Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Eddie Guerrero

Discover the career path of Eddie Guerrero, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Eddie Guerrero, born Eduardo Gory Guerrero Llanes, was a highly influential and celebrated American professional wrestler. A member of the renowned Guerrero wrestling family, he gained prominence through his stints in WCW, WWF/WWE, and various promotions in Mexico and Japan. Widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, Guerrero's charisma and in-ring talent made him a fan favorite.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1957: Guerrero's Chevrolet Entrance

In 1957, Eddie Guerrero arrived at ringside in a 1957 Chevrolet during his feud with Essa Rios and Lita.

1986: Debut of Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero made his wrestling debut in 1986.

1989: Appearance in WCW as a jobber

In 1989, Eddie Guerrero appeared in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as a jobber, wrestling against Terry Funk.

1991: Return to WCW at WrestleWar '91

In 1991, Eddie Guerrero returned to WCW for WrestleWar '91, teaming with Ultraman to defeat Huichol and Rudy Boy Gonzalez in a dark match.

1992: Begin wrestling for NJPW

In 1992, Eddie Guerrero began wrestling in Japan for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was known as the second incarnation of Black Tiger.

1992: Departure from CMLL

In 1992, Eddie Guerrero wrestled as the original "Máscara Mágica" in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) until his departure to pursue a career with Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA).

1994: ECW offer to Guerrero and Barr

In late 1994, Eddie Guerrero and Art Barr received an offer to wrestle for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from Paul Heyman.

April 8, 1995: ECW World Television Championship Win

On April 8, 1995, Eddie Guerrero won the ECW World Television Championship from 2 Cold Scorpio in his debut match for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) at Three Way Dance.

December 1995: WCW vs. NJPW World Cup tournament at Starrcade

In December 1995, Eddie Guerrero represented WCW at Starrcade: World Cup of Wrestling, losing to Shinjiro Otani, but WCW won the series.

1995: Mainstream exposure in the United States with ECW

In 1995, Eddie Guerrero gained mainstream exposure in the United States by joining ECW and winning the ECW World Television Championship twice.

1995: Return to WCW

In mid-1995, Eddie Guerrero returned to WCW. On August 30, 1995, Eddie competed in his first match, losing to Malenko. He made his televised debut on September 17 episode of Main Event against Alex Wright. At World War 3 he was one of the final nine men in the battle royal until he was tossed out.

December 1996: WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Win

In December 1996, Eddie Guerrero won the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Championship by defeating Diamond Dallas Page (DDP) in the final round of a tournament at Starrcade.

1996: Feud with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen

In 1996, Eddie Guerrero feuded with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen after Arn Anderson turned on him during a tag team match. He also received several shots at the United States Heavyweight Championship.

1996: Best of the Super Juniors tournament win

In 1996, Eddie Guerrero won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament of junior heavyweights in NJPW. He later lost the match at IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

December 1997: WCW Cruiserweight Championship Title Defense and Loss

In December 1997, Eddie Guerrero retained the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Dean Malenko at Starrcade. Guerrero then lost the title to Último Dragón the following day on the December 29 episode of Nitro.

1997: United States Heavyweight Championship defenses and loss

In 1997, Eddie Guerrero defended the United States Heavyweight Championship against various opponents before losing the title to Dean Malenko at Uncensored. He then took time off, returning in June and turning heel by attacking Malenko.

March 9, 1998: Suplex on Chavo Guerrero

On March 9, 1998, Eddie Guerrero delivered a suplex to his nephew Chavo Guerrero after Chavo lost a match to Booker T on Nitro, purportedly to teach him a lesson.

May 31, 1999: Founding Member of the Filthy Animals

On May 31, 1999, Eddie Guerrero became a founding member of the Filthy Animals, alongside Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan.

January 19, 2000: Release from WCW and Signing with WWF

On January 19, 2000, Eddie Guerrero asked for and received a release from his WCW contract and signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) along with fellow WCW stars.

January 31, 2000: The Radicalz Debut on Raw is War

On January 31, 2000, Eddie Guerrero, along with Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn, debuted in the WWF on Raw is War as The Radicalz. They interfered in a match involving The New Age Outlaws, establishing themselves as faces. During his first match with the WWF, Guerrero dislocated his elbow while performing a frog splash, sidelining him for several weeks. Due to the injury, he told Road Dogg to immediately pin him. The Radicalz later aligned themselves with WWF Champion Triple H, becoming a heel faction after losing their tryout matches.

2000: Departure from WCW

In 2000, Eddie Guerrero left WCW due to the company's failure to elevate him to a main event spot.

2001: Release from WWF

In 2001, Eddie Guerrero was released from WWF due to addiction issues after winning the WWF European Championship and WWF Intercontinental Championship.

February 23, 2002: IWA Intercontinental Championship Match

On February 23, 2002, Eddie Guerrero faced Super Crazy on the debut show of Ring of Honor, The Era of Honor Begins, to crown the first-ever IWA Intercontinental Champion but lost the match.

March 2002: Return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling

In March 2002, Eddie Guerrero returned to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) unmasked. He aligned himself with the villainous Team 2000 stable and primarily teamed with Black Tiger.

April 1, 2002: Return to WWF

On April 1, 2002, Eddie Guerrero returned to the WWF, attacking Rob Van Dam on Raw. He later feuded with Van Dam, defeating him for the Intercontinental Championship at Backlash on April 21.

April 2002: Vacation of WWA Cruiserweight title

In April 2002, Eddie Guerrero vacated the WWA Cruiserweight title after returning to the WWF.

2002: Formation of Los Guerreros

In 2002, Eddie Guerrero was rehired by WWE and formed Los Guerreros with Chavo, winning the WWE Tag Team Championship and establishing himself on the SmackDown brand.

February 6, 2003: Loss of WWE Tag Team Championship

On February 6, 2003, Los Guerreros lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to Team Angle (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) on SmackDown!. Los Guerreros and Team Angle began feuding with each other.

2003: Height of popularity as a face

During 2003, Eddie Guerrero reached the peak of his career as a face, becoming highly popular in and out of the ring.

January 8, 2004: Chavo Turns on Guerrero

On January 8, 2004, Chavo attacked and turned on Eddie Guerrero after Guerrero suffered a beating from the Basham Brothers on SmackDown! This marked the beginning of a feud between the two.

2004: Top wrestler on SmackDown brand

In 2004, Eddie Guerrero became the top wrestler on the SmackDown brand, experiencing significant success as a face.

2004: WWE Championship Win

In 2004, Eddie Guerrero won the WWE Championship, his sole world championship, at No Way Out. He lost the title later that year but remained a popular main eventer.

2004: Judgment Day Match

In 2004, Layfield recounted the match between him and Guerrero at the 2004 Judgment Day event.

January 30, 2005: Royal Rumble Appearance

On January 30, 2005, at the Royal Rumble, Eddie Guerrero entered the namesake match at #1 and lasted 28:11 before being eliminated by Edge. He switched his number with Ric Flair's (and stole Flair's wallet). Theodore Long made him return both items before the match.

May 2005: End of Low Rider Entrance

In May 2005, Eddie Guerrero stopped driving low rider cars to the ring during his entrances 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.

January 15, 2015: Featured in WWE's Best Smackdown Matches

On Thursday, January 15, 2015, Eddie Guerrero featured in 5 of the top 15 matches in WWE's Best Smackdown matches video, including the number 1 spot where his No Disqualification bout with Edge topped the list of best Smackdown matches.