeling sorry for Eddie even though he pretty much got what he had coming to him. If any one match summed up Eddie’s character and the connection he had with the fans, this one may be it.

Shane McMahon said that family traditions are important in wrestling, especially the Guerreros. He said Eddie was a wonderful man who loved what he did and lit up the crowd every night. Eddie was a consummate professional with a huge heart. He said his legacy was not in the ring but his family, which he loved and fought for. Shane addressed the family and reminded them that all he did, he did for them.

Footage was shown of Eddie congratulating Chris Beniot for winning his world heavyweight title.

Chris Benoit pinned Triple H
Triple H seemed almost in prayer as he prepared to walk down the ramp. I’m crying at this point, I’m sorry. Benoit came out fighting back his own tears. No trash talking, they both just seemed to be encouraging each other to take it to the limit. Triple H escaped a pair of tried at the crossface early on by rolling out of the ring, The fans began chanting Eddie’s name again and Triple H escaped a sharpshooter attempt. The two ended up brawling on the outside and Benoit took over, beating down Triple H in the corner. Triple H tossed Benoit from the ring and the show went to a commercial. After the commerical, Triple H was still in charge and Cole said the only thing the two had in common was their love for Eddie Guerrero. The two announcers agreed that Eddie's past troubles did not diminish his contributions as a wrestler and a person. I agree wholeheartedly. Benoit came back with chops, but Triple H hit a spinebuster for a two count then applied an abdominal stretch. Triple H grabbed the ropes for some illegal leverage and I could almost hear Eddie saying "About time, dummy!" The ref finally caught Triple H and Benoit hit a few chops before Triple H got a sleeper hold on him. Benoit escaped and put a sleeper on him. Triple H escapted a sharpshooter, but Benoit avoided a pedigree. Benoit hit three German suplexes. Benoit hit a diving headbutt for a two count. Benoit reversed a pedigree into a crossface and Triple H held off from tapping, only to get rolled over for a backslide pin. Benoit saluted Eddie as fans chanted Eddie's name. Triple H embraced Benoit in the middle of the ring and both men were in tears. They held up each other's arms and Dean Malenko came in to greet Benoit. The camera showed a close-up of Batista's belt on the trunk of the lowrider as the show ended.

Tazz and Cole did as good a job at staying on topic as they could, but about 80 percent of their comments were about Eddie and how mucht hey loved Eddie as a wrestler and a person, and I think that might not have been enough. Seriously though, everyone on the show knew it wasn’t about them. That’s how we got such great efforts out of everyone.

Lord how I wish I didn’t have to write this tribute story. It shouldn’t have happened this way. I always thought Eddie would be honored with a column on him after he announced his retirement after another ten years of top-notch performances. But I also praise the Lord that we all got the chance to see Eddie at his best and that He helped him defeat his demons and give us a few more years of Eddie at his peak. Now, I just ask Him to be with Eddie's family and watch over them.

Eddie, you were the reason that wrestling fans kept tapes in their VCRs and you will be deeply missed by everyone.

Via con dios, Eddie.

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