WWE wrestler found dead in Minneapolis hotel

Monday, November 7th 2005, 10:23 am

By: News On 6

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ There were no immediate signs of foul play in the death of a World Wrestling Entertainment star whose body was found in a Minneapolis hotel room, authorities said.

An autopsy to determine how 38-year-old Eduardo Gory Guerrero died was planned for Monday. On its Web site, the Stamford, Conn.-based WWE said Guerrero's body will then be flown to Phoenix and funeral arrangements are set for Wednesday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Guerrero, a featured star on the UPN show ``WWE Smackdown!'', was in Minneapolis for a Sunday night WWE show at Target Center.

Authorities said Guerrero didn't respond to a wake-up call Sunday morning. His nephew, fellow WWE wrestler Chavo Guerrero, and hotel security at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center forced their way into the room and found the 5-foot-8, 220-pound wrestler on the floor. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

His nephew said Guerrero was open about past drug and alcohol abuse but had been sober for four years. Guerrero was married and had three children.

``This is a huge loss,'' said WWE chairman Vince McMahon. ``Eddie was a wonderful, fun-loving human being. Eddie was a consummate performer.''

Guerrero was a son of Mexican wrestler Gory Guerrero.

In February 2004, Guerrero became the second wrestler of Hispanic heritage to be WWE champion when he defeated Brock Lesnar, a former University of Minnesota wrestling standout. Guerrero lost the title four months later.

In May 2004, UPN aired the special ``Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story.'' The one-hour program chronicled his childhood and his struggle with drug addiction that almost cost him his job, family and life before his recovery and eventual capture of the WWE championship.

Guerrero grew up in El Paso, Texas. He and his three older brothers were all wrestlers.