Why Chris Benoit Should Be in the WWE Hall of Fame
Some may think that he doesn't deserve to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame because of that but that's like saying he didn't deserve to be a champion. Sure, the guy had some serious issues but is that any reason to refuse to acknowledge everything he has done for the business? Some might say yes but I am among the loyal fans of Chris Benoit who think that he should be in the Hall of Fame regardless of how his life ended.
He wasn't the only one at fault here so why disrespect his memory by erasing him from wrestling history? Like so many others, I am outraged that Vince McMahon removed all merchandise with Benoit's name on it from WWEShop.com. Has Vince forgotten all that Benoit has done for the business? Without Benoit, I truly believe the business wouldn't be what it is today.
Sure, Benoit made pro wrestling look bad because of his actions during his final hours but he isn't to blame, according to the investigators who are in charge of the case. They stated that Benoit's body contained twice the normal amount of testosterone at the time of death, which means he had been taking steroids prior to the deaths of his wife and son. That being said, Benoit should still be inducted into the Hall of Fame since he was one of the greatest champions in recent memory.
Hopefully Vince can overlook the final hours of Benoit's life and give him the respect he deserves. The "Rabid Wolverine," as Benoit was known, was not only one of the best champions I can think of, he was also one of my favorites since the WCW days. His run with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen was the start of his legendary wrestling career in the US.
Following his death, the WWE aired a three hour tribute show, which I thought was giving Benoit the respect he deserved. However, the next night on ECW on Sci-Fi, Vince McMahon stated "Last night, we aired a three hour tribute show for Chris Benoit. I want to apologize for that, since we didn't know the circumstances surrounding his death at the time. Out of respect to the fans, we will not mention Chris Benoit's name on WWE television ever again. Once again, I'm sorry for the tribute show." How can anyone disrespect the memory of one of their employees by apologizing for giving him a tribute?! I'm sure Benoit rolled over in his grave when Vince stated that. I remember how disgusted I was that Vince wouldn't give Benoit the respect he deserved by placing him in the Hall of Fame. If Benoit doesn't get inducted this year, maybe, just maybe, the WWE will lose some of its loyal viewers to rival company TNA.
I know I might have to start watching TNA because even though Benoit's best friend, the late Eddie Guerrero didn't work for them, they still respected him by displaying "R.I.P. Eddie Guerrero" signs throughout the arena. Maybe they will give Benoit the same respect they gave Eddie since his own company wouldn't give it to him. Vince should consider putting Benoit in the Hall of Fame since he truly was a champion in and out of the ring. Hearing Vince apologize for airing the Benoit tribute show brought tears to my eyes because I loved and respected Benoit for everything he did and Vince just spat on his legacy by erasing him from the WWE's memory entirely.
I'm sure I'm not the only outraged wrestling fan who thinks Vince should loosen up and overlook the circumstances surrounding Benoit's death. Like I said earlier, he wasn't at fault when he killed his family and himself, it was steroids that were prescribed by his doctor who is now going on trial for giving out the steroids as if they were candy or something. I hope justice is served in the end and Benoit gets the respect he deserves.
Rest in peace, Chris Benoit.
Published by Jeffrey Moss
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4 Comments
Post a CommentI'm sorry but Benoit should not be in the Hall Of Fame & I'm saying this as someone who always respected Benoit & was one of my favorite Wrestlers. This man shouldn't be rewarded after what eh has done case closed.
I wrote a column about this and no Benoit should not be in the hall of fame. I point out that he is one of the best wrestlers but his actions cannot be forgotten. What he did was no reason to exclude him? He only committed two murders one of his innocent child. If that's not enough reason to exclude him then we shouldn't hold murder against anyone if they contributed to society in one way or another. Yes pretending he doesn't exist may be too much as he was a great wrestler but in the end he committed murder. To still show his matches is one thing but no he should not be honored.
"I am among the loyal fans of Chris Benoit who think that he should be in the Hall of Fame regardless of how his life ended."
That sentence sticks out to me along with the phrase "his actions."
I was a great Crippler fan. But he's not being kept from being honored by his co-workers and fans because of the way he died and "his actions." He's being kept from that honor because he MURDERED Nancy Benoit and his helpless innocent son. If someone close to you was murdered, you wouldn't want the murderer honored the following year on television and at a banquet. Especially by those who ALSO WORKED WITH NANCY or in the scenario, which loved one of yours was murdered.
Chris Benoit took much more from this business than he put in at the end. While editing him out of Nitro episodes and title history charts is a bit extreme as fact is fact, they do not have to go out of their way to honor him by inducting him.
i think benoit was a damn good wrestler. everyone knows he had issues but what he did is no reason to exclude him from the wwe hall of fame