WWE Executive Cried When Eddie Guerrero Became World Champion

A key WWE figure was moved to tears by Eddie Guerrero.

After years of struggling against industry stereotypes that he wasn’t big enough, and a well-documented personal battle with addiction, Eddie Guerrero finally became WWE Champion at No Way Out 2004.

After winning a Battle Royal on SmackDown, Guerrero was quickly thrust into a rivalry with WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. As the tension between the pair increased Guerrero laid bare his personal demons and struggles. Following his famous “addict” promo on SmackDown, there was no doubt who fans needed to see raise the title above their head at the Cow Palace.

Via interference and a DDT onto the championship belt, Guerrero pinned Lesnar to claim one of the most emotional wins in WWE history.

Bruce Prichard Cried In Eddie Guerrero’s Arms

During a recent episode of his Something to Wrestle podcast, Bruce Prichard looked back on that famous night in San Francisco. Prichard recalled hugging Guerrero and bursting into tears as he made his way backstage.

“It was very personal to Eddie to be the champion, and to know that ‘okay all this is on you now,” Prichard said. “Eddie coming back … man it was just — we hugged each other and cried, because it was the culmination of so many people telling him he’ll never make it and he was not going to do it you know? ‘No Eddie you’re a f*** up, you’re a drug addict, you can’t do this, you’re too small.”

Prichard went on to recall his relationship with Guerrero, and trying to help him when he was at his lowest. As a result, he said when the star won the World Title it was like watching a family member achieve greatness.

“It was special. It was like a member of the family finally making it and getting that nod. That was a big deal.”

After his victory at No Way Out, Eddie Guerrero went on to defeat Kurt Angle at WrestleMania XX. The star held the gold until being beaten in controversial circumstances by JBL at the Great American Bash.

H/t to Wrestling Inc