On this Day in Pro Wrestling History, we lost one of the best!!

In 2005, WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero died aged just 38. Guerrero was born into a famous wrestling family and from a young age, decided that he wanted to continue the tradition. Guerrero made his debut in 1987, but it wasn’t until 1992 that he gained major attention, competing alongside El Hijo Del Santo. He also made regular trips to Japan in the early 1990′s, competing for New Japan Pro Wrestling as the second Black Tiger.

He made his major American debut for ECW in 1995 (though had jobbed for WCW previously) and won their Television Title in his debut match. He would feud with Dean Malenko and 2 Cold Scorpio until signing with WCW at the end of the year. In a 3 year stint with the promotion, Guerrero became a 2-time Cruiserweight Champion and one-time United States Champion, but was one of several wrestlers who, despite their popularity, were never allowed a shot at the main event. In January 2000, Guerrero, along with Perry Saturn, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko, signed with the WWF. Guerrero quickly became European and then Intercontinental Champion but was released in November 2001 after suffering from drug and alcohol problems. After a stint on the independents, Guerrero returned to the WWF having attended rehab to clean himself up. He initially teamed with his nephew Chavo, but his popularity soon earned a singles run, culminating in winning the WWE Title at No Way Out 2004. He would lose the title to JBL later in the year and saw out his final days feuding with Rey Mysterio and Batista. Guerrero was found dead in his hotel room of a previously unknown heart condition. His previous drug and alcohol problems are said to have contributed to the condition. Tributes were paid to Guerrero by several wrestling promotions, including TNA, CZW and ROH with WWE also dedicating the following week’s shows to him. Guerrero was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the next year.