Michael Krugman

Eddie Guerrero

Wrestling superstar Eddie Guerrero describes his youth in Mexico, his rise in the world of professional wrestling, his battle with drug addiction, the car accident that nearly ended his life, and his successful return to the ring.

The Eddie Guerrero Story

Cheating Death, Stealing Life

One of the most inspiring stories in wrestling history, Cheating Death, Stealing Life sees Eddie Guerrero recount his saga in remarkably candid fashion, chronicling a life of heartbreaks and painful personal struggles in frank, graphic detail. Guerrero was born into Mexico's first family of sports entertainment. His father, Gory Guerrero, was a Mexican wrestling legend. Before Eddie turned twenty, he was wrestling in Mexico. Soon Guerrero was blowing away fans as part of the upstart Extreme Championship Wrestling. World Championship Wrestling was looking for innovative new talent, and Guerrero's unique style fit the bill. Unfortunately, the backstage politics of WCW kept Guerrero away from the spotlight. Eddie sought solace from the pressures of life on the road by living hard and partying harder. Even a series of drug overdoses and a near-fatal car accident could not change his ways. When a group of wrestlers opted to leave WCW, Guerrero joined them, signing with World Wrestling Federation. Unfortunately, a freak injury in Guerrero's debut match took him out of the action. Upon his return, Eddie was paired with Chyna, which launched his indelible Latino Heat character. However, years of the wrestling lifestyle, of nightly partying and frequent injury, led to addictions to both alcohol and painkillers. Guerrero spent four months in a rehabilitation facility. Sadly, he had not yet hit bottom. A relapse into alcohol abuse resulted in a DUI conviction and the loss of his job. Though Guerrero had lost everything -- his family, his money, his job -- he never allowed himself to lose his pride. Eddie returned to the independent circuit, where he regained his reputation as one of wrestling's most electrifying performers. Guerrero searched deep within himself and fought to regain the life he had lost. His journey of self-discovery reawakened his relationship with Jesus Christ, and he found peace and strength in the Bible. Before long, World Wrestling Entertainment offered Guerrero a second chance. From the moment of his return, it was clear he was instilled with a new focus and passion. With his nephew, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Eddie made up one half of the wildly successful Los Guerreros tag team. The pair became one of WWE's hottest attractions. Ultimately, Guerrero not only regained his life, he surpassed his wildest dreams, becoming WWE Champion. Cheating Death, Stealing Life offers a no-holds-barred glimpse into the secret world of wrestling. It's also the story of Guerrero's private struggle, of a son caught in the shadow of a larger-than-life father and three older brothers, of a marriage that reached the brink of disintegration before being reborn. Throughout, Eddie Guerrero pulls no punches describing his battles with self-doubt and inner darkness. Sadly, in November of 2005, Eddie died due to complications of a heart condition. Cheating Death, Stealing Life is a story of great courage and personal redemption.

One of the most inspiring stories in wrestling history, Cheating Death, Stealing Life sees Eddie Guerrero recount his saga in remarkably candid fashion, chronicling a life of heartbreaks and painful personal struggles in frank, graphic detail. Guerrero was born into Mexico's first family of sports entertainment, and his life story spans three generations of the wrestling business. His father, Gory Guerrero, was among the greatest legends of lucha libre—Mexican wrestling. Before Eddie was twenty, he was competing in the border town of Juarez, going on to work throughout Mexico. The family name made him an instant sensation but also cast a large shadow from which he would spend years trying to emerge. Paired with the late Art Barr, Guerrero cofounded what became the most hated—and popular—tag team in lucha libre, the infamous Los Gringos Locos. Cheating Death, Stealing Life offers a no-holds-barred glimpse behind the curtain into the secret world of wrestling, from the harsh realities of a lifetime spent in hotels and rental cars, to the politics that permeate the dressing room. Of course, tight-knit friendships are also forged. Guerrero tells of his personal bonds with such Superstars as Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko. It's also the story of Guerrero's private struggle, of a son caught in the shadow of a larger-than-life father and three older brothers, of a marriage that reached the brink of disintegration before being reborn as a more powerful and fulfilling relationship. Throughout, Eddie Guerrero pulls no punches describing his battles with self-doubt and inner darkness. In the end, Cheating Death, Stealing Life is a story of great courage and personal redemption, of Guerrero's bravery in facing his disease and fighting to become a better man in every light.

Jiraldo Fernandez

En Trampeando Muerte, Robando Vida -- uno de los relatos más inspiradores de la lucha libre -- Eddie Guerrero cuenta su historia de una manera sorprendentemente franca, y nos presenta, con vívidos y sinceros detalles, su vida llena de sufrimientos y dolorosas experiencias personales. Guerrero nació en el seno de la familia más famosa del entretenimiento deportivo en México. Su padre, Gory Guerrero, es un leyenda de la lucha libre mexicana. Antes de cumplir los veinte años de edad, Eddie ya luchaba en México. Muy pronto, dejó asombrados a los espectadores de la innovadora promoción del Extreme Championship Wrestling. El World Championship Wrestling buscaba nuevos y originales talentos, y encontraron en el estilo único de Guerrero lo que deseaban. Por desgracia, la política administrativa de la WCW no le permitió destacarse tal y como se lo merecía. Ante la presión que los viajes constantes ponían en su vida, Eddie buscó consuelo en la diversión desenfrenada y el abuso de sustancias. Ni siquiera una serie de sobredosis de drogas y un accidente que casi le cuesta la vida pudieron hacer que cambiara su comportamiento. Cuando un grupo de luchadores decidió marcharse de la WCW, Guerrero también se fue y, junto a ellos, se unió a la World Wrestling Federation. Desafortunadamente, una inesperada lesión durante su primer encuentro lo mantuvo fuera del ring. Cuando regresó, Eddie formó pareja profesional con Chyna, lo cual lanzó su inolvidable personaje de Latino Heat. Sin embargo, los años de vida al estilo de la lucha libre, las constantes parrandas nocturnas y sus frecuentes lesiones lo condujeron a hacerse adicto al alcohol y los calmantes para el dolor. Guerrero estuvo cuatro meses en un centro de rehabilitación. Lamentablemente, aún no había tocado fondo. Una recaída alcohólica trajo por consecuencia una condena por conducir embriagado y la pérdida de su empleo. Pero aunque lo había perdido todo -- su familia, su dinero, su trabajo -- , jamás se permitió perder su orgullo. Eddie regresó al circuito independiente, donde recobró su reputación como uno de los luchadores más electrizantes del ring. Guerrero buscó en lo más profundo de su propio ser y luchó para recobrar la vida que había perdido. Su viaje de autodescubrimiento reavivó su relación con Jesucristo, y le ayudó a encontrar paz y fortaleza en la Biblia. Al poco tiempo, World Wrestling Entertainment le ofreció a Eddie una segunda oportunidad. Desde el instante de su regreso, fue evidente que había adquirido una nueva visión de la vida y una nueva pasión. Con su sobrino, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Eddie formó la enormemente exitosa pareja de Los Guerreros. Ambos se convirtieron en una de las atracciones más populares de la WWE. Al final, Eddie no sólo recuperó su vida, sino que sobrepasó sus sueños más descabellados: convertirse en Campeón de la WWE. Trampeando Muerte, Robando Vida permite echar una mirada sin tapujos a lo que sucede entre telones en el mundo oculto de la lucha libre. También es el relato de la lucha privada de Guerrero, de un hijo atrapado bajo la imponente sombra de un padre y tres legendarios hermanos mayores, de un matrimonio que había estado al borde del abismo antes de renacer nuevamente. A lo largo de todo el libro, Eddie Guerrero no se anda con miramientos al revelar sus batallas contra la inseguridad y las tinieblas del espíritu. Finalmente, Trampeando Muerte, Robando Vida es un relato sobre la grandeza del valor y la redención personal.

Eddie Guerrero

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