For Guerrero, it represented another opportunity to show that he could perform at the highest level of competition as he built momentum for a potential main event run. For the challenger, it was the latest opportunity to prove himself against an established star. The Parking Lot Brawl against John Cena for Guerrero's United States Championship carried considerable implications for both men. Speaking of elevating fresh faces to his level. ![]() That never would have happened had Guerrero not embraced the challenge of creating a brand-new main event star out of Layfield and succeeded in doing just that. By the time Great American Bash rolled around, there was no questioning that Layfield was ready for a run at the top of the promotion. The dynamic of the rivalry, Layfield's desire to succeed and Guerrero's determination to present his dance partner as a top star made for storyline magic. ![]() In between, he portrayed the proud Mexican-American fighting against the bigoted, loudmouthed New York City transplant. Then he bled buckets in an intensely personal championship defense at Judgment Day 2004. And he did.įirst, he offered up his mother for a red-hot angle in El Paso, Texas, in which JBL caused her to have a heart attack. Guerrero respected the big Texan and set out to prove he could elevate his star and create a viable main event attraction out of him. That man? Longtime undercard and tag team performer John "Bradshaw" Layfield. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, almost to his detriment, the decision was made to transition the title off him and on to a new main event competitor. McMahon's traveling combat circus was in the process of building new stars and presenting new feuds fans could invest in after the departures of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock. ![]() As WWE champion, Guerrero faced incredible pressure to carry the company at a time when it was in transition.
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