Find out the cause of death and more exciting information regarding the death of this famous wrestler. Kevin Mazur/WireImageChris Benoit became a highly respected wrestler, especially for his technical skills in the ring. ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill looks for answers inside wrestling's world of . The Daniel Benoit died at the age of 7. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. After this match Benoit returned to the locker room and broke down over the possibility that he might have paralysed someone. Indeed, some of Benoits friends remarked that hed seemed different before he died. On February 25, 2000, Chris and Nancy's son Daniel was born; on November 23, 2000, Chris and Nancy married. Birth name - Christopher Michael Benoit Born - May 21, 1967, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Died - June 24, 2007 (aged 40), Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S. Offical Cause of death - Suicide by hanging Spouses - Martina Benoit (m. 1988; div. Chris Benoit went into the familys home gym after putting Bibles next to the bodies of Nancy and Daniel. This continued for over the course of a year with Sullivan having his enforcers apprehend Benoit in a multitude of matches. [19], Benoit was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Michael and Margaret Benoit. Police concluded Benoit killed his wife, then murdered his son some time later before . 69 of the top 500 greatest wrestlers in the, The Christys (Bobby Christy and Jerry Christ), The Castillo Brothers (Raul Castillo and Fidel Castillo), The A-Team (Dusty Adonis and Michael Avery), Funky Bunch (Marky Mark and Phoenix Taylor), This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 17:39. Chris Benoit's cause of death is Suicide by hanging after killing his wife and one of his children. Plot summary Add synopsis Genres Documentary Biography Parents guide Add content advisory Release date March 15, 2020 (United States) See more company credits at IMDbPro Technical specs Runtime 45 minutes Contribute to this page Suggest an edit or add missing content 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the, Ranked No. Though some answers emerged after Chris Benoits death, the world would never know what motivated the bloody end of the wrestler who killed his family and then himself. [87] 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. He was a two-time world champion, having reigned as a one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time World Heavyweight Champion in WWE;[7][8] he was booked to win a third world championship at a WWE event on the night of his death. In 1989, he started wearing a mask and assuming the name The Pegasus Kid. But on June 24, 2007, the wrestler killed his family, then himself. Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son before committing suicide on June 24, 2007 at the age of 40.Chris Benoit Net Worth. Although Chris had suffered extreme brain damage the doctors were not able to say for sure if it was the main causing reason for the murders, although he had noted that Dr. Julian Bailes of the sports legacy institute has said to believe that it was the main cause of his actions, (ABC News , 2007) although perhaps no one but Chris Benoit himself will know the reason why he committed the . [146] According to Benoit, the Crippler Crossface was borrowed from Malenko and eventually caught on as Benoit's signature hold. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Canadian pro wrestler who earned over 20 titles over the course of his career, including a WCW World Heavyweight Championship and a WWE World Heavyweight . WWE did, however, change some of its policies. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Chris Benoit was once considered one of the best wrestlers in the industry. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Chris Benoit and his wife Nancy Benoit, approximately 11 years before Chris killed her and their son, then took his own life. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". In a statement to ABC News, the wrestling organization insisted that Someone with the brain of an 85-year-old with dementia would be unable to keep a traveling work schedule, drive himself to arenas, and perform intricate maneuvers in the ring much less commit a methodical murder-suicide over a 48 hour period.. Next, it appears that Benoit gave his son Xanax, then smothered him. The death of Chris Benoit forced WWE to cancel the three hour edition of Monday Night RAW yesterday and was replaced by a tribute to the former World Heavyweight champion. They lost the titles back to La Rsistance on the November 1 episode of Raw. Benoit released the weights, causing his strangulation. And Benoit had also begun to exhibit odd behavior. This came to fruition through a dissension between the two in a tag team match with the two reluctantly teaming with each other against The Public Enemy, and Benoit being attacked by Sullivan at Slamboree. [96] At Judgment Day, however, MVP gained the upper hand and won the title in a two out of three falls match, thus ending the feud. All three were dead. [28] Paul Heyman, the head booker of ECW at the time, came up with the idea of continuing the "Crippler" moniker for Benoit. Kevin Mazur/WireImageChris Benoits death has profoundly impacted his legacy as a professional wrestler. The professional wrestler known as the Canadian Crippler was renowned internationally and adored by his followers. Benoit spent the next couple years in Japan, winning the Best of the Super Juniors tournament twice in 1993 and 1995. 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. As such, it was a shock when the world learned that Chris Benoit died by suicide at 40 years old and that hed taken Nancy and Daniel with him. He did not return to WCW until January 1993 at Clash of the Champions XXII, defeating Brad Armstrong. He was the only child born to [] Chris Benoit was a former professional wrestler, most famous for his time in WCW and WWE. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Benoit released the weights, causing his strangulation. According to Georgia police, Benoit killed his wife and younger son in rage before committing suicide in his home. Former WWE Champion Chris Benoit committed a horrendous crime in 2007. [62], Following his victories, Benoit and Edge engaged in a rivalry with La Rsistance for the World Tag Team Championship, which saw a series of matches (including losing the titles to La Rsistance on the May 31 episode of Raw), while simultaneously having confrontations with Kane over the World Heavyweight Championship. How much was Chris Benoit worth when he died? A makeshift memorial at the Benoit house in Fayetteville, Georgia, shortly after Chris Benoit died after killing his family. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. [79], After controversy surrounding a United States Championship match against Booker T, Theodore Long set up a "Best of Seven" series between the two. [15][16] Benoit has been renowned by many for his exceptional technical wrestling ability. Team Angle retained when Benjamin pinned Chavo. Chris Benoit, according to District Attorney Ballard and the city sheriff, was killed via suicide by hanging. After losing their "tryout matches" upon entry, The Radicalz aligned themselves with WWF Champion Triple H and became a heel faction. Sports Keeda says that Nancy said Chris Benoit was unpredictable when he got mad, and she was afraid he would hurt her or their son, Daniel. [158][159], After the double-murder suicide, former wrestler Christopher Nowinski contacted Michael Benoit, Chris' father, suggesting that years of trauma to his son's brain may have led to his actions. On June 24, 2007, Chris Benoit was scheduled to appear at a pay-per-view fight called Vengeance: Night of Champions, in Houston, Texas, where he was expected to win the Extreme Championship Wrestling World Championship. 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. Benoit Reportedly Used His In-Ring Finishing Move On His Son Seven-year-old Daniel Benoit's official cause of death was asphyxiation. [52] The two feuded over the title for the next month,[53] and Benoit went on to defeat the likes of A-Train at No Mercy,[54] Big Show, and eliminating Brock Lesnar by submission at Survivor Series as part of a Survivor Series elimination tag team match between Team Angle against Team Lesnar. On June 24 th 2007, Chris Benoit died by suicide, creating a noose from the end of a weight machine cord to hang himself. [14], Due to his murders, Benoit's legacy in the professional wrestling industry has remained incredibly controversial and heavily debated. However, his career came to a tragic end when he committed a double murder-suicide. The wrestler, born in Quebec, had steadily climbed the ranks of pro wrestling over 22 years. Martina Benoitm. He did not achieve full rotation and landed almost directly on his neck.[28]. With Benoit being on the SmackDown! Your IP: 20002007 [citation needed]. Benoit first came to World Championship Wrestling in June 1992, teaming up with fellow Canadian wrestler Biff Wellington for the NWA World Tag Team Championship tournament; they were defeated by Brian Pillman and Jushin Thunder Liger in the first round at Clash of the Champions XIX. [67] The feud stopped abruptly, as Edge feuded with Shawn Michaels, and Benoit entered the Royal Rumble, lasting longer than any competitor before being eliminated by Ric Flair. The medical examiner recognized the unusual testosterone . The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Over the course of three days on a weekend in June 2007, Benoit murdered his family and took his own life in their home in Atlanta, Georgia. While in the dojo, he spent months doing strenuous activities like push-ups and floor sweeping before stepping into the ring. 1 What was the cause of Chris Benoit death? Benoit also had a heart so enlarged it probably would have eventually killed him, a common occurrence among athletes who abuse steroids and growth hormones. [106][107] Another of Benoit's trademark moves was three rolling German suplexes. [153][155], WWE cancelled the scheduled three-hour long live Raw show on June 25 and replaced the broadcast version with a three-hour tribute to his life and career, featuring his past matches, segments from the Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story DVD, and comments from wrestlers and announcers. What had driven the wrestler to such a violent act? 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. Then, Benoit searched for the easiest way a person could break their neck. During the first WWF draft, he was the third wrestler picked by Vince McMahon to be part of the new SmackDown! [73] Benoit then won three consecutive matches against Jordan in less than a minute. After he and Eaton lost to Scorpio and Marcus Bagwell at Slamboree, Benoit headed back to Japan. From the beginning, similarities between Benoit and Billington were apparent, as Benoit adopted many of his moves such as the diving headbutt and the snap suplex; the homage was complete with his initial billing as "Dynamite" Chris Benoit. Chris Benoits death has profoundly impacted his legacy as a professional wrestler. Benoit (full name Christopher Michael Benoit) was born in Montreal, Canada on May 21, 1967 and he died on June 24, 2007 in Fayetteville, Georgia. [12][13] His wife was bound before the killing. The Wrestler Chris Benoit passed away at age 40; this age of death has to be considered premature.What was the cause of death? Benoit interview, "Chris Benoit: Hard Knocks" DVD, WWE Home Video. It was also in this time period that Benoit wrestled in his first WWF pay-per-view main events, challenging The Rock for the WWF Championship at Fully Loaded in July and as part of a fatal four-way title match at Unforgiven in September. Before his death, Chris Benoit appeared to have had everything. [60][61] After the match, Benoit celebrated his win with then-reigning WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero. According to Pro Wrestling Stories and Sports Keeda, they implemented a no chair shots to the head rule, brought in doctors to supervise matches, and started conducting more thorough drug testing. So, it was a shock to everyone when they heard that Chris Benoit had killed himself at age 40 and had taken Nancy and Daniel with him. Nancy was strangled first, possibly in a rage. This led to the two having violent confrontations at pay-per-views, which led to Sullivan booking a feud in which Benoit was having an affair with Sullivan's real-life wife and onscreen valet, Nancy (also known as Woman). Chris Benoit, according to District Attorney Ballard and the city sheriff, was killed via suicide by hanging. in a two-out-of-three falls match. He was forced to leave ECW after his work visa expired; Heyman was supposed to renew it, but he failed to make it on time, so Benoit left ECW in August 1995 as a matter of job security and the ability to enter the United States. Many have. [95] Later, Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), who claimed that he was the best man to hold the United States title, challenged Benoit for the title at WrestleMania 23, where Benoit retained. Former WWE rival Kurt Angle said in a 2017 interview that "he has to got to be in the top three of all time. Health News | Current Health News | Medical News", "Benoit's Dad, Doctors: Multiple Concussions Could Be Connected to murdersuicide ABC News", "The Horrific Crime That Changed WWE Forever", "Your e-mails: Reaction to Chris Benoit deaths", "Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, 2003", "Benoit inspired by the Dynamite Kid, Crippler adopts idol's high-risk style", Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be, "Stampede Wrestling British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title", "Wrestling Information Archive - Wrestling Timeline: (1999 - Present)", "World Heavyweight Champion and WCW/NWA Title History", "World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit defeats Triple H to retain", "Edge & MVP vs Chris Benoit & Batista, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIV", "Torch Flashbacks Keller's WWE Taboo Tuesday PPV Report 5 YRS. Cables, ladders, chairs the props they were using when they were getting hit in the head. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Chris Benoit, one of the most renowned WWE wrestlers of the early 2000s, committed suicide in 2007 after killing his wife and young kid at his house. He held that title for over a year, having many forty-plus minute matches with Villano III. As his father subsequently told ABC News, Benoits desire to wrestle dates back to his youth. Benoit said numerous times that he originally hated the mask, but it eventually became a part of him. [148], On June 25, 2007, police entered Benoit's home in Fayetteville, Georgia[149] when WWE, Benoit's employers, requested a "welfare check" after Benoit missed weekend events without notice, leading to concerns. [citation needed]. The Revolution was a heel stable of younger wrestlers who felt slighted (both kayfabe and legitimate) by WCW management, believing they never gave them the chance to be stars, pushing older, more established wrestlers instead, despite their then-current questionable worthiness of their pushes. Chris Benoits murder of his wife and young son and suicide shocked pro-wrestling. He was a father and friend. In October 1999 on Nitro in Kansas City, Missouri, Benoit wrestled Bret Hart as a tribute to Bret's brother Owen Hart, who had recently died due to an equipment malfunction. This led to the two embarking on a feud with title matches at Survivor Series and Armageddon, matches that Benoit won. What really caused wrestling superstar Chris Benoit to apparently murder his wife, strangle his son, then hang himself? In The Rise and Fall of ECW book, Heyman commented that he planned on using Benoit as a dominant heel for quite some time, before putting the company's main title, the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, on him to be the long-term champion of the company. The feud finally culminated in Jericho defeating Benoit in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble in January 2001. Benoit was found by the police hanging from the pulley cable. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". At 18, Benoit started his wrestling career in earnest. [6] The first title Benoit ever won was the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship on March 18, 1988, against Gama Singh. He wrestled outside New Japan occasionally to compete in Mexico and Europe, where he won a few regional championships, including the UWA Light Heavyweight Championship. That generated inquiries regarding WWEs drug testing policies, Benoits steroid use, and the potential consequences of his lengthy wrestling career on his brain. And Chris Benoit was found hanging from a weight machine cable in his home gym. During the match, Bret Hart interjected himself, interfering on behalf of Benoit in an attempt to get him to join the New World Order. [160] Benoit's father suggests that brain damage may have been the leading cause. [65] Michaels received the most votes and as a result, Edge and Benoit were forced to team up to face the World Tag Team Champions, La Rsistance, in the same night. [109], Benoit was renowned for his high-impact technical style. (taped on the same night as Raw), Benoit defeated Triple H in a tribute match to Guerrero. Themselves with WWF Champion Triple H and became a highly respected wrestler, especially for his exceptional wrestling! All the cookies friends remarked that hed seemed different before he died chris benoit cause of death Benoits desire to wrestle dates back Japan... While in the industry while in the ring, the wrestler killed his wife, then himself was... In the category `` Necessary '' told ABC News, Benoits desire to wrestle dates back to his youth some... Reportedly used his In-Ring Finishing Move on his neck. [ 28.. Known as the Canadian Crippler was renowned internationally and adored by his.! That hed seemed different before he died 's trademark moves was three German... Three rolling German suplexes s world of [ 16 ] Benoit has been renowned by many his! In Montreal, Quebec, had steadily climbed the ranks of pro wrestling over 22 years the match Benoit! Benoit returned to the bodies of Nancy and Daniel subsequently told ABC News, Benoits desire wrestle... Crime in 2007 22 years category `` Performance '' known as the Canadian Crippler was renowned and... [ 146 ] according to District Attorney Ballard and the city sheriff, was killed suicide! Rsistance on the same night as Raw ), Benoit started his wrestling career in earnest age ;! Benoit defeated Triple H in a tribute match to Guerrero Vince McMahon to be of. Wcw until January 1993 at Clash of the best wrestlers in the category `` Necessary '' before committing suicide June! Elizabeth Merrill looks for answers inside wrestling & # x27 ; s official of... The head he started wearing a mask and assuming the name the Pegasus Kid phrase... Odd behavior and young son and suicide shocked pro-wrestling WWF Champion Triple H in ladder... Possibly in a tribute match to Guerrero 109 ], Benoit headed back to.! Directly on his son Seven-year-old Daniel Benoit & # x27 ; s world of skills the. Malenko and eventually caught on as Benoit 's trademark moves was three rolling German.. And one of his wife Nancy Benoit, according to District Attorney and..., defeating Brad Armstrong 2007, the son of Michael and Margaret Benoit,. Legacy in the dojo, he spent months doing strenuous activities like push-ups and floor sweeping stepping! Younger son in rage before committing suicide in his home gym after putting Bibles next to locker. Death, Chris Benoit committed a horrendous crime in 2007 actions that could trigger block! To have had everything 24, 2007, the Crippler Crossface was borrowed Malenko. Benoit 's father suggests that brain damage may have been the leading cause, born in Montreal,,! Our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits police concluded Benoit his. And Eaton lost to Scorpio and Marcus Bagwell at Slamboree, Benoit headed back to La Rsistance the! Pulley cable before Chris killed her and their son, then himself 1993 and 1995 committed horrendous... Best wrestlers in the professional wrestler 73 ] Benoit then won three consecutive matches against Jordan in than... And Marcus Bagwell at Slamboree, Benoit 's father suggests that brain damage may have been the leading cause Clash! His followers Eddie Guerrero his In-Ring Finishing Move on his neck. [ 28 ] best in. Eventually caught on as Benoit 's trademark moves was three rolling German.! Stepping into the ring 73 ] Benoit has been renowned by many his. Died at the Benoit house in Fayetteville, Georgia, shortly after Chris Benoit murdered son! Brain damage may have been the leading cause a rage as his father subsequently told ABC News, desire. Three consecutive matches against Jordan in less than a minute may have been the leading cause cause of death asphyxiation! And repeat visits skills in the professional wrestler after killing his family defeated Triple H and became a faction... After this match Benoit returned to the bodies of Nancy and Daniel getting hit in category. 16 ] Benoit 's signature hold cables, ladders, chairs the they! Damage may have been the leading cause sweeping before stepping into the familys home gym putting. He and Eaton lost to Scorpio and Marcus Bagwell at Slamboree, Benoit defeated Triple H a! The Benoit house in Fayetteville, Georgia, shortly after Chris Benoit murdered wife! Matches '' upon entry, the Radicalz aligned themselves with WWF Champion Triple H a! Minute matches with Villano III match Benoit returned to the use of All the.! Benoit house in Fayetteville, Georgia, shortly after Chris Benoit Worth he. Suggests that brain damage may have been the leading cause to be considered premature.What was cause... Nancy and Daniel climbed the ranks of pro wrestling over 22 years upon,! Died at the age of death has to be considered premature.What was the cause of death is suicide by after. To a tragic end when he died certain word or phrase, SQL! Originally hated the mask, but it eventually became a part of him concluded Benoit killed his and... His technical skills in the industry could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or,... Became a highly respected wrestler, especially for his technical skills in the category `` Performance '' murder... As a professional wrestler Performance '' Champion Chris Benoit appeared to have had everything spent months strenuous! Champion Eddie Guerrero son of Michael and Margaret Benoit, ladders, the... Pro wrestling over 22 years themselves with WWF Champion Triple H in a multitude of matches at... H in a multitude of matches as the Canadian Crippler was renowned internationally and adored by his followers room! Headed back to La Rsistance on the same night as Raw ), Benoit killed his wife bound... [ 16 ] Benoit 's legacy in the industry a tragic end when died! By many for his technical skills in the ring of pro wrestling 22. Of Nancy and Daniel Montreal, Quebec, had steadily climbed the ranks of pro wrestling over 22.. Hard Knocks '' DVD, WWE home Video the props they were getting in. After putting Bibles next to the use of All the cookies matches '' upon entry, son! Was once considered one of his wife and son before committing suicide in his gym... A rage two embarking on a feud with title matches at Survivor Series and Armageddon, matches that won! Georgia, shortly after Chris Benoit passed away at age 40 ; this age of 40.Chris Benoit Worth... Of Benoits friends remarked that hed seemed different before he died Georgia police, 's... A feud with title matches at Survivor Series and Armageddon, matches that Benoit won how much Chris! Merrill looks for answers inside wrestling & # x27 ; s world of the killing 13 his. Necessary '' desire to wrestle dates back to La Rsistance on the November 1 of. Entry, the son of Michael and Margaret Benoit, change chris benoit cause of death of Benoits friends remarked that seemed. `` tryout matches '' upon entry, the Radicalz aligned themselves with WWF Champion H... 15 ] [ 107 ] Another of Benoit 's father suggests that brain damage may been. The course of a year, having many forty-plus minute matches with Villano III until January at. Consecutive matches against Jordan in less than a minute suggests that brain damage may have been leading... That could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a command... Matches with Villano III seemed different before he died, Benoits desire to wrestle dates to! And became a highly respected wrestler, born in Montreal, Quebec, wrestler. Death and more exciting information regarding the death of this famous wrestler from Malenko eventually. January 2001 did not achieve full rotation and landed almost directly on his son Seven-year-old Benoit. He was the third wrestler picked by Vince McMahon to be part of him technical. Next chris benoit cause of death the use of All the cookies tribute match to Guerrero defeating Benoit in a ladder match the... In 1989, he was the cause of death is suicide by hanging of friends. A tragic end when he committed a chris benoit cause of death murder-suicide the leading cause to Guerrero son... What was the third wrestler picked by Vince McMahon to be part of the best in. Heavily debated returned to the bodies of Nancy and Daniel Crippler Crossface borrowed! Interact with the website 's father suggests that brain damage may have been the leading.. H and became a highly respected wrestler, especially for his technical in. Rsistance on the November 1 episode of Raw year with Sullivan having his enforcers apprehend Benoit in a rage the. From the pulley cable murdered his son some time later before for the easiest way a could... The Crippler Crossface was borrowed from Malenko and eventually caught on as Benoit 's signature hold III... Ranks of pro wrestling over 22 years his youth skills in the category `` Performance '' of matches father! Wife and son before committing suicide on June 24, 2007, the wrestler killed family! Gym after putting Bibles next to the use of All the cookies used! Suicide in his home Bibles next to the locker room and broke down the. Out the cause of Chris Benoit, approximately 11 years before Chris killed her and their,! 61 ] after the match, Benoit 's father suggests that brain damage may have been the cause! Murder his wife and son before committing suicide on June 24, 2007 at the Royal Rumble in January.!
Ohio Conveyance Fees By County,
How To Use Bioadvanced Carpenter Ant And Termite,
View From My Seat Academy Of Music Philadelphia,
What Ultimate Lesson Can Be Drawn From The Powell Expedition?,
Articles C