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November 14, 2005

“I read the news today, Oh boy” (“A Day in the Life” by the Beatles.)

I read the sad news yesterday. I got the word from several of the people with whom I am close due to this thing called wrestling.

As I have said before, wrestling has been a part of my life since I was young, and even entertained the thought of getting in the ring. Of course, high school wrestling soon revealed the glaring flaw in my plan. My total lack of talent and inability to perform even the most perfunctory of maneuvers.

One of our very own DID live the dream. Now he is gone from us. Found in a hotel room, dead.

I will make a confession right now. It’s a sad commentary on our society today, but it is what it is. When I first heard the news, the first thought I had was, “I wonder if the media is going to instantly assume drugs were involved.” (Editorial note: My wife had CNN on this morning. After I had written this line, and just before I was ready to send this, the news made mention of the fact that Eddie had a problem with alcohol and drugs. Turns out I was correct!)

How many times have we found a celebrity in the room, and drugs were involved. It has become almost cliché to think that this is the case. For the sake of Eddie’s memory, I honestly hope this is not the case. I would like to think that his widow and surviving children will be able to go through life without this stigma attached to his death.

Others will write about his career. About his many accomplishments. About “El Gringo Loco” and what he meant to them. Eddie was never near the center of my attention. He was a capable wrestler who seemed to have loads of talent. He could stir things up, but I don’t think he was ever quite the star that others have been.

Now that he is gone, he will be elevated in the same manner as Owen Hart and others who were not at the top level, but time and memory will do that for him.

In no way am I showing any disrespect to Eddie. Please, do not take it that way. Eddie will be missed in the same manner that any who are taken from us are. Eddie was a fellow human being, and his loss diminishes us all.

Rest in peace, Eddie. And say hello to the Von Erichs, Owen and all those who have gone before us.

The Everly Brothers sang that if there’s Rock and Roll in Heaven, there has to be a helluva band. If there’s wrestling in heaven, you know that the card has to be a real slobber knocker.

Adios, Eddie. Via con Dios.