The Chris Benoit Story
"Wrestler Kills Wife, Son, Self" has been a constant headline in the media this week. Every media outlet has latched onto the story of Chris, Nancy, and Daniel Benoit and what could have driven what so many described as a devoted family man to kill his wife and child before hanging himself in the basement gym. (The latest from the Atlanta Journal Constitution)
If you've seen any news coverage of the story this week, you've probably seen the images of Chris embracing his wife and son in the ring as confetti fell from the ceiling. ...Kinda like here.
The date was March 14, 2004. The site was Madison Square Garden in New York City. And I was there, on my spring break, to see the 18-year veteran achieve his highest professional accolade inside the world's most famous arena.
And who was in the ring with him after the show came to a close? His family.
I was also there last Tuesday in Charlotte to see Chris have his last match during the television taping at Bobcats Arena.
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Regardless, the Chris Benoit who killed his wife and son last weekend before taking his own life was not the same man that spent 21 years on the road interacting with peers and fans every inch of the way and, to so many, never even showed signs of anger.
If you've seen any news coverage of the story this week, you've probably seen the images of Chris embracing his wife and son in the ring as confetti fell from the ceiling. ...Kinda like here.The date was March 14, 2004. The site was Madison Square Garden in New York City. And I was there, on my spring break, to see the 18-year veteran achieve his highest professional accolade inside the world's most famous arena.
And who was in the ring with him after the show came to a close? His family.This wasn't part of a wrestling angle - the show was already off the air when his father, wife, and children filled the ring and embraced Chris as the crowd stood and applauded. It was genuine.
(Here you can see little Daniel in the arms of Benoit's father)
I was also there last Tuesday in Charlotte to see Chris have his last match during the television taping at Bobcats Arena.Yes, I realized long, long ago that wrestling is scripted. But Benoit the man - not the 'character' - had long been someone I looked up to.
Hard working, didn't gripe or complain, always gave 100%, happily spent time helping his younger co-workers reach his level, was a leader in his field, and a positive role model.
That's why it's so hard to fathom why the events of last weekend happened as they did.
Was it the result of 'roid rage? Much of the media has answered the question before the results are even known.
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Regardless, the Chris Benoit who killed his wife and son last weekend before taking his own life was not the same man that spent 21 years on the road interacting with peers and fans every inch of the way and, to so many, never even showed signs of anger.We may never know the exact reason behind the killings but it boils down to a tragedy. No other word applies as strongly. It's a tragedy that all three are gone and it's a tragedy Chris felt he was trapped and had to do what he did.
posted by Graham at
12:32 AM
1 Comments:
This is such a tragedy and it's also a tragedy how the mainstream media, without knowing the facts or toxicology reports, have chalked it up to "Roid Rage" being the reason behind it all.
But can you blame them? Really, come on? The industry we've followed for so many years has had their issues with Anabolic Steroids that we, ourselves, would be dumb not to think that such a substance could not be the catalyst for such an act to be committed.
The industry we love has given us many examples, however not to this extent.
I must say that even though, as more reports come out, that Benoit was lacking sufficient testorerone in his body and that, as of moments ago, there were empty beer cans and an empty bottle of wine, which could mean nothing really, were found on the premises, this is a tragedy that you are just never prepared for in life.
But we must move on and forge ahead. We love an industry that for all the good it tries to do (Wellness Policy) for its workers and for its fans, seems to take so much heat for something that, at the end of the day, they cannot control.
RIP Chris, Nancy and Daniel Benoit
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