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I am only going to say this one thing on the topic of Chris Benoit. While it seems a bit premature to go rushing off to conclusions, the evidence is overwhelming pointing to the fact that perhaps one of the greatest professional wrestlers I’ve ever seen in my life is responsible for the death of his wife, and more shocking, his young son.
The lose experienced through death is an incalculable pain. When you multiply the deaths, and factor in the youth of one of the victims, it becomes a tragedy of which there can be no happy ending…for anyone. It goes without saying that I do not know Chris Benoit the man, however I am still proud to say I know Chris Benoit the wrestler. While some would argue they are one in the same, I would say that who he gave us in the ring, and who he was outside of the spotlight could be night at day, we’ve certainly seen that in performers of the past. And being that I did not know the man that Chris Benoit was, I simply am not qualified to speak to who he was, or to truly feel personally touched by his actions. I am appalled at what apparently happened, but in truth, events such as these happen constantly.
I can only speak at this time of who and what Chris Benoit was to me as a performer. And that was, simply put, one of the best wrestlers I have ever seen in my life. A lot of talk has been made about the “legacy” of Chris Benoit, how this will effect it, possibly destroy it, or certainly taint it. I submit that it will do none of those things.
Chris Benoit’s alleged unforgivable actions does nothing to take away from the incredible, awe inspiring career he lead. When he stepped between the ropes, you knew you were in line to see an incredible match. I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart, that I never once in my lifetime walked away from a Chris Benoit match disappointed in the performance. Not once. As a fan of this industry, one of the greatest moments in history was seeing Chris Benoit hoist up the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XX. His lifetime of hard work and complete dedication yielded such positive rewards for him, and when he raised that title above his head, standing atop the turnbuckle, confetti flying through the air, and his best friend Eddie Guerrero standing next to him, it encouraged everyone who knew the history and made them believe that no matter how many times you’ve been told you can’t do something, if you dedicate yourself to it, there is nothing that is unachievable.
Nothing takes that moment away. Nothing.
I continue to thank Chris Benoit for the entertainment he has given me over the years. As a performer, he was in a class all his own. And I respect his career, because frankly there are few other careers which warrant as much respect as his does. And anyone who is such a powerful performer, that we forget that we don’t truly know them, as is evident with nearly everyone here feeling a sense of disappointment or denial about this entire tragedy, well, that simply speaks volumes to how great he was. The man, I never knew him, I never will. If these allegations turn out to be true, then may whatever higher power that rules over this universe deal with it, for it is out of my realm to even understand such actions, never mind determine what should come of them.
Chris Benoit, the world of wrestling will not be the same with your absence. I send my deepest sympathy for the family and friends of all of those who’s lives have been effected by this senseless tragedy.
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