Monday, June 25, 2007

Chris Benoit 1967-2007

Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their 7 year old son Danie were found dead this afternoon in their Atlanta area home. Police are investigating, and have only said that the Benoits were not shot. Police were asked to go to the home after WWE officials could not get in touch with Benoit or his wife following Benoit's no-show at the WWE's pay-per-view last night.

Chris Benoit, 40, was one of the finest wrestlers of the past 20 years. He worked in Canada (his birthplace), Japan (World Jr. Heavyweight Champion after defeating Jushin Liger, himself one of the finest wrestlers on the world scene), and in the U.S.. In 2004, Benoit became WWE World Champion at Wrestlemania 20 in Madison Square Garden.

Chris Benoit wasn't a guy who is made into a wrestling star because he can talk on the mic or because he's tall and well-built. Chris Benoit was average height on his best days and was thick and strong as an ox. He couldn't talk well on the mic. He had no charisma. He WAS a star because he worked harder than anyone, he was one of the finest technical wrestlers of all-time
, and true wrestling fans loved that about him, and made him a favorite for it. No steroids, no drugs.

He had true dignity and class. He respected wrestling and the wrestling fans every night, and a few wrestling 'stars' were taught the hard way by Benoit, in the locker room & out, to respect them also. All you need to know is that whenever his son Daniel came to a show, Daniel wore a dress shirt and tie. Chris Benoit wanted his son to show respect to the other wrestlers and to the fans.

Bless his family and his many friends. I loved him as a wrestler and as a person. Pegasus Kid, I'll miss ya.

Love and Peace, Clarence

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