Big Show vs Chavo Guerrero Jr

Date: December 7, 2004
Location: Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Wrestezone.com

Chavo Guerrero Jr comes from a prideful family that knows no fear, and that historically has demonstrated awful judgment when it comes to whom they pick fights with. Examples are Eddie Guerrero starting up with Road Warrior Hawk, and also with Charlie Haas, not to mention Booker T.

Following in the family tradition, Chavo temporarily lost his mind when he initiated a physical confrontation with the giant Big Show.

In 2004, SmackDown featured some great cruiserweight wrestlers like Chavo, Billy Kidman, and Paul London, among others. But because their hard work went largely unnoticed and resulted in no upward movement, there was an incredible amount of frustration among the division.

At the same time, the Big Show was in the midst of a big push. By this point Show had become out of shape, overweight, and showed little discipline when it came to conditioning and diet. He was being booked effectively, but the resentment was natural and understandable given the effort the smaller wrestlers were putting in compared to what Show was putting in, yet he was the one with the big push and big contract.

After a SmackDown taping in Greenville, the tension had reached a boiling point. It’s not known exactly what Show said, but it was a comment regarding smaller and bigger wrestlers, and Chavo didn’t take too kindly to it. Chavo responded by apparently using the words “fat” and “lazy” at Big Show, and then worked himself up into such a frenzy that he actually went after Show.

Show knew he could squash Chavo like a grape whenever he wanted, and to his credit, he didn’t. He simply pie-faced Chavo away in an effort to diffuse the situation. Chavo could’ve ended it there, but no. Not to be outdone, he went after Show again. This time Show shoved him a bit harder, sending Chavo flying into a group of wrestlers. Those same wrestlers rushed to hold Chavo back and take him away before he ended up like a flattened pancake.

There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity, and Chavo crossed that when he decided to put himself in harm’s way. Fortunately for him, Show is easygoing and not an aggressive fighter or bully. We can only think of one instance when Show was provoked to the point of getting physical (a fan at a bar), and it ended very badly for that guy and Show ended up in court for the damage he caused with just one punch.