Guerrero Funeral Held; Second Wrestler Hospitalized

Guerrero Funeral Held; Second Wrestler Hospitalized

POSTED: 2:52 pm EST November 17, 2005
UPDATED: 10:33 am EST November 18, 2005

Friends and family said their good-byes today to World Wrestling Entertainment star Eddie Guerrero.

Private services for the 38-year-old Guerrero were held at a cemetery in south Scottsdale, Ariz., where Guerrero lived, the Associated Press reported.

Several WWE wrestlers were seen arriving for the funeral. However, many other wrestlers are currently on a tour of Europe and were unable to attend, said several publications that report on the wrestling business.

The WWE also reported on its Web site Friday morning than a second wrestler was hospitalized with health problems Thursday night and has been suspended.

Nick Dinsmore, who portrays the character of "Eugene," was rushed to a Manchester, England hospital, evaluated and then later released.

The WWE said Dinsmore was suspended indefinitely, and it would release more information about the incident.

Widow Says Guerrero Had Heart Damage

Guerrero may have died from heart disease, says his widow.

In a statement on its Web site, World Wrestling Entertainment said Vickie Guerrero was told by a Minnesota coroner that a preliminary autopsy showed her husband had "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," Vickie Guerrero said. "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."

Eddie Guerrero's funeral was scheduled for Thursday in Phoenix. Many of his wrestling colleagues were expected to attend.

The official cause of death may not be known for weeks, said the coroner.

Vickie Guerrero also said her husband didn't feel well for the week leading up to his death.

"He was home and kept saying he wasn't feeling good and we thought it was just 'road tired.' So we thought he just had to rest," she said.

Guerrero's body was found in a Minneapolis hotel room hours before a WWE show on Sunday, authorities said.

While fans and wrestlers expressed shock over Guerrero's passing, Guerrero becomes one of a number of popular pro wrestler figures who have died in the past decade while working in a grueling business.

Active performers such as Big Boss Man, Curt Hennig, Road Warrior Hawk, Miss Elizabeth, Ravishing Rick Rude, The Wall, Crash Holly and Davey Boy Smith have all died since 2002.

In a March 2004 report, USA Today said at least 65 pro wrestlers had died since 1997 — 25 from heart attacks or other coronary problems. Many had enlarged hearts. In five of the 25 deaths, medical examiners found that steroids might have played a role, USA Today reported.

Authorities said he didn't respond to a wake-up call Sunday morning. His nephew, fellow WWE wrestler Chavo Guerrero, and hotel security staffers forced their way into his room and found him on the floor, authorities said.

"This is a huge loss," said WWE chairman Vince McMahon. "Eddie was a consummate performer.''

Guerrero was only the second wrestler of Hispanic heritage to be WWE champion, having won the title in February 2004. He lost the crown four months later.

Guerrero's father was a wrestler in Mexico and his three older brothers also were wrestlers.

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