5 things that may never have happened if Eddie Guerrero was still here

Eddie Guerrero is one of the most beloved wrestlers of all time. Over an almost 20-year career, he won millions of hearts with his immaculate ring work, organic character, and irresistible charm. Wherever he was on the card, Latino Heat always found a way to be one of the highlights of the show.

Guerrero began his career in CMLL, later joining ECW, WCW, and WWE. Though mainly featured in the cruiserweight division, Mr. Lie, Cheat, and Steal worked his way up the card with his iconic moveset, world-class ring psychology, and one-of-a-kind theatrics. He ended up rising to the very top of the industry, winning the WWE Championship against Brock Lesnar at No Way Out 2004.

Guerrero's sudden demise in 2005 aged 38 sent shockwaves through the industry and changed WWE's trajectory. The RAW and SmackDown show in tribute to his life remain two of the most emotional of all time. His legacy has lived on strong, with many superstars in WWE and beyond copying his Frog Splash, the Three Amigos suplex, and even his trademark fake-outs countless times.

Mr. Viva la Raza would've been 55 were he alive in 2022. If this were the case, much would be different in WWE and the world of pro wrestling in general.

Here are five things that may never have happened if Eddie Guerrero were still with us.

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#5. Vickie Guerrero may never have gone to AEW if Eddie Guerrero were still alive

At the time of his passing, Eddie Guerrero was one of Vince McMahon's favorite superstars. By all indications, Latino Heat was set to be a lifelong WWE Superstar. In the 17 years since that fateful night, he'd most likely have won multiple worlds, tag, and mid-card titles.

This long and legendary career would've made it difficult for his wife Vickie Guerrero to join AEW and manage Nyla Rose as she currently does.

#4. But for Eddie Guerrero passing on, WWE may never have established a Wellness Policy

Eddie Guerrero died of acute heart failure. His passing triggered a change in WWE's drug testing policy. The company tightened its rules on the use of steroids to improve the career and life expectancy of its talent.

The emotion involved in Guerrero's demise caused a seismic shift in company policy due to how highly regarded he was. It's doubtful it would've been instituted had he stayed alive. At the very least, it may have come into effect much later than it did.

The tragedy that befell Latino Heat bore a decision that would possibly save many superstars in the long run.

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#3. The tragedy of Chris Benoit's murder-suicide may have been avoided had his good friend Eddie Guerrero been alive

Eddie Guerrero and real-life close friend Chris Benoit shared an extremely heartwarming moment at WrestleMania XX. The two perennial underdogs celebrated the Rabid Wolverine's World Heavyweight Championship win together in the ring hours after Guerrero retained the WWE Championship.

It was a celebration of long, hard career paths finally being rewarded by reaching the pinnacle of the industry simultaneously. On Latino Heat's RAW tribute, no one was more emotional than Benoit. Less than two years later, The Wolverine passed away in a gruesome murder-suicide that rocked the entire industry to its core.

It's difficult not to hope that Eddie's presence might've helped prevent this horrific ordeal.

#2. Rey Mysterio's 2006 Royal Rumble win may not have happened without Eddie Guerrero's memory to honor

Barely three months after Eddie Guerrero passed away, Rey Mysterio won the 2006 Royal Rumble. It was no less than Mysterio deserved, having had a career as impressive as Guerrero's. However, it's difficult to deny that WWE booked this win to pay tribute to El Caliente. Triple H was reportedly the originally planned winner of this contest:

According to former WWE writer Court Bauer, Hunter was booked to win the Rumble until it was changed about ten days before the match. Here's how Bauer explained it: "It came down to Hunter or Rey winning and obviously most people were pushing for Hunter. Very few people were pushing for Rey, but the right guy was able to push that through and get it into the end zone, and that guy was Pat Patterson. Pat Patterson, Bruce Prichard and myself obviously wanted Rey to win. Pat had the most influence because he's Pat Patterson, and really was the most influential in getting that decision and getting Rey over... But that was something that came down to the last ten days." (H/T - John Canton via Whatculture.com)

Mysterio, being the all-time great he is, may have won a Rumble later on and would've been world champion as he did in 2011. However, it's unlikely that he would have won the 2006 Rumble had Eddie been alive.

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#1. Randy Orton would not have been the sole survivor at Survivor Series 2005 if Eddie Guerrero was still around

Eddie Guerrero was supposed to be part of the traditional 5-on-5 match at Survivor Series 2005. He beat Mr. Kennedy in a qualifying match days before his demise. In the aftermath of his death, Guerrero was replaced on Team SmackDown! by Randy Orton.

The Legend Killer would go on to be the lone survivor, leading the blue brand's team to victory. However, in the presence of Latino Heat, it's not certain whether SmackDown would've won. What's certain is that Orton wouldn't have been on the team at all, let alone the lone survivor.