Who is the Greatest Tragedy in the History of Professional Wrestling?

[Chill]

Unfortunately there has been too many tragedies in wrestling, but for me the most impacful was Owen Hart's death on 23rd May 1999 at the Over the Edge PPV. I remember watching the PPV live and I never forget the sickly, numb feeling I had when the whole thing went down. It was the first time that I was ever truly stunned with something I'd witnessed on a wrestling show and it was one of those times that you just wished you were experiencing a wrestling storyline, but as JR kept informing us, Owen's death was no story.

What makes this so tragic for me is the fact that a perfectly healthy young man with an young family died because of such a stupid thing, it was like one minute he was getting ready to entertain us and the next minute he was dead, all because of an accident which shouldn't have happened. Add to that the fact that Owen was planning on leaving wrestling just a few years later in order to spend time with his family and you have one huge tragedy on your hands.

It's easy to speak highly of someone after they have died, especially when they went in such a tagic way as Owen Hart, but I believe that he was a great talent who had so much more to give, but more importantly he was reportedly a 'great' person and a real family man and that's what angers me the most about his premature death, the fact that his kids have had to grow up without a dad and his wife without her husband....

 

[Splinter48708]

Here's my take...

First, it's Owen Hart. Plain and simple. He was a young athlete who had made his mark on the sport, loved his family, and was about to hang up the tights for goos and settle down into a non-wrestling life when one fateful night, he fell to his death, leaving many in tears. I still get choked up thinking about it. I am impressed with the Hitman. He could have been bitter and told Vince McMahon to go to hell and never contact him again because Owen died while in his Blue Blazer gimmick. But, instead of harboring a lifelong hatred of all things WWF/WWE, Bret honors Owen's memory instead.


Then, of course, we have Benoit. An excellent wrestler who, in the space of 24 hours killed his wife, son, and finally himself. But, I do not want to remember Chris Benoit as a murderer. I want to remember him as a family man who loved his wife and son. I want to remember him as one of the best in what he did. Yes, reality sucks in this case because of the reality here. We can condemn him for his final actions and his ultimate betrayals to his family and his fans. But, can we forgive him for it?

There's also Miss Elizabeth. This is, at least IMHO, as big of a tragedy as any other one. She had it all as well. Married to Randy Savage in real life and eventually kayfabe. But, the rigors of the road destroyed the marriage. She hooks up with Lex Lugar and discovers that he was a woman beater. Instead of doing the right thing and moving on and moving out, she sticks with him. Then, one fateful night, she takes a cocktail of drugs and chases them with some wine...a fatal combo as it turned out. For a long time after that, in my eyes, Lex was a murderer. If he had not given her a black eye and a splitting headache, she would never have taken those medications and alcohol. She'd still be alive today and growing old gracefully and with her beauty intact.

All the above made an impression in pro wrestling and all had a tragic end of life. One by sheer accident, one intentional suicide and one accidental OD leading to death.

 

[schaeffershawn]

I would have to say the biggest tragedy is a series of them. The deaths of Von Erichs made national headlines. For one by one those men died. Their deaths destroyed a family, and were the first real story of the toll of being a pro wrestler, the shame is too few have leanred the leason that their deaths should have taught us. Just think if anyone had learned the leason. Hawk might be here, Rude might be here, Henning might be here, Albright might be here, Spicolli might be here, Benoit might be here, Gilbert might be here, Gurrero might be here. The greatest targedy is people learned nothing from the deaths of the Von Erichs. But then again peopel still have not, I am looking at you Jeff hardy, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman, Carlito and so many others. Until these men realise it could happen to them too, it will keep happening year after year after year.

 

[Cookie14]

I'm not suprised that so many people have said they think it's the Benoit family. However, it does suprise me that it took until the third page for someone to mention the Von Erich family.

Jack died aged 7, drowning after being electrocuted.
David died at 25, from an apparant drug overdose, although the death certificate has never been seen outside of the family.
Kerry commited suicide aged 33, 7 years after almost being killed in a motorcycle accident.
Mike also commited suicide aged 23, after an injury ended his wrestilng career.
Chris, again, committed suicide due to not being to succeed in the wrestling business, and not being able to cope with the death of his brothers.

Surely, someone, somewhere, could have done something to prevent this. This isn't just the loss of one life, these were all children of Fritz von Erich, who himself died of lung and brain cancer aged 68.

He outlived all of his children except Kevin (who is still alive, though no longer involved in wrestling)

Any death, whether in wrestling or not is always tragic. This family has been struck by so many tragidies over the years that there can be no comparison.

 

[AttitudeAJM]

I would say the biggest tragedy (in my mind) in pro wrestling was the death of Mitsuharu Misawa. If you've never seen a Misawa match, please look up his stuff from All Japan Pro Wrestling in the 90's. He along with Kenta Kobashi were probably the greatest wrestlers of all time. Misawa died in June of 2009 taking what looked to be a normal backdrop suplex. He landed and apparently broke his neck. He rarely ever took breaks from wrestling and his body was tremendously damaged from decades of punishment. He is well known for starting Pro Wrestling NOAH, giving a home to Jr. wrestlers that contantly visit Ring of Honor.

I found it really sad that he wasn't able to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Instead he literally gave his life to professional wrestling.

 

[MaverickAZ]

I have to say, Owen Hart

you can pretty much automatically take off almost every single one of those names on that list, IMO

...because IMO, its not a true tragedy if the person brought it upon himself by drugs, abusing steroids, etc

In the case of owen Hart, here was a guy that was every bit as good as his older brother was, just as good on the mic as well, was just entering his prime and could have easily main evented for a few years, and it all comes crashing halt because of some silly rehashed Blue Blazer gimmick that goes terriblly wrong

Thats a tragedy, my picks is the king of hearts, Owen Hart

 

[gd]

I think this has to be Owen Hart here. While many of the others mentioned had issues while drug abuse and the like, I don't believe Owen had any such problems. He was just another wrestler looking to make his rise in the company. And than he dies because of something that involved the wrestling show itself, during the wrestling show. Do I even need to explain how awful that is? He's just getting ready to go out there for a match in a few minutes after a cool entrance, but the proper saftey precautions were't taken and he died. Unimagineable.

The Benoit thing was certainly a huge deal, I'm not disputing that, but I think that just like Eddie, since it happened so recently people tend to go there first. But if Kofi Kingston would've died while coming down fro mthe rafters at Over the Limit on Sunday, it would've been a HUGE deal. I'm sure many would still be in shock today.

 

[Max Moon]

I'd have to say, Chris Benoit, here is a guy who's said and done it all that there was to do in pro wrestling, a great family, admired by fans,friends,family, respected by his fellow superstars, and is was all taken away from; his family,his career, his livelyhood, and his life, all because of steriods, experts like to call it "Roid Rage", I think that's bullshit, this happened only a few years ago, yet it is still talked about, brought up, criticized, hated on, and what has that given us, self-respect,dignity, admiration, how about none of the above, people always like to hate on people who make mistakes, yet they don't like it when people point out their own mistakes, so they keep bringing up painful and negative memories just to have somthing to talk about, people need to let go of the past, but forget it, for thos who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it

Come on. Seriously?! I see that you're young, but you can't be that naive! A mistake?! The guy KILLED his SON and his WIFE. Listen, I grew up watching this guy, and after all of his accomplishments and accolades, he's still a murderer.

Also, if we're talking about a tragedy, I'm personally ruling out anyone who basically helped themselves along the path to an early death. I know that the wrestling business is hard on mind, body and all around well being; but there are plenty of wrestlers who made it to the peak without drugs and painkillers. without cheating on their wives and, well, killing their family.

So my pick would have to be Owen. Dude did nothing wrong. He continued his family's legacy, did very well by his family name. Had a healthy family life and was respected by all. He died for a shitty, shitty reason. All the more reason to chant fire Russo.

 

[SickJames]

Okay because the question said WHO we must give a name and no offense to the rest of you, but I dont think you can list ANY person other than Chris Beniot because doing that would be ridiculous when the others just died. No offense to their deaths, they were tragic and effected the industry and I'm not trying to be disrespectful.

I just think if we list other stars it's a Who's death hit you the hardest type of thing. If you really wanna talk about who was the biggest tragedy I think Beniot who not only killed himself but his wife and kid and no other death can top that (and no not in that way, but I'm talking the level of tragedy)

Not only do ppl despise Beniot (I dont because I dont think he was in his right mind, I just dont like the act he performed), they sympathize with all family involved and for his wife and son AND look at how much negative publicity it gave to WWE but pro-wrestling overall really when you think about it

So THIS above all else proves that Beniot is the biggest tragedy in the history of pro-wrestling. It just doesnt get more tragic than that

So again please re-evaluate the question because I feel that ppl are turning this into a "Who's death hit you the hardest" thread, but this should be the death that not only effected the fans, but pro-wrestling and Beniot's did in ways that no one else's did not to mention THREE DEATHS, even if you dont like Beniot there are still two deaths you feel sorry for. It's a no contest on who it is.

 

[Midnite Express 2009]

My inital reaction was going to be the Von Eric Family as a whole but after reading about 1/3 of the replies on here, I will say Owen. The reason why I pick Owen is because most of the guys fall into two catagories. Either they were super heavyweights (ie. Yokozuna and Andre to name a short few) or the vast majority were substance abusers. Only Brody & Owendied without it being linked to him that they ever used. But like so many, Owen's death struck a cord. It wasn't supposed to happen like that. Wrestlers don't die in the ring (or coming to the ring), they die in some hotel room after life catches up to them. To truly appreciate Owen, you have to view his death as something that really changed the way the WWF/E operated afterward.

Owen was so talented that it was overlooked. Owen's death was tragic in the sense that no one saw it coming, as death is usually such, but really, no one saw it coming. He had JUST had an interview and then...He was gone from us forever. I don't wanna say no one else deserves a tragic label, but Owen, wow man. That was just so sad.

 

[Syborgg]

Well, one of the greatest tragedies is most of the deaths in pro wrestling are due to self-infliction. Through addictions to alcohol, street drugs or prescription meds, a large percentage of the tragedies listed were due to a choice made to start using some sort of substance. While still shocking and very saddening to everyone involved, in retrospect we can't really be surprised by the way their lives ended.

Owen Hart is the exception, he had no known addictions, was a devoted family man and an all around GREAT guy. This is something that just happened out of nowhere. No one saw it coming which to me makes it the most tragic story of all.

On a brighter note I've read somewhere that Bret has said that the wrestlers of today are way better behaved. They still party like all young people, but whether it's the wellness policy or just the younger generation learning from the mistakes of the previous one, either way things do seem better.

 

[Rated R SuperFan]

There are so many tragic stories in pro wrestling , Eddie Guererro , British Bulldog , Owen Hart , Brian Pillman , Curt Hennig , and I know alot of fans will say the Chris Benoit double murder / suicide was the biggest tragic event in wrestling . I picked this series of events not because it happened the weekend of a major PPV (The Bash) not because it was a Double Murder / Suicide I picked it because the birth of my daughter happened early that Saturday morning after Benoit murdered his wife Nancy prior to murdering his son Daniel after arriving home from the hospital with my daughter and my wife I came online to wrestlezone to read that Chris Benoit would not be appearing at The Bash due to Family Illness I was a Huge Benoit fan so I was upset that he wouldn't be at the PPV . I watched the show and the next day I went to wrestlezone for more news I love Wrestlezone and they had posted an update Chris Bnoit , his wife Nancy and their son Daniel were all found dead in thre Georgia Home . I was crushed The wrestling world lost a great worker . WWE did a tribute show to honr Chris Benoit then with in hours of that show airing News broke that Benoit Murdered his wife and Child and then committed suicide . WWE does a 180 degre turn and Vince McMahon makes the announcement that Chris Benoit will no longer be mentioned on WWE programming again . See I know some hardcore fans will always rememner that weekend and maybe over time will forgt but I will always have the reminder of my daughters birthday to remind me of the horrible acts of Chris Benoit so to me this was the most tragic story in wrestling history .

I respect Chris Benoits career for what he did i the ring for 20 years however MOST (if not all) wrestling fans will remember CHris Benoit for what he did with the last 3 days of his life . You will never see Chris Benoit in the WWE Hall Of Fame He is in the Pro Wrestling Observer Hall Of Fame but after the events of that weekend nearly 3 years ago They have given thought to removing him from the hall of fame . I feel he should stay in the hall of fame due to what he did in wrestling not what he did in life ?? Are they two seperate issues or are they one in the same ? The NFL didn't remove OJ Simpson from the hall of fame did they ?? Thoughts on this are welcome

I would like to aoligize for taking up som much time this is an issue I am very passionate about THANK YOU ALL FOR READING THIS AND TO THE WRESTLEZONE STAFF KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK !!!

 

[wushady]

There's so many tragic and sad deaths in wrestling the Von Ehrichs losing all but one son is horrific. As well as Benoit killing his family. To me the worst thing had to be Owen Hart. A lot of the wrestlers deaths involved drug use of some kind. Owen was a devoted family man that as far as I know never had a drug problem. He was a great wrestler, and I'm sure he would of been a world champion before long. He died tragically in front of thousands of people right before he and his family were about to move into their dream home. That's just sad as hell.

Eddie Guerrero has to be a close second. He was a heavy drug user that turned his life around. Got his family back and reached the top of wrestling just to have it cut short at 38 years old.

 

[darkrain888]

Owen Hart is certainly a tragedy that comes to mind. As well as
Benoit. Another tragedy is what wwe has become for allowing such a tragedy as that son of a bitch wigger cena to be the top guy. He has nothing on true greats like Benoit or Owen. I wish I could snap my fingers and trade Benoit and Owen for that ********er cena. R.I.P. Owen and Benoit. Rot in hell cena u fuckface.

 

[bigbootydaddyV]

wow... great topic that is making for some very interesting comments from people... this is actually a tough one to choose, only because doing so makes me feel as if i'm taking away from the other tragedies... but if forced to choose.. i'd first have to narrow it two first... brian pillman and owen... both are just heartbreaking stories. Brian's car accident cut short what could have been one of the BIGGEST careers in the sport, up there with austin and rock, someone who could have taken the business to a higher level... the loose cannon persona had so much potential it was a shame that the accident cut him off from making his career jump and led to an addiction that took his life. Ultimately though, I'd say Owen was the biggest tragedy. He was trapped in a contract after his brother's departure, he was all alone there yet still managed to be one of the locker room faves. His main goal was to use wrestling as a means to an end, that being taking care of his family. To die doing something that was in many ways thrust on him is very sad and why I think Owen's death is the most tragic of them all. Not to mention he died in the ring doing a stupid stunt that was unnecessary, such a waste.

 

[wrestling fan 666]

My top 3 are:

The Von Erichs: mainly because they had the world at their feet and their own demons did them in. Come on, out of 6 brothers, only one left...that's horrific for any family to go through. Bad enough one, but 5. I can only imagine how Kevin deals with this daily.

Owen Hart: Like many of you have already mentioned, his falling (which had nothing to do with wrestling; but wrestling entertainment) was a waste of a true talent. I still feel the WWE didn't do enough to help compensate for this tragedy.

The Benoit murders: Only in horror stories can something like this occur. The way this all played out was a media frenzy and the fact that NO ONE saw this coming. You can knock Chris for being the murderer he was; but that doesn't bring back his wife and child.

A close 4th would've been the Bruiser Brody murder and how the murderer not only got away with it, he still works for the company. It's appalling how that whole thing was handled and it was another waste of talent.

 

[mvalley]

It's hard to really measure how "big" one tragedy is against another. They are all tragedies and reducing or adding to the scope of it isn't a thing to do.

The Benoit saga comes to mind quickly given how much people looked up to him and enjoyed his wrestling ability. His actions have forever ruined what were great memories and great matches to look back on. The fact that he took his own life as well as his wife's and child's is just horrifying. And the impact was so great that it was one of the few times when I heard radio broadcasts with doctors and so forth ready to discuss what happened. It not only shocked the wrestling world but outside of it as well.

Eddie Guerrero death was also tragic. He had beaten his addiction and was given a second chance in life. I will never forget logging into Yahoo one day and seeing "Pro wrestler Guerrero passes away" or something like that. My solace in this all was he was able to turn his life around, find faith, and finish the story of his life on a fairly high note.

Owen Hart's death was rough. The way he died, the fact he was planning to retire in fiv years to be with his wife and kids, and the fact that the Hart family were at each others' throats for years after Owen's death, was very sad. The fact that "Over the limit" closely resembles the title "Over the Edge" and also fell on the anniversary of Owen's death was a bit hard to digest. However, seeing Bret on Raw the night afterwards become the GM makes me feel it's his (Bret's) way of saying it's time to move on.

Brian Pillman's death was the first wrestling death I had experienced. It was surreal and was the first time I was reminded that those you see on T.V. ARE human beings. As I learned more about Brian's life, I felt it was tragic how a guy with so much talent was crippled after his accident yet tried so hard to continue to the point that his body gave out.

The Bulldog's death was also sad. This was a guy who I had seen for almost a decade. Then suddenly you find out he's gone. Bulldog was gifted and it's sad to see his career didn't take that final, top step.

Dynamite kid is equally tragic. He has had so much talent, and was an innovator in pro wrestling. Yet, now he is reduced to a wheel chair. Perhaps equally sad is time, and pro wrestling fans have forgotten much of the Dynamite kid, and what his mind for wrestling could offer today's era of wrestlers.

Given all of these (and many more) sad stories, there IS one story I am happy didn't end in tragedy. that has to be Shawn Michaels. Supposedly ten years ago he was heading in a bad direction. I feel had he continued on that supposed road, he would be another tragedy we'd be speaking of now.

Instead, I am happy to see that Shawn found his faith, healed, came back for the second part of his career, and was able to go out the way he wanted. I'm also happy to see he was able to tie up loose ends like Montreal which no doubt weighed heavily over him. Finally, I'm happy that fifteen or twenty years later, he'll still be around.

 

[mister_b1LL]

Owen Hart's death was really bad for me. The fact that Owen was a family man who nobody ever really talked negatively about him or what he did in his life and then he goes and dies while doing the thing he loves most in his life which was wrestling. People usually get very emotional when a civilian dies in the middle of a warzone or innocent bystanders die just being near a riot they're not even part of. When Owen died, he was the innocent bystander who just didn't have a lucky night.

Eddie Guerrero's death really impacted me personally. I grew up idolizing Eddie. I always stopped to watch an Eddie Guerrero match. It was so great to hear that Eddie overcame his demons and got a second chance at life. Unfortunately it ended so prematurely. It was and still is the only wrestling death I ever did cry over.

In terms of the Wrestling business, Chris Benoit's murder/suicide is really bad. Since finding out about the whole drugs issue and the problems in Benoit's brain, the news media has really blown this up into even more of a major issue than it already is. Now when people think of pro wrestling, often Benoit's death is the first thing that comes to mind.

I loved mvalley's words about Shawn Michaels overcoming obstacles. I'm also glad he decided to change. He was one of my favorite wrestlers and still is, but he never even ranked on my list of favorites until I found out he had changed his ways. I'm happy for Shawn.

 

[CuddleBuns84]

The greatest tragedy of professional wrestling, was none other then Owen Hart. Falling from the 50 feet into the ring was no way to go out. Good family man, loved by the locker room, and was just a great performer.

In my opinion, you have to be careful with the word tragedy. Tragedy is something that can't be avoided, or it's great plan that is committed by the wrong people. A tragic death is a car accident that takes the life away from a young 19 year old. A tragic death is someone who gets cancer, and can't watch their kids grow up. Someone who gets hooked on drugs, and doesn't do anything to change it is looking for it.

It is always sad when someone dies too young, but when they die from reasons they can avoid, they you have to question things. One of my father's friends was vet, but he couldn't stop drinking a bottle of vodka and suck down a pack of cigarettes a day while slamming pills wasn't a smart move.

Sorry for the extra commentary, but yes, Owen Hart was a sad moment. A lot tears in the crowd and from the employees. A family was hurt, and a good man was gone.

 

[chiefcannon]

man drugs are not ALL of these deaths are tragic, but personally at first glance of tha post, ida said Pillman or 4sure Benoit. Givin sum time ta think it over I have to say Owen.I also rank tha Von Erich's and C.C. high up there. I chose owen because I was watching that ppv and as bad as it hurt to hear them say Pillman died; it was way worse to hear tha air get succed outta that arena. I feel for every fan that had to witness that;especially tha kids. Can you imagine the nightmares? I still have tha RAW TRIBUTE on VHS & every now N again I watch it.Only to notice another fallen warrior; that it self is a tragedy. No matter how these men and women die its sad because their human beings tryna entertain us. I jus have to say Owen because he fell to his death in front of thousands of people. Not to mention on a PPV that continued; i mean tha mans poor family was watchin his children were probably watching. HOW MUCH MORE TRAGIC CAN YA GET? God forbid nothing that what happen to Owen will ever transpire again!

 

[CaptainZaltan]

It's a tough pick for me between Owen and Benoit.

Personally, no wrestler death has affected me as much as Chris Benoit's. I always admired Chris as a stand-up guy and a true master of his craft. In his career, he gave us some of wrestling's greatest moments. Who will ever forget Benoit and Eddie celebrating together at the conclusion of WM 20? For me, that was the greatest moment in wrestling history. Two guys who worked their asses off all around the world against all manner of adversity finally reaching the pinnacle of their profession through hard work and perseverance.

Which makes his end all the more tragic. Chris's actions not only stole that WM moment from fans worldwide, but from Eddie Guerrero's legacy as well. And how many other wrestlers had the best matches of their careers, or looked up to, a man they now must identify as a murderer? The manner of his death not only took Chris from us, but also perverted and tarnished everything he had ever accomplished and worked for. In one weekend, Chris destroyed a lifetime worth of accomplishments, and forever tarnished the industry he loved. And that's not even taking into consideration what he did to his family. Other than the obvious deaths of his wife and son, imagine how his parents and siblings must feel. How can they even look back on his life fondly, how can they move on, when they are forever forced to look at their loved one as a murderer, and will never understand 'why'? That's truly tragic.

However, all that being said, I would still have to go with Owen Hart, and here's why: While I don't believe that Chris was in his right mind that terrible weekend, he is still responsible for the chain of events that led to his brain damage in the first place. I would place his culpability on par with that of a drunk driver or a person who murders under the influence of drugs. The real Chris Benoit (not brain damaged) may not have set out to be a murderer, but through his reckless actions (steroid abuse, taking unprotected head shots, etc) he created the circumstance that made him one. Owen, on the other hand, was an innocent victim. Like Benoit, Owen was a performer of tremendous talent and potential, a dedicated family man whose death nearly destroyed his family, and a man whose death forever tarnished the wrestling industry. But unlike Benoit, by all accounts Owen did nothing in his life which warranted or contributed to the manner of his death, other than being a man of principle who entered the family business. And he died for the sake of a dumb joke concocted by a petty buffoon.

 

[Radical Canadian Goose]

Great thread,

Personally I was saddened with hearing of the losses of 80s icons like Mr.Perfect, Rick Rude, Bam Bam Bigelow, Big Boss Man , Kerry Von Erich and Mrs. Elizabeth. Bam Bam really saddened me, but that is because he passed away on the same day as my father. Then, there are wrestlers who I thought that passed away way way to soon like Louie Spiccoli, Brian Pillman , Mike Awesome, Crash Holly, Test, Umaga and Eddie Guerrero. Bruiser Brodys story saddens me because of the circumstances, Unfortunately I didn't really know much about Brody so it really never affected me. There were however 3 deaths that I thought were huge and they were, Chris Kanyon, Owen Hart and Chris Benoit.

I know, Kanyon is probably puzzling, but I was intrigued by Mortis and then the "Whos better than Kanyon" tagline I loved...but what depresses me is that as far as I know is that he was the first openly gay wrestler... But after he came out he really didn't get much work...kind of sad...the guy had mad talent... And now look what Orlando Jordan is doing... Chris Kanyon...RIP

Being a Canadian, I instantly loved Owen Hart... I always preferred him over Bret ( who I still can't really stand). I loved his complete wrestling style, I loved that he was a family man...and I loved that he came back after the screwjob to honor his contract... The day after he passed away I almost got into a fight with another kid at my bus stop because he was laughing at Owen's death.. After some yelling...I realized I was too distraught to go to school and went home and cried over Owens death...The only time I've ever cried over wrestling

Now Benoit...As much as I want to go on a profanity laced tirade about being o a roidrage killing your wife and your child along with yourself I won't.. I will say that I considered him one of the best wrestlers ever... And he tarnished a legendary career... But what he did do was make wrestling front page news again...I woke up that morning unaware of anything and turned on sportscentre and they were talking about Benoit...so because of mainstream media coverage I will say that this is the biggest tragedy in pro wrestling

 

[Caitiff]

Beniot is a fucking murderer who killed his own child... what about that don't you understand.

And, outside of completely buying wholesale speculation from other people, your proof is? No, seriously. That's not rhetorical. I want an answer to that question. This is one topic that I'm quite well aware of, and whenever ANYONE would talk about what happened, the words "we think" were almost universally used.

Have any opinion you want. That's fine. But, since, to the best of my knowledge, Chris Benoit was never convicted in a court of law, speculation is all that remains. And, before you try to turn it around, and demand that I prove that he didn't kill his family, remember 2 very simple things. First, I'm not saying that he was innocent. I'm saying that no-one can prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he's guilty. Second, the burden of proof is on the prosecution. I don't have to prove anything. You do.

(Sorry about the off-topic rant, guys. But, he did ask the question.)

 

[AjStyles]

Come on. Seriously?! I see that you're young, but you can't be that naive! A mistake?! The guy KILLED his SON and his WIFE. Listen, I grew up watching this guy, and after all of his accomplishments and accolades, he's still a murderer.

Also, if we're talking about a tragedy, I'm personally ruling out anyone who basically helped themselves along the path to an early death. I know that the wrestling business is hard on mind, body and all around well being; but there are plenty of wrestlers who made it to the peak without drugs and painkillers. without cheating on their wives and, well, killing their family.

So my pick would have to be Owen. Dude did nothing wrong. He continued his family's legacy, did very well by his family name. Had a healthy family life and was respected by all. He died for a shitty, shitty reason. All the more reason to chant fire Russo.

I know that, it's just that the media does such a great job of making everything much more worse then it really is, yes he killed his family, then killed himself, but no one knows what his state of mind was when he committed this most horrible deed, he may not even been sane, I'm just saying that no one knows, we can only guess or assume what happened

 

[spinningtorturerack]

here is one that might not be the greatest or most tragic, but one that made me open my eyes a bit:

Darren "Droz" Drozdov - He was on the verge of building a tag team/stable based around drugs and being alternate look wrestler. He wasn't doing too much but I liked his gimmick at the time, but he was made paraplegic by D'lo brown after a botched piledriver on the concrete, another victim of the piledriver.