Redemption and Triumph: Eddie Guerrero Winning The WWE Championship at No Way Out 2004
“Eddie Guerrero gets his redemption… Eddie Guerrero has exorcised his demons!” - Michael Cole
It has been two decades since the iconic match between Eddie Guerrero and Brock Lesnar at the Cow Palace in Daly City, CA. In commemoration of this event, I decided to do something special. I decided to watch it back and give you all what this match means to me and how it remains a seminal piece of WWE storytelling.
Credit to Peacock/WWE
In 2004, I was a 12-year-old student at Hoover Middle School in San Jose, California. I was going through adolescence and figuring out where I fit in. As a sixth-grader, I was experiencing the typical awkward phases of growing up, constantly adapting to the physical and emotional changes. During that time, I, like many other children, experienced bullying. However, I found comfort in watching Smackdown Thursday Nights on UPN 44 Cable 12! It became a source of entertainment for me, allowing me to escape from the harsh realities of bullying and immerse myself in the exciting world of professional wrestling.
I had watched during the Attitude Era and enjoyed the exploits of Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Rock, and Vince McMahon, as well as the underdog resilience and creativity of Mick Foley and his characters Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love.
During the era of Ruthless Aggression, Eddie Guerrero, also known as Latino Heat, had been a talented performer in various wrestling promotions. Finally, he got a chance to showcase his skills in the main event, and this period gave his character a lasting legacy.
Eddie was known for his incredible in-ring abilities and his ability to outsmart his opponents. He was a master of manipulation, using his quick thinking and sly tactics to gain an advantage over his opponents. Whatever the obstacle, Eddie always found a way to come out on top, which appealed to me as a young kid viewed as an underdog facing off against a rash of bullies.
The match between Eddie Guerrero and Brock Lesnar was more than just a physical battle. It represented Eddie's victory over his struggles and demonstrated his strength and resilience. Eddie's real-life struggles with addiction added a layer of depth and authenticity to the match, making it relatable and emotionally charged for the audience.
Eddie demonstrated tremendous effort in his quest to win the championship title and overcome his challenges. His determination was palpable in his vulnerability, which was felt by all who watched him. Eddie was staunch in proving himself that he was ready for the spotlight and the honor of being the WWE Champion.
The heated face-off between Lesnar and Eddie during the build-up to this championship match was unforgettable as Lesnar brought up Eddie's addiction and pressed hard into that from all angles.
With the crowd buzzing at the Cow Palace, the main event got underway. The WWE Universe was captivated by the match, eagerly anticipating Eddie's chance to dethrone the dominant and despised Brock Lesnar.
The crowd's investment was palpable, with every near fall and high-risk move eliciting thunderous cheers and gasps of anticipation. The psychology of the match was masterfully crafted, with Eddie using his cunning and resourcefulness to stay in the fight against the seemingly unstoppable Lesnar.
Fortunately for Latino Heat, Lesnar found himself in a confrontation with Bill Goldberg. Goldberg saw an opportunity to enter the ring and deliver a Spear to Lesnar. Eddie tried his hardest to take advantage of the situation, but Brock managed to recover to position Eddie for another F-5, but Eddie swiftly countered it with a DDT. Eddie drove Brock's face into the WWE Championship that Lesnar had brought into the ring, turning the tables on him.
Eddie seized the opportunity to execute his remarkable Frog Splash on Brock. The impact was devastating, leaving Brock stunned and vulnerable. With the crowd on their feet, Eddie wasted no time and quickly went for the pin. The referee's hand hit the mat three times, signifying the end of the match.
The arena erupted in cheers as Eddie Guerrero was declared the winner and the new WWE Champion. Watching this moment on pay-per-view unfold as a kid was a special moment because of all the obstacles Guerrero had to overcome to climb up that mountain and reach Everest.
Eddie Guerrero's time in 2004 as WWE Champion may have been brief, but it was a shining moment in his career getting a chance to headline WrestleMania XX with Kurt Angle and launching the heel run of JBL with two brutal matches at Judgement Day and The Great American Bash.
On this night twenty years ago, there was no doubt left in Eddie Guerrero and a kid got some courage to face his bullies head-on.
