WWE wrestler Chris Benoit found dead

[crackerman]

The Canadian Crippler Chris Benoit and his wife (former ECW and WCW valet and manager Woman) and their one son were found dead in his Atlanta home today. I just confirmed it as well, its true. What a great worker. Sad day in the wrestling business. I know he left early yesterday and missed the pay-per-view for a family emergency, but my God, I wonder what happened.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

That is some sad news. I hope it's something like carbon monoxide poisoning and not murder or murder suicide!
So does Vince continue his "death" script and say "the show must go on" tonight?

[crackerman]

no they have already scrapped all plans for tonight and the 3 hour raw will be a dedication to Chris and Woman. I just saw the three of them at Mania. they have another son as well, so I dont know where he was. I assume this will end the storyline of vince as well. You can talk about how "fake" wrestling is all you want, but you want to see real emotion, watch tonight at 8. this will be like the Raw after Owen's death.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I don't care how "fake" wrestling is. When death hits home emotions are supposed to be real! I wouldn't expect any less from Vince or anyone else.

[DAWGH8R]

If they want people to respect "real" death, they should never FAKE a death for a storyline. How IRONIC !! Perhaps that's how bad karma works.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Atlanta police investigating it as a murder-suicide.

[Tigerfan1979]

Atlanta police investigating it as a murder-suicide.The Fayette County GA.police said all they know is that they were not shot:sad2:

[CarlE]

Atlanta police investigating it as a murder-suicide.

Where did you see that TwbT?

[Kamd50]

Excerpt:

"Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department told ABC News that Benoit had missed several appointments over the weekend, leading concerned parties to ask police to do a "welfare check." When sheriffs arrived at the Benoits' home, they found the wrestler, his wife, and their son dead.

There were no signs of gunshot wounds or stabbing, according to Pope. Authorities are not ruling out other causes, such as poisoning, suffocation, or strangulation. Pope told ABC News that his department is looking at this situation as a "possible double murder, suicide."

Pope said "the instruments of death were located on scene," but would not specify what those instruments are or where in the house the bodies were found. Pope added the department is "not actively searching for any suspects outside of the house."

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=3315501&page=1

[crackerman]

They are reporting that Chris killed his wife on Saturday, his son on Sunday and himself yesterday. She was found in the living room, the son in his bedroom and Chris in his weightroom. They have alos stated that when the results come out, it will be a little bizarre and the WWE will come under scrutiny yet again. I assume what they mean, of course I am speculating, is that investigators found steroids in the house and will claim this is another wrestler on roids and claim that he had roid rage and killed his family. Chris on a personal level was very quiet and a little dark. he always kept to himself on only talked to a handful of the boys on a daily basis or at shows.

[monte81]

My kids watched RAW last night and I could only think of how I would watch wrestling as a kid every Saturday morning and night. I remember all the wrestling evets I witnessed live was also fun. Said for true wrestling fans!

[CarlE]

Said for true wrestling fans!

Actually, I think you mean "sad for true fans that like choreographed chaos that use a bunch of egotistical steroid-induced actors."

I mean, how many steroid-raged deaths does this make in "wrestling" now?

[Kamd50]

They are reporting that Chris killed his wife on Saturday, his son on Sunday and himself yesterday. She was found in the living room, the son in his bedroom and Chris in his weightroom. They have alos stated that when the results come out, it will be a little bizarre and the WWE will come under scrutiny yet again. I assume what they mean, of course I am speculating, is that investigators found steroids in the house and will claim this is another wrestler on roids and claim that he had roid rage and killed his family. Chris on a personal level was very quiet and a little dark. he always kept to himself on only talked to a handful of the boys on a daily basis or at shows.

That's just he question I was going to ask, about steroids. Being how he was not one on his way out or washed up, it only seems reasonable to assume that he, himself, was not "right" somehow. Who knows, maybe they were affecting him so badly that his behavior was taking its tole on the family behind closed doors. Maybe he was being abusive or just plain scary to them. Maybe his behavior inevitably caused his wife to have an affair or something and he found out.

It is very unsettling to think that his child may have witnessed his father's bazarre behavior and his own mother's death. Or to think of what kind of fright the child may have gone through. Truely tragic.

[monte81]

Actually, I think you mean "sad for true fans that like choreographed chaos that use a bunch of egotistical steroid-induced actors."

I mean, how many steroid-raged deaths does this make in "wrestling" now?

CarlE---its still funny to watch sometimes. The whole steroid situation in sports is crazy. In the wrestling entertainment business it has always been out of control but entertaining for the kids on TV and live to watch.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

crackerman! Don't take this the wrong way my freind because I really don't know the answer.
Is it possible that Benoits patented (He doesn't really have a patent on it it's just a loose term) "crippler crossface" be the cause of death? Could he have acted like he was horsing around with the wife or son and put them in it and not let go? Would it really kill someone?
I wonder if he killed the wife first or the son, and where the other one was at the time. It really is a shame.
And you're right, steroids may very well have been found in the home, but other "meds" may have been discovered too!

[austinsm11]

I wonder if he killed the wife first or the son, and where the other one was at the time. It really is a shame.
And you're right, steroids may very well have been found in the home, but other "meds" may have been discovered too!

I'm trying to find a link, but I thought I read somewhere that he killed the mom on Saturday, the son on Sunday and himself on Monday (or maybe it was Friday, Sat. Sun., I can't remember).
I believe it said the wife was found on the couch, the son in his bedroom, and Chris was in the weightroom. It also mentioned something about the object that was used (not a gun) being found but they weren't saying what it was. Could it have been a needle with something in it?
I will try to see if I can find the link.

[crackerman]

couple of things.

TWBT, it is presumed his wife died on Saturday and his son on Sunday, so she went first. I doubt he used a move on them...besides that move would pop your shoulder out or break your nose, not kill you. If you didnt know Nancy or anything about her..she portrayed the character "Woman" for many years. She was probably the toughest woman EVER in the business. She was once married in real life to Kevin Sullivan, which if you followed wrestling you know who he is. Kevin lived on the dark side in real life as well as on tv and to be married to him, you have to be one tough cookie.

Carle, I expected much more from you. You say "steroid-raged" deaths...first off, we dont even know if this was the case for this case and Secondily, name another....Elizabeth doesnt count because Luger is just a whacko to begin with. Usually the deaths are a result of pills or addictions over a period of time...Sheri, Hawk, Eddie, Pillman, Gilbert...list goes on and on. Not roid raged murdering sprees. I expected much more from you.

[austinsm11]

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/v2/wi/stc/nws/2007/6/25/24699.shtml

"Benoit was found dead in his weight room. Nancy was found dead in the living room. Daniel was found dead in his bedroom, according to an unnamed source in the department.

Lt. Tommy Pope told ABC News "the instruments of death were located on the scene," but didn't specify what those were or where they were found. Pope said the department was not actively searching for any suspects outside"

[Banks]

couple of things.

TWBT, it is presumed his wife died on Saturday and his son on Sunday, so she went first. I doubt he used a move on them...besides that move would pop your shoulder out or break your nose, not kill you. If you didnt know Nancy or anything about her..she portrayed the character "Woman" for many years. She was probably the toughest woman EVER in the business. She was once married in real life to Kevin Sullivan, which if you followed wrestling you know who he is. Kevin lived on the dark side in real life as well as on tv and to be married to him, you have to be one tough cookie.

Carle, I expected much more from you. You say "steroid-raged" deaths...first off, we dont even know if this was the case for this case and Secondily, name another....Elizabeth doesnt count because Luger is just a whacko to begin with. Usually the deaths are a result of pills or addictions over a period of time...Sheri, Hawk, Eddie, Pillman, Gilbert...list goes on and on. Not roid raged murdering sprees. I expected much more from you.



Which Sheri ?

[Kamd50]

What about the other child? In the tribute video on the wrestling site, they show another child in the ring with him and the rest of the family in the ring after a fight.

This even makes it all the more tragic, that there is a lone child left in this family that has to somehow deal with the grief of losing his entire family. My prayers are with this child and for his future.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

KamD! It's a cowardly act. It's unbelievable how so many people take the lives of others just because they are so tormented in their own lives. The act of suicide is not only a cowardly one, but it's a selfish one as well. I know there's alot more that goes into making this kind of decision than you and I can fathom, but in most cases people show suicidal tendencies prior to actually commiting suicide. When that happens there's typically family members and freinds begging the person to seek help, and offering to do whatever it takes to assist in helping them embrace life!
The reason I say it's cowardly and selfish is because the person is making a decision to eliminate the pain from their own life, without considering the amount of pain and suffering those left behind will have to endure.
I just don't get why someone like Chris Benoit finds it necessary to end the life of a spouse and a 7 year old son, and worse yet, to leave another child behind to have to deal with the tragedy he's perpetrated on his family!

[crackerman]

sheri, as in Sheri Martel...or sensational sheri passed last week.

Kamd, as far as the other son goes, that what i asked as well. I seen all four of them at wrestlemania this past year together. I also heard he has an older daughter as well. What I found out last night is that the older son and daughter were from a previous marriage, Nancy was not the mother and that boys mom has custody so he was with her at the time of this crime. I've never seen the daughter though.

[Kamd50]

As sad as this all is, at least the child is not left alone in this world because of these events. I still certainly grieve for the son and daughter both though, and the loss of their young brother.

[DAWGH8R]

.....................Elizabeth doesnt count because Luger is just a whacko to begin with....................


I loved Miss Elizabeth !!

http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/wrestling/images/2005/jan27/3.jpg

[DAWGH8R]

What about MOOLAH ??

[CarlE]

Carle, I expected much more from you. You say "steroid-raged" deaths...first off, we dont even know if this was the case for this case and Secondily, name another....Elizabeth doesnt count because Luger is just a whacko to begin with. Usually the deaths are a result of pills or addictions over a period of time...Sheri, Hawk, Eddie, Pillman, Gilbert...list goes on and on. Not roid raged murdering sprees. I expected much more from you.

You know what? I didn't even realize that I had posted it that way. I really meant steroid-induced deaths, which could be over a matter of time, along with other medications. My apologies my friend. That is NOT how I meant it to come out. Thanks for clarifying my error to me. My bad.

[DAWGH8R]

no they have already scrapped all plans for tonight and the 3 hour raw will be a dedication to Chris and Woman. I just saw the three of them at Mania. they have another son as well, so I dont know where he was. I assume this will end the storyline of vince as well. You can talk about how "fake" wrestling is all you want, but you want to see real emotion, watch tonight at 8. this will be like the Raw after Owen's death.

They dedicated a 3 hour show to a murderer ??? WOW ??:wtf:

[ReineyKicker15]

Im sure at the time of the show they did not have the information that it was Benoit who committed the crime. They did the right thing by canceling the show.

[Banks]

sheri, as in Sheri Martel...or sensational sheri passed last week.

.

Thanks I missed that one.
Wasn't she also known as Scary Sheri ?

[Banks]

They dedicated a 3 hour show to a murderer ??? WOW ??:wtf:

I wonder why the 3 hour show ended after only
2hours and 12 minutes.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

After I heard that it was being investigated as a murder-suicide and the son and wife was killed over the weekend, and Benoit had been sending some "disturbing" text messages to people prior to killing himself monday, I found it ironic that HHH was saying that the one thing that made Chris Benoit who he was, was RESPECT. He even mentioned how much Benoit respected his family. If true, and I have to believe those close to him when they say things like that, then what in world could drive a person to such a heinous act? Not that this is the case, but the only thing I can come up with is drugs. It seems like so many good people do so many terrible things because of drugs.
Truly sad!

[TigerswillbeTigers]

It's being reported that he strangled his wife in her office at the home on saturday, then watched the WWE Pay Per-view with his son and later smothered him in his bedroom on Sunday. Then he hung himself in the weight room of his home on monday!
Unbelievable!

[crackerman]

from what I have gotten today...obviously some things that i have been told that are not thru the media..and I will answer a couple of questions.

1) moolah is still alive somehow.
2) banks, the show didnt end after 2 hours, it ran its full time, I watched it and tivo'd it.
3) I dont think that at the time the WWE knew what had happened. Around 4pm was when WWE was notified of the death. it was a show that was based on his work int he ring. Very few testimonials.
4) WWE has removed all benoit items off their site, including his profile page, and merchandise. they have even changed the triple threat match of WMXX from HHH vsHBK vs Benoit to now reading just HHH vs. HBK.

5) From what i have been told by someone very close to the situation, is that Benoit and Nancy had a domestic dispute that ended with him accidentally strangling her. I aksed how that could happen and thought...and the only answer I could come up with is that they were arguing and he grabbed her around her throat and crushed her larnyx or somethign to that matter. From there, Chris didnt know what to do. His son and Nancy were very close and he then suffocated his son because he wanted him to be with his mom and didnt want to him to grow up without his mom and thinking his dad was a murderer. Then the next day, he couldnt handle any of it and hung himself.
That comes from a very good source as to trying to figure it all out. Still doesnt make sense to me but this is the story. i am pretty sure that this is the information that was passed through the "weird texts" people are saying he sent and possibly through an email/suicide note to someone int he company. Around midnight last night wwe.com reported they knew the cause of deaths and what happened but the authorites would not allow them to put it out yet.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Unfortunately #5 offers an awful lot of speculation right now and if true, he better have strangled himself if that was going to be his alibi, because he was getting the needle.
I "accidently" strangled my wife, and I didn't want her son to grow up without a mommy, and have a father that was an "accidental" murderer!
The sad thing is, there could be text messages to that effect, or a suicide note, but how do we know he isn't just another psychopath that takes every step to convince people that he's not an animal, and his pain was so terrible!

Honest fans and family members, it was an "accident", and I did what all of you would have done. KILLED the child to protect him!

[SuperBran]

5) From what i have been told by someone very close to the situation, is that Benoit and Nancy had a domestic dispute that ended with him accidentally strangling her. I aksed how that could happen and thought...and the only answer I could come up with is that they were arguing and he grabbed her around her throat and crushed her larnyx or somethign to that matter. From there, Chris didnt know what to do. His son and Nancy were very close and he then suffocated his son because he wanted him to be with his mom and didnt want to him to grow up without his mom and thinking his dad was a murderer. Then the next day, he couldnt handle any of it and hung himself.
That comes from a very good source as to trying to figure it all out.

when you say "that comes from a very good source as trying to figure it all out" it sounds like someone is trying as hard as they can to sugar-coat something that is impossible to sugar-coat.

although i understand that it's only your source's opinion, that might be one of the most outrageous explanations i've ever heard. unfortunately, we'll never know that truth.

what we do know is that he's a murderer. i'm sure he's now wrestling in hell.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Now the Police are saying Nancy was killed on friday, the son more than likely saturday, and he hung himself late saturday or early sunday! So much for the earlier news releases and inside info about the time of deaths.
A lot of prescription medications found at the scene, mostly legal. A lot of steroids according investigator.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Nancy was bound at her feet and wrists, there goes the "accidental" strangulation theory.
Bibles left next to each victim, not Benoits', NO suicide note!

[crackerman]

I am not condoning it at all...just relaying the message that I was given.

I wouldnt be suprised at all if someone is trying to sugarcoat it. Im still trying to figure out how you accidently strangle a person. Accidently shot yes, strangle?..no. As far as the needle goes, yes he would of gotten it for the death of his son, but for a guy who had no priors at all and a very clean record, It would of be tough to convict him of 1st degree on the wife alone since it was a dispute and wouldnt of been pre-meditated. Hell, in todays society He might of gotten nothing if it was crime of passion, such as if he found out his wife was cheating. i am thinking if he would of stopped at the wife... he would of gotten manslaughter, received 10 years and been out after 5. What a shame. Dont just think that all of the stuff found at the scene were just his and his alone either.

[crackerman]

Nancy was bound at her feet and wrists, there goes the "accidental" strangulation theory.
Bibles left next to each body, NO suicide note!

accidental theory was coming from someone within the company, part of his extended family. Like you said, might of been sugar coated. Being bound could also of happened afterwards. thoughts of dropping here somewhere could of gone through his mind.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I think "binding a woman at the ankles and wrists" prior to strangling her elevates the case to premeditated murder!

[crackerman]

I think "binding a woman at the ankles and wrists" prior to strangling her elevates the case to premeditated murder!

was never said prior 2....just said bound Could of been after the fact.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

cracker! I hear ya, but I don't think there's snow balls chance in his new home that he would have "bound her" after killing her. Not even to transport the body and toss it in a river! Can't buy it, it's premeditated murder in my mind.
Also, I have to say, with all due respect to you, the "inside info" you got about the way things went down sound more like a bad script proposed by WWE writers. That's just an opinion my freind!

And, I don't think he would place a bible next to both victims if he was going to tie up Nancy and then remove her from the home.

[crackerman]

I just read where they think he might of used an extension cord for the strangling, which takes out any accidental things. The scoop was obviously furnished by someone close to him who tried to keep what good name he had before this. its truly sickening. Like I said, I didnt say it was accidental...just posted what I was told. Lets not get those 2 mixed up in anyway.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

The only mention of a cord that I've heard was that he hung himself with a cord like cable that was part of a weight machine! Either way it's double homicide, and the cowards way out! Atleast he saved the Ga. tax payers alot of money!

[DAWGH8R]

Maybe it was a sex game gone bad. Bound at the hands and feet. Some people are into the whole strangulation thing. They say it intensifies the orgasm. Many people each year die of "accidental" stragulation in the bedroom.

[austinsm11]

Maybe it was a sex game gone bad. Bound at the hands and feet. Some people are into the whole strangulation thing. They say it intensifies the orgasm. Many people each year die of "accidental" stragulation in the bedroom.

Very sick. But you are right.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

She was in her office and had blood around her head. I think the sex thing is a reach, and it would have offered him a great alibi if he didn't have all of that domestic violence against Nancy in his past. Her family has got to be distraught over the fact that she didn't follow thru with the divorce she filed for in 2003. She cited his steroid use as a major contributor to her abuse saying he would go thru mood changes and become enraged.

[crackerman]

She cited his steroid use as a major contributor to her abuse saying he would go thru mood changes and become enraged.

thats weird, pregnancy can do the same to women.

[SuperBran]

now it's being reported that steroids were found in his home.

[longtimefirsttime]

They dedicated a 3 hour show to a murderer ??? WOW ??:wtf:

All of the details were not publicly released at the time the show aired. All that most people knew was that the three were found dead. For once Vince did the right thing by canceling the show and also ending the "Mr. McMahon death" storyline.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Superbran! really! Sorry Bran I couldn't help myself.

[longtimefirsttime]

I found it ironic that HHH was saying that the one thing that made Chris Benoit who he was, was RESPECT. He even mentioned how much Benoit respected his family. If true, and I have to believe those close to him when they say things like that, then what in world could drive a person to such a heinous act?


That is what's so baffling. People who knew him said he LOVED his kids. They often traveled with him. They were in the ring with him when he won the world championship. He was recently "traded" to ECW because he would make an excellent trainer. The guys in the back totally respected him because he gave everything he had to the business. I just don't get it.

[crackerman]

I guess some people just have demons they cant kick. Work wise, he was truly one of the top 5 ever. Boys in the business respected him. The talk about the love for his family and the respect is true. Say what you want to, but I had the chance to see it live on several occasions. Very few bring their families around the business, but he always did. It is baffling.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

cracker! Wasn't Kevin Sullivan the one that wrote the relationship between Nancy and Chris into the WWE, only to have them hookup in real life?
If I'm correct, he's got to be hurting just a little bit more then most.

[longtimefirsttime]

More about Benoit's wife (for those who don't follow wrestling):
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/06/25/4290333.html

Prescription drugs and steroids were found in the home. Reportedly those who knew them also knew they had a very rocky relationship.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1563400/20070626/index.jhtml

"Benoit and Nancy, a wrestling manager who worked under the name "Woman," had been married since 2000 but had separated in May 2003 when Nancy filed for divorce, according to the Journal-Constitution.
Accompanying that filing was a petition for protection from domestic abuse, with Nancy claiming that she was intimidated by her husband, who "lost his temper and threatened to strike the petitioner and cause extensive damage to the home." In another count, she claimed Benoit had destroyed furniture in their home.
On the same day the divorce and petition for protection were filed, a judge issued a restraining order against the wrestler, which barred him from the family's home. A few months later, in August, Nancy filed to have both the divorce and protective petition dismissed."

While reprehensible it is conceivable you could kill someone in a fit of rage. But why kill your child?

[longtimefirsttime]

cracker! Wasn't Kevin Sullivan the one that wrote the relationship between Nancy and Chris into the WWE, only to have them hookup in real life?
If I'm correct, he's got to be hurting just a little bit more then most.

Read my first link above TWBT.

[crackerman]

Sullivan wrote the storyline in WCW not WWE. Sullivan was actually married to Nancy at the time he put them together on tv. To "protect" the business and kayfabe, he had Nancy travel everywhere with Benoit since she was his manager. they fell in love, she divorced Sullivan and the rest is now history. This was actualy really big at the time because Sullivan was a booker at the time, or in laymens terms, was Benoits boss. he controlled his future.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

LTFT! I did, thanks for providing the links.
I find it interesting that Nancy was to be known as "Woman" in the WWE! Almost like a Medievil connotation, subordinate, cave man like!
Perhaps she dropped the divorce and continued with the relationship because she had no self esteem.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I was partially right cracker! BTW! I've been telling my wife I'm the "Booker" for years, ever since following some of the guys in wrestling. She says "you're a "heel" that knows his role "giabroni"! LOL

[crackerman]

this just all stuns me. I have been in total shock since around 5pm yesterday when I got the call. I really do not get this.

[longtimefirsttime]

Sullivan had a long strecth in his career where he was an evil-worshipping leader of a cult of followers. While Nancy may have been subordinate in that role, she was a "tough cookie" in real life. I think Cracker may be able to confirm this. From a bio page on Kevin Sullivan:

"Sullivan lost a retirement match to Benoit at Bash at the Beach on July 13, 1997. He was already the booker so it gave him more time to do that job. He soon came up with an angle where Woman would be topless on a PPV, but she refused and left WCW. They divorced and she married Benoit."

[longtimefirsttime]

this just all stuns me. I have been in total shock since around 5pm yesterday when I got the call. I really do not get this.

You and me both. It contadicts everything what those who knew him have said about him. What could have happened?

[TigerswillbeTigers]

cracker! I'll tell you something I learned a long time ago! You can't ask why. There's no answer when something like this happens. People will say, "It's Gods way, and you can't question him". I've often wondered why God would feel it necessary to call home all of the innocent young people that have died in an accident, or in their own crib, and I just quit asking the question when I figured out that there was no answer.

Hug your wife and kids, and do something you enjoy!

[Mass6]

Hey cracker, not to get too far off subject, but exactly how did Miss Elizabeth die???

[crackerman]

1st off, she was very tough. As I stated prior, she might be the physically and mentally toughest woman to ever be "in" the business. Toughest ever around the business would of been Haku and the Barbarian's wives respectfully, but they were not "in" the business.

2) What could of happened? I dont know.....man, I dont know. But you know what...I really dont want to hear the steroid card played. There are about 100 guys and girls that workout at Bally's that take steroids. Probably about 5,000 people total in stark county alone who take them and dont run around killing people. people are murdered everyday by people who are not on steroids. However this will give the media yet another opportunity to take a shot at pro-wrestling and link the deaths to steroids. the could be the beginning of the END....yes I said END, for the WWE. I will be very suprised if congress does not step into the picture in all of this.

[crackerman]

Hey cracker, not to get too far off subject, but exactly how did Miss Elizabeth die???

OD that was a mixture of vodka and painpills. Blood alcohol was .299 at time of death. There were many reports about Luger leading he rin this direction but they couldnt pin it on him. Whne they searched the house that they shard, they found a ton of steroids and he was arrested and charged with possesion and I still believe is still serving time.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I'm going to say something that I hope doesn't upset you cracker. I've read several accounts about this and many articles talking about who Chris Benoit was. The one thing I find so laughable is the efforts by the WWE to legitimize their "wrestling". They insist on listing Benoits' accomplishments as "The heavyweight champion of the world", "The Intercontinental champion" and multiple time "Tag team champion of the world"!
Ok, I get it, it's what they sell. But in my opinion, they should list his accomplishments as "one of the best entertainers wrestling has ever known" and "he was a great athlete and entertainer that helped advance who we are"!

I don't think for a minute he would of been the heavyweight champion of boxing or mixed marshall arts, so lets not pretend that his "championships" weren't scripted! Call it what is was. ENTERTAINMENT!
After all, when every other "entertainer" dies, the press and Hollywood mention their talent, and the "ROLES" they were famous for. Then they talk about real tokens of accomplishment, like Oscars, Grammys, Tonys and even Golden Globes. Not fancy belts.

Sorry cracker, I just don't get why the gimmick needs to be carried this far.

[crackerman]

with the state of boxing right now, holding the WWE title actually means more in America's eyes. i guarantee you, if you polled everyone in the US, and asked them to name the WWE champ and the IBF heavyweight champ, more would know and answer John Cena. Also on a side note, In the wrestling world....Chris wasnt a great entertainer, he was a great wrestler. Big difference in the wrestling world. Hogan, Cena, Edge, and Rock are great entertainers.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I found him quite entertaining! I actually enjoyed last nights highlights.

BTW! I think if you polled everyone in the US, 90% of them would say it's NOT REAL! There's always going to be that 10% that believes the matches are real.

[longtimefirsttime]

It's a commonly accepted thing by most people that wrestling is fake. Thus it's dubbed "entertainment" It was also changed several years back because some states were imposing an event tax on a live sporting events. So the WWE finally went along with what most people already knew, that it's not a sport. But it's always been known as professional wrestling. That's why they're still called wrestlers. And I agree with Cracker that Benoit was a throwback because he actually could wrestle.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

LTFT! There's no argument from me about Benoits' ability to wrestle. Heck. I'm certain all of the guys that are familiar to fans of the WWE and other entities can wrestle. A lot of them have a background in competetive wrestling in HS and college.

[crackerman]

if you enjoy pure wrestling and a throwback style, he was very entertaining. but in todays wrestling world, they go bye promos and run-ins and heel heat...he didnt do that....he just wrestled. greatest match I have ever witnessed was Benoit/Regal at the Pillman show...I beieve the 3rd Pillman. it is worth buying, trust me. I assume they have it for sell somewhere. i saw it live that night. Everyone of the boys was actually out of the locker room watching it at the runway. it was 35 minutes. Actually saved Regal's career as he was unemployeed at the time after being let go by WWE. He got rid of his problems and wrestled a phenomenal match with Benoit and then re-signed about a week later.

[longtimefirsttime]

My favorite matches of his were the best-of-seven series with Booker T in WCW in 1998. Even though Booker won the TV Championship at the Great American Bash that year to finish that series you knew Benoit was going to be a star.

Cracker the Pillman shows are considered some of the best around.

[DAWGH8R]

Just saw on the Atlanta news, that his kid had needle marks in him. They concluded that the little boy has been on steroids for QUITE some time.

VERY SICK !!!!!!!!:weightlift:

[CarlE]

I found him quite entertaining! I actually enjoyed last nights highlights.

BTW! I think if you polled everyone in the US, 90% of them would say it's NOT REAL! There's always going to be that 10% that believes the matches are real.

Go over to freaking yappi. You'll find the 10% of knuckleheads you're looking for on one dang thread.

LTFT, I didn't mean you.

[crackerman]

Im sorry, but I gotta see that for myself. I was just looking at Atlanta news stations and I just watched the press conference again. Whats the link to that? what station? I dont buy it. By the way, people do not take steroids in their arms.

[austinsm11]

I forget what station, but I just watched one of them talk about the son having needle marks and being on steroids for quite some time as well. I don't remember if it said where the needle marks were.

[crackerman]

they probably said Chris was on steroids for some time. I just streamed every video from every atlanta station and couldnt find it.

[crackerman]

WWE just released the following statement:

STAMFORD, Conn., June 26, 2007 • World Wrestling Entertainment is stunned and saddened by the details released by local authorities concerning the double homicide-suicide involving Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and his son, Daniel.

However, WWE is concerned with the sensationalistic reporting and speculation being undertaken by some members of the media following the press conference held by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney. During the press conference, the investigating authorities made the following points, all of which run contrary to the media speculation that "roid rage" was a factor in the senseless murders and suicide:

1. The authorities stated that all drugs found in the house were believed to be legal prescriptions.

2. Steroids were not, and could not, be related to the cause of death (asphyxiation). Authorities had no factual basis to speculate as to Benoit’s state of mind, and rightly did not do so.

3. Toxicology tests have not even been completed, so there is no current evidence that Benoit even had steroids or any other substance in his body. In that regard, on the last test done on Benoit by WWE's independently administered drug testing program, done on April 10, 2007, Benoit tested negative.

4. The physical findings announced by authorities indicate deliberation, not rage. The wife's feet and hands were bound and she was asphyxiated, not beaten to death. By the account of the authorities, there were substantial periods of time between the death of the wife and the death of the son, again suggesting deliberate thought, not rage. The presence of a Bible by each is also not an act of rage.

5. WWE strongly suggests that it is entirely wrong for speculators to suggest that steroids had anything to do with these senseless acts, especially when the authorities plainly stated there is no evidence that Benoit had steroids in his body, pending the toxicological reports, and that they had no evidence at this time as to the motive for these acts.

WWE is continuing to monitor the ongoing investigation being conducted by local authorities.

[longtimefirsttime]

From ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2917133

"I'm baffled about why anybody would kill a 7-year-old," District Attorney Scott Ballard said. "I don't think we'll ever be able wrap our head around that."

In an interview with ESPN.com on Tuesday, Ballard indicated that the boy had needle marks in his arms. The district attorney said he believed that the boy had been given growth hormones for some time because the family considered him undersized.

That was only one of the strange facts that Ballard revealed. He said that two text messages of note caused authorities to investigate the house. In one, Benoit told somebody he knew that his wife and son were sick.

"Of course, they were dead," Ballard told ESPN.com.

[crackerman]

GD that is weird. I have seen that boy several times. He has a very protruding forehead, which is common from Growth Hormone....but Chris had it too. So I had only hoped that the forehead was genetic and Chris passed it on. Maybe this will enlighten a lot of things, because Gorwth is not used as a steroid in a lot of cases but used to promote health. It is given to children and elderly quite regularly. I will tell you what...its is pretty ballsy of this guy to claim that they were pumping him with growth without the toxoliogy results back....that is a lawsuit by someone if it doesnt hold up. i would assume he says this with confidence, like they found a thing of GH in the fridge prescribed to the kid. Not to defend, but GH is used for a ton of medicinal purposes.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I didn't see any reports in any media source that said the double homicide and subsequent suicide were the result of "roid rage". Everything I've read mentions that steroids were found at the scene, along with several legal prescription drugs.

As far as the allegation of needle marks in the son goes, and the possibility of human growth hormones being injected due to him being undersized, that's not an uncommon accurance with children now a days. Unfortunately for the parents in this case it "appears" to be suspect because of his relationship to Nancy and Chris, who "appear" suspect because of their relationships with pro wrestling, and more specifically the WWE.

I think the WWE is grasping at straws if it wants popular opinion to be that there's NO connection between aggression, drastic mood swings and rage, and steroids. The fact that they said asphyxiation has nothing to due with steroids is correct. However, the inclination to do so, combined with the physical ability to bind and asphyxiate a woman that's supposed be a heck of a scrapper against her will, opens it up for speculation.

I agree that any media source that is interjecting "roid rage" into this sad case, is being premature at best. However, I believe the toxicology results will show that Chris had them in his system, and that will re-open a can of worms Vince and the WWE doesn't want to answer too again.

[longtimefirsttime]

I agree that any media source that is interjecting "roid rage" into this sad case, is being premature at best. However, I believe the toxicology results will show that Chris had them in his system, and that will re-open a can of worms Vince and the WWE doesn't want to answer too again.

I'm sure the media will be all over this angle and Vince is hoping that Benoit comes up clean. Vince's last big steroid scandal nearly ended the company.

[Tiger2001]

this thread is so ridiculous its almost funny.

if there wasnt a child involved i'd go on a rant about how 'some people' need to get lives and move out of moms basement.

chalk another one up for the booger eaters.

[CarlE]

Booger eaters. Now THAT was funny.

[crackerman]

Here is another twist into the story that I just read so I thought I would post it. last paragraph was in the story, not my opinion:

Canadian female Pam Winthrope told News 1130 in Canada that Chris Benoit's son had a genetic condition called Fragile X syndrome.

According to WebMD, "Fragile X Syndrome is a defect of the X chromosome which causes mild mental retardation. The disorder occurs more frequently and severely among males than females. This condition is the leading known familial cause of mental retardation in the United States. Language delays, behavioral problems, autism or autistic-like behavior (including poor eye contact and hand-flapping), enlarged external genitalia (macroorchidism), large or prominent ears, hyperactivity, delayed motor development and/or poor sensory skills are among the wide range of symptoms associated with this disorder."

Winthrope, whose son also suffers from the condition, told the Canadian news outlet that her husband reached out to Benoit five years ago in an attempt to increase awareness about Fragile X.

She told News 1130, "We talked to him because I was trying to set up a support group in BC and in Canada, we only have a couple of them. My husband was struggling when we got diagnosed with our son, and Chris was struggling with his. They talked for a few minutes and then he said he didn't want to be a public face for Fragile X, he just wanted to keep it really, really quiet."

Winthrope noted that the lack of support for those affected by the disorder can tear families apart. Nonetheless, "she couldn't believe the news that Benoit had taken his life along with his wife and 7-year-old son," wrote News 1130.

This may explain why Daniel was taking growth hormone injections. It also may shed light onto why Chris didn't want someone else raising his son and made the fateful decision to kill him. As irrational and twisted as it may sound, he may have felt he was saving his son from the double-blow of losing his parents through a murder-suicide and being subject to being raised by people who didn't understand or care for his condition.

[SuperBran]

I will tell you what...its is pretty ballsy of this guy to claim that they were pumping him with growth without the toxoliogy results back....that is a lawsuit by someone if it doesnt hold up.

ballard said that he BELIEVED that growth hormones were given.

if someone wants to try to sue him for defamation for publically stating what he believes, good luck with that because their chance of winning is incredibly small.

The presence of a Bible by each is also not an act of rage.

no, but it could be a sign of remorse after a rage. i'm not saying that the deaths were the result of roid rage, but to state that the presence of a bible means that there was no rage is not necessarily true.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

If Vince McMahon wants to complain about "sensationalistic" reporting he needs to look no further then his own words.
It's an absolute travesty to say the Chris Benoit was "clean" according to the independently administered test for steroids done by the WWE on April 10th, 2007, therefor he couldn't have been on steroids when he killed his wife and son.
Perhaps Vince thinks Benoits only reason for having anabolic steroids in his home was for....say...decoration, or a converstaion piece. Puhleze Vince. You and the leaders of the WWE put demands on these wrestlers that require them to take steroids in order to bulk up, be strong and look a certain way. You may have an ongoing "independent" testing system in place, but you also have instructions on how to beat the test, and when the wrestlers are scheduled for the test. That's a fact that comes from within your own organization and is indisputable.
I was at a fund raising event last year that was attended by HHH. The man looked as normal as any other "athlete" in the crowd, and far from his "roided up" look when he was performing. 4 weeks later he was back in the ring looking more chisled then ever before. 4 weeks of training, or 4 weeks of roids and training? :scratchchin:

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

Crackerman,

Not that it's necessary but the IBF heavyweight champion is Wladimir Klitschko.

It's a shame how this whole situation turned out. My thoughts and prayers to them and the WWE family.

[crackerman]

If Vince McMahon wants to complain about "sensationalistic" reporting he needs to look no further then his own words.
It's an absolute travesty to say the Chris Benoit was "clean" according to the independently administered test for steroids done by the WWE on April 10th, 2007, therefor he couldn't have been on steroids when he killed his wife and son.
Perhaps Vince thinks Benoits only reason for having anabolic steroids in his home was for....say...decoration, or a converstaion piece. Puhleze Vince. You and the leaders of the WWE put demands on these wrestlers that require them to take steroids in order to bulk up, be strong and look a certain way. You may have an ongoing "independent" testing system in place, but you also have instructions on how to beat the test, and when the wrestlers are scheduled for the test. That's a fact that comes from within your own organization and is indisputable.
I was at a fund raising event last year that was attended by HHH. The man looked as normal as any other "athlete" in the crowd, and far from his "roided up" look when he was performing. 4 weeks later he was back in the ring looking more chisled then ever before. 4 weeks of training, or 4 weeks of roids and training? :scratchchin:

1) Vince says that he is clean, so that it looks like the wellness program is working and he can show that they do randomly test. I do believe Benoit was clean that day when they tested, because too many big name guys have been popped and fined for coming back positive.

2) Good point on HHH to a point. I can say this, HHH looks a ton smaller and more bloated with a shirt on then when he takes it off, oils up, and does push ups for a half hour before he walks through the curtain. HHH hasnt looked as big the past couple of years and a very good reason for that. I have stated before to people that the WWE came up with the wellness plan for one reason. Not for the fact that Eddie died or to protect the boys, but for the fact that HHH and Stephanie were trying to conceive. A lot of times, and it has been medically proven, when a guy is on the gas, and he impregnants a woman, it can had adverse effects on the baby. My feeling on the wellness plan and when it was instituted is that it was put in place for HHH to get away from gas while him and Steph were trying to conceive...and with a wellness plan in tact, the other boys would not make him look bad physically in the ring while he was off the stuff. Take it for what you will but he isnt going to have 15 guys in the company looking better than him physically.

[longtimefirsttime]

From prowrestling.com

"On Saturday, June 23, Chris Benoit was slated to appear at a WWE live event in Beaumont, Texas. That afternoon, Benoit contacted WWE to inform them that his wife and child were ill, and that he would not be able to attend the show.

WWE executives rebooked Benoit’s flight for the following morning, allowing Benoit to miss the Beaumont event making alternate arrangements for him to attend the pay-per-view event in Houston on Sunday.

WWE employees attempted to confirm with Benoit his travel plans but were unable to contact him.

Early Sunday morning, between 3:51 and 3:58 a.m., Benoit sent five text messages to co-workers:

Text Message 1 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:53am)- Chris Benoit’s cell phone
“My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville Georgia. 30215”

Text Message 2 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:53am)- Chris Benoit’s cell phone
“The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open”

Text Message 3 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:54am)- Nancy Benoit’s cell phone
“My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215”

Text Message 4 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:55am)- Nancy Benoit’s cell phone
“My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215"

Text Message 5 to one co-worker (sent 6/24 at 3:58am)- Nancy Benoit’s cell phone
“My address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215”

Throughout the day on Sunday, WWE made numerous attempts to contact Benoit both at home and at local hospitals in the Atlanta area. As of 11:00 p.m., WWE officials were unable to establish contact with Chris Benoit.

At 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 25, WWE officials were notified of the text messages sent to the co-workers the previous day. By 12:45 p.m., WWE had contacted Fayetteville County Sheriff’s office requesting they check on the Benoit family.

Fayetteville County Sheriffs office made contact with WWE at approximately 4:00 p.m. advising that they had entered the house of Chris Benoit and found three deceased bodies – an adult male, adult female and a male child. WWE was told that Benoit’s home was now considered a major crime scene.

The decision to cancel the live event scheduled in Corpus Christi that night was made between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. In keeping with company policy, and with limited knowledge regarding facts of the case, WWE choose to air a memorial dedicated to the career of Chris Benoit. As facts emerged surrounding the case, all tributes to Chris Benoit were removed both on-air and on WWE.com. "

[longtimefirsttime]

From AP:
"In Albany, the DA's office confirms the 40-year-old Benoit was a customer as recently as last year of the south Florida company MedXLife. 2 of its co-owners pleaded guilty to drug charges in Albany County in April, admitting they helped get prescriptions drugs in 2006 for customers in upstate New York who had no medical need for them. The pair testified Signature Pharmacy of Orlando filled the orders. MedXLife, no longer taking orders, attracted customers through its Web site."

The divorce court documents from 2003:
http://www.aolcdn.com/tmz_documents/0626_benoit_dismiss.pdf

[crackerman]

Everybody knows that. But steroids are not a reason for his death

[longtimefirsttime]

I'm not saying they are. Just passing along the info. I'm sure many in the media are hoping the toxicology results come back positive for steroids so they can continue with this story. And I'm sure McMahon is strongly hoping that they come back negative.


But even the most blind know that steroids are used in pro wrestling and something needs to be done about it.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

cracker! I heard an amazing statistic last night. It was either 65 0r 87 (I know that's quite a spread, but the lower number seems to be the one) wrestlers have died in the past 10 years.
The death rate among wrestlers was 7 times higher then any other group.
5 deaths were directly attributed to steroids and listed as the cause of death.
25 deaths were from enlarged hearts.
Something like 15 more were due to complications as the result of steroid use.
The average age of a wrestler that has died in the past 10 years was in their 40's.
If I have all of that right, it'll surprise me, but it was very close to what was reported.
Just amazing!

[SuperBran]

But steroids are not a reason for his death

you can't say for certainty that steroids played no part.....just like you can't say for certainty that steroids played a part.

i've read a lot about how good of a guy he was, and how much he loved his family. good guys don't strangle their wives. family men don't smother their children. something provoked a lot of anger and violence. he snapped, and it could very well have been a roid rage. we'll never know. the only thing we know is that we really don't know anything.

[longtimefirsttime]

cracker! I heard an amazing statistic last night. It was either 65 0r 87 (I know that's quite a spread, but the lower number seems to be the one) wrestlers have died in the past 10 years.
The death rate among wrestlers was 7 times higher then any other group.
5 deaths were directly attributed to steroids and listed as the cause of death.
25 deaths were from enlarged hearts.
Something like 15 more were due to complications as the result of steroid use.
The average age of a wrestler that has died in the past 10 years was in their 40's.
If I have all of that right, it'll surprise me, but it was very close to what was reported.
Just amazing!

You are correct. Read the book "Wrestling Babylon" by Irwin Muchnick.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1550227610/ref=sib_dp_pt/002-7759119-7092859#reader-link

[tiger#22]

Everybody knows that. But steroids are not a reason for his death

Thank you DR. :doh:

[longtimefirsttime]

"Attorney: Couple argued over care of mentally retarded 7-year-old son"

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2918751

[ChronicTiger]

What is this doing under sports?