In a rare display that he actually has a heart, Vince McMahon opened Raw last night by announcing that the story line of his death was just that -- a story line -- and for this Monday night the show would not go on. Instead, the WWF -- no, I won't do it -- honored Chris "The Crippler" Benoit who perished earlier in the day. Few thoughts:
1) If you are (or ever have been) a wrestling fan and watched last night's show and did not get misty-eyed you very possibly may not be human.2) The final match of the night -- when Benoit won the belt at Wrestlemania XX by making Triple H tap out in the middle of the ring -- and the in ring celebration with (also recently passed) Eddie Guerrero was probably about as compelling as wrestling can get. Amazing that these two awesome performers who clearly gave their hearts and souls to the game have passed so close to one another. And, of course, sad.
3) Horrible, just horrible, to hear the reports surfacing -- that Benoit killed his wife -- former wrestling valet "Woman" who was previously married to Kevin Sullivan -- killed his 7-year old son and then killed himself around a day later.
Shame. Damn shame.
"In a rare display that he actually has a heart, Vince McMahon opened Raw last night by announcing that the story line of his death was just that -- a story line -- and for this Monday night the show would not go on. Instead, the WWF -- no, I won't do it -- honored Chris "The Crippler" Benoit who perished earlier in the day."
I disagree here. Maybe (definitely) I'm an insensitive ass, but something about airing a three-hour "tribute" doesn't seem befitting of a potential murderer. I think Vince could at least wait and see where the investigation goes before unfurling the memorial.
And another thing -- while these guys are better athletes than I could ever hope to be -- let's go easy with the "champion" talk. The achievement of holding a title in WWE is script-based. Make-believe. Would you call Stallone "champ"? He won the heavyweight boxing title a few times.
Posted by: Jack Klompus | June 26, 2007 at 08:54 AM
"I disagree here. Maybe (definitely) I'm an insensitive ass, but something about airing a three-hour "tribute" doesn't seem befitting of a potential murderer. I think Vince could at least wait and see where the investigation goes before unfurling the memorial."
That's an entirely fair point, Klompus. My feelings about Vince having a heart here formed before I found out that Benoit likely murdered his wife and son. I still give Vince credit for cancelling and coming clean on his fake death storyline -- which apparently a whole lot of functionally retarded people actually believed -- but if Benoit really did kill his 7-year-old son, I don't care what the reason, he should rot in hell.
"Would you call Stallone "champ"?
I would call him "washed-up." The Crippler could still bring it.
And, in all seriousness, make believe or not, I give a serious wrestler (and not some Shane McMahon or Courtney Cox's husband deal) a lot more credit for winning the belt in a clean contest than I do an actor winning something in a movie. There is a ton of behind the scenes stuff going on there and fake or not, a little dude like Benoit had to bring a ton of talent to the table for Vince to give him the strap.
Posted by: jackie | June 26, 2007 at 09:47 AM
I'll withhold any sympathy until this murder stuss gets cleared up but I really couldn't stand Benoit. Dude had all the charisma of my left nut. When you're claim to fame as a professional wrestelr is that you're one of the best "technical wrestlers", I'm really not interested. Who watches that for the wrestling/choreography? There's nothing we haven't seen before.
Posted by: Art Vandelay | June 26, 2007 at 09:56 AM
I was going to write about this today. Couple of unsubstantiated wrinkles I read that might soothe the "Benoit's an asshole" edge:
1.) Benoit got a call from his wife over the weekend saying he needed to come home b/c there was an emergency which is why he had to miss the PPV.
2.) According to unsubstantiated reports, Benoit found out that his wife had killed his son, went into a rage and killed her, then hung himself in the garage.
So... we'll see how it all shakes out once its out in the open.
But as far as Chris Benoit, the innocent until proven guilty wrestler, goes - he was a serious wrestler and the business will miss him.
Posted by: Assman | June 26, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Dude had all the charisma of my left nut.
He had zero charisma. He had less charm than a corpse. But at least when he wrestled, he never looked like he was faking it, which is kinda half the job.
Posted by: Assman | June 26, 2007 at 09:58 AM
"When you're claim to fame as a professional wrestelr is that you're one of the best "technical wrestlers", I'm really not interested."
At the risk of sounding like I'm contradicting myself here, on this point I pretty much totally agree. Was never a huge fan of any wrestler who did not possess any mic skills. Die hard "work rate" guys always kill the likes of Hogan, but when Hogan was Hogan was there really a better show in town?
I mean, when Hogan fought the incredibly popular Rock at that WM and won the crowd over I got chills all over my body while watching on the big screen at the (now gone) WWF Zone in Times Square.
"I was going to write about this today."
My bad for jumping the gun. I think we all can agree that the more posts we get from Assman the better. The man is immensely talented.
Posted by: jackie | June 26, 2007 at 10:04 AM
I mean, when Hogan fought the incredibly popular Rock at that WM and won the crowd over I got chills all over my body while watching on the big screen at the (now gone) WWF Zone in Times Square.
It's a really sad day when I read a statement like this and I can't openly make fun of you for being a nerd because I completely agree.
It was a big moment. Any human being that can "out-charisma" The Rock (who remains the most charismatic human being ever to wrestle) on the biggest stage deserves some recognition.
Posted by: Assman | June 26, 2007 at 10:14 AM
I think that no matter what ..we should at least mourn for Daniel. The boy was 7 I mean come on ...regardless of what had happend or who did what it is always sad to see a child involved no matter if his dad was a wrestler or not.
Posted by: Briff628 | June 26, 2007 at 10:47 AM
I think that no matter what ..we should at least mourn for Daniel. The boy was 7 I mean come on ...regardless of what had happend or who did what it is always sad to see a child involved no matter if his dad was a wrestler or not.
In that case, don't we have to mourn for every other child that has died this month? What exactly is the age cut-off on mourning for dead strangers?
Posted by: Art Vandelay | June 26, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Posted by: | June 26, 2007 at 10:57 AM
In that case, don't we have to mourn for every other child that has died this month?
Yes, we do. But we only hear about the ones whose fathers could apply the Crippler Crossface after reversing a full nelson.
Posted by: Assman | June 26, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Posted by: | June 26, 2007 at 11:20 AM
I think it was a tragdy that one of the best in the buissness gone chris beniot was great and we all should mourn the death of the hole family.
Posted by: | June 26, 2007 at 11:22 AM
my point was just being that so much has been made of Chris' death ..I was just saying that it is tragic that young life was lost...I mean I guess any loss of life is precious...don't ya think??
Posted by: briff628 | June 26, 2007 at 11:35 AM
"I mean I guess any loss of life is precious...don't ya think??"
No. (See e.g., Pedophiles, Any and All)
Posted by: jackie | June 26, 2007 at 11:37 AM
I CONNOT BELIVE SOME OF THESE ASSHOLES TALKING DOWN ON A MAN WHO IS NO LONGER IN THIS WORLD!!!!!!!! HE HAD MORE BALLS THANK ALL OF YOU COMBINED AND STILL HAD STILL HAD A SOME LEFTOVER.WHETHER HE IS GUILTY OR NOT SHOULD NOT TAKE AWAY THE GREAT WRESTLER HE WAS AND THAT AS SOME OF US KNOW A GOOD MAN.WE SHOULD NOT JUDGE HIM TO QUICKLY FROM SOME REPORTS OF THIS SUICIDE/MURDER...WE ALWAYS JUMP TO QUICK CONCLUSIONS EVEN IF HE DID I AM SURE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH HIM SOMEHOW SOME WHERE i AM JUST GLAD I GOT TO MEET HIM BEFORE HE LEFT US....HOPEFULLY HIM AND EDDIE ARE HAVING A GOOD ONE RIGHT NOW...YOU MAYNOT GET RESPECT FROM SOME OF THESE JOKER ASSHOLES BUT CHRIS FROM ME AND MINE YOU WILL ALWAYS GET THE UTMOST RESPECT..... R.I.P CHRIS BENOIT YOU WILL BE MISSED.
Posted by: becca | June 26, 2007 at 11:48 AM
I cannot believe you guys who remember what a "great" wrestler you think this man was. You all seem to forget HE KILLED HIS WIFE AND CHILD!!!! Being a celebrity, it seems that anything they did is dismissed, or just a footnote in the annals of history. It truly is a damn shame.
Posted by: Lucifer's Muse | June 26, 2007 at 11:50 AM
I fell that if you want to kill yourself than, God forgive me leave the kid at someones house and than do what you want to yourself I didn;t know the man but they both have to answer to a higher person... You are right we have to mourn the child he was a gift from God and he was just starting to grow.
Posted by: Jean A Dowd | June 26, 2007 at 11:53 AM
I'm looking at the quality of the comments, thinking of the topic and chuckling.
Posted by: jackie | June 26, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Seriously, I had no idea there were people who felt so passionately about Chris Benoit.
Jean, according to the initial reports, the kid was already dead when he killed himself.
Posted by: Art Vandelay | June 26, 2007 at 12:13 PM
omg he was a great wrestler and im sad that he is gone ppl all these didferent stories out there not going to know the whole story so will u please stop jumping to conculsions so with that said R.I.P CHRIS,NANCY,AND DANIEL U WILL BE MISSED
Posted by: edwina | June 26, 2007 at 12:43 PM
I agree with Jackie Chris Benoit was an arrogant prick in the story line he may be a totally dif. man in real life but i honestly did not know anyone liked him so much its sad yes that him and his family perished but if he did kill them then he should and is rotting in hell
Posted by: JK | June 26, 2007 at 12:46 PM
RE: I CONNOT BELIVE SOME OF THESE ASSHOLES TALKING DOWN ON A MAN WHO IS NO LONGER IN THIS WORLD!!!!!!!! HE HAD MORE BALLS THANK ALL OF YOU COMBINED AND STILL HAD STILL HAD A SOME LEFTOVER.WHETHER HE IS GUILTY OR NOT SHOULD NOT TAKE AWAY THE GREAT WRESTLER HE WAS AND THAT AS SOME OF US KNOW A GOOD MAN.WE SHOULD NOT JUDGE HIM TO QUICKLY FROM SOME REPORTS OF THIS SUICIDE/MURDER...WE ALWAYS JUMP TO QUICK CONCLUSIONS EVEN IF HE DID I AM SURE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH HIM SOMEHOW SOME WHERE i AM JUST GLAD I GOT TO MEET HIM BEFORE HE LEFT US....HOPEFULLY HIM AND EDDIE ARE HAVING A GOOD ONE RIGHT NOW...YOU MAYNOT GET RESPECT FROM SOME OF THESE JOKER ASSHOLES BUT CHRIS FROM ME AND MINE YOU WILL ALWAYS GET THE UTMOST RESPECT..... R.I.P CHRIS BENOIT YOU WILL BE MISSED.
I agree with Jackie. When it comes to celebrities -- movies, sports or whatever -- people tend to want to find a wrong conclusion about what happened. They look for the bad side so they have someone else to talk down on. I refuse to believe the murder/suicide story until proven to me. As for Benoit, all these a**** can think what they want, I watched him since I was young and he was an awesome wrestler. Good or bad I respected him which he deserved.
Posted by: Storm | June 26, 2007 at 12:46 PM
I still cant believe what happened, I'm still in shock becuz Chris Benoit was one of my favorite wrestlers among others but i didn't think that a good person will do something like this. To his own family. He must of been on something to kill a 7 year old boy. But i dont know what really happened. I still am a being fan of WWE but losing him it hurts to all of WWE fans around the world. His legency will live on forever!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Josh | June 26, 2007 at 12:48 PM
to Chris Benoit and the Benoit family,
hi im srry to hear about the events that have happened. when i first saw the WWE death segment this morning on the news i thought they were talking about vince mcmahons fake death. then they said ur name and ur wife and ur child i dont know what happened but whatever the problem was it should have been dealt with in another fashion. i grew up watching hulk hogan, andre the giant and wrestlers up to this day and i can honestly say that chris was the most energetic...im gonna give it my all type of wrestler he was the greatest in my opinion i will miss u much chris just like the rest of rabid wolverines may you be the greatest champ in heaven next to god and im sure he will protect you as well. to mrs. benoit and ur child may god be with them as well...we love u chris and we will be waiting ur return to the ring..........
Rob
Posted by: Robert Houser | June 26, 2007 at 12:48 PM
to all the ppl who dont like benoit and think we shouldnt respect a man that great and his family....FUCK YOU what if chris benoit was a member of ur family but still a wrestler how wld u like to read all the hateful things said to him yeah thats what i thought
Rob
Posted by: Robert Houser | June 26, 2007 at 12:51 PM
I'm looking at the quality of the comments, thinking of the topic and chuckling.
Jackie, you are an asshole. And I suppose the fact that I'm chuckling for the same reason makes me an asshole too.
I'm also kinda laughing because this is definitely on its way to becoming an AOFG masterpiece. Awesome.
People! OJ was a terrific running back!! He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame!! Give him his props!!!
Posted by: Assman | June 26, 2007 at 12:52 PM
The weird part is...has anyone really said anything terribly hateful towards him?
to all the ppl who dont like benoit and think we shouldnt respect a man that great and his family....FUCK YOU what if chris benoit was a member of ur family but still a wrestler how wld u like to read all the hateful things said to him yeah thats what i thought
That doesn't even make any sense.
Posted by: Art Vandelay | June 26, 2007 at 01:04 PM
Wow, the aofG is BLOWING UP!!! FWIW, I'm a big fan of Hitler's early oil on canvas work. And it wasn't his fault what happened later, something was wrong with him.
Posted by: Bobby P | June 26, 2007 at 01:06 PM
That doesn't even make any sense.
Yeah, though I am suddenly starting to understand how recent elections have turned out the way they have. Anyone here see Idiocracy?
Posted by: Assman | June 26, 2007 at 01:08 PM
"HE HAD MORE BALLS THANK ALL OF YOU COMBINED AND STILL HAD STILL HAD A SOME LEFTOVER."
Becca, are you a tone-deaf Italian immigrant?
Posted by: Jack Klompus | June 26, 2007 at 01:10 PM
"Yeah, though I am suddenly starting to understand how recent elections have turned out the way they have."
On Mama Chiles' life, I was just e-mailing one of my browsing buddies pretty much the same exact thought.
"FWIW, I'm a big fan of Hitler's early oil on canvas work. And it wasn't his fault what happened later, something was wrong with him."
Killing me.
By the way, I can't wait till Klompus gets back. He's gonna have a field day.
Posted by: jackie | June 26, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Whoa, good to see that the kids are out of school and staying busy surfing the intranets. On the other hand, judging by the grammar and spelling maybe summer school would have been the better option.
FWIW, I always thought Benoit was a boring schmuck and any time he turned up on the show was a good time for a snack or potty break. I think professional wrestlers are - by and large - some of the most amazing athletes in the world (even taking the juicing into consideration) but the main criteria for being a great pro wrestler is *charisma* and Benoit had zero. Frankly speaking, he always struck me as a bit of a 'tard. I'd rather watch Ric Flair talk than watch Benoit wrestle.
As to the murder-suicide, here's the latest I've read:
Based on sources inside Atlanta law enforcement:
1)Benoit strangled his wife, Nancy, on Saturday.
2)Benoit smothered his son, Daniel, in his bed on Sunday.
3)Benoit hung himself on Monday in a weight-room.
Then again, I may read in the next hour that Bobby Cutts, Jr. killed 'em all, then fled back to Ohio.
Final message to Chris Benoit: Way to go out like a deranged piece of shit.
Chris Benoit dead? Good riddance.
Posted by: lattalayne | June 26, 2007 at 01:15 PM
Becca, are you a tone-deaf Italian immigrant?
Outside of Borat, this was the hardest I've laughed in 2007.
On Mama Chiles' life, I was just e-mailing one of my browsing buddies pretty much the same exact thought.
...yeah. Not so good.
Posted by: Assman | June 26, 2007 at 01:16 PM
"Becca, are you a tone-deaf Italian immigrant?"
Just hopped back over from commenting and see that Klompus is here. As expected, hilarious. The people outside my office are looking at me like I'm crazy.
Posted by: jackie | June 26, 2007 at 01:18 PM
yeah. fuck all of you who are trashing chris.
they dont know 100% of what happened.
Chirs was a good man who didnt deserve what came his way.
Posted by: Eric | June 26, 2007 at 01:18 PM
"Whoa, good to see that the kids are out of school and staying busy surfing the intranets. On the other hand, judging by the grammar and spelling maybe summer school would have been the better option."
Y'all keep this up, you're seriously gonna have me in tears.
Welcome back, Lattalayne. Been awhile.
Posted by: jackie | June 26, 2007 at 01:21 PM
yeah. fuck all of you who are trashing chris.
they dont know 100% of what happened.
Chirs was a good man who didnt deserve what came his way.
Jackie - I don't get it. Was this post linked to from FuckersWhoDontReadForContext.com? How is this happening?
Posted by: Assman | June 26, 2007 at 01:22 PM
"Becca, are you a tone-deaf Italian immigrant?"
I had to acknowledge this brilliance again. Might be the funniest comment in the history of the Grievances.
Posted by: jackie | June 26, 2007 at 01:25 PM
"Jackie - I don't get it. Was this post linked to from FuckersWhoDontReadForContext.com? How is this happening?"
And I pop back over from giving Klompus his props and see this. Now it's a tough call.
Tears In My Eyes.
Posted by: jackie | June 26, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Final message to Chris Benoit: Way to go out like a deranged piece of shit.
Chris Benoit dead? Good riddance.
Hater.
Chiles, can you change the title of this post to "Why Do you Hate Chris Benoit?"
Posted by: Art Vandelay | June 26, 2007 at 01:28 PM
Why is this post all over MySpace News? It's not that big of a deal. Just a dead guy!
http://news.myspace.com/sports/sportscommentary/item/6703333
Posted by: Lana | June 26, 2007 at 01:29 PM
My girl friend told me about Benoit being dead last night while I was driving home from the gym. She called my cell and told me that ORIGINAL reporting said that Chris, Nancy and Daniel all died of carbon monoxide poisoning and that was what happened. Late last night I find out that police reports say he killed his family? I went to bed last night crying. This morning they say the death is bizarre, they have NO weapons, no injuries, no bruises, etc. and they WON'T know the official cause of death until some time later today. Personally, I don't think Chris would kill his family - He just got drafted to ECW and he looked like he was happy. All I have to say, is that my prayers and condolences go out to his family and May GOD keep an protect them in his hands.
Posted by: Nicole | June 26, 2007 at 01:30 PM
R.I.P CHRIS BENOIT....
as a child i watched the likes of HOGAN (wwf) ect then as an adult with a child who is a WWE fan i have grown to like wrestling again but most of all BENOIT,
when i heard the news following his & his familys death i found it hard to comprahend, this is a very sad lost to the world of WWE ,
As for the likes of the so called VINCE McMahon faking his own death - he should be ashamed of himself.
i offer my sincere thoughts of regrets to all involved, xxx
Posted by: sara stephenson | June 26, 2007 at 01:40 PM
This post is retarded. Who cares? Nobody ever heard of him until he dead. What a legacy!
Posted by: Lana | June 26, 2007 at 01:42 PM
Don't care.
Posted by: KC | June 26, 2007 at 01:43 PM
I sincerely doubt that the late Chris Benoit is responsible for the death of his wife and son. It is likely that these findings are a result of an inconclusive investigation into this tragedy. Already, the word "steroids" has been mentioned in the media. The possibility of some dark side of a celebrity in the media's possession is like raw meat thrown to the lions. A scandal improves ratings, it is sad to say, and if the current findings are disproved, it probably won't make headlines at all.
Posted by: Shelly | June 26, 2007 at 01:52 PM
OBVIOUSLY YOU DO CARE BECAUSE WHY WOULD YOU BE ON TIHS PAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE, GROW AND SHOW A BIT OF DECENCY...
Posted by: sara stephenson | June 26, 2007 at 01:52 PM
All I have to say is this story is just that right now A STORY.....untill they can prove this to me i willnot be able to comprehend it...nor will I accept it and like some ppl on here would like to lead you to belive, Its not because hes a celebrity.....(how can that be true anyways yes he is famous but celebrites are well know everywhere not just in there profesion) or whatever its because the ppl how know him (as much as one can know him) know he is a good person all about honor and respect....and even though some of you will say i am an idiot and whatnot he was a family man...I don't respect him for how he acted on TV but how he wrestled in the ring.. we have truly lost another great due to some strange thing......maybe well never know why but we can stll mourn and celebrate THEY'RE lives his son didn't deserve this that true none of them did but it happened and there is nothing to do know but mourn and celebrate there lives as they would have want....R.I.P. Chris, Nancy and Daniel I hope your in a better place with your good friend eddie ...WE WILL MISS YOU! thats all I have to say about that.....
Posted by: Becca | June 26, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Chris Benoit was a true wrestler who put all his effort out in the crowd to show 120 percent just like Triple H said. But now The Rabid Wolverine, has finally found peace within the heavens with the family and at last he is with his bestfriend, Eddie Guerrero.
R.I.P Chris Benoit
Posted by: Hunter | June 26, 2007 at 01:58 PM