CM Punk Pays Tribute to Eddie Guerrero on What Would Have Been His 58th Birthday

Guerrero remains one of the most beloved wrestlers in history. Despite personal struggles, he fought his demons and dedicated himself to the sport he loved. In a reply to WrestlePurists’ post on Twitter, veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer shared a story illustrating Guerrero’s character and respect for others in the business. 

Meltzer recalled that after a stint on the independent circuit, Guerrero returned to WWE and made a point of putting Punk over, even though Guerrero was already a major star and Punk was still primarily an indie wrestler at the time.

Moreover, the Texas native had a deep respect for Punk. According to Meltzer, Punk genuinely loved Guerrero as well, recognizing him as a genuinely kind person and one of the best wrestlers of his era. 

While other top-tier wrestlers might not have done the same, and it likely wouldn’t have been encouraged by his new employers, Guerrero saw it as the right thing to do. His gesture reflected both his personal character and his profound respect for the business.

CM Punk reveals a story about wrestling Eddie Guerrero on the independent scene

For those unfamiliar, Eddie Guerrero and CM Punk shared the ring multiple times in the early 2000s. After Guerrero was fired by WWE in 2002, he returned to the independent circuit, where he crossed paths with Punk. Their run included a trio of matches for IWA: Mid-South and two matches for the Pittsburgh-based International Wrestling Cartel. 

Punk has often spoken fondly of those days, recalling them as some of his happiest memories and reflecting on the lessons he learned from the fallen legend. Ahead of his first WrestleMania main event earlier this year, Punk spoke to Metro UK, highlighting some of the most important things he took from his time with Guerrero. 

Punk praised Guerrero’s determination and grit, noting how he continued to fight even in the darkest periods of his life, a quality that became his signature both inside and outside the ring.

He was real sad. He’d been fired, he’s going through a divorce. He didn’t know when he was going to see his kids. And when you’re on the top like he was, to go back – and he’s working in indies. There’s that part of you that [felt sorry for him]. He’s here. He’s working with me in this Columbus Hall in Indianapolis. But he wrestled me like it was the main event of WrestleMania.

CM Punk via Metro UK

Punk also reflected on the lessons he learned from Guerrero and the close relationship they shared. According to Punk, he could simply pick up the phone and call Guerrero at any time, highlighting the accessibility and mentorship Guerrero offered. 

The Chicago native explained that Guerrero taught him that wrestling isn’t just about executing moves, but about timing, connecting with the audience, and creating emotional moments. Punk described the experience of working with Guerrero as invaluable, emphasizing how much he gained from their time together both professionally and personally.