CHAVO GUERRERO Sr.

　　MAGAZINE　ARTICLES　15　　

Chavo Guerrero's Painful Lesson ...

Never Turn Your Back On Ernie Ladd !

( from July 1976 issue of Sports Review "Wrestling" magazine )

While Chavo Guerrero was winning fans all over California,

Ernie Ladd was getting more and more jealous of the fabulous rookie.

　However, his sleazy attack shocked even Ernie's biggest fans ! 　　

　Wrestlers crowded around the dressing room door.　They were watching the introduction of Chavo Guerrero.

　"You have to see this to believe it," one wrestler told Ernie Ladd, who had yet to get into his wrestling gear.

　"The crowds love this kid.　I don't understand it.　He's just another rookie as far as I'm concerned.　I was

　better than he was when I started out.　Fans are pretty wierd, y'know ? "

　Ladd watched along with the others.　While most veterans tend o resent the quickly successful stars,　Ladd

　hates them more than most.　He seethed as he watched Chavo acknowledge the cheers of fans.

　"What the hell do fans know ? " Ladd asked angrily.　"Here they are cheering some stupid kid who still doesn't

　know which end is up.　Do they care what that his opponent, Sal Lothario, is a veteran who has paid his dues

　and really knows his craft ?　Do they care what it means to develop your skills slowly and surely, not be some

　flashy punk who'll be a nobody in six months ?　You bet those morons don't care.　I hope Lothario beats that

　young brat silly.　And if Lothario can't ......."　Ladd left his threat unfinished.

　Most of the veterans laughed as Chavo happily acknowledged the cheers of fans.　Ladd scowled.　There was

　no meanness in the laughter,　yet there was hatred in Ladd's stare.　Guerrero didn't know it, but he had made

　himself an enemy.

　The match between Chavo and Sal began quickly.　Ladd tried to go back to preparing for his match,　but he

　was continually drawn back the door to see what the crowd was cheering about.　It enraged Ladd to hear

　cheers for what he continually dismissed as "rookie-rotten" tactics.

　Finally, the match was over.　Guerrero still was standing, still receiving the cheers of the crowd.　He lifted his

　arms happily after putting on his warm-up jacket.　He was basking in the fans' love.

　It was more than Ladd could stand.　He fumed and raged as Chavo waved to the crowd.　Ladd had managed

　to change into his gear during the match and was ready to wrestle.　But before his match, Ladd decided there

　was something else he had to do.　Before anyone knew what happened, Ladd rushed down the aisle, carrying

　his suitcase.　He leaped over the ropes and came charging behind Chavo.　Before the rookie could defend

　himself, Ladd was pounding the valise across Guerrero's head.　Chavo, having no idea what to do, tried to

　escape the attack.　It was almost impossible for any man to confound the savagery of Ernie Ladd.

　Realizing his only intelligent course of action was to flee back to the dressing room, Chavo rushed to the

　sanctuary of the training room.　Watching him run, Ladd laughed uproariously.　He pointed to the crown on

　top of his head, as if to prove he was still "King of Wrestling".　The crowd booed Ladd unmercifully.

　Ernie just laughed at their anger.　He was content to have driven their hero from the arena.

　In the dressing room, Chavo Guerrero was swearing revenge.　The young man is patient.　Sooner or later,

　he'll have his moment to wipe the smile off Ernie Ladd's face.