CM Punk pays homage to late WWE legend Eddie Guerrero, recalls their only match together
Eddie Guerrero inspired many across his monumental career, but CM Punk claims he changed the trajectory of his.
Guerrero sadly passed away in 2005 at the peak of his pro wrestling career. While his death was sudden, his legacy has inspired many current wrestlers to take up the sport. CM Punk broke into WWE after Eddie Guerrero’s death, but in 2002, the two came face-to-face on three occasions when they were both in IWA.
During his recent acceptance speech for the Iron Mike Mazurki Award at the Cauliflower Alley Club’s Awards Banquet, CM Punk praised many industry names. However, when it came to Eddie Guerrero, Punk had a story to tell about meeting the legend after his WWE release.
“He was going through it. He had just been fired [from WWE]. He was going through a divorce. He was worried about seeing his kids, but all he knew was wrestling,” CM Punk said. “So he was on the road. He was working independent shops. He was getting booked in New Japan. And I remember meeting him for the first time and him looking at me and saying, ‘I don’t like three-ways. They don’t make any sense to me. If it’s okay with you, you and Rey [Mysterio] put it together and just call it to me.'”
Eddie Guerrero would eventually return to WWE by April 2002, and trade his mullet for a shorter hairstyle. He’d enjoy runs with the Tag Team, United States and WWE Championships before his sudden death by cardiac arrest on Nov. 13th, 2005. While his life ended at 38, even this week, CM Punk proved that Guerrero continues to inspire those in the wrestling industry.
Wrestling Eddie Guerrero inspired CM Punk to take his career more seriously
While he has his fair share of detractors today, CM Punk is considered by many to be one of the biggest names in the industry. However, Punk had humble beginnings and across his runs on the Independent Circuit and Ring of Honor, his look differed greatly. While he only changed his gimmick definitely when he joined WWE, wrestling Eddie Guerrero made him realize that a lot needed to change.
“But Eddie, that night, made me realize how garbage I actually was, and made me feel like, ‘Man, there’s so much room for improvement.’,” CM Punk said. “And if this guy is willing to step in the ring with me wearing basketball shorts and Doc Martens, I need to up my game to show him respect because none of this is about me.”
H/T: WrestlingINC
CM Punk is yet again dealing with strife within AEW, after allegedly getting into a fight with Jack Perry during the promotion’s recent pay-per-view. While he might have been dealing with the backlash internally, he notably made his award speech all about his mentors and peers.
Other than Eddie Guerrero, Punk also paid homage to JBL, Terry Funk, Bray Wyatt and Jay Briscoe.
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