Interview: Eddy Guerrero

Guerrero talks about his injuries, Art Barr, his dream match and becoming "Latino Heat!"

May 29, 2000

IGN Scoops held an internet chat session with Eddy Guerrero at Pillman Show 2000.

Q: Anyone on the current WWF roster that you're looking forward to having a match with?

Guerrero: You know, I just had a match with Davey Boy. And we had a good match! Hopefully they'll do something with us because he can still go. It was a pleasure working with him. As far as other guys, I'm willing to work with anyone in the WWF. I'm excited to work with everybody! They've got great talent. Go in there with a little different style and just have some fun. That's what I want to do.

Q: Given a second chance, would there be anything about your career that you'd do differently?

Guerrero: I wish I could have talked to Art Barr a little different before things happened. I wish I could have been a better influence to him. That's one thing…I wish he was here with me. You know, I know everything happens for a reason but if there was anything I could change it'd be that. Not losing Art Barr, God rest his soul.

Q: If you could put together a dream match for yourself, any style, any opponent, what would it be?

Guerrero: I've always had my best matches against Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko. I'd like to go an hour with either one of them. Not just because they're my buddies. I'd really just like to go all out with them, like we used to wrestle in Japan. Just go for it in one of those types of matches. Give us time, at least thirty minutes.

Q: Eddy, will you be making a much deserved jump to the Intercontinental title chase anytime soon? You and HHH are the best heels in the WWF.

Guerrero: Just to be compared to Triple H is a great honor. I don't know what Vince has in mind for me. I think that right now the chemistry between me and Chyna is really good. They're going to focus in on that for now. Right now they've got me with the European Title and I guess that's my spot. I really have no clue where they'll be going with me, but right now it's real good and I'm happy with it.

Q: When a lot of guys go through serious injuries they either consciously or subconsciously alter their styles or maybe hold back a little. You really didn't seem to after the car accident, but what about now after the elbow injuries?

Guerrero: Yeah, I'm barely starting to feel comfortable now because I came back too soon on this injury. I came back way too soon. One of the reasons…I don't have a ligament anymore in this arm. The ligament is gone. That's why I have to wrestle with the brace now. I never had to do that before in my career. Subconsciously that has been a factor, but I'm coming to the point now where I'm comfortable with it. I'm starting to feel more comfortable in the ring and I'm starting to do the stuff that I did in the past. I'm starting to feel it again. Even my wife and my mom tell me that they see the spunk in me again. That fire again. It makes me feel good. Thank God I'm getting it back. It took a little bit longer…I don't know if it's the age or something

Q: What goals have you set for yourself that you'd like to accomplish in the WWF?

Guerrero: Get through the year and stay healthy! I want to stay healthy, that's my goal right now. I don't really have any other big goals. I've been injured so much this past year and I've gone through so much between the car wreck and the two elbow injuries. With that also comes personal issues at home. I just want to stay focused spiritually, with my family, and with my job. It's a very demanding job. We do put in our time here. It's good and I like it because they got us busy again and they've got me doing something I love to do, which is wrestling. Wrestling happy again. I'm part of the team again and getting an opportunity to express myself. It's fun again for me.

Q: What was that night in Dallas like for you emotionally, during that 8-man tag match?

Guerrero: You know, I didn't wrestle. I was there as a second, but just being there…wow. I wish to this day that I was a part of that match. I know they must have loved it.

Q: What went through your mind when, during your first match taped for SMACKDOWN, you received that serious elbow injury?

Guerrero: It was weird. I just had the accident, came back, wrestled five months, and then had to have surgery on my right elbow. My first match back from that surgery was in the WWF and I dislocate my left elbow. It was like, "Oh God, what now?!?!?" Then the pain set in and I said, "Don't touch me!" Believe it or not, I had more doubts and more emotional feelings after the injury to my elbow than I did with the car accident. When I had the car accident Eric Bischoff called me and told me not to worry about it, I'd be taken care of. That's the kind of guy Eric was. Vince McMahon went to the hospital the night I dislocated my elbow and his whole family was there. Shows you what kind of class act he is too. They told me, "don't worry, we'll turn a negative into a positive." But being that it was my first day and I had just started, not that I didn't have confidence or didn't believe his words, I just wasn't sure. And I felt bad. If anything I felt horrible because he went and took a chance on all four of us as a group and this happens. Not that I did it on purpose, it was one of things you can't help. But you still feel bad about it.

Q: How are you enjoying the "Latino Heat" angle?

Guerrero: Oh, I love it! What a professional Chyna is. What a professional. Just rubbing shoulders with her is such a positive for me. She's very willing to work with me and that in itself is such a pleasure for me. A really nice gesture on her part.

Q: How has the transition been to the WWF?

Guerrero: A lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be easier, but it's actually harder. It's kind of us adapting to their style. We really never had to think of personas before, but now we really do. The entertainment value. And believe it or not, it's actually more physical here. I thought it'd be less, but no. Not knocking any WCW wrestlers out there, because each and every one of those guys is talented, but it's just that Vince likes that nice snug style. That transition was kind of shocking because I wasn't expecting it.

Q: When you had your car accident New Year's Eve a year ago, what did you realistically think your chances of getting back in the ring were?

Guerrero: All kinds of thoughts go through your head. My first concerns and thoughts were for my family, you know? Getting better was my first concern, I had a lacerated liver. Once I knew I'd be alright with that, the next step was getting to walk again. One step at a time. After I learned to walk again then I could think about wrestling. Obviously you always want to think positive and wish for the best. Did I ever have doubts? Of course!

Q: What did the doctors think?

Guerrero: Well, the first couple of days they weren't sure if I was going to live or not. And then after that they didn't know if I was going to walk or not. Thank God the Lord blessed me and I came back. They said it would be 5 to 6 months before I could walk and it was 5 and a half months and I was back in the ring. Thank God for that.