WWE'S Chris Benoit and his family found dead!

[Bob Slydell]

So I guess Owen Hart knew that he was going to die "in advance"??? Just like in football, anything can happen and people can get hurt or killed. The story lines are scripted and the moves are practiced beforehand, but one wrong move and you could become paralyzed. Wrestling is a contact sport just like any other. The men and women of the wrestling world are athletes just like Michael Jordan and Barry Sanders and no they don't have stunt doubles like Mel Gibson!

I think the point was that his "career" (e.g. titles and such) was all scripted, that he was a wrestling champion, not because of any sort of achievement, but rather, because it was written that way.

 

[willis37862]

I think the point was that his "career" (e.g. titles and such) was all scripted, that he was a wrestling champion, not because of any sort of achievement, but rather, because it was written that way.

I agree.

 

[Ticket Man]

I have to agree with gemmie on this one. I find it impossible to respect anything about anyone who commits such a heinous act. Regardless of whether they are a pro wrestler (Chris Benoit), pro football player (OJ Simpson, Rae Carruth), or a pro dirtbag (Jeffrey Dahmer).

OJ was found not guilty in the criminal justice system, not sure how we all blindly overlook that. Regardless of what you feel about that case, I find it laughable that we hold our system of law in such high regard, that is until there's something we disagree with.

 

[debster812]

OJ was found not guilty in the criminal justice system, not sure how we all blindly overlook that. Regardless of what you feel about that case, I find it laughable that we hold our system of law in such high regard, that is until there's something we disagree with.

Sorry Ticket Man--in my eyes OJ is guilty, regardless of what the criminal justice system says. Shall I go back and edit my post?

 

[gemmie214]

Sorry Ticket Man--in my eyes OJ is guilty, regardless of what the criminal justice system says. Shall I go back and edit my post?

Guilty in a Civil Court too....

 

[The_Horned_King]

OJ was found not guilty in the criminal justice system, not sure how we all blindly overlook that. Regardless of what you feel about that case, I find it laughable that we hold our system of law in such high regard, that is until there's something we disagree with.

All Hail King Booker!

 

[NotAmused]

I can respect a career without respecting the person.

I completely agree with that statement. I've been watch wrestling with my father since I was a baby (and I turned out fine ) so I won't even get into the wrestling is fake, kids shouldn't watch it, etc arguement. I remember meeting Chris Benoit when I was 10 or 11, which was 9-10 years ago.

Anyway, I do think WWE did the right thing by airing the tribute show. They didn't know all of the details and the public didn't hear it was "believed" to be a murder suicide until later in the night. Also, even if there was suspicion he was the killer, if they were like me, they didn't want to believe Benoit would do that so I waited until all the details were released before I believed it. I'm still in shock about it.

Benoit was very talented and I DO resect his career. I do NOT respect him for what he did to his family. This whole tragedy, plus the fact that my best friend's mother died this morning is making me very depressed
I really do wonder what went wrong with Benoit, though.

 

[The_Horned_King]

NotAmused....sorry to hear about you BFM.

 

[JadenLayne]

I think the point was that his "career" (e.g. titles and such) was all scripted, that he was a wrestling champion, not because of any sort of achievement, but rather, because it was written that way.

Sorry but this is WRONG. Yes it was all scripted but every single one of those men work their butts off to get where they are in the business. They don't get SCRIPTED to be a CHAMPION unless they have proven themselves to be athletes. I would love to see people not trained in wrestling try to do those moves and not kill themselves.

Again not that any of this matters what matters is that Chris Benoit was obviously a sick individual. Wrestling has NOTHING to do with it. The focus needs to be on Nancy, Daniel and YES Chris to find out WHY someone does this and what we can do to prevent it from happening to ANYONE in the future.

 

[helenabear]

I think the point was that his "career" (e.g. titles and such) was all scripted, that he was a wrestling champion, not because of any sort of achievement, but rather, because it was written that way.

Very true! I will say I don't think he would have had the career if he didn't have some talent, but his wins and losses have nothing to do with that... just what will be good entertainment.

I equate WWE to the Globetrotters. Most will totally agree that they have athletic talent, but to boast that your team won while playing for them is kind of silly.

 

[Anewman]

Are pro wrestlers "athletic" yes, do they "COMPETE" in a sport?

Not imo, they perform an act plain and simple.

There are many jobs that require great physical strength, endurance and agility, but that does not make that job a sport. The pre-determined outcome pretty much disqualifies it from being considered a sport IMO, to me SPORT implies "competition" not performance.


Does anyone really think that Benoit will be inducted into the WWE hall of fame?

 

[Ticket Man]

I think the point was that his "career" (e.g. titles and such) was all scripted, that he was a wrestling champion, not because of any sort of achievement, but rather, because it was written that way.

This is completely untrue. By ALL accounts he is one of the most skilled mat tacticians in pro-wrestling history. His uncanny technical skill was the reason he was scripted to be at the level he was at, he never won the crowd over with his mic skills, instead they respected him because he was the most talented wrestler of the past 20 years other than perhaps Bret Hart.

 

[Ticket Man]

Are pro wrestlers "athletic" yes, do they "COMPETE" in a sport?

Not imo, they perform an act plain and simple.

There are many jobs that require great physical strength, endurance and agility, but that does not make that job a sport. The pre-determined outcome pretty much disqualifies it from being considered a sport IMO.


Does anyone really think that Benoit will be inducted into the WWE hall of fame?

I've never heard anyone call it a sport. Most of the guys are athletic, some are just there because they are big, Benoit was the rare guy who was there because of his athletic skill (much like Shawn Michaels). He was not a big guy, and had hardly any mic skills, his place in wrestling was created solely by his athletic skill.

There is 0% chance of him getting into the HoF, WWE has removed all merchandise or merchandise descriptions of Benoit. They're not inducting him.

 

[Anewman]

Sorry but this is WRONG. Yes it was all scripted but every single one of those men work their butts off to get where they are in the business. They don't get SCRIPTED to be a CHAMPION unless they have proven themselves to be athletes. I would love to see people not trained in wrestling try to do those moves and not kill themselves.

They get scripted to be champions when they prove to draw an audience, yes most of the time it takes strength and power type of athleticism but other times it is because of personality(acting).

 

[Ticket Man]

They get scripted to be champions when they prove to draw an audience, yes most of the time it takes strength and power type of athleticism but other times it is because of personality(acting).

Exactly, and Benoit had virtually 0 personality and was a very small guy compared to other wrestlers. The only reason he drew the respect of bookers and fans was his non stop hard work and incredible wrestling skills. WWE management would never script a small guy who can't talk to be champion unless he was one of the most talented athletes on the roster.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I hope he's burning now. That's about all I have to say on this subject.

And yes, I know how un-PC my statement is, but that is how I feel.

 

[Anewman]

I've never heard anyone call it a sport.

You were saying...

Wrestling is a contact sport just like any other.

And no, not everything one does in a wrestling ring is made up and phony. Wrestling IS a sport, though dramatized with storylines.

Yes he did do a terrible thing and he was a normal person but to say wrestling isn't a sport is silly.

 

[disneyfan67]

Very true! I will say I don't think he would have had the career if he didn't have some talent, but his wins and losses have nothing to do with that... just what will be good entertainment.

I equate WWE to the Globetrotters. Most will totally agree that they have athletic talent, but to boast that your team won while playing for them is kind of silly.

Exactly! Just because you're a big muscled guy and can hurt someone, doesn't mean your a Pro Athlete. The difference between Pro wrestling and the NFL is that in the NFL once the ball is snapped, all bets are off. There's no guaranteed outcome to what's going to happen. Strength alone doesn't guarantee victory. The Pro wrestler "The Rock" tried out for an NFL gig before he went into Pro Wrestling and he didn't make it off the practice squad. He washed out and was considered a failure. He's one of the biggest men I ever saw and looked the part of a pro athlete, but just didn't have the skills or natural ability.

It takes not only a strong man, but one with a God given talent and instincts that few possess. Lawrence Taylor of the NY Giants was a perfect example of a true Athlete. In his prime as a middle linebacker for the Giants, he not only was the best in his position, he changed how the game was played. Coaches of the other teams feared what he could do with his speed, power, and natural instincts for playing Pro Football at a level no one had seen before. His feats weren't common and he made many of a play that no one could believe what they just saw. He ended many a career and just ask Joe Theisman how it feels to be tackled by a linebacker of Taylor's skills and strength.

Same with Micheal Jordan. He always was a great player, but there was times when he could take his game to another level that almost seemed super human. I saw games that he played that still live in my memory and the history books today. Men like MJ, Bob Gibson, Joe DiMaggio, Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, were not only great Pro Athletes, but had an ability that only a few possess. To put those men in the same category as a Pro wrestler is demeaning and an outright disgrace to their feats and achievements.

You can go to any Gym, in any big town in this country and find muscle bound guys that look tough and mean. Put them in tights, wrestling boots, give them a flashy name, have them follow a script and you have a Pro wrestler. Sure they can give and take hard blows and I wouldn't want to receive one, but that doesn't make them a real Pro athlete. The Harlem Globetrotters is a great analogy when talking about Pro Wrestling. Lets put things in real perspective here and call them for what they are. Pro Wrestling is scripted entertainment, no more, no less.

 

[Ticket Man]

That person is stupid. I obviously haven't read the whole thread. Benoit's rise to the top of sports entertainment was based purely on his work ethic and athleticisim. He wasn't John Cena who is huge and decent on the mic. Benoit quite frankly sucked on the mic.

 

[Ticket Man]

Exactly! Just because you're a big muscled guy and can hurt someone, doesn't mean your a Pro Athlete. The difference between Pro wrestling and the NFL is that in the NFL once the ball is snapped, all bets are off. There's no guaranteed outcome to what's going to happen. Strength alone doesn't guarantee victory. The Pro wrestler "The Rock" tried out for an NFL gig before he went into Pro Wrestling and he didn't make it off the practice squad. He washed out and was considered a failure. He's one of the biggest men I ever saw and looked the part of a pro athlete, but just didn't have the skills or natural ability.

It takes not only a strong man, but one with a God given talent and instincts that few possess. Lawrence Taylor of the NY Giants was a perfect example of a true Athlete. In his prime as a middle linebacker for the Giants, he not only was the best in his position, he changed how the game was played. Coaches of the other teams feared what he could do with his speed, power, and natural instincts for playing Pro Football at a level no one had seen before. His feats weren't common and he made many of a play that no one could believe what they just saw. He ended many a career and just ask Joe Theisman how it feels to be tackled by a linebacker of Taylor's skills and strength.

Same with Micheal Jordan. He always was a great player, but there was times when he could take his game to another level that almost seemed super human. I saw games that he played that still live in my memory and the history books today. Men like MJ, Bob Gibson, Joe DiMaggio, Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, were not only great Pro Athletes, but had an ability that only a few possess. To put those men in the same category as a Pro wrestler is demeaning and an outright disgrace to their feats and achievements.

You can go to any Gym, in any big town in this country and find muscle bound guys that look tough and mean. Put them in tights, wrestling boots, give them a flashy name, have them follow a script and you have a Pro wrestler. Sure they can give and take hard blows and I wouldn't want to receive one, but that doesn't make them a real Pro athlete. The Harlem Globetrotters is a great analogy when talking about Pro Wrestling. Lets put things in real perspective here and call them for what they are. Pro Wrestling is scripted entertainment, no more, no less.

You're missing the point. Benoit wasn't one of these guys, he was very small in comparison to other wrestlers. He was terrible on the mic. The Rock was a decent wrestler on the mat, but he got where he was because he was one of the most entertaining talkers in wrestling history.