By Pete Ellis
A lot of things have been said since the untimely demise of Chris Benoit and his family a few weeks ago.
Many of his fans have journeyed to Atlanta to leave flowers at the gate of his large suburban home. Others consider the events the act of a madman or a drug addict who deserves to be condemned for his actions.
The WWE has all but washed its hands of Benoit and his legacy since the day after the initial announcement of his death. WWE.com went from a Benoit memorial to "MOVING RIGHT ALONG! NOTHING TO SEE HERE!" overnight.
But for whatever it's worth - for the public, for the media, and for wrestling fans everywhere - I will never forget Chris Benoit. In my opinion, he stands as the greatest in-ring performer in the history of wrestling. I will not forget his accomplishments or what he meant to me as a fan.
William Regal said it best the Monday his death was announced. Regal didn't gush about his passing or speculate as to any of the details. He simply said Benoit was the best ever, and he was right.
I have the luxury of being able to remember Chris fondly and not consider judging him or his actions. Certainly I am left a little more weary of the idol worship that comes with every form of professional athletes and other famous individuals. But perhaps that's for the best.
I also look forward to enjoying wrestling again, and here's hoping that the string of bizarre and unexpected deaths that find their way into this business can dissipate now and forever.
Goodbye, Chris Benoit. May others who internalize their pain in this world find a way to deal with it because of you. The sport of wrestling is worse off because of your absence, and you will always be remembered.
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7 Comments
July 14th, 2007 11:58 AM
I love you Benoit,I'll miss you whenever i'll see my favorate sport wrestling,You gpt calm,lovely, attitude..I love you chris,why you did that,why why....I never saw you in real life but love you chris love you chris.........
July 15th, 2007 1:18 AM
I really don't understand and I am having a problem with the fact that Vince has totally erased Chris's life in wrestling! His profile on WWE.com didn't take long to disappear and then the video's and DVD's were pulled off shelves... To me that shows lack of respect for the families of the victims as well as Chris's.... Vince open your eyes here...Benoit was a good wrestler and gave many years into your wrestling organization. What bothered me most of all is when Vince said that the name Benoit would never come out again..&..called him a monster..grrr..what an idiot. I have been watching wrestling for about 35 years now..since I was old enough to talk. I remember when Chris started and we have to admit that this was one of the best wrestlers in the ring....Look at Triple H Another wrestler that I have watched grow in the ring...he is also a good wrestler...who will be next!! I am worried about Guero, since he was the one that got the text messages!!!
God bless you Chris and family..you will be missed.
July 20th, 2007 7:31 PM
Bull.
Whatever. Thanks to Chris Benoit, I had to explain murder, suicide, and steroid abuse to my young son. Smackdown seemed to be harmless "entertainment" for a nine year old. Boy was I wrong!
Chris Benoit murdered his family. End of this story.
July 21st, 2007 6:47 AM
Iam from wrestling fans and in particular from Chris Benoit fans, even i recorded every episode from raw and smackdown when Chris was alife. But, now after the lost of Benoit it becomes so boring. RIP Chris and we never ever believed what the media said about you. You were the most respected and technical wrestler in this industry, and nobody can replace you.
July 26th, 2007 7:27 PM
I DON'T UNDER STAND WHY EVERYONE KEEPS CALLING HIM A MURDERER. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO ASSUME THAT.I HEAR THE WRESTLING INDUSTRY SAYING ALL GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE CHRIS THEY KNEW SO WHY TAKE EVERYTHINK WITH NAME DOWN. IF KNEW KNEW HIM AS WEEL AS YOU SAY YOU DO YOU SHOULD KNOW HE WAS NOT CAPABLE OF DOING THIS.... SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT WRESTLING SINCE NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY SAY BENOIT HAS DONE BUT THE LACK OF RESPECT FROM HIS FELLOW WORKERS.... I STILL DON'T THINK HE DID IT YOU NEED TO LOOK FURTHER NOTHING ADDS UP .....SEEMS LIKE YOU WOULS SEE THAT..... I WILL NEVER FORGET CHRIS BENOIT
July 27th, 2007 6:54 PM
He is definatly a wrestling legend. i dont think we should blame him its probably wwe's foult 4 putting him under pressure and basicly forcing him to use all sorts of steroids. 9/10 wrestlers in wwe use some sort of drugs and the ones that dont simply get fired or leave the company ofcours im not sure of this but i dont think ill be far off the truth. the sport should become clean and the wrestling companys should test there wrestlers 4 drugs and not ancourage them 2 use it. just think about it there are way 2 many wrestlers that died 2 young
November 6th, 2007 7:09 PM
What can you say about Chris Beniot. What can you say about a man that the entire wrestling world looked up to. I really can't say. Most fans I have talked to are confused that as to why Chris Beniot would do what he. Maybe they are confused because of all the evidence that the police and the media jumped to. And I think the real reason is because Chris Beniot didn't do it. I think this was done by somone who had a real grudge against Chris Beniot. A person who felt like they should have been the one in the ring. Somone who felt that Chris destroyed there life. And this person wanted revenge.
My theory is that Chris Beniot and his wife Nancy had a heated argument. I think she pleaded with Chris to get help for all his depression and problems with injuries. And Chris tried to convince her he was fine. So she threatend to leave him and take Daniel with. So Chris stormed out and went to the docters office. As he was away I think somone walked up to the house and was invited into the house which explains why there was no signs of a break in. So he or them,comes into the house and when Nancy had her back turned she was attacked and strangled. Then the person or persons,went up stairs and killed the son. Planted all those drugs at the scene and left in the middle of the night. Chris came back the next day and saw what had happend. He was too shooken up and distraught because he thought Nancy killed the son and herself. And Chris then spent the last day too depressed with the thought that much like Eddie Guerrero,two more people were taken away from him. And he felt responsable so he killed himself.
See according to some past reports didn't Chris say he felt like he was being watched.
So what if somone did do all this. I hope that somday the police get that one important peice of evidence that proves that Chris didn't do these horrable things. And I don't think he did it. Besides. Why would a man wrestle for 20 somthing years learning every deadly submission move only to turn around and use a cord to overpower a much smaller person? He wouldn't need to. He could just put her in a wrestling hold and she would be done. It makes no sense.
That is my theory and I am sticking with it. If you agree with me or not. Fine. But take the time to read this.
Thank you