The world of professional wrestling thrives on storytelling that blurs the line between fiction and reality. Few rivalries have encapsulated this art form as perfectly as the intense feud between John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL) and Eddie Guerrero in 2004. This program not only produced one of the most controversial angles in wrestling history but also cemented JBL as one of the most despised heels of his era.
One of the standout moments in this feud came during a now-infamous segment in Eddie’s hometown of El Paso, Texas. As part of the storyline, JBL delivered a kayfabe heart attack to Eddie Guerrero’s mother, which turned a standard wrestling event into a near-riot.
Setting the Stage for the Controversy
The feud between Eddie Guerrero, then the beloved WWE Champion, and JBL, the brash, self-centered Texan, began with JBL staking his claim as a top villain. To establish JBL as a credible and deeply despised challenger, WWE leaned into his braggadocious persona and willingness to push boundaries.
The angle took an unexpectedly personal turn on Mother’s Day in 2004, during a live event in El Paso. Eddie’s mother, Herlinda Guerrero, and the late Guerrero family patriarch, Gory Guerrero, were being honored in front of the hometown crowd. What started as a heartwarming tribute to the Guerrero legacy turned into one of the most shocking segments in WWE history.
The Heart Attack Angle
According to JBL, the idea for the heart attack angle came from Eddie and his brother, Chavo Guerrero. In JBL’s words:
“Chavo, Eddie’s brother, came to me backstage with Eddie. I don’t know if it was Chavo’s idea or Eddie’s or both, but then they gave me the idea of giving Eddie’s mother a heart attack on Mother’s Day in El Paso, while they were honoring the late Gory Guerrero.”
In the segment, JBL confronted the Guerrero family in the ring and escalated tensions to the point where he appeared to physically threaten Eddie’s mother. As part of the script, Herlinda clutched her chest and collapsed, selling the heart attack so convincingly that fans believed it was real.
The reaction was immediate and visceral. Fans erupted into chaos, their fury palpable. JBL described the moment vividly:
“When Eddie’s mother went down, Eddie looked at me and goes, ‘Ese, you better get the hell out of here.’ I never felt anything like that in my life. But I remember thinking, ‘If I live through this, I’m the hottest heel in the world.’”
Fleeing for Safety
The intensity of the crowd wasn’t just for show. JBL rushed backstage, where he found police and WWE staff preparing an escape plan for him.
“The place started bubbling. You could feel it was about to riot. They had my car running. The police gave me an escort all the way to the city limit to get me out of town. The police stopped me at the edge of El Paso and said, ‘Do not come back. We think you’ll be killed.’”
The danger was so real that JBL was driven to Odessa, Texas, to ensure his safety. For JBL, the heat this segment generated was unparalleled:
“People talk about heat they have today, about being booed—please. I had a police escort all the way to the edge of town.”
The Fallout and Legacy
The Guerrero family’s legendary wrestling acumen played a significant role in the angle’s success. Eddie’s mother sold the moment so well that even seasoned fans were in disbelief. JBL recalled:
“She is so good, I’m looking at her thinking, there’s not a Guerrero that can’t work.”
When the segment aired on television, it catapulted the JBL-Guerrero feud into another stratosphere of intensity. Fans were livid, and JBL’s heel persona reached its zenith. During one of their subsequent matches, a fan even attempted to jump the barricade to attack JBL, a testament to the raw emotion the feud evoked.
Eddie, ever the professional, reassured JBL that this was a good sign:
“Eddie goes, ‘Ese, you got good heat.’ And I thought, ‘Then we got him.’ Look at the crowd. People are in shock that something crazy like this could happen.”
The Match That Defined the Feud
The feud culminated in a brutal and bloody match at Judgment Day 2004. In what is often considered one of Eddie’s most memorable performances, he bled profusely but fought valiantly against JBL, further solidifying his place as a beloved underdog and champion.
Conclusion
The JBL vs. Eddie Guerrero feud remains a masterclass in wrestling storytelling. The heart attack angle in El Paso is remembered not just for its controversy but for its ability to evoke genuine emotion from fans. It showcased Eddie Guerrero’s brilliance as a performer and JBL’s willingness to embrace the role of a despised villain.
Even today, the rivalry stands as a reminder of the power of professional wrestling to captivate audiences by weaving personal, emotional, and unforgettable narratives.
