WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio has written an emotional tribute letter to the late Eddie Guerrero in The Players’ Tribune to mark the 20th anniversary of his passing. Guerrero passed away on November 13, 2005. In the letter, Mysterio reflected on the two decades that have passed, his age, and the unique brotherhood he shared with Guerrero.
‘I’m Forever Your Little Bro’
Mysterio wrote about the painful reality of how much time has gone by and the life that Eddie did not get to experience.
“When I publish this letter on Thursday, it will be 20 years to the day since you passed. November 13th, 2005. It’s hard to believe. And it feels so unfair sometimes, just knowing how much life I’ve gotten to live in those years. You didn’t get to see 40 … that’s still painful to think about,” Mysterio wrote. “Me, on the other hand, I turned 50 last December. Nahhhh I can already see the evil grin on your face, hearing that. ’50?!? 50?!? Oh Rey, no…….. You OLD.’ I know, WeeWeeto. It’s true. But I’m writing this to you now, and I swear: I could live another 50 years — and when it comes to our friendship, I’d still be Little Bro. I’m forever your little bro. And you’re forever my big brother.”
‘We Became Friends In The Ring’
Mysterio explained that his bond with Guerrero was formed differently than most friendships in the wrestling business—it was forged through their shared art form. “There was something unique about our friendship…… even going back to that night in Tijuana, before we had any friendship. It’s hard to put into words. But I think I’d say it like this: A lot of wrestlers, they work together in the ring, and then become friends outside the ring. Not us, though. We became friends in the ring — literally in the ring. Through the art of wrestling itself.”
He detailed how he looked up to Guerrero long before they were peers, studying his craft and realizing his greatness. “Of course, it started as a one-way friendship. Me following my uncle around Mexico, then later training to be a luchador myself around Mexico, and crossing paths with you that way — from the outside looking in. Instantly I felt a connection,” Mysterio recalled. “It was so obvious just from watching you that you were special … that you’d mastered this presence, this way of movement, that was yours alone. But as I went through wrestling school, and began to study the craft of lucha libre, that’s when I understood how you’d mastered the fundamentals as well. So many times while training, I’d be working on some roll, or position, and I’d get to a point where maybe I’d start to think, Wow!!! I’m pretty good at this one. Then I’d see you do it..… and I’d learn the lesson that almost anyone who’s trained to wrestle has eventually had to learn: There’s a mountain of difference between “pretty good” and “Eddie.” Between pretty good and perfect.”
You can read the full story at ThePlayersTribune.com.
