WWE star Santos Escobar reveals Rey Mysterio’s ‘genius’ reason for Eddie Guerrero tribute-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

Santos Escobar hopes to do Eddie Guerrero proud (Picture: WWE)

Every week, WWE fans hear late legend Eddie Guerrero’s voice thanks to the Latino World Order.

The Hall of Famer, who tragically died aged 38 in November 2005, lives on in people’s memories and that’s more true than ever now that the LWO use his signature ‘Viva La Raza’ catchphrase at the beginning of their theme music.

Reflecting on how that nod to Eddie came about, Santos Escobar exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘That was Rey’s idea. Rey’s a genius. Every single good thing that you could say about this industry, he is that.’

The idea came from the masked luchador himself, whose deep connection to Eddie is the stuff of wrestling legend.

When it came to using the catchphrase as a regular part of the revived group’s theme song, and it strikes the right balance between paying respect to the former world champion without become copycats.

Santos added: ‘Sure enough with that, [Rey] said, “We need something that elevates the LWO and pays respect and homage to who we need to do it.”

Santos and the LWO are honouring Latino Heat’s legacy (Picture: WWE)

‘I believe that’s – as opposed to having us imitate him every step of the way, which I feel would not be the right move, we have that [instead].’

It strikes the right chord with fans and the performers themselves, and Santos feels like having Eddie’s voice blare out gives the LWO his blessing while letting the audience decide if they can earn it.

‘It’s sort of like him saying, “It’s my people! I’ll leave you to decide if they’re good enough.” And that’s it! Viva la Raza,’ he smiled.

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Rey himself used part of Eddie’s music at WrestleMania 39 earlier this year after being driven out by Snoop Dogg in a lowrider with Nuthin’ But A G Thang blaring out, and he was delighted to honour his late friend.

Speaking immediately after the show in Los Angeles, he told Metro.co.uk: ‘To mix it up into Viva La Raza, the representation of the representor, the fullest representor of Hispanics, Eddie Guerrero. It’s incredible. I walked into that match very emotional. A lot of my work tonight was in honour of Eddie Guerrero.’

Tune into WWE SmackDown tonight at 1am on TNT Sports 1 to see Santos Escobar face Rey Mysterio in the finals of the United States Invitational.

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