Can They Be Champ? 6.26.07: What Has Happened?

I have no idea what to write about. My column has a theme. I’m supposed to look at various wrestlers and predict whether they will become a world champion.

But how can I care about the future when yesterday’s events still haunt me. But I’m scheduled to write a column for Tuesday. I still have no idea what I’m going to type about. I guess I’ll just start with the obvious.

Chris Benoit, a man I had always considered to be one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, has been found dead along with his wife Nancy and son Daniel.

What the hell happened? Just last Sunday, we were told that Benoit rushed home for personal reasons. What could have possibly happened once he got there that could have resulted in the deaths of him, his wife, and son.

And then… we get this report from MSNBC . Here is the shocking part from that article:

“The station said that investigators believe the 40-year-old Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and 7-year-old son, Daniel, over the weekend, then himself on Monday.”

I just can’t believe that. Chris Benoit is one of the few people I’ve idolized. What happens to me when I discover that he was a part of such a horrible, horrible deed? I don’t how I would feel.

Still, thankfully such accusations are not confirmed. Besides, considering some of the other facts, it simply doesn’t make sense. Some people are claiming that Benoit’s family sick, hence Benoit went home, caught whatever they had, and died himself. This version of the story certainly makes more sense the double homicide-suicide thing at first glance. Why would Benoit need to rush home to kill his own family?

God… I just can’t even believe the words I am typing. The only thing worse than hearing that Chris Benoit has been killed is hearing that he may possible be a murderer.

Here’s the dilemma; if true, would Benoit being a murderer make him less of a wrestler? I know it can’t take away from his ability and skill, but a large part of why I loved him was because I respected him. He went to incredible lengths in his matches. He was always willing to put over new talent. But can I respect a murderer? No, I can’t. The fact that Benoit would destroy his legacy like that is infuriating.

So that’s why it must not be true, or at least why I must believe it isn’t true. I mean, this is just initial police speculation. Autopsies will hopefully shed further light on the subject.

So that’s what we have. A waiting game. We’re all going to have to patient until this thing clears up.

As for me, until I hear otherwise, I am going to continue to remember Benoit as the wrestler I respected more than any other. And beyond that, one of the wrestlers I enjoyed watching the most. I have never shied away from being a Benoit mark in the past. I pray to god I will not regret loving this man.

I just have to hope that Benoit is the man I’ve always believed he was. A man who would never be capable of murdering his own family, and then killing himself like a coward. I have to pray that this was an accident. Just a horrible, horrible accident. Even the idea of Benoit discovering his family dead and killing himself in his grief would be easier for me to accept.

Still, until I discover the truth, I’m going to continue to pray for Benoit and his family. I encourage you to do the same. Who knows, hopefully this whole thing will be cleared up before this column even gets published. If that is true, I apologize for writing on such speculation, especially if the reports of Benoit killing his wife and son prove untrue.

I wish I had more to say. I’m hesitant to do a full out tribute, given the circumstances. I know that other columnists here at 411 will probably be taking you back through Benoit’s historic career. Larry already has a great tribute up. I implore you to check out those articles.

For those who have sent me feedback last week, I promise I will respond in next week’s column. I feel I have to apologize, this column has been all over the place with little to no structure. I’m sorrry. I’m just a 20 year old man who still feels like a kid, and I’m now trying to even fathom the possibilty that a man who was my hero could commit actions beyond imagination.

I’ll try to return to form next week. Hopefully some peace will be found by then.