WWE Deadly Dream Matches, Part 3: Alberto Del Rio vs. Eddie Guerrero
Happy Monday everyone, GSM here! For those who haven't been following, I have started a series of articles title Deadly Dream Matches (DDM) where I compare two current and/or former WWE or TNA Superstars and how alike they resemble each other to make one helluva match.
In my previous two editions, I have compared Strikeforce Fighter Bobby Lashley to Ezekiel Jackson, as well as Chris Benoit to the United States Champion Daniel Bryan. I was originally planning on making this presentation on Sheamus vs. Brock Lesnar, but I noticed they don't have that much in common besides they both won the WWE Championship in a matter of months.
Instead, I will be comparing the future World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio to WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero. Many people made this connection immediately when Del Rio debuted onSmackDown, but I would like to present to you, the IWC, as to why this would make an epicWrestleMania match.
Visit Deadly Dream Matches Parts 1 and 2 here:
Feuding With Rey Mysterio
1 of 5Both Del Rio and Guerrero had different reasons for feuding with Rey Mysterio, but both rivalries were long-lasting and the main focal point on SmackDown for many months in 2005 and 2010 respectively.
In 2005, Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio were very close friends, both inside and outside of ring. During their tenure, they won the WWE Tag Team Championship together before dropping the titles following a great opening bout at WrestleMania 21.
In a long story short, Eddie soon became jealous of Mysterio and betrayed him, fighting each other at the Judgement Day, Great American Bash, and SummerSlam pay-per-views, which were all won by Mysterio. The feud also included Mysterio's son Dominik, with his "custody" on the line at the SummerSlam event.
Fast forward five years later, Alberto Del Rio makes his long-awaited debut on the SmackDown brand and defeated Rey Mysterio in the main event. The rivalry continued over the next five months, and culminated recently on the first SmackDown of 2011 with Del Rio getting the victory in a tremendous Two-out-of-Three Count Falls Match.
The feud with Eddie was his real last good feud before passing in November of that year, and had the feud more emotional at it's climax. Del Rio's feud with Mysterio jump-started Del Rio's career and is now portrayed as a main event player on SmackDown.
Latino Background
2 of 5I'm not trying to be racist here, but they both Mexican. This is mostly the reason why Alberto Del Rio is resembled to Eddie Guerrero so easily because of their Latino background.
While Del Rio is also compared to JBL due to the entrance limo and the wealthy gimmick, their race is not similar as it is with Guerrero. Please, for those of you who are of the Mexican heritage, I am very respectful of the culture and trying to be the farthest thing from a racist.
Well why would their ethnic backgrounds matter in a match between the two? That brings me to my next point...
Lucha Libre Styles
3 of 5Their background plays a major role in their wrestling style. It's ironic that for the last two editions of DDM, I have compared powerhouses and submission wrestlers.
I find it a little stereotypical that some wrestling fans believe that all Mexican wrestlers can fly at the level of Rey Mysterio and Homicide, and even the fact that all wear masks. This is not true, but interesting fact: Del Rio used to wear a mask in the FCW territory before he was asked to remove it since he looked better without it and to adapt to his gimmick.
However, both Guerrero and Del Rio are amazing workers and have put on epic matches with Kofi Kingston, Kurt Angle, and of course Rey Mysterio. Their finishers, the Flying Armbar and Frog Splash, end the match with a bang and is really a sight to see.
Ladder matches seem to be their specialty, but for this particular dream match I'd like to see Del Rio and Guerrero compete in a 2/3 Count Falls Match similar to a few weeks ago.
Heel Personas
4 of 5My favorite thing about Alberto Del Rio is the heel character he portrays. He plays his part to perfection, and in a matter of months as become one of the most heated and hated heels in the WWE.
Eddie Guerrero would also play a heartless heel to the best of his ability and in my opinion, that's where he earned most of his popularity. He perfected the slogan "Cheat, Lie, Steal", and similar to Jericho's heel persona, Guerrero would be cheered whether he was face or heel.
Del Rio should give a little credit to JBL for copying parts of his gimmick and thus why he garners so much heat, but also believe Del Rio will be a huge replacement for Mysterio when the Master of the 619 retires. Although Del Rio doesn't use Guerrero's slogan directly, he does use his loyal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez to win some of his matches.
The Future and Final Analysis
5 of 5After many years of proving himself to wrestling fans around the world, Eddie Guerrero finally won "the big one" by capturing his first WWE Championship against Brock Lesnar at No Way Out 2004, holding the title for five months for a prestigious reign. Unfortunately, Guerrero suffered from heart failure in November 2005, but if he was still alive today, it is guaranteed he would won many more world championships.
Since first stepping in company, it was rumored and even leaked that Alberto Del Rio was in for a major push in WWE, and becoming a "big deal" very quickly. So far, he has impressed me among many others that he is capable of becoming a World Champion soon.
Will he replicate Eddie's success seven years later?
Anyways, if Eddie were still alive today, this would make a for a huge match at WrestleMania, and exceed expectations beyond anyone's belief. My personal choice would be a Two-out-of-Three Count Falls Match for the Intercontinental Championship, but feel free comment and tweak the contest.
Despite the stipulation, who do you think would emerge as the winner?
Comment below and let your voice be heard! Keep on the horizon for more edition of my Deadly Dream Matches coming soon in the next few weeks. Thanks for reading!
Check out my personal website, Next Era Wrestling, for more of GSM's writing.
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