Guest Author - Patty Therre

The late Eddie Guerrero's wife, Vickie, told WWE.com today (November 15) that the cause of Eddie's death was due to heart failure. According to Vickie Guerrero, “It was heart failure. It was from his past – the drinking and the drug abuse. They found signs of heart disease. She (the examiner) said that the blood vessels were very worn and narrow, and that just showed all the abuse from the scheduling of work and his past. And Eddie just worked out like crazy all the time. It made his heart grow bigger and work harder and the vessels were getting smaller, and that’s what caused the heart failure. He went into a deep sleep."

She went on to say that Eddie had been feeling unwell and tired for the past week but attributed it to being "road tired."

Eddie Guerrero, 38, one of WWE Smackdown's brightest stars, died Sunday, November 13, in a Minneapolis hotel room in the early hours of the morning. He was to wrestle for the World Heavyweight Belt against Champion Batista and Randy Orton in a televised "Supershow" that would have aired Friday on Smackdown.

Instead, WWE produced two tribute shows in his honor. Last night's WWE Raw opened with a 10 bell salute and the entire roster from both Raw and Smackdown out on the ramp. The show was filled with tributes and memories of Eddie as well as classic clips and moments from his legendary past. There were several interpromotional matches interspersed as well with most storylines dropped and the matches being dedicated to Eddie.

Smackdown, which airs on UPN on Friday night (8 -10 p.m. EST) will also have tributes, video montages, and special interpromotional matches in Eddie's honor. Friday's Smackdown should be as emotional as Raw was. Eddie Guerrero was truly loved by just about all he came in contact with and it was evident that everyone on the roster was very shakened up and saddened by his passing.

The crews are overseas now -- the Raw brand is in Germany and the Smackdown brand is in Italy. Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, and JBL did not go with the Smackdown crew. They stayed behind to attend Eddie's funeral which will be held on Thursday. They will fly to Germany to join the Smackdown crew on Friday and finish the tour.

Chavo Guerrero, Jr., Eddie's nephew, remained in the states as well. I don't think he will go on the European tour considering the circumstances.

Several wrestlers have written tributes to Eddie, notably Chris Jericho, who was extremely close to Eddie throughout the years. You can read Chris Jericho's tribute here by clicking on the "related link" to your right.

WWE.com has archived many video tributes to Eddie that didn't air on Raw as well as some that did. They also have classic matches, information, a career retrospect, Vickie Guerrero's full statement on the cause of death and her feelings about losing her husband, and more on the site. Jim Ross has also resurfaced on WWE.com as he recovers from successful colon surgery at his home to write a moving article remembering Eddie.

Eddie had just celebrated his fourth year of sobriety. He had battled alcohol and pain killer addiction over the years but had finally kicked them all and became a born again Christian.

Somewhat ironically and sad, his book, "Cheating Death, Stealing Life" is scheduled to come out in early December. I strongly urge that you buy/preorder this book. Royalties will go to his family and it will be an inspiration to all despite the tragic ending of Eddie's life after beating all his demons. I read some early media from the book and it's a riveting, brutally honest read and, in light of his untimely death, a tribute to the man who did cheat death and steal life until death snuck up on him and took him from us all. You can look at the book information by clicking on the graphic below.

Please stop by the forum and say good-bye and pay tribute to Eddie. I have started a thread there for fans to talk about their memories of Eddie Guerrero and to say good-bye to him. I will alert the Guerrero family of the forum if enough people post so that they can see that Eddie will not be forgotten.

For up to the minute news, visit my personal website's Breaking News Board at Wrestling on the Fringe and click on messages and chat. I have opened the boards to all to read.

I will be back soon, hopefully with less sad news and views soon.

Patty

Eddie's Guerrero's autobiography, "Cheating Death, Stealing Life" is scheduled for an early December release. The book will not only be a collector's edition, the royalties from the sales of it will help out his wife and three daughters who are left without a husband and father.