Published 14:44 IST, November 18th 2019
Batista remembers Eddie Guerrero and dedicates him his championship
Batista was inconsolable while paying his last respects to the great Eddie Guerrero during the November 18, 2005 episode of Smackdown. Eddie had mentored him.
Batista had an outstanding year in 2005. He had risen to superstardom after having won the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 21 against Triple H and he became one of the prominent stars of the WWE along with John Cena. Nearly three months later he was drafted to Smackdown where he and Eddie Guerrero had become the best of friends and after Eddie's untimely demise on November 13, 2005, Batista was inconsolable.
Batista cannot hold back his tears
The November 18, 2005 edition of Smackdown kicked off with the then World Heavyweight Champion Batista driving down Eddie Guerrero's low-rider to the ringside with Eddie's theme song 'VIVA LA RAZA' being played. After getting out of the low-rider, the 'Animal' was seen crying bitterly as he made his way towards the ring to pay tribute to 'Latino Heat'. Getting into the ring, Batista tried his best to hold back his tears so that he could do what he had rightfully come out to do. He then remembered Eddie Guerrero and the bond that the two superstars had shared and yes it was not a part of the script. For those unaware, when the Smackdown roster was not comfortable to work with Dave, it was Eddie Guerrero who made him feel comfortable and mentored him as 'The Animal' was able to establish himself on the blue brand. Batista who was still in tears said he could not believe that Eddie Guerrero was gone and that he would do anything to have Eddie back. He then added that Eddie had fought his demons (drug addiction) to win his family back and for that he respected the hell out of him.
''Eddie Guerrero loved this business. He loved this business. He ate, he breathed, he slept, he bled this business and no matter how much pain he was in when he stepped through that curtain all that pain just went away and he found peace in this ring'', said Batista.
''Eddie Guerrero, I miss you and I love you and I will make sure that these people everywhere around the world remember you'', he promised.
In what was a heartbreaking moment for all the viewers, when Eddie's theme song played after Batista had paid tribute to Eddie and was about to exit the ring, the Animal stood there for a while agonizingly expecting the 'Latino Heat' to come out but to no avail as he had his fist on his forehead and reminded himself that it was not going to happen. During the previous episode of Smackdown on November 11, when Eddie Guerrero was getting medical assistance after his match against Mr. Kennedy, Batista had come and asked him whether he was alright to which Eddie replied, ''Ya man. You know that I have got your back Homes'' in a tone where it seemed that something was wrong with him. Sadly, those were his last words on television as well. In fact, after that contest, the Latino Heat had sealed his spot in Team Smackdown led by Batista where they were to face the Shawn Michaels-led Team Raw in a traditional five-on-five match at Survivor Series later that month.
As Batista made his way back to the locker room, he left the World Heavyweight Championship belt on the hood of the low-rider. Dave then pointed his fingers in the air, looked up and told Eddie that he would always remember him as a devastated world champion went back. Meanwhile, the world title remained on the hood of Eddie's low-rider for the rest of the show.
Watch the video here:
Eddie Guerrero's untimely demise
Eddie Guerrero was found unconscious in his hotel room in Minneapolis Minnesota by his younger brother Chavo Guerrero on November 13, 2005, and by the time the paramedics arrived at the scene, Eddie was declared dead. He was 38 at the time of his untimely death. It was then revealed that he had died as a result of acute heart failure. As per reports, his better half Vickie Guerrero claimed that he had been unwell in the week leading up to his death. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon asked whether the show that was scheduled on that day be canceled. However, upon Chavo's insistence, there were no cancellations as he said that even Eddie would have wanted the show to go on.
Updated 22:19 IST, November 18th 2019