CHAVO GUERRERO Sr.

　　MAGAZINE　ARTICLES　7　　

JUST HOW GOOD IS CHAVO GUERRERO ?

( from 1976 Annual #17 issue of VSS "Wrestling Annual" magazine )

As Chavo Guerrero becomes a familiar face to wrestling fans,　it's time to take a hard look

at the young man and ruthlessly examine his skills.　Here's what the experts say about the

future of this popular young mat star.　

　The Honeymoon is over.　Every rookies who shows promise is welcomed into the sport with open arms and

　great expectations.　After he has made a name for himself,　the hardest part begins.　And that hardest part

　has begun for Chavo Guerrero.　The young wrestler must now earn a reputation.　The wrestling fraternity

　no longer excuses his mistakes.　The period of critical scrutiny has begun.　This is the period which can

　make or break a wrestler.　It marks the difference between being a one-day wonder or a legitimate star.

　Every match takes on great importance.　Two or three sloppy battles in row,　no matter what the excuse,

　could mean Chavo would be doomed forever to preliminary bouts.　A few great matches may make him a

　respected member of the profession.　The wrestlers and promoters are picking apart the abilities of

　Chavo Guerrero.　They're studying all of his matches for weaknesses and strengths.　When this scrutiny is

　over,　what they don't know about Chavo won't be worth knowing.　Already,　there is plenty of raw

　information being circulated about the young man.　Though there is no consensus on Chavo's skills so far,

　one can predict what will eventually be said among the profession.

　According to the most knowledgeable sources,　there is only one thing people feel is standing between

　Chavo and greatness : the young man's temper.　A professional athlete cannot afford to lose control.

　He can make his rage work for him but,　he can't make himself work for rage.　There must be a composed

　and calculating method to all his madness.　Chavo,　many fear,　lacks this control.　When he gets angry,

　recklessness often leads to defeat.　That,　in a professional,　is unforgiveable.

　Experts are quick to point out,　however,　a temper is often the curse of the young.　Most athletes who

　suffer from a short temper learn to control it over the years.　There's every chance Chavo will be able to

　make his anger work for him,　as all fine veterans do.

　Most mat observers agree this next year is crucial for Guerrero.　During it,　he will be facing rougher com-

　petition more often.　He may have to leave the Los Angeles area and the crowds that love him for a while.　

　He will hear a concentration of boos for the first time.　He must learn to take them in stride.　It will test

　his temper and determination.　If he fails the challenge,　he will fail as a wrestler.　Chavo is still in the

　formative stages of his career.　Yet, wrestling experts can predict his limitations with assurance.　

　There are certain maneuvers he is physically incapable of mastering, at least in this decade.　Of course,

　there are some maneuvers beyond the abilities of any wrestler.　Most observers believe what moves

　Chavo can't handle won't hurt his career.　There are many maneuvers at which he will become remarkable.

　Phisically, Chavo Guerrero should be able to attain greatness.　He has the perfect physique of a wrestler :

　muscular and agile.　His instincts are phenomenal - he senses the right thing at the right time.　It was a gift

　Chavo was born with.　It can't be learned.

　However, athletes have been known to squander their gifts and descend into mediocrity.　No one can be

　successful at a sport without long and hard training.　Those to whom a sport comes easily are the ones

　most likely to deteriorate the fastest.　Young men, once they achieve the first plateau of success, tend to

　take it easy in training.　It can lead to their downfall.

　One must watch Chavo closely during this time.　If he can maintain his rigorous training schedule - which

　he seems to be doing - then his success is almost assured.　However, if the glamour of wealth proves too

　heavy a burden for him to handle, then this mat star must be written off as a flash-in-the-pan.

　We will be able to tell for sure within six months.　Knowing Chavo, there seems little to worry about in this

　area.　Yet, there have been bigger surprises about men who ignored their sport to pursue their pleasure.

　Most wrestlers who fade quickly fade after their first year of success.

According to the best wrestling brains money can buy, it seems Chavo Guerrero is just what

he appears to be - a man destined to be champion !