It's mind numbing to reflect and realize that a decade ago the sports entertainment world (or pro wrestling world, if you will) lost one of its most hard working, intense and beloved performers the world had ever witnessed. Though the circumstances that surround Chris Benoit and his final days on this earth are both horrifying and inexcusable, there is no question that his career will forever stand the test of time.
But in order to be able to break it down, analyze and share with you the impact of his passing has had on the industry, we must first go back and retell the situations that led to his, and his families, untimely passing.
This is Chris Benoit: A Decade On.
June 25, 2007.
Chris Benoit and his family, Nancy (wife) and Daniel (son) had all been found dead in their Georgia home. WWE's flagship television show 'Monday Night Raw', which was to be taped in front of a live crowd that night, was immediately cancelled and instead was replaced by a three hour long tribute show honouring the memory of Chris, his life and career (most of which were matches / footage from his DVD 'Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit story') and tributes / comments from the-then current WWE talent, wrestlers and commentators.
24 hours later, details emerged. 24 hours later, murder-suicide was the cause. 24 hours later, scenarios and unanswered questions ignited around the globe, spreading like wildfire. A concoction of sadness, hatred, fear and confusion blended its way into our psyche. WWE, along with (seemingly at the time) the entire pro wrestling world began to distance themselves from the wrestler. His wrestling merchandise deleted, past mentions and historical in-ring photos removed.
24 hours later, Chris Benoit became a ghost.
A quick Google search will bring up thousands of pages relating to this tragedy, the speculated reasoning behind it and comments from those in the industry and the immediate Benoit family. The truth of the matter is: the real reasoning will never truly be known. Heavy testing on Chris brain reported that it was so severely damaged that 'damage to all four lobes of the brain and brain stem' were revealed, he was suffering from both an advanced form of dementia and CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy: a degenerative brain disease found in people who had suffered repeated blows to the head) which left Benoits brain resembling 'an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient'.
He was only 40 years old at the time of his death.
In the days, weeks, months, years that followed the industry took a massive, massive blow to the face. News reporters had a field day throwing allegations, drug references, misquoting 'insider sources' and even tried turning wrestling televised 'story lines' as some sort of warped mirror into Benoits personal life. Thankfully, many figureheads in the pro wrestling industry came to Benoit's defense, in a way. Most emerged to correct the misquotes and allegations, but made sure to put the focus back on the future of the business, and to not let the tragedy be the ultimate downfall of the entire sports entertainment industry.
But, with a decade now upon us, how has the industry finally recovered? Has Chris Benoit's name resurfaced? Or does his name still carry a dark, tabooed weight?
2017. A decade on.
Since the incident, Chris Benoits name has not been mentioned on WWE programming since June 26, 2007 on 'ECW on Sci Fi' by Vince McMahon (WWE Chairman). However, since the launch of WWE's on-demand service, 'WWE Network', Chris Benoit's matches are available to watch, though when using their provided search option within the WWE Network application to search of Chris Benoit by name reveals no results. When the WWE Network aired a special entitled 'Monday Night Wars', Benoit was featured in matches under the banner of WCW, the then rival company to WWE. This was the first time WWE had mentioned Chris by name since 2007.
In July 2017, when asked about the tragedy, WWE Wrestler John Cena stated that:
"Often times we get caught up in a person's ability and their performance. This transcends WWE, it's a problem with sport and it's also a problem with entertainment. People will do bad things. But if they are good at what they do, sometimes those things are overlooked.
"I don't believe in that. I believe you should take ownership for your actions -- all of them.
"Not just ones that are performed in front of an audience. I think our company's (WWE) stance on the situation can set a precedent on athletics and a precedent for entertainment, for taking ownership of your actions."
Cena is correct with his statements, as most times we in society tend to look over the bad things that celebrities, sporting personalities, musicians etc. portray in their personal lives with the belief that 'time heals all wounds' coming to mind, allowing us to not forget, but to forgive in hopes of moving forward.
In this case, unfortunately, we can neither forget nor forgive Chris Benoit.
I was fortunate to grow up watching Chris Benoit on my television screens, ultimately being able to see the man live with my Father at a WWE live show in 2005, with Chris featured in the main event. I remember being in awe of the mans intensity, movement and physical size. So much more intimidating in person!
Who would have known at that time that he would pass on a mere 2 years later.
Hearing of the death and seeing it all unfold as it happened via media outlets and reports still leaves me in disbelief to this day. I started my own pro wrestling journey in 2008, a time when the horrific nature of the incident was still very raw to talk about or to even mention Chris by name. As the year went forward, the pro wrestling industry culled most of Benoit out of the limelight, refusing to acknowledge him or the incident ever again. Legislation and rules governed by the WWE were instated, banning all weapon-based offensive attacks to the head and any pro wrestling moves deemed high-risk to the head / neck area are strictly prohibited, with both ruling carrying heavy financial fines and risk of immediate contractual termination upon either use.
This method isn't a fix by any means. However, it is a massive leap in the right direction.
As the years have gone on, the pro wrestling industry has tried it's best to move forward from this incident. With time, the tension around Chris Benoit's career (and I must stress the fact that I am talking specifically about his career here and not about the tragedy) has begun to ease. Many pro wrestling trainers have begun to reference and speak highly of Chris, noting his matches, his honor, love and respect for the wrestling business as work-towards goals for the next generation of up and coming wrestlers to aspire to reach. Some wrestlers now use Chris Benoit's signature move, called 'The Crossface', to honor his career. Some have even gone on to have specific wrestling based attires replicate Benoits, again as a tribute to his work.
Chris' first son, David, has been reported to be training as a pro wrestler. David is a close friend of WWE legend Chris Jericho, and regularly attends WWE live events in Canada. When asked if his father should be recognized in WWE's 'Hall of Fame', David stated that he should and that the tragedies shouldn't overshadow all of his Dad's hard work that helped pave the way for many performers across the globe today. He hopes to one day honor his dads in-ring legacy by working for the WWE.
But many around the world still use various internet-based outlets to ponder the 'what ifs' and 'whys' to this incident.
The internet can be a loving, embracing network. A technological data filled place, allowing complete strangers to come together in unison and love. Unfortunately, the internet can also be a vile and shocking place. Many 'memes' of Benoit were created in wake of his death. Some were done out of spite, others were made as a coping mechanism, allowing the use of wrestling terms and catch phrases with complimentary imagery of Benoit used in a comedic light to help ease both the tension and the grief.
Regardless of how you feel about Chris Benoit's in-ring career, this tragedy will never be overlooked. The best way to move on, in both respect and love for the Benoit family as a whole, is to not make light of this incident in any way, shape or form. It's clear to us now that Chris was not neurologically well. His actions are his and his alone and we all must pay a heavy price for them.
Simply put, remember Chris Benoit for the athlete that he was was in the ring and not just the man who committed these unforgivable actions. If anything, these actions have placed a heavy burden on all our hearts, but an even heavier and protective guard around all sports based entertainers, their health and the longevity of their individual careers.
May God watch over Nancy and Daniel Benoit.
May God help Chris Benoit.
