Los Guerreros in Hidalgo, TX

Nine years ago, that's a pretty long time now that I think about it. It was November 17, 2003, and WWE was making its first stop to the Dodge Arena (now the State Farm Arena) in Hidalgo, TX. The main event would feature Brock Lesnar (who would later become the biggest PPV draw in UFC history), Chris Benoit (later to be inducted into the WON HOF and become infamous for a double murder/suicide), Rey Mysterio (later inducted into the WON HOF, probably the greatest babyface worker since Ricky Morton and Ricky Steamboat, maybe even surpassing them), and John Cena (a youngster that in 2005 would win his first WWE Championship and go on to become the biggest star and draw of his generation). 

But to anyone that was actually there that night, the match everyone remembers was not the main event that was full of famous (or infamous) performers, but the co-feature between Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Jr.) vs Basham Brothers (Doug and Danny Basham). In 2003, Eddie Guerrero was getting really over with the Smackdown audience at the time. He was becoming a regional draw and a big ratings mover. He would be the one credited for bringing a large Hispanic demographic to Smackdown. He was obviously a great worker, but it was really his charisma and presence that made him special to everyone that watched at the time. My very good friend Leo wrote about about the match in Hidalgo between Los Guerreros vs Basham Brothers: 

"I was a Smackdown house show a few years ago. Eddie and Chavo came out and the place went ape shit, the whole arena was shaking from the vibration of the pop. The crowd had Eddie chants through out the whole match and Eddie would always turn around and give Chavo the attention. After the match he got a Mexico flag from the crowd and the place went even more crazy. The crowd never stop chanting their names even when the match was going on. 

I always think about that moment when I watch any Eddie or Chavo matches."

I feel exactly the same way. It was one of those "you had to be there" type of moments, it was a really great night that I fondly remember. Sadly on November 13, 2005, Eddie Guerrero would pass away. That was the only time Eddie ever performed in Hidalgo, TX, but Chavo Jr. had several matches down here with a variety of guys. Chavo Jr. will be working November's upcoming TNA event here at the State Farm Arena, that's why this came to my mind recently. I used to have many photos of that event, but sadly I can't find them anymore. The only one I still have is this one of Eddie, outside the Dodge Arena being his usual charismatic self while my little brother sneaks into the shot.