*** MORE ON BENOIT AND MORE OF YOUR LETTERS
- 06/27/2007 (6:23:30 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
We would love to hear your opinions.
Benoit case a real eye-opener
One Person's View
Matt Shurrie
By all accounts, Chris Benoit was a fun-loving, dedicated family man.
A three-hour televised retrospective of the Canadian wrestler’s life on Monday night - featuring touching tributes from his fellow grapplers - painted a warm picture of a man committed to his sport and his family.
However, reports one day later seemed to refute all of that goodwill.
Law enforcement officials Tuesday confirmed what many thought to be a worse-case scenario - Benoit strangled his wife Nancy and smothered his son Daniel, seven, before hanging himself in his weight room. The events culminated into a double murder-suicide stemming from a failed marriage - and whatever other demons lurked far beneath the surface.
The case continues to take many twists and turns with some sources reporting that Benoit may have actually killed his wife Saturday - leaving he and his son alone together until Sunday.
No one seems to dispute that Benoit killed himself on Monday.
News of the popular wrestler’s demise caught many people by surprise. While it’s true that Benoit’s career truly peaked in 2004 when he captured the WWE’s World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 20, his popularity among wrestling fans has never wavered.
That only compounded the shock when it was revealed that Benoit the wrestler had exhibited a disturbing history of intimidation towards his wife. In divorce papers filed in 2003, Nancy Benoit included a petition for protection from domestic abuse against Chris.
Quite simply she feared for her life.
However, three months later, Nancy Benoit filed to have the divorce papers and the restraining order dismissed.
It seems that was the end of the story until Monday, when law enforcement officials found the family dead.
With so many warning signs out there, it’s truly unfortunate that no one was able to step in and prevent the unthinkable from happening.
And while it’s not acceptable to lay blame in this case, it does speak volumes that such circumstances continue to unfold in our present day society.
Earlier this month the region was left reeling after a murder-suicide in London London
There are plenty of organizations in our community that do incredible work to prevent such tragedies - even if they often fly below the radar. Groups such as Ingamo Family Homes and the Women’s Emergency Centre-Oxford are just two that come to mind.
However, it’s increasingly obvious that more support - both emotional and financial - is needed.
Anything and everything must be done to prevent such future tragedies from happening.
* * * * *
* * * * * *
Benoit was juicing son with growth-hormone drug
* * * * *
Booker Remembers Benoit video from KHOU
* * * * * *
More from District Attorney Scott Ballard on Benoit
* * * * *
Dear Georgie,
For years, I have written you with autograph updates and mostly about the overall world of professional wrestling. Today I write to you to say, that for me, my days of following and supporting the WWE are sadly over. Let me tell you how in less than 24 hours, my emotions changed.
Let me reintroduce myself. I am a 37 year old married man, a father of a 2 year old and a working professional. I have been to 3 WrestleMania's, countless SummerSlam's, a subscriber to WWE 24/7, and one of the most avid shoppers of WWEShopzone. I watch Raw and whenever I can get a chance ECW and Smackdown. I have even met Chris Benoit a couple times.
When I first put Raw on Monday night, I was stunned as everyone else was. As the night unfolded and the tribute began, I made numerous Google searches trying to find out what happened. Within minutes, as I am sure many of us did, we came to one of two conclusions: one of the two adults in the house had committed those heinous crimes. The first mistake in losing me as a customer: Vince McMahon owed it to everyone to know what was going on before he paid tribute to a man who would be found less than 24 hours later of killing his wife, and in an even more dispicible act, killing his ill 7 year old son. Oh, and I disagree with an earlier writer (who I realize didn't condone Benoit's actions) that while he did this in his personal life, the WWE paid tribute to his professional life. For me, as a father, it is hard for me to pay tribute to a murderer. He should have waited and showed a replay of something like a past WrestleMania. Did Vince really think it was carbon monoxide poisoning or someone off the street as the cause of the three deaths? Come on. You made a mistake Vince and then a day later you looked even worse having to apologize and now not even mention Benoit's name like it was an angle like your fake death.
Then, to make matters worse, I went on WWE.com for an update on the investigation to find a statement from the WWE that they were perturbed by the media angles that "roid rage" was being put out there as a reason for Benoit's actions. At this point, who cares? No offense to the WWE, whether it was steroid related or not, if you are worried about a public relations nightmare, you're already in the middle of it. Think about the 7 year old boy, Vince! Talk about your displeasure about the steroid angle at least a few days down the road.
But you know what was the end for me? Last night, I went out for pizza with friends. At the next table was a boy playing with WWE figures. In one hand, he had John Cena and Jeff Hardy. In the other hand, was Chris Benoit. The dad asked, "Who are those guys?". The boy, no older than 7 years old, introduced the first two and then said "This is Chris Benoit, he commited a murder suicide last night." The father replied, "What?". My friend and I looked at the dad, shook our heads confirming what the boy said and walked out of the restaurant, not before seeing the boy continue to be allowed to play with the figure of his fallen hero. I can't put it into words, but something is wrong with this picture and for me, the final straw.
Too many of these things are happening under Vince's watch. He made Curt Hennig Mr. Perfect, Davey Boy Smith the British Bulldog, and made Rick Rude Ravishing. Whether they fell apart after they left the WWE, he still nurtured them and the many others who have left us too soon. Now Chris Benoit is gone and so is a good portion of his family. My only question is how soon does Benoit's T-shirt wind up like Hennig's, Smith's and Rude's under the "Legends" section?
Anything for a buck, Vince...except now, it will no longer be mine.
You're the best Georgie. Good luck to you and best to your health. It's been a fun ride until now.
May God Bless Daniel and Nancy.
Vince Gagliardi
Garwood, NJ
* * * * * * *
For years, I have written you with autograph updates and mostly about the overall world of professional wrestling. Today I write to you to say, that for me, my days of following and supporting the WWE are sadly over. Let me tell you how in less than 24 hours, my emotions changed.
Let me reintroduce myself. I am a 37 year old married man, a father of a 2 year old and a working professional. I have been to 3 WrestleMania's, countless SummerSlam's, a subscriber to WWE 24/7, and one of the most avid shoppers of WWEShopzone. I watch Raw and whenever I can get a chance ECW and Smackdown. I have even met Chris Benoit a couple times.
When I first put Raw on Monday night, I was stunned as everyone else was. As the night unfolded and the tribute began, I made numerous Google searches trying to find out what happened. Within minutes, as I am sure many of us did, we came to one of two conclusions: one of the two adults in the house had committed those heinous crimes. The first mistake in losing me as a customer: Vince McMahon owed it to everyone to know what was going on before he paid tribute to a man who would be found less than 24 hours later of killing his wife, and in an even more dispicible act, killing his ill 7 year old son. Oh, and I disagree with an earlier writer (who I realize didn't condone Benoit's actions) that while he did this in his personal life, the WWE paid tribute to his professional life. For me, as a father, it is hard for me to pay tribute to a murderer. He should have waited and showed a replay of something like a past WrestleMania. Did Vince really think it was carbon monoxide poisoning or someone off the street as the cause of the three deaths? Come on. You made a mistake Vince and then a day later you looked even worse having to apologize and now not even mention Benoit's name like it was an angle like your fake death.
Then, to make matters worse, I went on WWE.com for an update on the investigation to find a statement from the WWE that they were perturbed by the media angles that "roid rage" was being put out there as a reason for Benoit's actions. At this point, who cares? No offense to the WWE, whether it was steroid related or not, if you are worried about a public relations nightmare, you're already in the middle of it. Think about the 7 year old boy, Vince! Talk about your displeasure about the steroid angle at least a few days down the road.
But you know what was the end for me? Last night, I went out for pizza with friends. At the next table was a boy playing with WWE figures. In one hand, he had John Cena and Jeff Hardy. In the other hand, was Chris Benoit. The dad asked, "Who are those guys?". The boy, no older than 7 years old, introduced the first two and then said "This is Chris Benoit, he commited a murder suicide last night." The father replied, "What?". My friend and I looked at the dad, shook our heads confirming what the boy said and walked out of the restaurant, not before seeing the boy continue to be allowed to play with the figure of his fallen hero. I can't put it into words, but something is wrong with this picture and for me, the final straw.
Too many of these things are happening under Vince's watch. He made Curt Hennig Mr. Perfect, Davey Boy Smith the British Bulldog, and made Rick Rude Ravishing. Whether they fell apart after they left the WWE, he still nurtured them and the many others who have left us too soon. Now Chris Benoit is gone and so is a good portion of his family. My only question is how soon does Benoit's T-shirt wind up like Hennig's, Smith's and Rude's under the "Legends" section?
Anything for a buck, Vince...except now, it will no longer be mine.
You're the best Georgie. Good luck to you and best to your health. It's been a fun ride until now.
May God Bless Daniel and Nancy.
Vince Gagliardi
Garwood, NJ
* * * * * * *
I just added a Photo Album of Nancy throughout her career on my site at: http://wrestlingclothesline.com/Woman/WomanAlbum/index.html
Brett A. Schwan The Wrestling Clothesline
Brett A. Schwan The Wrestling Clothesline
* * * * * * *
I liked your take on the Benoit tragedy. Am I angry at Chris for what
he did? Yes. I am also saddened. For whatever reason, he snapped and
did what he did. We will never know why but it is done. It will take
me awhile to get over my anger and grief, but I can respect what he did
for the business. I met him one time at an autograph session and he was
very nice. I am not going to stop being a fan because of a few
minutes/days of insanity. Got to separate personal from professional.
I mean, OJ Simpson killed his ex wife and her friend, but that does not
stop him from being considered one of the greatest RBs of all time. Same
with Benoit.
Good article Animal
Terri
he did? Yes. I am also saddened. For whatever reason, he snapped and
did what he did. We will never know why but it is done. It will take
me awhile to get over my anger and grief, but I can respect what he did
for the business. I met him one time at an autograph session and he was
very nice. I am not going to stop being a fan because of a few
minutes/days of insanity. Got to separate personal from professional.
I mean, OJ Simpson killed his ex wife and her friend, but that does not
stop him from being considered one of the greatest RBs of all time. Same
with Benoit.
Good article Animal
Terri
Terri - I have to tell you, I am still in shock over Sherri's death. I have been pretty silent, as I am still grieving for a very dear friend.
Now all of this with Benoit, it is sickening to me. I knew Nancy very well, she and her son DID NOT DESERVE THIS. Some of you may not know this but this year I turned 66 years old. I have seen so many wrestling deaths over the years, losing many dear friends. We have talked about steroids over the years until we were blue in the face, but nobody would listen, maybe NOW someone will listen. But it is tragic that an event like this had to happen to bring this to major attention.
I believe most have been quiet until now, because they didn't want to lose their jobs, or have a chance to make some BIG money. I feel Chris had some major demons, but was it the steroids, or something more. From what many are telling me, 'roid rage is something that wouldn't last as long as the whole weekend. It is short term. I can't say for sure, but most of the steroid incidents were short. For instance, when Scott Steiner had that incident with the meter maid, etc.
Many wrestlers have told me that they can pass the drug testing because someone else will pee for them, so they pass.
All I know now is that this is a huge black eye for wrestling that could have been avoided. If it's true that Chris asked for time off and didn't receive it, that might have helped. One thing is for sure, we will never know why Chris snapped or why Chris didn't ask for help if he was in trouble. Many who know him well, are in shock that Chris would do something like this.
(It has now been confirmed to me by two wrestlers that Chris did indeed ask for time off, and was told, he was needed just a little longer, then he would get the time off.)
Georgie [email protected]
I would really like to hear from more of our readers, please email me and let me know if I can post your letters on our site.
Continue on Next Page
Tags:
