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411mania » The 411 » John Meehan

Picture:
Name:	John Meehan
Email:	johnMichaelMeehan@gmail.com
Current Roles:	Wrestling Columnist (MeeThinks)
Past Roles:	Retro Video Game Columnist (WAY back in the 411wrestling.com days)
Other credits:	"some sort of Forum Legend" - Prag & Thomlison "...the freshest (and most positive) column in years." - J.D. Dunn
Quote:	"Since brevity is the soul of wit... I will be brief." -Polonius, Hamlet - Act II, scene ii
History:	The man behind the "most positive column in the IWC," John Meehan re-joined the 411 family in late 2005. Since his debut, Meehan has aimed to "eliminate 'Net-gativity one column at a time" by highlighting the positive aspects of professional wrestling in his weekly "MeeThinks." An IWC babyface if there ever was one, Meehan prides himself on having "the best readers the interwebs has to offer," and his column regularly draws plenty of insightful (if heated) reader feedback and discussion of the hottest issues in the wrestling business.

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WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment - 06.18.2009

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week One
Using performers that are CURRENTLY SIGNED to a WWE Contract (sorry, no developmental talents), CURRENTLY ASSIGNED to the RAW roster, and NOT CURRENTLY INJURED at this time, let's put ourselves in the shoes of a WWE Creative Team member and see if we can't map out our "dream match scenarios" for the Red Brand's major feuds leading up to SummerSlam. While you're at it, name the general manager of your choosing (as long as they're alive and have prior ties to the industry, they're fair game). And keep in mind that you'll probably need four offerings for each PPV.

Ten weeks of TV and three PPVs might sound like overkill, but that's just one of the pre-existing variables around which a professional writing staff must work.

On your mark, get set... GO!

Homework assignment: Pick a GM, and select performers for each of three PPV matches at The Bash (WWE Championship, US Championship, Number One Contender's Match).

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week Two
It's June 22, and you're just six days away from "The Bash" PPV. Tonight's the night your General Manager makes a splash! By now, you should have each of the following elements in place:

1) Your General Manager Is:
2) Your WWE Championship Match Will Be:
3) Your U.S. Championship Match Will Be:
4) Your Number One Contender's Bout (Must Be a Singles Contest) Will Be:

Got it? Cool. Good luck with this weekend's PPV, and we'll be back next Monday to see how you fared!

Homework assignment: Pick the winners and losers for Sunday's PPV (the U.S. Champ must retain).

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week Three
It's June 29, which means that it's the first night after "The Bash" PPV. How's your next show gonna' go? Well, let's throw in a variable or two you tell me...

1) Your General Manager stays the same.
2) Your WWE Champion stays the same.
3) Your U.S. Championship match stole the show at the PPV (the U.S. Champion retained).
4) You've named a new number one contender, and the guy he beat has asked for his release.

Yikes. Good thing the guy who lost your number one contender's match was nice enough to put the other guy over on his way out the door. Push that guy to the moon! Night of Champions is just four weeks away.

Homework assignment: Cross the loser of your number one contender's match off of your roster for good. Now assign remaining performers to three of RAW's FOUR title matches at Night of Champions. These bouts will be announced on next week's show.

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week Four
It's July 6, and you're gonna' need to start announcing your title matches in a hurry. And don't forget about making your number one contender look like a serious threat! So what's on tap for the Night of Champions PPV? You tell me...

1) Your WWE Championship Match Will Be:
2) Your U.S. Championship Match Will Be:
3) Your third championship match (tag or divas) Will Be:
4) Tonight's Main Event Is:

The pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together. But the hard part is just about to begin.

Homework assignment: Announce next week's main event, and put the number one contender squarely in the spotlight to help sell the PPV. While you're at it, assign participants for RAW's remaining title match at Night of Champions.

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week Five
It's July 13, which gives us two full weeks until the Night of Champions PPV. Now's the time to turn up the heat on your PPV feuds! Only one slight problem...

1) Your number one contender is hurt. Nothing major, but he'll miss a month of ring time.
2) Your NEW Number One Contender Is:
3) Your Remaining Championship Match (tag or divas) Will Be:
4) Tonight's Main Event Is:

Well, so much for *THAT* momentum. I guess the smart move is to have some opportunistic young challenger come and take out your number one contender in order to steal his spotlight (and his title shot). Not a bad idea. But let's see if it works in the long run.

Homework assignment: Kayfabe an injury explaining why the number one contender is out of action (who put him out and why?). Put the US Champ & Challenger into a tag match with the WWE Champ and your newly crowned number one contender for next week's Main Event.

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week Six
It's July 20, and that means Night of Champions is this Sunday! Don't give away your PPV matches for free, but get ready for the hard sell!

1) Your General Manager Quits out of nowhere. Your New GM Is:
2) Every remaining segment on your show must be used to hype a match on the PPV.
3) The Divas Champ is in a mixed tag (non-title).
4) Your US and WWE title champs and contenders are in the main event. So what happens before that?

The GM walkout steals valuable time from your hard-sell, and the already announced main event means that your four biggest stars are stuck in the same show-ending segment. So how do you pad out the middle of your show? A midcard that's loaded with tag champs in singles bouts and divas in non-title action might get the job done, but the ratings won't be kind.

Homework assignment: Give a kayfabe reason why the GM left. Pick the winners and losers for Sunday's PPV (the U.S. Champion must retain).

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week Seven
It's July 27, which means that Night of Champions is in the books. Let's see how we fared:

1) Due to backstage ego, the WWE Championship match ended in a DQ. Announce a Summerslam rematch.
2) To shake things up, a previously injured star (HBK, HHH, Batista) returns early. Put him in the title hunt ASAP.
3) Once again, your U.S. Championship match stole the show at the PPV (the champ retained).
4) Tonight's Main Event Is:

Conventional wisdom says that the most effective way to get a newly redebuting performer back into the thick of the title hunt is to plug him right into the night's main event (with number one contender's implications on the line). And just like that, you've got a tailor-made race-to SummerSlam triple threat main event in the works!

Homework assignment: For next week's show, announce who will be facing off against one another in order to become the #1 contender for the U.S. Championship.

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week Eight
It's August 3, so the road to SummerSlam must be heating up. Problem is? So's the backstage drama.

1) Turns out the guy who returned last week is still hurting. He can wrestle, but not often.
2) To hide his injury, you'll need to make the PPV main event into a triple threat.
3) The current WWE Champion is totally tanking in the ratings. Get the belt off him ASAP.
4) Tonight's Main Event Is:

Three weeks left until SummerSlam, but you've got a champion who can't draw and a challenger who can't wrestle. So do you hotshot the belt off of your lame duck champion and onto the other challenger, or do you just let it ride until the PPV?

Homework assignment: Pick your WWE Champion, and pick the new number one contender for the U.S. Championship.

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week Nine
It's August 10, and you've only got two weeks to radically restructure the second biggest show of the year.

1) Your other (healthy) #1 contender breaks his leg, forcing the SummerSlam main event to be a singles bout after all.
2) The two guys fighting over the WWE Championship are a lame-duck champ and an injured returner.
3) The show-stealing U.S. Champion was busted for doping. He's banned from TV for 30 days.
4) Tonight's Main Event Is:

If you're smart, perhaps you'll pull a phantom title switch for the US Championship at a house show that never really happened, or start a tournament to crown the new champion (with the finals taking place at the PPV). But what about the guy who was named the number one contender for the United States Championship JUST LAST WEEK? And how do you make sense of that main event?

Homework assignment: Next week's the hard sell, so what's your main event gonna' be?

WWE "Creative" Writing Experiment: Week Ten
It's August 17 -- SummerSlam is this Sunday night. You've got a main event mess and a serious need to liven things up. But how?

1) The remaining #1 contender is simply too banged up to main event for more than 8 minutes, tops.
2) Your lame-duck champion continues to plunge your ratings through the floor.
3) That guy who was injured in week four makes a SURPRISE RETURN tonight. So where does he go?
4) Tonight's Main Event Is:

Decision time -- youre back to a singles match, and you've got a lame-duck champ facing a number one contender who's not going to be able to main event for so much as 10 minutes. Meanwhile, you've got a SURPRISE RETURNER who left as the number one challenger, but what about his unfinished business with the guy who put him on the shelf? And the big question is -- do you throw out six weeks worth of storytelling and shoehorn him into the main event just SIX DAYS before the PPV?

Final Evaluation: Sunday is the Summerslam PPV, which marks the end of our little "fantasy booking" experiment. And if your creative writing project turned out anything like mine, chances are good that your PPV card looks very little like what you might have otherwise intended, hoped to see, or mapped out in the first place.

What's your main event going to be?

Who's walking away with the U.S. Championship?

And where does this newly returning performer fit into the puzzle?

And we're rolling... - 07.06.2007

Due to the overwhelming amount of feedback I received in the wake of last week's column on The Benoit Family Tragedy, I thought -- given the nature of this tragedy -- it might be best to post it all in a place separate from the column. This way the letters can appear in their entirety, and readers can feel free to read and reflect on one another's "Thinks" in a place reserved exclusively for these sorts of things. This is the last bunch of feedback, and the rest of it appears below.

A word of thanks in advance to everyone who took the time to write in and share their thoughts on this most devastating story, and my sincere gratitude for those of y'all who've been so kind as to share your appreciation of the coverage I've tried to provide.

Hi,

I hadn't read 411 in ages, but got drawn back in to read some stuff on Benoit. Here's a few observations:

1. Refering to your self as "Mee" in the text of your columns is hack writing. It's a stupid gimmick and you seem like you're a better writer than that. The "MeeThinks" thing at the start of sentences where you give your opinion is just bad. I'm not sure what you're trying to go for with it, but it's not clever or funny.

2. Ease up on the parenthesis.

3. If you really think Pillman and Guerrero's respective deaths didn't have anything to do with years of drug abuse you're either incredibly naive or an idiot.

And finally, this quote of yours killed me:" the big issue here was that most people who kill themselves and their family do so as the result of problems in the home." Thanks for the insight. So, people who murder their families have problems with their home lives. That's just brilliant. I also hear that people who smoke pot every day tend to be stoned. But it's just a rumor.

- Joe T

*Note: 1) I use "Mee" and "MeeThinks" in order to protect my original material. A lot of things published on the web are quickly cut-and-pasted into other so-called "news" reports on other sites, and it's a way to identify stuff that *I* wrote as being my own, so that people can easily spot it should it appear on another site.

2) Parenthesis - you might want to ask Faulker, Joyce, Ford, and a number of other Pulitzer-winning authors to ease up on parenthesis, while you're at it. A lot of folks use stream of consciousness, "write-as-you-speak" technique. If my style doesn't suit you, there are plenty of other writers out there.

3) I never said Pillman or Eddie's death didn't have anything to do with drugs whatsoever. What I *said* was that Eddie had previously been fired by WWE for his drug use, and that Pillman's death was the result of a previously-undiagnosed heart ailment, and that toxicology reports -- to my knowledge -- did not reflect any illegal drugs in his system at the time of his death.

4) Again, you've missed the point entirely, as I never once said that it was some sort of big, elusive secret that somebody who kills their family has problems in the home. What I *said* was that in most cases of murder-suicide, researchers have attributed stressors *in the home* as the primary reason for tragedy, and NOT to those contributing factors of work-related stress, drugs, or alcohol abuse.

Hey,

Just wanted to say that I really digged your article. Being from the UK we didn't get much information regarding the tragedy. Now that I have read all posts from 411 and inside pulse (Cheap pop!) I thank you. It has been hard. For me personally, I watched the sound-bites from you tube and I wept.

Thank you for being a Journalist.

My regards and my respect,

- Mark

Excellent article. Just wanted to send one possible correction. I Believe Pez Whatley was a WWF jobber in the early 90"s. Not real important but just to keep the record straight.

Great job,

- Tom Schroeck

*Note: Thanks for the e-mail, Tom. According to Whatley's OWW profile, it looks as if he spent time in WCW, NWA, and ICW -- but no signs of a WWF/E run. True, jobbers don't usually merit a blip on the radar and all... but it's entirely possible that the guy stopped through WWE for at least a minure or two in order to lose a match during the heyday of "WWF Superstars."

I just wanted to let you know that this was easily the best column that I read this week concern the Benoit situation. Your column took every instance of the case and provided a calm well written response. I must say that this was the best column you have ever written, and God willing, never have to do again.

- Ryan Albrecht

Dear John,

Thanks for a sensible, responsible and mature summation of the situation. I agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts on this sad and totally shocking tragedy.

I was particularly pleased to see the focus on the issues of depression and domestic violence in your article. The issues surrounding this event are complex, often misunderstood and are in many ways the last truly taboo topics in today’s society. I was also impressed by your reference to Catholic Canon law. There are very few black and white issues in the world today and this is another very murky, grey issue. Sadly a limited perspective, lack of real information as opposed to a surfeit of speculation and susceptibility of many in today’s society to judge quickly have turned this matter into a circus.

In Australia we have not been overwhelmed by this issue as it has in the US. We have our own heroes to damn with limited information, but from what I have read and seen on cable TV, the media has seized this tragedy as an opportunity to pillory pro wrestling, attack the WWE/Vince McMahon and to blame individuals for problems that might not have eventuated if we had a more tolerant, informed and mature media when it comes to issues of mental illness, addiction and family trauma. By all accounts Benoit was a very private man and if he suffered from problems he would no doubt not readily share them, well it is no surprise given societal attitudes (throw in our inability to understand issues related to disabilities as well) why he kept all of this to himself until it broke him. Don’t get me wrong his choice was a bad one, but I was not walking in his shoes.

For those who want to judge him to damnation so be it, but I hope they are people who understand what is to be Christian. I would this not or else they would take more care to live by this piece of advice from Christ in Luke 6:36 – 37.: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven;"

Regards,

- John M. Freeman

Dear John,

The following is my reaction to the Benoit tragedy. However, first of all, credit is humbly and deservedly given to a very well written article that was clearly written based on fact rather than speculation, and presented itself in a well designed, chronological order without seeking any sensationalism what so ever.

I cannot dispute a single item listed as fact as that is exactly what they are. But I think an element most relevant to the detailed time line laid out by you is missing. I submit to you the following well documented, world wide broadcast and published facts to validate my claims.

I do in fact believe that a certain amount of responsibility should be on the shoulders of World Wrestling Entertainment. It has been made very well known publicly by talent within WWE and those affiliated, that WWE maintains a touring schedule requiring talent to be on the road an average of 300+ days per year. Compared to the regular working person who puts in 40 hours a week, this is unfathomable. In my opinion, it appears that WWE treats it's talent with the dignity and respect of a sideshow freak. This clearly illustrates that WWE is making sure to squeeze every last drop of performance out of each wrestler as possible. That does not sound like a caring employer in the least. I'm not insinuating that they simply let their employees slack off. I'm insinuating that a much more reasonable and humane work schedule be implemented for the talent. I wholeheartedly believe that it would be difficult for anyone to argue that point. But you needn't take my word for it, simply tune into Raw, Smackdown! or ECW and take note of who is not appearing that night.

Currently, WWE is facing what I believe to be a major crisis due to the amount of performers who are currently on the injured list and not cleared medically to perform. If the powers that be at WWE are having a tough time grasping this crisis, they need to give their head a shake and open their eyes. I have posted my feelings on this matter on a few wrestling forums and have received a positive response almost exclusively. What I suggest is, cut the number of house shows in half!

Yes, you read me right...cut the house shows in half. And secondly, go from 12 or more PPVs a year, back to the original 4 (Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, Summerslam and Survivor Series). If you haven't guessed it by now, I'm leading up to a rather bold accusation. WWE is fuelled by greed. Once you accept that, everything suddenly seems so clear. Yes, they are a billion dollar company...but at who's expense? And let's not forget the old adage, "When is enough - enough?".

We know that WWE invests a great deal of time and money into the development of their talent, particularly their top talent. That just sounds so "cold" and impersonal. The reality of it is that a performer, to WWE, is really nothing more than an investment they expect a huge return on. And they go to extreme lengths to ensure that happens. Take for example Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock). He needed to go through a pile of red tape and negotiations just to use the name "The Rock" in his acting career. As stated by Vince McMahon, The Rock was granted permission to "license" the use of the name. Now doesn't that sound a tad extreme to you? Who made The Rock who he was at his peak in WWE? Simple...Dwayne Johnson! No arguments about that from me. The same goes with all the other wrestlers who have moved onto other promotions such as TNA.

As far as the association between steroids and pro wrestling goes, by their own admission, many wrestlers, past and present have admitted to using them at one time or another. I'm willing to bet that's a watered down statement though. The Wellness Program implemented by WWE is beginning to sound like a joke. They have the "3 strikes and you're out" scheme. I'm here to tell you that that is no deterrent or tool to scare someone straight who is a user/abuser. Simply put, they all know they've got 2 strikes as a safety net. After that, it's adios. I suggest mandatory testing on a regular basis with much more serious repercussions than what is in place now.

You are right by stating that the Wellness Program has holes in it, but is a start. But steroid use is not the only concern. It has also been admitted by several in the industry that the use and eventual addiction to heavy pain relief medication just adds fuel to the fire. Possibly even more serious than steroid use because the use of pain medication is a double-edged sword. It is well known that a WWE performer does not get paid when they are injured and not participating in any way in the various productions of WWE shows. IF there is some form of "sick pay", it would not even be worth mentioning. This prompts performers to "work-through" the pain. No...they're not superhuman, nor do they have a tolerance for pain so far beyond the average person that they could perform with 2 broken legs, a broken arm, a torn bicep and compressed vertebrae in their neck. It goes by several names: morphine, oxycontin, somas, percocet, etc., etc.. That's the magic that allows them to function.

So now we have these larger than life guys on TV, who appear to be the definition of health & fitness, but in reality are doped up on meds just so they can wrestle! That, my friends, is the double-edged sword. They fear that if they don't work, they won't get paid and will most likely miss out on opportunities that would escalate their career on the ladder of success. Does this sound like a healthy work enviroment to you?

I do believe I've made my point even though I could probably continue writing for several pages, so I'll close here with this:

- If you're a wrestling fan, sit back & enjoy it while you can because who knows what could become of it due to it's deadly faults.

- Let your voice be heard by WWE. IGNORE their attempt for fans to contact them. They said it themselves when they said they wouldn't be here if it weren't for the fans. And this is true. What if people stopped going to shows or tuning in on TV? Where would that leave them? I think you'll find it interesting to know that WWE stock, according to the NYSE, has dropped considerably since the ridiculous storyline of McMahon getting blown up in his limo. There's your proof.

And that's my 3 cents.

- Jeff Leskiw

*Note: Great letter, Jeff... and I hope this week's article helps to put things in perspective that yes, WWE might well indeed by a corporation fueled by a pursuit of the almighty dollar -- but they are most certainly *not* the only ones at fault for such behavior (look no further than NBC, for example!).

Also -- as a matter of clarification -- while WWE's stock dropped slightly in the three days folling the McMahon limo bombing stunt (June 11-14), it then *ROSE* for four days in a row thereafter (June 14-18) before ultimately falling again (losing just about $2 per share over the course of the next week) leading up to the Benoit tragedy, whereafter the stock has since rebounded). Full details of WWE's stock profile can be found here.

And we're rolling... - 07.01.2007

Due to the overwhelming amount of feedback I received in the wake of last week's column on The Benoit Family Tragedy, I thought -- given the nature of this tragedy -- it might be best to post it all in a place separate from the column. This way the letters can appear in their entirety, and readers can feel free to read and reflect on one another's "Thinks" in a place reserved exclusively for these sorts of things. I'll be posting them in groups of ten e-mails per blog throughout the week.

A word of thanks in advance to everyone who took the time to write in and share their thoughts on this most devastating story, and my sincere gratitude for those of y'all who've been so kind as to share your appreciation of the coverage I've tried to provide.

To Mr Meehan,

I read your report of the timeline, the controversy and your MeeThinks in regards to the Chris Benoit situation. I think you hit it all on the nose. Being a Canadian I have always been a fan of Chris' so this last week has been really hard to understand. The unfortunate thing is most people are going to look for answers in the wrong places I think. What Chris did was very horrible, and I don't condone it, but as the information comes out... I think I might understand. The quote at the bottom of the email expresses how I feel individuals should feel and not just god. We should all make our choices in this matter, right or wrong, but as long as the facts are there before we make that choice. Nancy and Daniel are dead. I feel for their loss. As for Chris... What he did was heinous, but I will still miss him and I will FORIGIVE him. It just might take a very long time...

I may be an atheist, but I to can agree that "god bless Nancy and Daniel. God forgive Chris."

Thank you for your report,

- Jason Alexander

I just finished your latest column and thought it was very well done.

Your truly

- Kenta Bostrom

Hi,

I would like to compliment you on your summary of the Benoit tragedy. Your column did an excellent job of summing up the situation.

I found this excellent article from Slam. It helps shed some light on Benoit and the problems he had coping with the tragedies that have occurred in wrestling. I hope you can pass this link along to one of your reporters for use.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Benoit/2007/06/29/4301351-ca.html

Respectfully,

Rob Armstrong

Hey, just wanted to say excellent, excellent job with the Saturday news column, especially the quotes from Dr.s Bradford and Baden. I'm working on a column about the effects of withdrawal and depression, hopefully up this Monday, and I found out most of the same things.

- JD Dunn

Mr Meehan,

I just wanted to tell you that I think this article you layed out with the complete timeline and break down of evidence and truth is exactly what the world needed to hear. It was well written and well put together. I am glad you also feel that the whole "roid rage" thing has been blown so far out that it is ridiculous. Thank you for a very well rounded perspective and article.

Sincerely,

- Jeff Hollis

Meehan-

I had to respond to this. I have read pretty much all of the columns about the Benoit Tragedy on this site but this was by far the best column of all. I like how you didn't get as emotional with your writing and just presented the facts. It was Clear, Concise and to the point.

You presented good counter points to all arguments and made your whole column easy to read. I knew of some of the wrestlers you listed but not all. Thanks for listing all of them(or close to it) and writing how they died. It just proved to me that we shouldn't put 100% of the blame on Vince because only 5 were under contract during their death.

I have been watching wrestling since the late 80's, when I was a kid. I grew to learn that this is just sports entertainment and what happens in the ring is for the most part scripted. It just pisses me off how someone decided to post a rumor of a serious magnitude on Wikipedia. It just makes the IWC look retarded. I am a fan but I am not a retarded wrestling fan who would post FAKE RUMORS on Wikipedia as true. I know there are a bunch of people in the IWC who would pull that kind of stuff.

A lot of wrestling sites on the net are no better than the Media trying to report the news before anyone else does. That is one of the reasons why I go to 411mania because I can rely on the information presented on this site and the columns are well done. I just wanted to show my gratitude on a well written column. Hopefully you can put some sense into your colleague, who still wants to idolize someone who in my opinion ruined his storied legacy.

- Danny Gonzalez

The article was well written; however; I do have some comments about the topics. 1) You may be a better man than me because I believe he should rot in hell. He killed two people before he took his own life. While he may have been depressed, suffering from roid rage, or mentally snapped, it does not change the fact that he killed delibrately two people. I cannot forgive many things but I cannot forgive that. Not all mistakes in life are equal and there are some that are simply unforgivable. Nothing Benoit could ever do can erase the fact he killed his wife and son. Several things that really bug me are that he killed his disabled son and that the killings took place over several days. Benoit deserves a place in hell.

2) I do not know about you but I think that the numbers of wrestlers who died "young" is very tragic no matter the cause. The WWE wellness policy is a step in the right direction; but it does not protect every wrestler. It does not protect stars on the independents and in foriegn countries. How many stars were working for the WWE at the time of their death? I can think of maybe three in the last twenty years: Owen Hart, Benoit and Eddie G. Eddie's death was due to drug abuse but he was clean at the time of his death. Hell, WWE previously let him go due to his drug habit and only let him back when he was clean. Benoit--no one knows what caused Benoit to do what he did. Personally, I think he was in a depression fueled by steroids (possibly) and by his family situation. I am also wondering if multiple concussions could have played a role as well.

3) Wrestling needs to forget Benoit. It pains me to say it because I had so much respect for the man and I knew he was one of the best ever. But how can anyone honor Benoit without looking like they glorified a murderer? It would simply be better if people forgot him. It sounds harsh and I may change my mind at a lator date.

4) I have known for a while that some wrestlers are bitter people.

5) Where are the trbutes to Nancy Benoit? She was involved in this industry (as Robin Green, Woman and Fallen angle) and had a good career. She deserves to be honored.

6) Have a good day and hopefully the toxicology reports will provide some additional answers. I would like to know what drugs and alcohol if any were in his system at the time.

- Ray Tugman

Mr. Meehan,

I want to thank you for such an excellent article concerning the recent terrible tragedy. I am sure you are busy beyond busy at the moment. I am also certain that every ignorant fool in the country has their thoughts on the happenings. I just wanted to allow you to take a look at some of the things that being posted. This is from a message board in Arkansas. If I were Mr. Sullivan I would be very interested in people saying some of the stuff that I am going to link for you. If you have the time take a look. You can visit the website at fearlessfriday.com. The thread in question is on the after the whistle board. You can find it easily thereafter. But the post I want you to see specifally I have linked.

Once again thank you for the excellent and likely difficult to write article. You gentlemen keep up the great work at 411.

Thank you,

- Al Pollard

I don't send feedback at all but after reading your article on Chris Benoit I felt compelled to write to you.

Your article was the most even-handed, respectful, thoughtful and, most of all, truthful article I have read on the subject. I just want to say thank you for proving that not all wrestling "journalists"/writers are hacks.

Keep up the good work!

- Mark Learmouth

Hello...you have no idea who i am, but i regularly read the mania website. As I was away tending to business, and believe it or not, having no access to a television, I was made aware of the murders/suicide on either Tuesday or Wednesday morning(i honestly cannot remember), by reading one of the new york tabloid "papers." The headline that got my attention...."ROID RAGE, etc etc etc." I am a high school basketball coach who continually preaches to my players the importance of obtaining results by hard work and hard work only, and to see this only echoes my message. But it does it at a cost. And that cost is The Truth. Once again, and whether the media is 100% right, 100% wrong or somewhere in between, it has chosen to slant the facts as you have said...to sell air time and newspapers. It is important, because some of my players are wrestling fans and were stunned by the news, that they hear the TRUTH, whatever it may be, and not what the media wants us to know and believe.

I just wanted to thank you for you piece in the Meethinks Saturday Spectacular. You may get some crap for it, but you did a solid job of seeing both sides and writing a fair article.

- J. Feld

John,

That was quite possibly the best article I have read in regards to the Benoit situation. You kept everything balanced, explained everything well, and I loved how you refuted the medias death claims in regards to the wrestlers younger than 65. This was a great peice, and I thank you for writing it.

- Joshua Claytor

And we're rolling... - 06.30.2007

Due to the overwhelming amount of feedback I received in the wake of last week's column on The Benoit Family Tragedy, I thought -- given the nature of this tragedy -- it might be best to post it all in a place separate from the column. This way the letters can appear in their entirety, and readers can feel free to read and reflect on one another's "Thinks" in a place reserved exclusively for these sorts of things. I'll be posting them in groups of ten e-mails per blog throughout the week.

A word of thanks in advance to everyone who took the time to write in and share their thoughts on this most devastating story, and my sincere gratitude for those of y'all who've been so kind as to share your appreciation of the coverage I've tried to provide.

Great Benoit article.

Seriously, that was excellent work. You even changed my mind on a thing or two (IE the burning in hell parts).

-Rick Hale

To John, my name is Dale Townsend from Melbourne Australia & I have been avid wrestling fan as far back at the beginning of the old WWF & was always
a great fan of the wrestling skills of the Chris Benoit who did wrestle familar style of his hero Davey Boy Smith.

They way you have expressed the different points of view could not have been more correct. In conclusion I do believe as part of the wellness program that the wwe enforces & actively promotes they should also provide onging pyschologial assessments (even before this tragic circumstances) it still may not stop a performer snapping at the last minute but if they can see signs of distress beforehand maybe they can stop it next time before it is to late.

Regards,

- Dale Townsend

Uncle Elmer was wwf.

- Mike Sexton

*Note: Thanks for the edit, Mike. While we're updating the list, Sherri Martel was fired from WWE for failing three drug tests back in (I believe) 1991. So good catch -- one up, one down.

I just wanted to thank you for putting me somewhat at peace on the Benoit situation. I was expecting as much, but your column was easily the most rational and fair piece I've seen on the subject.

I'm in the pro-Benoit camp on this - I obviously condemn what he did but I feel awful for him as well because he was probably so out of it emotionally - but it's nice to know that I don't need to feel angry at WWE or anything like that, who I was willing to pin some of the blame on earlier in the week just to understand it better (though I'm still angered that they've removed
his name from DVD listings for Wrestlemania XX and such).

Again, it was a great read and I hope some of those working within the media will be forced to look at it and know what a bunch of shits they are. I
reckon the news industry is the real 'evil' emmerging in all of this, but that's for another time.

Have a good week.

- Luke Davey

Man, your peice was excelent, and very to the point. i agree with pretty much everything you said, but there was one thing that i was reminded when you went through the list of wrestlers who had passed before 65.

first off, i would like to point out that the media setting the age of 65 is unrealistic anyway, because there are quite a number of people who die before that age anyway, from all walks of life.

the second was the direction which some of the criticism was coming from: TMZ.com. that site even went as far as to put a tastless article entitled World Wrestling DEADeration on their site, commenting on wrestlers who had died under the age of 45. the thing that amazes, well doesnt actually amaze me, but they failed to mention anything about their owner owning a certain other company. if they are going to dredge up stuff like that, they should be asking what did AOL Time Warner, owner of TMZ.com and former owner of WCW do to prevent any of the deaths?

You hear a lot about the wellness policies that WWE have brought in, and gone lax with, but you dont hear of anything AOL Time Warner did while they were in the 'rasslin business.

just a thought.

there was one section in your article that i disagreed with, and that was your comments on Debra Marshall's appearences. to me, her appearences were pretty much a cash in of the situation, or at least that is the way i see it, just to bulster the 'roid rage' angle most of the media is going for. whether or not Austin took steroids is unsure, but Austin was also a know alcoholic, not to mention he would be on painkillers for vairous injuries over the years, so these could also have played a part.

I personally know what some people can be like when they are drunk, and could possibly have been behind the domestic violence in her case. feel free to disagree with me, but to be honest she should not comment on this situation until the toxicology report has been released, and even then, the only ones that know what went on in the Benoit house, during the incident and back to 2003 when the papers were filed, were the Benoits and she shouldnt comment on something as fact which at this point is pure speculation
- Lynx Raven Raide

*Note: Thanks for the e-mail, Lynx. I was unaware that TMZ was a Turner-owned outlet... but in fairness, his particular ownership in AOL Time Warner has been drastically reduced since the sale of WCW. I will say that while Debra most certainly has a point in what she's saying, her message does tend to get muddied simply because she comes across as so "out to get" Steve Austin, in particular. Debra is 100% right in speaking out against domestic abuse, and I completely understand her being so empassioned on the issue given what she's been through. However, she could benefit a great deal by taking a lesson from Mike Tyson's ex, Roben Givens, who is BOTH outspoken AND incredibly poised and under control when speaking out against domestic abuse. As a result, it's a lot easier for people to hear her out.

Hi John,

I just read your June 30th column covering the Benoit story. I think it is a good and through reporting of the facts, and, for the most part, a fair analysis.

The facts seem to be consistent with what I recall reading over the past week. But many people (including those in the media) seem to have a lot of these facts wrong, or they have completely ignored them. I think this may help clarify things.

As far as your analysis, I would agree that steroids are being looked at a little too much in this case. However, I do see steroids as a problem in wrestling in general. Even though you listed a lot of the deaths as "non-drug related," certain deaths, like cancer, are associated with prolonged steroid use. Baseball Player Jason Giambi's cancer was attributed to steroid use. Heart problems are also considered a result of steroid use. Still though, I think the steroid issue is being overlooked in the Benoit story. There seems to be other factors involved, and steroids were likely prescribed to him in small doses to rebuild, or continue to rebuild his neck (which no one in the
media seems to have mentioned).

I also like how you speak about the complexity of suicide. In going in line with the catholic faith, I also know that the life insurance industry does not
regard suicide as a premeditated act. This is why there is usually only a two-year period, where if someone kills themself within the first two years of
the contract, the contract is void. But afterwards, if someone commits suicide, the insurance company will still pay out the claim to the dependents. The reason being, suicide is considered more of a sudden occurance, unplanned. In other words, no one would likely buy up a lot of insurance knowing they are
going to commit suicide in a couple years.

Anyway, that's my opinion on a couple of those issues. I think the article is very helpful to many who missed some of the facts along the way.

Thanks,

-Bob

*Note: Thanks for your e-mail, Bob. I wasn't aware of the insurance industry's policy relating to suicide, so I thank you for that contribution.

Best Article Ever. A+ for research and content. Send this to Fox News, CNN and their affiliates for a REAL lesson in journalism.

- Julian L Smith

Kudos on the wonderful article. You made an excellent point pointing out how the media is so concentrated on this tragic event, while worldwide, tragedies are occurring constantly. Tragic as the Chris Benoit event was, I can only accept that what has happened has happened and something like this doesn't happen again.

-freshanime

That was written as well as one could possibly hope. Thank you.

-Mzmcilwain

I never write to columnist or the opinions that they make. I just want to say that I always read you and always enjoy your point of view. I thought you did an exceptional job this past week in dealing with Chris Beniot. I thought it was outstanding how you took all of the deaths in the last 20 years or so and broke it down into categories. I liked the way that you had a clear head with what you wrote. Thank you for this article and the ones you have written in the past.

- Mona and Shawn

It must have been hard as hell for you to write that. God bless you for doing it. Thanks.

- Chris Browning

John,

The entire part of this week's column where you put in the phone number for NVDH was in my opinion pure class. I've been reading your column for a little while now here @ 411 and I have gained more respect for you then ever before. It is just disheartening that it had to come at this expense.

Keep up the great work on the column.

- Matt Stabler

John,

I've followed wrestling for almost almost 20 years, dating back to around 1989. I've followed wrestling on the internet since 1997. I've never sent any feedback to any IWC writer until I read your article this morning regarding the Chris Benoit tragedy.

I just wanted to say that this was by far the most well-thought out article on the case that I have read. I could tell that you really did your homework on this, and it shows throughout. I mean this in all honesty, many of the so-called mainstream journalists should take notes from you on how to present facts and arguments.

And regarding your point where people were arguing that WWE deserved to have this happen due to the tasteless McMahon death angle, I totally agree with you that the people saying this are more tasteless for thinking that. In fact, I think back specifically to a piece written by Grutman over on Inside Pulse, asking God to have a wrestler die so that McMahon would look foolish during the 10 bell salute on Smackdown a couple of weeks ago. Well, I hope he's happy that he got his wish. That article sickened me at the time, and it angers and saddens me now.

Anyway, it sucks that I have to complement you under these circumstances. However, at a time when speculation and emotion is running wild throughout the IWC, it is nice to see someone step back and actually analyze the facts before coming up with an opinion. Thank you and keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

- Cody Bell

I usually don't read much on 411, but I did catch that column you wrote on Benoit. Just wanted to let you know that you did a good job on that article. Very fair, impartial, and focused.

The only thing I think that needed to be in there is the possibility that this was in part due to post concussion syndrome. I think if they check his brain they will find the answer there. When a person does something of this magnitude so completely out of character, there is more to it than just family problems, or steroids, or alcohol, or marital problems, etc. I am almost positive that all the years of chair shots (RVD said Benoit was the only guy who would take unprotected chair shots to the back of the head) and flying head butts off the top rope may have taken their toll on Benoit's ability to control his emotions and also any problems with brain altering due to damage or post-concussion syndrome would definitely likely lead to depression, feelings of hopelessness, etc.

It was not pre-planned. He would not have waited a day. He lost it in an argument and killed his wife. Then he thought of what to do next and after consuming a lot of alcohol came to the conclusion he should kill his kid. If the whole thing was a plan or done in a fit of rage, he would have killed them and himself within minutes instead of over days. That is my feeling. I think the answer is in the area of some type of brain damage from years of being the stiffest worker around. It explains a lot of unanswered questions.

Good column,

- Troy

*Note: Thanks, Troy. Post-concussion syndrome is an avenue worth probing, no doubt. But given the complexity of this case (and most other murder-suicides), odds are very good that post-concussion is only one small piece of the puzzle. From what most medical professionals are saying, stress in home life and/or raising of a child is usually the leading cause of cases of this nature. Steroids, concussions, etc. certainly don't *help* matters -- but the sad reality here is that there's a lot more to this story than just one particular aspect.

Hi,

I just finished reading your article on Benoit and all I have to say is...can you submit that to every newspaper, news website, tv station, that is covering this story?

Your article was the most well written, most researched article I have seen on this case this whole week.

Thank you for that.

-Matt

*Note: Thanks, Matt. I would happily submit it to the news outlets -- if I thought it'd make any difference. Bottom line is mainstream media "has their story," and wrestlers+roid rage = an easy tale to tell. Besides, with the thwarted carbombing in London on Friday, they've already moved onto vulturing around the next big spectacle... once again, with no desire to "prevent" or "understand" -- but rather only to sensationalize and garner better ratings than the next guy.

Outstanding column, John. Thank you.

-Eric

Good Afternoon,

Excellent article as far as what I read. I’m sure that you will hear people say the exact opposite, but you presented a well thought out argument about all that has gone on since the news broke.

I’m still shocked by it all, but the only place blame can be laid is with the overall circumstances in one families life. Not to say that I am making an excuse for him, just saying that there could be 10 people who live almost the exact same type of life and those 10 lives could all end differently depending on the make up of the person in Benoit’s position. Blaming steroids or travel, or any other number of things without all the factor’s being considered is irresponsible; our major news provider’s in a nutshell I think. I am guilty of being glued to the coverage of this, like most wrestling fan’s and non wrestling fan’s alike, and I can say that the details of the deaths saddened me as a father and fan of Chris Benoit.

The bottom line though is that there have been a lot of knee-jerk reports and reactions, so it was good to see someone who took the time and effort to try and look at things objectively. Thanks for the good work; I am hoping that the link you added will help at least one person who might need it.

- Frank Miller
PO1 USN

Just read your VERY long article on the Benoit tragedy, and I have to say, VERY well done. Thank you for being so thorough. It has indeed been a rough week – hopefully the future for us wrestling fans will be a little lighter.

- Paul Gillett

Dear Mr Meehan,

I'm a longtime 411 reader although I have never written in before but I felt
compelled to write and say thank you and congratulate you on your column of
6.30.07. It was quite simply a fantastic piece of journalisim. The Benoit
tradegy has greatly upset me, like many other wrestling fans this past week,
and the sensationalised reporting seen almost everywhere apart from 411 has
not in any way helped. Your column however, not only covers pretty much
EVERY event of the last week in in short but precise chunks, but it also
delivers information and your well thought out opinions on the whole affair
with a bit of dignity and class.

While I am merely a lontime fan of the wrestling business and am obvioulsy
not as greatly involved as many, this past week has still been emotional to
read about and I have at times struggled to get to grips with the whole
thing. Your column at the very least has helped me. Thank you Mr Meehan.

Regards

- Chris Crowther

Well done.

You did a nice job with your benoit article, i think you handled it well.

-Andre Denommee

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