Message-ID: 

http://www.wwe.com/news/commentary/drtom/1255045

Where do we draw the line? Do fans who watch WWE really want to hear
about "personal demons" and the battles Superstars face to deal with
them? I have to admit when Eddie Guerrero appeared in the ring with
Brock Lesnar on the Feb. 12 edition of SmackDown! and explained that
he is an addict and it's a day-to-day thing, the hairs on the back of
my neck stood up! I couldn't help thinking that a lot of people were
groaning and shaking their heads, saying, "Come on! I didn't tune in
to hear this crap!"

And I was right. Some people thought bringing up personal issues like
addiction were getting old. Others thought it was a great interview. I
could hear and feel the passion in Eddie's voice. This is a subject
that will turn a lot of people off. That is, unless they can relate
and have some experience dealing with their own addictions or a loved
one's.

It's hard to imagine that our heroes can have the same faults as
everybody else. The high of performing in the ring is like no other
drug in the world. As time goes by and the punishment to your body
increases, it becomes easier to take something to help you make it
through the next day. It's happened to athletes, musicians, actors,
doctors, lawyers and people from all walks of life. But when somebody
in the public eye starts talking about the issue, it makes us all
uncomfortable.

Maybe it's because we don't want to have the spotlight shine on us.
Maybe we'd rather not know because then we'd have to discuss it with
our kids. Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter. WWE, sports
entertainment, professional wrestling or whatever you want to call it
is about drama, passion and watching the greatest athletes in the
world perform things no one else can. So don't add that all-too-real
dose of reality when it's "just a TV show."

The thing is, it's not "just a TV show." One of the few things that
really irritates me is people who have only casually watched wrestling
and think they can do it. These people think that all they have to do
is wrestle on Monday or Thursday night and be a star. I had one guy
come to Louisville for a "tryout." He was a big guy who casually
watched wrestling and decided he would be a great "character." He had
it all planned. He would come out and destroy people in 30 seconds for
six weeks and get people buzzing about him.

Then he would do some more mysterious things and boy, would our
ratings take off! After two days of attempting to learn basic moves
(lock up, hitting the mat, running the ropes) this fella wanted to
explain to me that with the character he had in mind he wouldn't be
doing "all that." One word for ya: Clueless!

This guy only saw RAW and SmackDown! and had no idea about the people
he was watching. They have busted their backs to make it, and I
resented him for thinking he didn't have to do "all that." The bumps
hurt. The travel is tiresome. If you have a family or girlfriend, you
will miss them. You can lose focus on why you wanted to do this to
begin with. And then you look for a way to recreate the high you feel
when you step inside the ring. You can keep looking for a long time
until one or two things will happen: You go to rehab, or you die.
Simple.

Or not. It's not easy to admit you have a problem. Hell, it can be
downright embarrassing! Living a life where you're living your dream
can make you think you can get away with anything. Including drugs,
sex and rock ‘n' roll! It's happened to the best of us. Life spiraling
out of control and being completely oblivious to it all.

OK. Enough of the doom and gloom. I have known the Guerreros for more
than 20 years. I met Chavo Sr. and Mando when I first started in Los
Angeles. I met Eddie throughout the years but wasn't as close to him
as I was his brothers. When Eddie came to WWE, we talked on occasion.
In 2001, we both got sent to "camp," as we called it, and got our
lives straightened out. I felt the passion and conviction in his voice
on SmackDown! Telling a drug addict to "just say no" is like telling a
manic depressant to "just cheer up." It's not that easy. It's a battle
every day, and the minute you let your guard down, you can sink right
back into that hole. And it's a hard hole to climb out of.

Imagine being at sea for 20 years. Then you come ashore and stand on
solid ground. It'll take some time before you get used to walking on
land again. Addiction is kinda like that. I understand and appreciate
the everyday battle Eddie fights. Respect is earned, not given. And
Eddie Guerrero has earned the respect of his peers and fans, as well
as the right to face Brock Lesnar at No Way Out. Can he become the WWE
Champion? Are the odds stacked too high? Having the odds stacked
against him is nothing new to Eddie. Sometimes you have to lose to
know how to win.


--- Internet Rex 2.29