Rey Mysterio Gets Real About Life Without Eddie Guerrero 20 Years Later

It’s been two decades since the wrestling world lost Eddie Guerrero—but for Rey Mysterio, it still feels like yesterday.

In an open letter published by The Players’ Tribune, Rey remembered his late best friend and in-ring brother on the 20th anniversary of his passing. Guerrero died suddenly on November 13, 2005, at the age of 38. He was found unconscious in his hotel room in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The cause of death was acute heart failure. His passing rocked the wrestling world and left a permanent void in the hearts of fans and fellow wrestlers alike.

Now, twenty years later, Rey Mysterio is still grieving—but also celebrating the legacy of the man he called “WeeWeeto.”

“When I publish this letter on Thursday, it will be 20 years to the day since you passed. November 13th, 2005. It’s hard to believe. And it feels so unfair sometimes, just knowing how much life I’ve gotten to live in those years. You didn’t get to see 40 … that’s still painful to think about. Me, on the other hand, I turned 50 last December. Nahhhh I can already see the evil grin on your face, hearing that. ‘50?!? 50?!? Oh Rey, no…….. You OLD.’”

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Mysterio reflected on Eddie’s role in shaping the next generation—including Rey’s own son, Dominik Mysterio, whose rise in WWE has drawn comparisons to Guerrero’s villainous brilliance.

“Dominik wasn’t fully clicking as ‘Rey Mysterio’s baby boy’……… so he did what I’m 100% sure you would’ve told him to do. He turned heel, and basically became ‘Eddie Guerrero’s demon boy.’ And that changed everything.”

Rey described Dom’s transformation as something Eddie would’ve loved—from the sleazy mustache to the smug grin and bad attitude.

“He has the presentation down perfect: the sleazy (no offense) stache, the terrible (no offense) mullet, the ugly (no offense) jewelry and clothes. He’s got the s**-eating grin… THE WORSE HE BEHAVES??? THE MORE THEY CHEER.”*

He also spoke from the heart about how Eddie’s legacy lives on—not just in Dominik or in his own memories, but in the entire wrestling business.

“They’ll find it in your legacy, and in your influence, and in your genius, and in your spirit. They’ll find it in how your memory — how the name Eddie Guerrero — is now forever sewn on the fabric of what this sport might become.”

Eddie Guerrero was one of the most influential performers of all time—a master of charisma, psychology, and ring storytelling. From his days in WCW to his iconic run in WWE where he captured the WWE Championship in 2004, Guerrero won over fans around the world with his “Lie, Cheat, Steal” persona. His untimely passing left the industry in shock, and his name still brings emotion to those who knew him. Rey ended the letter with the kind of love only true brothers could share.

“I’ll love you for the rest of them.”

Wrestling lost a legend in 2005. But through Rey, Dominik, and the millions Eddie inspired, his name is never going away.

How do you remember Eddie Guerrero? What impact did he have on your love for wrestling? Drop your stories and tributes in the comments—we’d love to hear them.