12 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE Raw From 2005
9. Eddie Guerrero’s Tribute Was More Than Tears
There were a lot of tears on show during the Eddie Guerrero tribute Raw on 14 November. Understandably so. Wrestlers in the locker room, staff in the office and wrestling fans around the world had lost somebody they held dear. For the workers specifically, a close friend and peer had been ripped from their midst without warning, and now here they were on TV talking about it.
WWE scrapped a lot of their plans for the night and just let some folks go out there to wrestle or talk about Guerrero. It shows the strength of the roster and their resolve that the show had some cracking matches on it. No, really. Most recall the emotion most of all, which is fair play, but a few bouts on the card are well worth your time.
Kurt Angle vs. Shelton Benjamin was a battle of former 'Team Angle' mentor and protege. Throughout, Kurt was fired up and likely found it cathartic to go as hard as he could inside the ring. Using wrestling to deal with powerful emotions is something Angle has spoken about before - he did it back in 2003 when grieving the death of his sister.
Then, there was Shawn Michaels vs. Rey Mysterio. That had a little more emotional weight than Angle vs. Benjamin due to Rey's involvement, and it truly is remarkable that he was able to function as well as he did between the ropes that night.
What a historic episode of the show. It's a dangerous one to revisit, because the tears will come whether you want them to or not, but some of the wrestling was top notch in spite of the circumstances.