Chris Benoit: Hall of Fame Worthy?

[Slyfox696]

he has done so much for the wrestling buisness that he should be rewarded for it.

He has? Like what? What has he done for the wrestling business, aside from crippling it two years ago?

He should be in but he won't. He had a great career but he's been completely ignored because of the double murder-suicide.

Why should he be in? He's "please don't leave us" WCW World Champion, and a "Thank you for all your years in the business" WWE World Champion. He was a regular midcarder, and was used as more of an enhancement talent than he was a major draw.

I like Benoit, and the guy was incredible in the ring. But, he's not famous in any way...well, at least not in any way that counts. His in-ring accomplishments are very ho-hum, and he never had an impact on the business.

I'm still undecided on this issue.

 

[hArdyPUNKmArk]

Based on his abilities he should be in without a doubt but will he be? No fucking chance, the WWE doesn't even recognise him anymore. Nup no way will he be inducted, not unless some dude goes to the police and says he did it and framed Benoit... which never happened. The dude did what he did and because of it unfortunatley his legacy and past has been tarnished and WWE won't want anything to do with it.

 

[Paradox]

I think he should be in. The guy was a great talent. He was one of the greatest technicians that ever step foot in the ring. He could put on any type of match that you wouldn't to see. One of the best to lace them up from a technical stand point. Only second to Angle.

Now with that said, he really only once reached the main event. After he one the royal rumble. So from 04 to roughly mid 05. Though in that time he beat a name of top stars, Triple H, HBK in a triple threat as well as others. As well holding the title from Mania to Summerslam. Though other than that he was a midcard talent. Arguably one of the greatest. Like Sly said he was great at getting other talent over. The guy worked his ass off. Making more and more guys looking good. He knew his job and never complained about it, least not to my knowledge.

Just because he was a midcarder means that he shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame? No it doesn't. I'm tired of people saying because the guy couldn't draw means he shouldn't be in. Or because he wasn't a main eventer so he shouldn't be in. This is a wrestling Hall of Fame, not a who can draw more Hall of Fame. Yes, I know that in wrestling you need to draw, but that shouldn't be the only criteria on which we think that one should be in the Hall of Fame. The guy was much better wrestler than many men that have made it in. In that aspect the man deserves to be in.

Now, do I think what he did was wrong your damn straight I do. Norcal said it an earlier post. He the guy had a mental problem. 80% of his brain was gone. Do I think that makes it right no. Sadly it is the only thing that mainstream media will ever remember. As well as many on here. The fact is while he doesn't get a pass and shouldn't. We still should remember that the guy was seriously messed up.

This is a wrestling Hall a Fame, like I said he should be in there. The least they could do is put him in. Giving him some better image than he has. Least let the man look like he actually did something good.

 

[Jonno]

I can't believe anybody even has to think think about this one, I thought it would be pretty simple......FUCK NO!

The guy is a child murderer. Think about that for one moment. HE MURDERED A FUCKING CHILD!!!! Everything he did in his career is worthless when compared to him taking the life of a child, not to mention the child's mother. So he was great in the ring? So what! He had a mental breakdown? So what! (This should sound familiar) He deserves nothing less than what he did to himself and to be striken from the annals of wrestling history.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

I can't believe anybody even has to think think about this one, I thought it would be pretty simple......FUCK NO!

The guy is a child murderer. Think about that for one moment. HE MURDERED A FUCKING CHILD!!!! Everything he did in his career is worthless when compared to him taking the life of a child, not to mention the child's mother. So he was great in the ring? So what! He had a mental breakdown? So what! (This should sound familiar) He deserves nothing less than what he did to himself and to be striken from the annals of wrestling history.

Sometimes things aren't quite that simple. It's the way of the world.

You do know the hall of fame distinguishes those for their careers and attributions inside the wrestling ring. I'm 50-50 on him being in the Hall of Fame because even though he was a great wrestler and I can never recall him having a bad match, he didn't really impact the business in any way. You could say he is the Rafael Palmeiro of baseball but I'll give him more respect than that. You say he shouldn't be in because of what happened outside the ring even though it may have primarily happened because of what went on inside the ring. So do you think we should take all out those who abused drugs and beat their women and children? If so, the Hall of Fame will get very short very fast because nobody is perfect. When I look at Chris Benoit and watch his matches, it never crosses my mind about what he did outside the ring. I look and appreciate at the work he did inside the squared circle and he was damn good at it.

 

[Milkyway!]

I'm still undecided on this issue.

All I have to look at is the fact that KoKo B Ware are in the WWE Hall Of Fame, and I immediately think any main eventor, who has done a lot for the company, deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Beniot did have two world title reigns. Both easily forgettable, but thats more than KoKo B Ware had. So, if KoKo B Ware got in, why doesn't Chris Beniot deserve in?

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

All I have to look at is the fact that KoKo B Ware are in the WWE Hall Of Fame, and I immediately think any main eventor, who has done a lot for the company, deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Beniot did have two world title reigns. Both easily forgettable, but thats more than KoKo B Ware had. So, if KoKo B Ware got in, why doesn't Chris Beniot deserve in?

I don't know if that type of logic necessarily works. Sometimes who we believe should be in the hall of fame is purely subjective. You shouldn't base one person getting in on another one who has done less for the company. So if Ted DiBiase got into the Hall of Fame, shouldn't Khali be in since he won more world titles?

 

[Proof]

Before Benoit murdered his family, he was obviously going to in the HOF. But after the incident, he doesn't deserve to go in. When you see someone get inducted into the HOF, they talk about the persons life and their family are there. If they inducted Benoit into the HOF, what are they going to say? "Benoit was a good fake fighter for 20 years and although he killed his family, fake fighting will ultimately overshadow the killings". People who think he should be in the Hall of Fame, desperately need to take a break from pro wrasslin. It's fake and putting his "wrestling" career over the incident is absolutely ******ed. Not to mention, Benoit was boring as fuck.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Does it really matter who gets in the Hall of Fame? I mean as fake as it is and lots of legends either refuse to be inducted or even sell their ring like Superstar Billy Graham. I didn't understand at first why Pete Rose or William Perry got inducted. Now I understand because they didn't abuse drugs or kill anyone. Also, they were more media friendly. WWE will never induct Benoit in the Hall of Fame because of the media frenzy it would stir. If anyone, WWE will probably only induct members that are either dead or have a good history with the company.

I would like to see Jake the Snake be inducted but it probably won't happen since the man is an alcoholic. Also being PG, I don't think WWE is going to shine the light on anyone with a storied past such as his. Personally, I don't think Chris Benoit ever would be in the Hall of Fame even if he didn't commit the murders. Maybe if he died of an overdose instead, that's the only way I could see Benoit in the Hall of Fame. The man was a great technical wrestler, that's it. He's not the best wrestler of all time, and shouldn't be held in such high regard.

I've heard stories that he was a good man and good wrestler, but he is still a murderer. I'm not going to bash Benoit. As they say forgive and forget. But there is no reason to build him up into such a great superstar. Even if Hulk Hogan went crazy and killed his family I wouldn't support him. Plus Benoit is nowhere near as known as Hogan. Of course, I couldn't blame Hulk for killing his gold digging wife. Anyways, people shouldn't be celebrated that are serial killers. If Charles Manson was a great wrestler or musician, you wouldn't celebrate his work would you?

 

[Steamboat Ricky]

Before Benoit murdered his family, he was obviously going to in the HOF. But after the incident, he doesn't deserve to go in. When you see someone get inducted into the HOF, they talk about the persons life and their family are there. If they inducted Benoit into the HOF, what are they going to say? "Benoit was a good fake fighter for 20 years and although he killed his family, fake fighting will ultimately overshadow the killings". People who think he should be in the Hall of Fame, desperately need to take a break from pro wrasslin. It's fake and putting his "wrestling" career over the incident is absolutely ******ed. Not to mention, Benoit was boring as fuck.

I cringe at you minimizing what wrestlers do as "fake fighting." I challenge you to tell Foley that it's fake...or Terry Funk. Have you seen the disclaimer on all WWE DVDs? The hazards are real, dude.

And I really don't think that anyone really is saying that what Benoit did was permissible. It surely was not. But Benoit DID have an enormous impact on the industry of professional wrestling. There's a saying in the business, "What Would Benoit Do?" that was frequently used prior to the tragedies. This phrase came about because Benoit was the hardest working guy in the industry, and it was used to motivate young guys working their way up.

It's too big of an image crusher to have someone like Benoit in the Hall...but to say that his "fake fighting" should be discredited because of the tragedies would probably be a slap in the face to those who he inspired.

 

[Proof]

I cringe at you minimizing what wrestlers do as "fake fighting." I challenge you to tell Foley that it's fake...or Terry Funk. Have you seen the disclaimer on all WWE DVDs? The hazards are real, dude.

And I really don't think that anyone really is saying that what Benoit did was permissible. It surely was not. But Benoit DID have an enormous impact on the industry of professional wrestling. There's a saying in the business, "What Would Benoit Do?" that was frequently used prior to the tragedies. This phrase came about because Benoit was the hardest working guy in the industry, and it was used to motivate young guys working their way up.

It's too big of an image crusher to have someone like Benoit in the Hall...but to say that his "fake fighting" should be discredited because of the tragedies would probably be a slap in the face to those who he inspired.

Can you please tell me the big impact Benoit had on this company? If Benoit never existed (he doesn't exist now anyways), the WWE would be exactly the same. He did make an impact and it was a negative one. He didn't make a positive one and sure as hell didn't make them money with those "I am 4 real" t-shirts that no one bought. Benoit is no Rock, Hogan, or Austin. He didn't have an "enormous" impact. Look what he was doing before he killed his family. He was on ECW, getting ready to win the same title the SANDMAN competed for in the new ECW. He received a token world title reign because Vince felt sorry for him and wanted to award him. He wasn't even the main focus on Raw when he was the World Champ. Even Vince didn't have faith in him. Only God knows who enjoyed his crappy reign too. They wouldn't treat someone who had such an "enormous" impact on the business like that. You think they would have The Rock defend his World Title against EUGENE, almost lose, have Evolution interfere to help the champ retain, and look weak at the same time? No. Benoit didn't impact the company at all in a positive way. I remember Benoit for the killings, jobbing to the Miz, and losing to Sandman and Kane in a popularity contest. Wrestling is fake. Killing his family is real. Realty is realty.

 

[Steamboat Ricky]

Can you please tell me the big impact Benoit had on this company? If Benoit never existed (he doesn't exist now anyways), the WWE would be exactly the same. He did make an impact and it was a negative one. He didn't make a positive one and sure as hell didn't make them money with those "I am 4 real" t-shirts that no one bought. Benoit is no Rock, Hogan, or Austin. He didn't have an "enormous" impact. Look what he was doing before he killed his family. He was on ECW, getting ready to win the same title the SANDMAN competed for in the new ECW. He received a token world title reign because Vince felt sorry for him and wanted to award him. He wasn't even the main focus on Raw when he was the World Champ. Even Vince didn't have faith in him. Only God knows who enjoyed his crappy reign too. They wouldn't treat someone who had such an "enormous" impact on the business like that. You think they would have The Rock defend his World Title against EUGENE, almost lose, have Evolution interfere to help the champ retain, and look weak at the same time? No. Benoit didn't impact the company at all in a positive way. I remember Benoit for the killings, jobbing to the Miz, and losing to Sandman and Kane in a popularity contest. Wrestling is fake. Killing his family is real. Realty is realty.

What impact did Terry Funk have on WWE? None. What impact did...Cowboy Bill Watts have on WWE? None.

The WWE Hall of Fame, since Vince bought out the territories, has become a mainstream Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. So, you have to look at Benoit's complete body of work...which is substantial. And if you can't look at his WWE career and be impressed...well, then I'd say that you are letting the man that Chris Benoit apparently was for a few days cloud your entire opinion of a man who was generally good for many years and entertained people across the world.

Yeah, that belt that Benoit was getting ready to win was also the belt that Punk held for quite awhile...oh, and Kane. And The Big Show. And Bobby Lashley. And Christian. Pretty solid holders, I'd say.

Benoit impacted the company and THE INDUSTRY (which I repeatedly said...never did I single out his impact on WWE) very positively. Ask those who are in it and they will echo that sentiment.

Benoit is charged for killing his family. That doesn't erase his career, bro.

 

[klunderbunker]

Is he worthy? Yes. Will he get in? No.

Benoit was one of the finest technical wrestlers I've ever seen and while he's officially a two time world champion, I refer to it as a single reign as the WCW belt was just freaking stupid and it lasted what, a few hours? Anyway, Benoit has a great midcard resume and a legit world title reign to go with that. If you couple that with just how awesome he was in the ring, I don't see how you could say he's not worthy.

As for the white elephant in this situation, I put no stock in it as it pertains to him being in the Hall of Fame. When you talk about a member of the Hall of Fame, you mention that he's a Hall of Fame wrestler, not a Hall of Fame person. If you look at most members of the Hall of Fame, you can find all kinds of reasons they're not perfect. Now of course Benoit goes miles and miles further, but his deeds out of the wrestling business should have no bearing on him being in the Hall of Fame. Based on his in ring work and accomplishments, he certainly belong in.

 

[Proof]

What impact did Terry Funk have on WWE? None. What impact did...Cowboy Bill Watts have on WWE? None.

The WWE Hall of Fame, since Vince bought out the territories, has become a mainstream Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. So, you have to look at Benoit's complete body of work...which is substantial. And if you can't look at his WWE career and be impressed...well, then I'd say that you are letting the man that Chris Benoit apparently was for a few days cloud your entire opinion of a man who was generally good for many years and entertained people across the world.

Yeah, that belt that Benoit was getting ready to win was also the belt that Punk held for quite awhile...oh, and Kane. And The Big Show. And Bobby Lashley. And Christian. Pretty solid holders, I'd say.

Benoit impacted the company and THE INDUSTRY (which I repeatedly said...never did I single out his impact on WWE) very positively. Ask those who are in it and they will echo that sentiment.

Benoit is charged for killing his family. That doesn't erase his career, bro.

Listen, you never gave me a reason as to why Benoit had such a big impact on this company. I wasn't talking about Funk or Watts. The WWE Hall of Fame is a joke, but I wasn't talking about them. I was talking about Benoit, who didn't impact the business in any way, shape, or form. He only had a negative impact and that's it. Benoit was a solid mid carder and a good jobber. You can't tell me, with a straight face, that Benoit had such a big impact on wrestling. Like I said before, without Benoit, the WWE would be the same (even better, his horrible reign and one of the WWE's jobbers killing his family, steroids, ect... would have never happened). What a big impact he had...Was going to win the ECW title on a show that Vince didn't even give a shit... On a show that Vince only brought back to make fun of. I would bet my house that he was never going to be world champion again. I have no idea why people say Benoit had a big impact on the industry. He was a jobber/mid carder for most of his career, got a token world title reign out of sympathy, and killed his family, doing more harm than good to the industry.. Big impact alright.


He was never a saint. His wife ordered a restraining order in 2003. She also said that if anything happened to her, it was Benoit. She was scared. So plllllllease don't say that he was a good man until he murdered his family. I always forget he existed until I see a thread with his name.

 

[King Patrick Star]

I’m going to break it down like this. I don’t care if Pete Rose allegedly gambled during his MLB career, I don’t care if Michael Jackson allegedly molested those kids, I don’t care if Michael Vick allegedly hurt those dogs, I don’t care if Chris Benoit allegedly killed his family. I’m not friends with these people and I will never know them personally. However, when the curtains are up and the lights are on, I’m a fan of these people. I’m a fan of what they do for a buck, not what they do on their breaks and days off and vacations. Pete Rose will always be one of the Phillies to me, Michael Jackson will always be one of the greatest musical performers to me, Michael Vick is an Eagle right now, and Chris Benoit will always be one of the greatest technical Wrestlers ever. What they do on their own time, off camera, is not what made me a fan.

Chris Benoit should be in the Hall of Fame someday along with the Macho Man, the Road Warriors, the Ultimate Warrior, Bruno, and so many, many, others.

 

[HBKscm]

the answer is and easy yes. we are voting on waht he did as a wrestler not what happened in the final days of his life, and as a lot of people have said it was a mental illness not that he just woke up and consciously decided to kill his wife and son and then himself. that being said i don't think that there was anyone who strived harder to be the best damn technical wrestler of his time. He also has a list of accomplishments that reads like a book:

2 time wcw u.s. champ
3 time wcw t.v. champ
2 wcw tag team champ
1 time wcw world heavyweight champ
1 time wwe tag team champ
3 time wwe world tag team champ
3 time wwe U.S. champ
4 time wwe I.C. champ
1 time wwe heavyweight champ
royal rumble 2004 winner
was only the 12th person to ever win a triple crown

i think that should pretty much speak for itself.

 

[bigp523]

If you look at this from WWE's perspective, then it is a really hard desicion. On one hand you have perhaps the best technical wrestler of all time, or certainly one of the best. He one a multitude of championships, had great match after great match, and was one of the first guys wihout an outlandish gimmick who I really noticed. He came up in the same era as the NWO, the Rock, Stone Cold, and he still managed to stand out. He made an impact in ECW, WCW, and WWE.

On the other hand, if he is put in, it looks as if WWE is advocating steroid use. He literally snapped bescause of drug abuse. From WWE's point of view, this is a lose lose situation. You could either put one of the best ever in because of his pure ability, or you could keep hjim out because of his personal life.

In my opinion, he has the credentials, but I would keep him out. He is a murderer, and he should not be treated like a hero. He murdered his innocent wife and son, and does not deserve a ceremony. yes he is one of the best ever in my opinion, but he knew exactly whagt he was doing, and he chose to use steroids. Anyone who does that should not ne treated like a hero.

 

[LitaTaker]

If it was based solely on wrestling, without doubt he should be in it. He was amazing in the ring to watch, he was a great technical wrestler with some great submissions. But once you bring in his last few moments of life, the WWE should not induct a murderer, his career will be tainted because of it now. WWE has even gone so far as to completely take him off their site basically by deactivating the links of him in the Title Histories section.

 

[666_The_Game_666]

Yes beniot should be in but WWE wont due to the nature of his death and the murder of his family. Beniot was one of the most talented guys in the WWE and WCW. Along with Angle probley the only true wrestler in the WWE and possibly one of the best technical wrestler ever

 

[The Pizzaman]

i agree that benoit was a really good all round wrestler that put his heart and soul into all his matches but i cant distance myself from what happened to his family. that has to come into the decision as to whether he should be inducted into the hall of fame. i personally would want him to be entered on his wrestling ability only but it was because of his profession that changed him and was part to blame for his actions. would it be a kick in the teeth for him as a murderer to be put with the true hall of famers?

 

[byrnside]

God, I hate to relive these events, and being such a huge wrestling fan constantly forces me to do just that. I loved Chris Benoit. He was one of my top 3 favorite wrestlers when he died, and still is to this day. Christ, he was the main reason I ever wanted to become a professional wrestler. And I'm pretty sure, that dream died with him. The tragedy that his family suffered at his hands was awful. That being said, he was one of the greatest technical wrestlers to ever set foot in the ring. There was nothing left for him to accomplish as a WWE star, that being said he absolutely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. If that's what you're asking then, yes, he deserves to be in it. But, if you're asking "will he be in it?" Then my answer is absolutely not. As someone already said, the backlash the WWE would incur would be much too great, and not worth it, unfortunately. What Chris did to his family destroyed his legacy, and rightfully so. But I'll always remember what he gave to the business I love. As a wrestling fan, I miss Chris Benoit to this day and I know the WWE would be a much better place with him. But what he did.... was just so unforgivable.

 

[RicSpade]

Was what Benoit did wrong? Absolutely! Was Benoit a cornerstone in the foundation of wrestling history? Of course he had such a historic rivalry with Kevin Sullivan in WCW, he had great success in the WWE, now should Benoit be worthy of the WWE hall of fame? I am going to say yes at some point they will have to let him in, and here is why...

Eddie Guerrero-had a drug problem in the past, but overcame it and now is in the hall of fame.
The Von Erichs - how many Von Erichs had committed suicide and the entire family is in the hall of fame.

Bret Hart - His brother died because of carelessness and neglect, and he resented the WWE for the montreal screwjob and yet he elected to take part in the hall of fame.

Jesse Ventura - Is on a righteous mission to have the WWE monitored for all the steroid related deaths and seems to have a vendetta now towards Vince Mcmahon, but the WWE doesn't write Jesse Ventura out of the hall of fame.

Curt Henning - Died of drug addiction and is apart of the hall of fame.

The point is all of these guys either had a problem, or caused negative press for the WWE and in return the WWE never denied these guys what they accomplished in their tenure as a superstar, and therefore because of one tragedy you can't simply write out Benoit and I would expect him in the HoF by 2020.

 

[byrnside]

Was what Benoit did wrong? Absolutely! Was Benoit a cornerstone in the foundation of wrestling history? Of course he had such a historic rivalry with Kevin Sullivan in WCW, he had great success in the WWE, now should Benoit be worthy of the WWE hall of fame? I am going to say yes at some point they will have to let him in, and here is why...

Eddie Guerrero-had a drug problem in the past, but overcame it and now is in the hall of fame.
The Von Erichs - how many Von Erichs had committed suicide and the entire family is in the hall of fame.

Bret Hart - His brother died because of carelessness and neglect, and he resented the WWE for the montreal screwjob and yet he elected to take part in the hall of fame.

Jesse Ventura - Is on a righteous mission to have the WWE monitored for all the steroid related deaths and seems to have a vendetta now towards Vince Mcmahon, but the WWE doesn't write Jesse Ventura out of the hall of fame.

Curt Henning - Died of drug addiction and is apart of the hall of fame.

The point is all of these guys either had a problem, or caused negative press for the WWE and in return the WWE never denied these guys what they accomplished in their tenure as a superstar, and therefore because of one tragedy you can't simply write out Benoit and I would expect him in the HoF by 2020.

Dude, there is a HUGE difference between having a coke addiction, and strangling a small child and his mother, who are your son and wife respectivey. Chris Benoit, as much as I hate to admit it, was a murderer.
I hate to admit it, but it's fact. A fact that has cast a dark cloud over the wrestling industry for the last 2 years because of it. Simply put, those are not good reasons to justify Chris Benoit's induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

 

[FriedEggSandwich]

It's so easy to be biased here being a Wrestling Fanh, especially if you've been watching for over 20 years like me. I remember Owen/Pillman/Eddie and Benoit being the worst moments as being a Fan especially Benoit. Still to this day for whatever reason I will watch a youtube video of Benoit and just say Why? Why the hell did you do that shit man? And it's hard to at least not be watery eyed. Nobody...will ever know why and it pisses me off on a personal level because we'll never get those answers although I think it was pure evil in him and not Benoit who actually did it. When I thought of Chris Benoit I thought of Respect and a Great Superior Pure Wrestler. Im at grips with what happened now but it still hurts and always will. Part of me as a Wrestling Fan died when it sunk in and it all come out what happened, but life goes on. I simply will not view him as a Murderer but rather someone who inside the head lost it for some reason. Benoit is 1 of the 5 greatest Wrestlers Ever! I defy you to prove me wrong! The sum of a bitch was literally tough as nails and proved you dont gotta be 6 foot or taller to be a Great Wrestler and make it in the business. So yeah I vote YAY on Benoit for the Hall of Fame.

 

[Nature Boy]

In terms of just Wrestling then no question!

Benoit will forever remain one of the very best of all time.

His promos absolutely sucked, but in terms of in-ring ability very few were as good as Benoit.

But in committing the act of murder he has forever sullied his name, and inducting him into any hall of fame would bring about a wave of bad publicity that would do Wrestling no good at all.

Wrestling is seen as a joke in the real world as it is, and inducting Benoit would be seen in the media as nothing more than praising a Murderer.