Where do I start…? Chris Benoit, my hero for so many years.
Still to this day he remains one of the most talented technical wrestlers ever to grace our television screens. His matches are some of the most memorable in history. He is and will always remain the most taboo subject in wrestling.
I loved watching Benoit wrestle; it was a little bit of magic. There were no masses of bravado or vanity; it was all about the wrestling. The Rabid Wolverine was ruthless aggression, nothing more, nothing less. His match against William Regal (then Steven Regal) at the Brian Pillman Memorial Show remains one of my favourite ever matches. He had a great run in his pro wrestling career having held many titles in WCW and WWE. He is the second of only 4 men to have achieved both the WWF and WCW Triple Crown Championships. A wrestling favourite that was often described as one of the most respected and gifted men in the business.
And then came the darkest moment in the history of professional wrestling. On June 22 2007 Chris Benoit murdered his wife Nancy and his young son Daniel. Benoit went on to hang himself shortly after the murders. Unaware at the time of what had happened fans everywhere went on to mourn the loss of one of wrestling’s greats and wonder who would commit such as travesty? The story unfolded that a triple homicide had occurred at Benoit’s home, and we could have no idea what was going to be later revealed. As a fan, watching the story unfold was devastating. Then came the 3 hour tribute that replaced the scheduled episode of Monday Night Raw. I would imagine at this point there was not a dry eye in the whole of the WWE Universe. A moving programme with extracts from Benoit’s Hard Knocks DVD and many segments of wrestlers sharing their anguish and upset at the loss of a friend. Then came the unbelievable. There was no suspect; Benoit had indeed committed the most horrific of crimes to the people that had trusted him the most. His name was mud, and quite rightly so. I can only imagine the suffering that followed for the family and friends of the Benoit family. As a long time fan, I felt angry with Benoit, let down by the man I had looked up to and respected for so many years. Nothing will ever change the horrific crime that was committed that day and no one can ever answer the why’s and endless other questions. It was a long time before I could watch his matches again. A wave of shame and guilt came over me every time I did. I am now however able to chose to remember him for his in ring abilities that still remain unmatched on many levels.
Chris Benoit has been erased from WWE history. You can’t find his accolades or achievements on WWE.com nor any mention of him on any DVD or archived episode.
What he did was unforgivable and should not be regarded in any way as acceptable but he should still be remembered for the wrestling legend that he undoubtedly was. WWE should accept some responsibility for what happened on that fateful day in 2007. Back when PG didn’t exist and regular, rigorous drugs testing was only an idea somewhere on the desk at WWE corporate, men like Benoit were left struggling with injuries, concussions and the constant pressure to over achieve night after night. Head injuries occurred far too often and bloodshed was relished by fans (including me). Far too many tragedies incurred during these times and for years after as injuries and steroid abuse ravaged the bodies of these men. A post-mortem revealed Benoit’s brain to be so damaged doctors estimated he had the brain capacity of an 85 year old Alzheimer’s sufferer. There have been many tests over the years which conclude that repeated head traumas can lead to brain damage, dementia and schizophrenia. Now we are more aware of these factors and pay more attention to welfare policy breaches there is less chance of this occurring in the future. WWE now have an iron clad, rigorous drugs testing policy firmly in place now and abuse is not tolerated. Benoit as a man will never be forgiven, but as a wrestler he remains one of the best. It’s seemingly not acceptable to talk about Chris Benoit, and in forums round the globe he is referred to as ‘he who shall not be named’, I’m not ashamed to say I was a fan. I am profoundly ashamed of what he did, but I chose to remember his greatness as a performer rather than the tragedy that overshadows it.
Chris Benoit…… Wrestling legend.
As ever you can follow me on Twitter @helenrobinson82
[Helen was spooked about posting this as she felt it might not be preferable to everyone’s taste. This was posted under my permission and everyone is welcome to post their personal thoughts on Benoit. In fact, because it’s an edgy topic, we give an extra urge out for readers to comment. We value and respect your opinion here. It’s simple to do and you don’t even need an email address – here’s an easy guide on how-to comment. Thanks – Ray.]
—————————-
Ringsidehustle.com 
I wholeheartedly disagree – not a wrestling legend, wwe are totally correct to airbrush him from history…I personally can’t watch a match with him in it, much less one where he does a flying Headbutt or takes a big shit to the head (all of them I guess).
LikeLike
A lot of fans feel this way and your entitled to say what you want. But he did work his ass off to get to WWE and do you think it’s fair for his legacy to be totally demolished. It’s unfair more so on the mans parents and family. Thanks for commenting and hope to see you on here more 🙂
LikeLike
We respect everyone’s opinions here. Thanks for reading 🙂
LikeLike
His accomplishments in this business will forever be overshadowed by his heinous crimes.
LikeLike
They will always be overshadowed by it. Benoit at the end was an animal, but his skills and achievements are rarely matched. It’s about time we can enjoy his in ring abilities without being judged for it. He is still my wrestling hero to the day, and will always remain so.
LikeLike
The ironic thing is that I became a bigger fan of Benoit after he died. Because the WWE stopped showing Benoit footage, I looked up footage of him and bought WWE DVDs mostly because it had a Benoit match. The WWE has INCREASED my Benoit interest. I did not care about Benoit when he was alive, and now I consider him to be one of the best wrestlers in pro wrestling history.
LikeLike
He was the greatest technical wrestler ever, imo. His matches against Kurt Angle were brilliant and are some of my favorite. But Vince did the right thing by removing him from WWE history to protect his company.
LikeLike
He did the right thing at the time. To entirely blank him from history is wrong. He achieved things few have gone on to do. Surely that deserves some sort of recognition?
LikeLike
This is your best column yet, Helen. Very heartfelt.
Whether I agree or not doesn’t matter. But what I will say is it is wrong to blame WWE specifically for his death and everything that was building up inside him. He would of had that bad ‘wrestler’s-lifestyle’ before he entered WWE. His son was autistic I believe which didn’t help anything either. I imagine that to be difficult for a Father to cope with The fact is – nobody knows what really happens behind close doors. I’m NOT making excuses or defending Benot, I’m just saying it’s the reality of all this.
When I think of ”Chris Benoit” I honestly think of his classic matches.
LikeLike
His son didn’t have fragile X or was autistic. Jericho confirms it in “Undisputed.” Was almost gonna quote a passage from it.
LikeLike
I don’t remember Jericho saying much about Daniel in his book. I might read over the Benoit chapter tonight just out of interest!
LikeLike
Page 406. I was reading it earlier. By the way, if you have a morbid curiosity check out Regal’s comments on the tribute show. I really think he suspected what had happened.
LikeLike
Fuck, you’re like a wrestling book-encyclopedia man, lol. I will read over that in a couple minutes (although I trust you’re telling the truth, ha).
Do you have any idea what part of the show it was? I’d probably find it on YT handy anyway.
LikeLike
Yeah Jericho definitely wrote how he did research on fragile X and thought it described Daniel, but then he found out Daniel didn’t have fragile X.
LikeLike
Yeah I re-read that chapter. I don’t know how I forgot something that big.
LikeLike
Well I read the book twice so that’s why I remembered it.
LikeLike
I was worried about posting this. But, I’m a fan, always was, always will be. I choose how to remember him and to remember all the additional welfare policies put into place after his death. Perhaps he saved some lives and didn’t just destroy them.
LikeLike
This topic can be discussed for days and everyone seems to have different opinions on it.
LikeLike
I really have no idea where I stand on Benoit. I can totally understand the WWE’s stance on him. No-one is disputing that from a wrestling purist stand point he is undoubtedly one of, if not the greatest technician to ever step into the ring. His actions however will forever shadow his legacy.
The fact that the WWE totally washed their hands by not noticing, or choosing not to notice, his steroid abuse and his deep-rooted psychological issues is on the WWE’s conscience as far as I’m concerned.
The unspoken legacy left by Benoit is a Wellness Program which has been vastly expanded since his untimely death which will hopefully prevent and ensure that guys do not get into this condition ever again. I would argue that the extra tests that Edge had to go through after initially passing his medical are a testament to this. I’m not saying that it was worth it, but that I don’t believe that it was for nothing.
However, no matter how many people are saved from severe life-threatening injuries nothing is going to bring Chris Benoit, Nancy Benoit and Daniel Benoit back and nothing is going to make up for their deaths.
Here’s a thought to leave you with: “Monstrous actions do not necessarily make a person a monster.”
LikeLike
It’s truly tragic. I remember when I was young thinking he was amazing and I remember how let down I felt when it came to light what had happened. But, I refuse to be ashamed of being a fan. He was awesome, worked hard and did indeed take many a Hard Knock to get to the top.
LikeLike
I understand peoples dislike for the Benoit topic especially after the horrible incident but this is about how good of a wrestler he was and what a great contribution he made to the wrestling business. I might get some heat for this but eddie guerrero was a former drug addict and there is still uncertainty of the cause of death, but he is still remembered and respected as he should be. Meanwhile Benoit has been ripped from wwe completely even the appearances he made on RAW were removed, i remember hearing that the 1000th episode of RAW was actually a much higher number but i havent got around to checking it yet. R.I.P Chris & Eddie
LikeLike
It’s true! I wrote a blog about it on Wrestling Heads. I can’t tell you the number, but some episodes have been discounted. It’s a sad state of affairs really. He and his remaining family member deserve to have his accolades recognised. For true fans of the sport he is already in the HOF!
LikeLike
The thing with Eddie was that he was a reformed drug addict. He had past his demons and was in a good place in his life when he died. And Eddie died of a heart attack because of an enlarged heart, probably caused by steroid abuse.
Benoit was the polar opposite, regardless of your opinion of the WWE’s position no-one is doubting that he was responsible for what happened.
LikeLike
He clearly had issues, and no one will deny he is responsible. But many aspect contributed to what happenede that day. They should not be ignored, his state of mind, injuries, drug abuse. Did no one notice or care enough that something was wrong? Where was the duty of care to Chris and his family?
LikeLike
I totally agree with you! I’ve said WWE has blood on their hands over this as well no matter how much they try to sweep it under the carpet.
LikeLike
It’s true. If you look hard enough you will find that many a crime has been committed by wrestlers, and I don’t believe Benoit’s case is the only one of murder. But most of them are still respected in the business today. Again, double standards!
LikeLike
I have to say, I totally agree with what wrestling89 said.
LikeLike
I believe its hypocrisy on wwe s part they seem very indecisive on the subject of right and wrong sadly chris will never be in the HOF for the obvious reasons, meanwhile mike tyson who is a convicted rapist IS in the HOF….WHAT?
LikeLike
It’s double standards. Tyson is an animal.
LikeLike
That trial was an absolute farce, but we’re in danger of getting seriously off topic.
LikeLike
This will go on for a while, people feel strongly about this topic.
LikeLike
I meant if we start talking about Tyson and whether he should be in the HoF. Should be mentioned that there are wrestlers with extremely questionable histories who happen to be in the HoF as well. Look up Jimmy Snuka.
LikeLike
michealbrown91 is right but thats one of many examples of how backwards wwe has become
LikeLike
True that! It’s a subject very close to my heart. He and his family deserve to have his achievements recognised. He is in my personal HOF and will always be one of my favourites. The difference with the other questionable cases is the fact that they didn’t concern family members or children. Didn’t one of the funkateers get done for DUI? Could have easily ended with a death, yet she continues to shake her ass every Monday night.
LikeLike
I think that the vast majority of wrestler’s have had DUIs! Or maybe it only seems like it…
Point about Snuka was that he was strongly have suspected to have killed his girlfriend in the very early 80s yet he’s still a HoF. I’m guessing most of them had pill/steroid problems at one point or another guessing that they’re all part of that Old School 80s generation that was immersed in it.
LikeLike
Ahhh, so I take it there is a delay now.
LikeLike
Guess not.
LikeLike
In that case…
LikeLike
What is that all about? lol 😛
LikeLike
It’s a line from the original Mortal Kombat movie as the tourney is about to begin. Everybody was going back and forth; it just reminded me of this line.
I had submitted it twice without it showing up and thought there might be a delay with all the comment going this way and the next. But I was wrong.
LikeLike
First of all, I was never a big fan of Benoit. I watched him mostly in 2000 and I never thought much of him. I just wanted to get that out of the way.
Does anyone else think there isn’t 100% proof that Benoit committed suicide. We will probably never know what really happened, but I think there’s enough clues that suggest Benoit was murdered. And even if what the police says is true, it sounds like Benoit was not mentally healthy when he committed the murders. Verne Gagne killed a guy, but people don’t care about that because he reportedly has dementia. I really think the WWE is wrong to pretend that Benoit never existed. They don’t have to honor him if they don’t want to, but they shouldn’t erase him.
LikeLike
I have always thougt perhaps there is much more to the story than what was released. We will never know now, but either way the man was ill. Someone should have noticed the deterioration in his mental state and someone should have done something about it. It’s a true tagedy that should have been avoided.
LikeLike
Here are the things I discovered that all make me wonder if Benoit really killed himself (all of this stuff I found online):
– I read that the guy who determines when someone has died after a person is found dead said that Benoit died on Saturday. The text messages from Benoit’s phone were sent on Sunday.
– Those text messages had Benoit’s incorrect zip code. The zip code that was used was the same zip code you get when you search for Benoit’s address on Google Maps but that is not the correct zip code. Benoit knew his zip code because he had stuff always delivered to his house so why was the zip code wrong and why was it the same one from google?
– Someone on Wikipedia wrote that Chris Benoit’s wife had died on the same weekend that the Benoit family were discovered dead. The guy’s IP was Stamford, CT which is the home of WWE Headquarters.
– It is said Benoit hung himself with a weight machine but he weighed more than the weights he used so how did the machine support his body without him touching the ground?
– Another person wrote online that it is hard to believe that Benoit would be strong enough to get that cord around his neck by himself because I read that those cords are very hard for someone to get their heads through there.
– I also read about what happens to someone when they choke to death and none of that stuff reportedly happened to Benoit.
– I just read today that three empty beer cans were found next to Benoit’s body but there was no alcohol in Benoit’s body. Who drank the beer?
I might be missing some other facts I discovered but those facts should be enough to make anyone wonder what really happened.
LikeLike
I have read many similar things over the years, and always had my suspicians about what happened but I’m always left feeling that that’s what I want to believe because of how much I respected him. It’s become a bit of an obsession tbh and I could talk about it all day. It was proven he did it. It’s a fact. Do I believe it? No.
LikeLike
I’m shocked the whole thing hasn’t become a movie.
LikeLike
Capt,
There is gonna be a movie made called “Crossface”.
LikeLike
Hmmmm…
LikeLike
I think the reason the WWE doesn’t try to mention Benoit is because his death got too much media coverage. Benoit died during 6 year hiatus from the WWE, but I remember when Benoit died. Whether you were a fan of wrestling or not, you heard about Benoit’s death. I didn’t learn about Eddie Guerrero’s death until 2008 or later.
LikeLike
“died during **my** 6 year hiatus….”
LikeLike
I agree with you. Benoit IS a wrestling legend, and should not be wiped from the history books. Does that mean he should be put in the HOF, put over, or honored in any way, though? Absolutely not; what he did is unforgivable (not just for it being murder, but also because it has crippled the business). Nonetheless, I can admit I’m a still big fan of his work, for the obvious reason that his matches are incredible. Going to such far lengths to in a poor attempt to make people forget what happened in ’07, and that he ever even existed, is too far.
If you forget history, you’re doomed to repeat it.
(well, that was cheesy & may not actually fit here)
LikeLike
When I think of Benoit as a person I’m saddened by what he did, when I think of hi. As a wrestler 2 moments come to mind one is in his WcW days being in the best of 7 series with booker t for tbe tv title and the second is when he won the WHC in the wwe. Both times stand out cause when he was in that best of 7 he always kept it fresh in every match and that made me a beliver in him. When he won the WHC that showed me that at that moment the wwe saw there furture in guys like him being a former wrestler myself I know its hard and I can see why chris did what he felt he may have needed to but I will always and forever blam the wwe for never once thinking of testing there people before this happened
LikeLike
First comment and read on here in a long while on here, Helen. So *clapclapclap* for that, but onto the subject;
Benoit is an legend, undoubtedly. His work is probably the work in wrestling that I enjoy the much because even though he had a lot of muscles he was always considered small because of his height, which ended up more times than not coming into his whole “underdog” feel. Like when he won the Rumble 04 by eliminating Big Show, don’t think anyone bothered picking their jaw up off the floor then! Everyone knew he was a great wrestler but compared to HHH, Batista all the big guys he was never considered a favourite to win. The WrestleMania 20 match with HHH and HBK was and is my favourite match in probably history. Because those three went hard, and pulled off a terrific match. In fact, I love that Mania so much I haven’t even took it out of the shrink wrap yet. Saving it for a bad day! Whilst I’m on the topic of DVDs, I not so long ago bought a copy of the Rumble 04 because Silvervision said that once they were sold they weren’t being reproduced so I HAD to own that piece of Benoit history.
LikeLike
We both knew each others opinions on this before I posted. I’m glad you headed over here to read it 🙂 I have loads of Benoit memorabilia, if anything by wiping him from history WWE have spiked people’s interest possibly more than it would have if he’d been left in there. I’m sure many a fan watches his matches behind closed doors. I have looked into his death so many times over the years and listened to many different accounts of how his last days unfolded. No one will ever know exactly what happened that day and I’ve never been 100% sure there was no one else involved, but it’s as simple as this – we are left with our own memories and how we choose to interpret them. Benoit wasn’t always the man he became, a whole magnitude of things led to that, unfortunately the man he became is the legacy he has left behind and the great wrestler that he was has been all but forgotten by some.
LikeLike
Oh, and here’s another thought for food!
Everyone says that WWE have learnt from this with the wellness policy. Yes, but only somewhat. Yes, they take necessary action (fine or suspension) but Randy Orton got caught with a substance in his body that WWE didn’t like and they suspended him… Fair enough BUT 60 days later he comes back and is a top star on SmackDown. Now, with Orton’s fortune I’m sure he actually APPRECIATED a 60 day vacation. Then it must have been really nice for him to return to SmackDown, be a top star, walk over the guys that in that 60 day period were working their asses off. OH not to mention, he got a role in the next 12 Rounds movie. Mhmm! Great punishment. WWE are only half assed with their punishments and in the case of Orton they brought him back asap and stuck him on a high horse because he draws, he earns them money. SO, in conclusion, WWE – half assed with punishment and only ever worried with their profit margins.
LikeLike
How about rolling off seasons for certain wrestlers? Every few months, you get a week off. WWE can afford it.
LikeLike
First off Helen, it might not be my place to say it, but don’t ever be frightened to post anything! The whole point of writing is to express your opinion. People will agree and disagree, you won’t please everyone.
OK, so for what it’s worth, here’s my take on the story and the blog. I can’t even type his name, so sorry for all the “he’s, his and him’s” there’s gonna be here!
I’m “one of those people” who can’t type or say his name. That’s just how I feel. When I heard the news about the murder/suicide, I felt sick to my stomach. When he failed to show for that PPV on the Sunday in 2007, I feared the worst. When I watched his last match in ECW back then, something didn’t feel right. It felt weird. Then the news broke about what he did and it had a profound effect on me. A man that I’d watched on TV for over 10 years had killed his wife and son, then once he realised what he’d done, he took his own life.
Regardless of everything he did in wrestling, and he was one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots, the man will be a taboo subject because at the end of the day, the lasting image most people have of him is that he was/is a killer. That’s not in any way discounting all the good things he did, but the impression he’s left of himself is the way most people will remember him.
Do I choose to remember his matches? No, I don’t. I’m not someone who can go back and appreciate them because if I saw them again, I’d probably feel (as you said earlier) guilty.
Getting on to the other side of this, I agree that it’s made WWE take a serious look at the demands they place on their athletes and without this tragedy, that might not have happened. Wrestlers might still be taking unprotected chair shots to get that pop from the crowd. We’ll never know, but I don’t agree with the view that WWE is trying to wash blood off their hands.
I’ll criticise WWE for a LOT of things (I have done and will do again in future), but that isn’t one of them. The man was a wrestler for 15 years, wrestling in Mexico, Japan and Canada for countless promotions before working in ECW and WCW. He came to WWE in 2000 and when he was there, he missed almost a year because of a serious neck injury.
It’s fair to say that NOBODY can pin the blame on WWF/E for what happened, considering he’d been wrestling for such a long time before he got there.
I can’t remember who it was, but I saw a comment earlier about the effect it’s had on the business. It was huge. For WWE to publicise Benoit in any way, would bring an unbelievable amount of negative press from the media/politicians. Another factor we need to remember about this is that WWE is now a limited company with shareholders to answer to. How could they justify the inclusion of someone who (regardless of his wrestling accomplishments) is essentially a murderer in any of their programming/DVD releases/HoF?
I know someone mentioned Tyson earlier and I agree he shouldn’t be in the HoF/on WWE programming either. I can’t explain why that’s happened.
Just finishing off (sorry it’s been a long comment!), I totally respect your opinion to remember him as a fan for all the good things he did in wrestling, but for me, the lasting image of him outdoes all of his wrestling talent, ability and accomplishments.
See, there ya go, told ya it wouldn’t be bad! 🙂
LikeLike
I couldn’t have put it any better myself. What he did will be the thing most people will remember about him, no matter how talented he was.
LikeLike
Sorry, meant to say it was a good read!
LikeLike
Thanks George 🙂 glad I didn’t need the Vaseline on this occasion lol
LikeLike
Vaseline? Ok, I’m leaving.
LikeLike
I agree with this blog and think Benoit’s legacy will never be forgotten by true students of the game and those in the business. What he did was horrible, but I feel no different watching his matches on YouTube than I do when I watch any other match. I beleive most fans are able to separate the two and realize the man Benoit was during thefinal days of his life was completely different from the man he had been for the previous 39 years (I think he was 40 when he passed). Do I hate what he did? Yes. Is it enough to keep me from watching his matches? No way.
As far as the business goes, Benoit’s legacy within the ropes will be felt for years to come. All you have to do is look at current stars like Punk and Bryan who were directly influenced by his ring style (Bryan even does the flying headbutt and a crossface-like submission). Just ask any major ROH star, past or present, which wrestler influenced them the most and I’m sure Benoit’s name will pop up more than anyone else. Decades from now, whether we like it or not, Benoit’s work will continue to be the standard to which all great technical wrestlers are judged.
LikeLike
What part of severe brain damage do people not understand? If the scientific evidence says that the condition of the man’s brain would have made him unstable and a danger to himself and others, why do people continue talking about him like he committed these acts in his right mind? The guy was not in control of his faculties. I say this as someone who has not watched wrestling regularly since the mid-nineties.
LikeLike
It’s a personality thing. Some people score higher in agency(the thought that you control your actions/life). Others(like myself) score higher in empathy(being able to see another’s thought process and why they do the things they do).
LikeLike
Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again soon.
LikeLike