Consider the accident that claimed the life of Owen Hart. Former WWE rival Kurt Angle said in a 2017 interview that "he has to got to be in the top three of all time. [42], At WrestleMania XIX, the WWE Tag Team Champions, Team Angle (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin), put their titles on the line against Benoit and his partner Rhyno and Los Guerreros in a triple threat tag team match. Benoit was born in Montreal, Quebec to Michael and Margaret Benoit, but grew up in Edmonton, Alberta from which he was billed in ring introductions throughout the bulk of his career. The injury came when Benoit threw Sabu with the intention that he take a face-first "pancake" bump, but Sabu attempted to turn mid-air and take a backdrop bump instead. It was determined that Benoit had committed the murders. He lost in the final match to Eddie Guerrero at Vengeance. Benoit defeated Jordan in 25 seconds with the Crippler Crossface to win the title. On his first night back, he turned heel again and aligned himself with Eddie Guerrero, and he feuded with Stone Cold Steve Austin briefly. brand at the time it was assumed that he was going to compete for the WWE Championship. Benoit last performed for WWE on their ECW brand. This onscreen relationship developed into a real-life affair offscreen. However, Edge deserted Benoit during the match and Benoit was forced to take on both members of La Résistance by himself. On June 25, 2007, police entered Benoit's home on a "welfare check" after several missed appointments, leading to concerns. Trainer Sargent Slaughter's Cobra Clutch 47. Benoit spent the next couple years in Japan, winning the Best of the Super Juniors tournament twice (1993 and 1995). Angle won his third WWE Championship from The Big Show at Armageddon, and Benoit turned babyface by challenging him for the title at the 2003 Royal Rumble following a victory over the Big Show for the #1 Contender spot. Like the majority of those who came to WCW in the exchange, he started out in as a member of the cruiserweight division, having lengthy matches against many of his former rivals in Japan on almost every single broadcast. He made his Japanese debut in 1986 under his real name. This led to some friction being created between Benoit and leader, Douglas, who called into question Benoit's heart in the group, causing Benoit to quit the group, thus turning face, and having his own crusade against the top stars, winning the Television title one more time and the United States title from Jeff Jarrett in a ladder match. 69 of the top 500 greatest wrestlers in the, The A-Team (Dusty Adonis and Michael Avery), Funky Bunch (Marky Mark and Phoenix Taylor), This page was last edited on 23 January 2021, at 03:00. [83] At Judgment Day, Benoit gained some revenge by defeating Finlay with the Crippler Crossface in a grudge match. Chris Benoit doesn't have the record for being in the Royal Rumble the longest. The injury came when Benoit threw Sabu with the intention that he take a face-first flapjack bump, but Sabu attempted to turn mid-air and take a backdrop instead. However they did go on to have even better ones. However, Edge deserted Benoit during the match and Benoit was forced to take on both members of La Résistance by himself. He did not achieve full rotation and landed almost directly on his neck.[23]. Roman Reigns Spear 40. Finisher. Benoit won the Intercontinental title three times between April 2000 and January 2001. He had a sister living near Edmonton. Hart defeated Benoit by submission, and the two received a standing ovation, and an embrace from guest ring announcer, Harley Race. The match was highly praised from fans and critics. [28] However, the WWF recognized Benoit's title win, and Benoit's title reign is still listed in the title lineage at WWE.com. The chief medical examiner attributed the testosterone level to Benoit possibly being treated for a deficiency caused by previous steroid abuse or testicular insufficiency. [53] The match marked the first time the main event of a WrestleMania ended in submission. It actually resulted from an accident involving his pet rottweiler: one day while playing with the dog, the animal's skull struck Benoit's chin, and his tooth "popped out". In 1989, he started wearing a mask and assuming the name The Pegasus Kid. A match was set up for the two at WrestleMania 22 for Benoit's title, and for the next several weeks, they attacked each other. 0 0. Chris Benoit. [79] Benoit feuded with Orton for a short time, before defeating Orton in a No Holds Barred match on the January 27 episode of SmackDown! At Survivor Series, Benoit sided with Randy Orton's team while Edge joined Triple H's team, and even though Edge was able to pin Benoit after a Pedigree, Orton's team would leave victorious with Randy Orton as the sole survivor. Benoit received nandrolone and anastrozole. In his first appearance, Benoit competed in a one-night eight-man tournament for the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Championship, losing to 2 Cold Scorpio in the quarter-finals. brand at the time, it was assumed that he was going to compete for his brand's championship, the WWE Championship. He made his Japanese debut in 1986 under his real name. [92] On June 19, Benoit wrestled his final match, defeating Elijah Burke in a match to determine who would compete for the vacated ECW World Championship at Vengeance on June 24. On the June 11 episode of Raw, Benoit was drafted from SmackDown! In June 2003, the WCW United States Championship was reactivated by general manager Stephanie McMahon and renamed the WWE United States Championship, and Benoit participated in the tournament for the belt. The People's Elbow 35. 1 decade ago. Alecia. Jericho and Benoit ended their reign and used the win as a springboard to challenge Austin for his WWF Championship. In 2003, Nancy filed for divorce from Benoit, citing the marriage as "irrevocably broken" and alleging "cruel treatment"; she claimed that he would break and throw furniture around. ... Any Professional Wrestler with a modicum of intelligence has more than one Finishing Maneuver. When Benoit was fifteen he met Dynamite for the first time, flexed his biceps, and proclaimed he wanted to be just like him. Edge won the match by knocking Benoit off of the ladder with a chair shot to the arm. During the match, Bret Hart interjected himself, interfering on behalf of Benoit in an attempt to get him to join the New World Order. After impressing higher-ups with his work, he was approached by Ric Flair and the WCW booking staff to become a member of the reformed Four Horsemen in 1995, alongside Flair, Arn Anderson, and Brian Pillman; he was introduced by Pillman as a gruff, no-nonsense heel similar to his ECW persona, "The Crippler". Benoit wrestled in two matches at Bad Blood in his respective rivalries; he and Edge failed to regain the World Tag Team Championship (winning by disqualification when Kane interfered) while he successfully defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Kane. [74][75][76] Benoit won the fourth match to stay alive at Armageddon,[74] but after the match, Booker suffered a legitimate groin injury, and Randy Orton was chosen as a stand-in. In addition to championships, Benoit also won the 2004 Royal Rumble, joining Shawn Michaels as one of two men to win the match as the number one entrant. In 1998, Benoit had a long feud with Booker T. They fought over the WCW World Television Championship until Booker lost the title to Fit Finlay. Rey Mysterio now holds the record. On the June 11 edition of Raw, Benoit was drafted from SmackDown to ECW as part of the 2007 WWE Draft, after losing a match to Bobby Lashley. While with NJPW, he came into his own as a performer in critically acclaimed matches with luminaries like Jushin Thunder Liger, Shinjiro Otani, Black Tiger, and El Samurai in their junior heavyweight division. Christopher Michael Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler. On October 20, 2002, at No Mercy, he teamed with Angle to win a tournament to crown the first-ever WWE Tag Team Champions. Christopher Michael Benoit is a Canadian wrestler who was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Michael and Margaret Benoit. [citation needed]. Christopher Michael Benoit is a Canadian wrestler who was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Michael and Margaret Benoit. The feud culminated with one last title match with No Disqualification stipulations, which was also won by Benoit. In early 2001, Benoit broke away from The Radicalz (who had recently reformed months earlier) and turned babyface, feuding first with his former stablemates and then with Kurt Angle, whom he wrestled at WrestleMania X-Seven in a losing effort. Benoit was one of the lumberjacks in Mark Henry and Kane's match at One Night Stand, which would ultimately prove to be his last ever PPV appearance. That Angle/Benoit match is very good. (taped on the same night as Raw), Benoit defeated Triple H in a tribute match to his fallen friend. Guy takes one L and all the sudden he’s Steve Austin. Best Finisher - Tie. This led to the Revolution seceding from WCW, and forming their own nation, complete with a flag. Wrestling Ability - Benoit. [25] One last attempt in January 2000 was made to try to keep him with WCW, by putting the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship on him by defeating Sid Vicious at Souled Out. [68][69][70] Benoit later wrestled Booker T in friendly competitions,[67] until Booker and his wife, Sharmell, cheated Benoit out of the United States title on the October 21 episode of SmackDown!. [19] During his tenure in Stampede, he won four International Tag Team and three more British Commonwealth titles,[20] and had a lengthy feud with Johnny Smith that lasted for over a year, which both men traded back-and-forth the British Commonwealth title. Since Lashley was drafted to Raw, he had vacate the title. 2. [104] He married twice, and had two children (David and Megan) with his first wife, Martina. They lost the titles back to La Résistance on the November 1 episode of Raw. On February 25, 2000, Chris and Nancy's son Daniel was born; on November 23, 2000, Chris and Nancy married. At the end of the night he delivered a flying headbutt to his former WCW boss and former Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff. Benoit was without a doubt one of Canada's finest technical wrestlers. Now Bryans signature move before his submission move is also the Diving Headbutt. brand in a losing effort on Raw. Benoit's son was drugged with Xanax and likely unconscious before Benoit strangled him. He was reported to have had an advanced form of dementia, similar to the brains of four retired NFL players who had suffered multiple concussions, sank into depression, and harmed themselves or others. After controversy surrounding a US Title defense against Booker T, Theodore Long set up a "Best of Seven" series between the two. The team lost the championship to The Public Enemy that April at Three Way Dance. Lv 4. Height He went on to win the inaugural Super J-Cup tournament in 1994, defeating Black Tiger, Gedo, and The Great Sasuke in the finals. wrestlers. [108], Benoit became good friends with fellow wrestler Eddie Guerrero following a match in Japan, when Benoit kicked Guerrero in the head and knocked him out cold. The rematch was held at Backlash in Benoit's hometown of Edmonton. The feud continued after Benoit stole Angle's cherished Olympic Gold Medal. [10] Professional wrestler and fighter Bob Sapp, whom WWE had tried to sign up before a contract dispute with K-1 rendered it impossible, reported he would have been put into an oncoming angle with Benoit in case he would have been able to debut. This culminated in a retirement match at the Bash at the Beach, where Benoit defeated Sullivan; this was used to explain Sullivan going to a behind-the-scenes role, where he could focus on his initial job of booking. [118] Benoit then committed suicide by hanging himself on his lat pulldown machine. Benoit went up 3 to 1 before Booker caught up, forcing the 7th and final match on Monday Nitro. Chris Benoit This continued for over the course of a year with Sullivan having his enforcers apprehend Benoit in a multitude of matches. [106], On May 1, 2014, it was reported that Benoit's eldest son, David, would be making his debut in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at a Hart Legacy Event against Chavo Guerrero Jr. He was also the 2004 Royal Rumble winner, joining Shawn Michaels as the only two men to win a Royal Rumble as the number one entrant. [63], On June 9, Benoit was drafted back to SmackDown! 5. Benoit got two title matches the following week, first losing in a manner similar to the Montreal Screwjob in Calgary and then losing in a close match in Benoit's hometown of Edmonton. Kennedy. He eventually lost the title in November 1990 (and in July 1991 in Japan and in November 1991 in Mexico, his mask) back to Liger, forcing him to reinvent himself as Wild Pegasus. Nitro won the match and became ECW World Champion. We should all be used to the way these two work by now, but damn a lot of these spots were something. Benoit did, however, admit having a certain amount of respect for Sullivan, saying on the DVD Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story that Sullivan never took undue liberties in the ring during their feud, even though he blamed Benoit for breaking up his marriage. Benoit was unhappy working for WCW. When Jim Ross described ‘mile after mile, continent after continent’, it was a fair summation of Chris Benoit’s career. Better Attire - Benoit (DDP looks like an unemployed trucker) Greatest Accomplishments - Benoit. However, due to disagreements with management and to protest the promotion of Kevin Sullivan to head booker, Benoit left the company the next day alongside his friends Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn, forfeiting his title in the process. At Judgment Day, Benoit gained some revenge by defeating Finlay with the Crippler Crossface in a grudge match. Interview with his father, "Hard Knocks" DVD, World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship, WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, Survivor Series elimination tag team match, Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship, WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament (2002), Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, List of premature professional wrestling deaths, "Erased! The same week on SmackDown (taped on the same night as Raw), Benoit defeated Triple H in a tribute match to his fallen friend. He was a quiet guy, yet had great mic. [39] The team split up shortly afterward and Benoit became a face. Benoit and Angle traded victories over the next two PPVs in submission (Backlash) and 2-out-of-3-falls (Judgment Day, the latter due to interference by Edge and Christian on Angle's behalf. When Benoit won a qualifying match for the 2004 Royal Rumble against the Full Blooded Italians in a handicap match with John Cena, Heyman made him the number one entrant to stack the odds against him, but Benoit swore victory. Tests were conducted on Benoit's brain by Julian Bailes, the head of neurosurgery at West Virginia University, and results showed that "Benoit's brain was so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient. Diving Headb [62] The feud finally culminated in a Last Man Standing match at Backlash, which Edge won with a brick shot to the back of Benoit's head. [20] After winning, they were initiated into the Triple Threat stable, led by ECW World Heavyweight Champion, Shane Douglas, as Douglas's attempt to recreate the Four Horsemen, as the three-man contingency held all three of the ECW championships at the time (Malenko also held the ECW World Television Championship at the time). Benoit and Angle first faced off at WrestleMania 2000. Fayetteville, Georgia Benoit's reign with the championship is not recognized by WWE, who does not recognize any reign prior to December 1997. [29] Benoit spent the next few weeks in Japan before heading to the WWF, who acknowledged his WCW World Heavyweight Championship win and presented him as a former world champion. [58] At Survivor Series, Benoit sided with Randy Orton's team while Edge teamed with Triple H's team, and while Edge was able to pin Benoit after a Pedigree, Orton's team won. Benoit then started wrestling Booker T in some friendly competitions, but it was all a ploy, as Booker and his wife, Sharmell, cheated Benoit out of the US Title on an episode of SmackDown. May 21, 1967(1967-05-21) At the 2001 Royal Rumble, Jericho defeated Chris Benoit in a Ladder match to win the Intercontinental Championship for the fourth time. They lost the championships to Edge and Rey Mysterio on the November 7 episode of SmackDown! Over the next week, Benoit continued to wrestle despite having suffered a neck injury in a four-way TLC match. Chris Benoit's Crippler Crossface 41. evamarie, gifs, action. June 24, 2007 (aged 40) The next week on SmackDown!, Benoit kayfabe broke John Bradshaw Layfield's (JBL) hand (JBL actually needed surgery to remove a cyst). It was Nancy's third marriage. I would suspect that Chris Benoit asked Bret The Hitman Hart if it would be okay if he used The Sharpshooter and Bret said yes. Afterward, Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), who claimed that he was the best man to hold the US Title, challenged Benoit for the title at WrestleMania 23, where Benoit retained. For historical significance, this also marks the debut of the legendary Team Angle sweatsuits (pictured), and the drip is impeccable. The following night, Raw held a Guerrero tribute show hosted by both Raw and SmackDown superstars. Described by WWE as "a favorite among WWE fans for his unbelievable athleticism and wrestling ability", Benoit was widely regarded as one of the most popular, respected and gifted technical wrestlers in WWE history. He did not return to WCW until January 1993 at Clash of the Champions XXII, defeating Brad Armstrong. [54][55] After the match, Benoit celebrated his win with then-reigning WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero. The rivalry was finally settled in a Last Man Standing match at Backlash, which Edge won after a brick shot to the back of Benoit's head. The rematch was held at Backlash in Benoit's hometown of Edmonton. [citation needed]. He and Guerrero were then moved to SmackDown during a storyline "open season" on wrestler contracts, with Benoit taking his newly won Intercontinental Championship with him. His return at No Mercy, defeating Eddie Guerrero was found dead in his hotel room later dropped the as. 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