Who's better in the ring: Eddie Guerrero or Chris Benoit?

[Disturbed]

So, I did Kurt Angle or Shawn Michaels about a week ago and I figured I would do another one between Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit. They were good friends and they both pasted away in the middle of there respected careers. Both men had a lot of personal problems in there life but lets shy away from those problems. This has nothing to do with there lives as people but what they did in the ring. It doesn't have anything to do with mic work either.

Latino Heat had many championships and accomplishments including, the WCW Cruiserweight championship twice, WCW US championship, WWE Tag Team championship 4 times, WWE US Championship, WWE Intercontinental championship twice, WWE European championship twice, WWE Champion, and hall of famer. He had epic encounters with Chris Jericho, John Cena, JBL, Rey Mysterio, Brock Lesnar, and Batista just to name a few.

The Rapid Wolverine also had many championships and accomplishments including, WCW TV Champion 3 times, WCW US Champion twice, WCW Tag Team Champion twice, WCW World Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE US Champion 3 times, WWE Intercontinental champion 4 times, WWE World Tag Team Champion 3 times, World Heavyweight Champion, and Royal Rumble winner in 04. He had some epic encounters with Chris Jericho, JBL, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold, and Kurt Angle just to name a few.

Both men also had reigns in ECW. They have both accomplished so much. Who was better in the ring?

RIP

 

[#hamler]

Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero may be one of the best in ring atheletes of all time. Eddie Guerrero, unlike most, could perform under any genre of wrestling --Lucha Libre, Submission, Technical, High Flying, Matt Based, kicks and striking, even a couple of power maneuvers such as snap suplexes and tilt-a-whirls. No matter who Eddie was in there with, he could make them look good. Whether it was someone as small as Rey Mysterio to Dean Malenko to Brock Lesnar and John Cena. Eddie Guerrero could trully make anyone look good. Eddie Guerrero had charisma whether he played face or heel. He was always able to get the crowd to cheer or boo him, and when he was heel, it was hard not to love him. He was trully phenomenal in the ring.

Chris Benoit was no doubt an amazing talent in the ring. I however, never found Chris to be very entertaining. Whether it was in the ring or during promos and his mic time, Chris never stood out to me in terms of entertainment and I think that had a lot to do with his lack of charisma. Eddie Guerrero could perform and put on a phenomenal match each time he went in the ring to perform. No matter the opponent, he'd always put on the best match on the card. Probably my favorite Wrestler of all time. I realized not too long ago, I could literally watch anyone of Guerrero's matches and be entertained. They are both great atheletes, but I'm going with Eddie Guerrero on this one. Hmmm, maybe a certain thread will return later on featuring Eddie.

 

[kidmetal24]

Its hard to say. Eddie was a better entertainer but Benoit was probably one of the best mat wrestlers ever to grace the sport of pro wrestling. I was more entertained by Eddie but Chris was more like "I cant believe he just did that" guy. Best Benoit WWE match was with Triple H. I dont remember if it was the ppv Fully Loaded or not but that match was a classic.

 

[The Eighties]

I'd have to give the edge to Eddie, both wre great but I think Eddie could mix it up better, he did the high flying fast paced lucha libre matches, he could do credible brawls, he could do comedy matches and he could mat wrestle.

Benoit had perhaps the most credible smash mouth style in the business to his credit and he shared many of Eddie's attributes from great selling to mat skills to brawling, and when you look at their match catalogue Benoit perhaps has the edge in terms of the quantity of his quality, but Eddie's versatility just tips the scales for me.

 

[Abe]

Man oh man this is more difficult than the Kurt Angle/ Shawn Michaels question.

In every sense, this is a coin toss to say the least. Both men fought in the big three (ECW,WCW, AND WWE), both have fought in Mexico,and Japan. Both had a very intense style in the ring. They could grapple, brawl, fly,... you name it they could do it.

The only thing Eddie could do and Chris couldnt do as well, is entertain the crowd.

But at the end of the day I would say its a draw

 

[JGlass]

For me it's Benoit.

I just finished praising his work in another thread, but I'm happy to say it again. Benoit game to the ring with some of the most intense and scrappy wrestling anyone will ever see. He had the power of a big man, the speed of a little man, and the technical prowess of a legitimate wrestler. Everything he did was 120%, never letting up and making a spot look fake or half-assed. When Benoit was in the ring you were all but guaranteed a match that had at least one competitor who was going to bring everything he had to the table.

Eddie was a great wrestler, had the ability to control the crowd like no other, and while he was close to matching Benoit's skills, I find myself hard pressed to say he ever looked as ruthless as Benoit did. I suppose ruthlessness and intensity was not in Eddie's character, and I suppose ruthlessness and intensity is not what makes one a better wrestler than someone else, but it definitely tips the scale in Benoit's favor in my opinion.

 

[Hulk Hogan's Brother]

I'll give the edge to Eddie Guerrero. Eddie was way more entertaining in the ring than Benoit. The crowd really fed off his antics in the ring and egged him on. I also feel that he had a more rounded moveset than Benoit. He could wrestle an aerial style as well as a technical one.

Benoit's execution of moves was top notch. I mean if you watched a Benoit match and then happened to play WWF No Mercy, you'd think that the video game was botching moves. He was that perfect. But as a mark I did not just care enough for Benoit like the way I cared for Eddie. Benoit's ring work was more based around athleticism while Eddie's was based around showmanship. Athleticism was just a part of his ring work but not the dominating force behind it.

Eddie was a great wrestler, had the ability to control the crowd like no other, and while he was close to matching Benoit's skills, I find myself hard pressed to say he ever looked as ruthless as Benoit did. I suppose ruthlessness and intensity was not in Eddie's character, and I suppose ruthlessness and intensity is not what makes one a better wrestler than someone else, but it definitely tips the scale in Benoit's favor in my opinion.

I agree that Benoit was more ruthless but ruthlessness was also a part of Benoit's character. That cannot be said for Eddie. He mostly portrayed a light hearted character. So Eddie did not need to ruthless in the ring.

 

[123NewChamp]

Wow, Tough Thread. But basically this is one of them times where u would have even plenty of times on this thread. But like Angle vs. HBK, any answers is reasonable along with an legitimate reason. Both men has won many different titles plus various heavyweight title reigns. Both could main event and headline shows as well as handle the midcard role, both guys went from ecw to wcw to wwe, and alot of various other things, But Luckily I had the pleasure of growing up watching these guys since 1995, and needless to say here's the reason for my answer.....

For this thread, I have to go with the Canadian Crippler himself, Chris Benoit. The reason being is because, if you go back to 1995, both men represented WCW at Starrcade in the WCW vs. Japan Tournament. And although Both men were worthy of this pretigious honor, back in the earlier days of both these superstars, Benoit was always more of a superb athlete over Eddie Guerrero. Number one, Benoit had the training experience of the Harts and the Dungeon, and two, he was more knowledgable at a young age in the style of technical and submission wrestling then any older experienced wrestler that's been wrestling before him. Although him and Eddie had many countless battles that resulted in them beating one another on many occasions, Benoit got his first Heavyweight Championship in WCW before he headed to WWE, where Eddie Guerrero got his first Heavyweight Title Reign after Benoit won his first heavyweight gold in WWE.

But in Eddie's Case, Eddie was one of the greatest Cruiserweights to ever wrestle in a WCW Ring. He had great chrisima about himself and his wrestling style, and brought live energy to his matches. Both men could sell Mid Card Matches real well but I guess WCW thoguht Eddie was a better Mid Carder and move Benoit up the ranks. But even though, Eddie was worth more of a WCW Push, but due to many people in the main event, it was hard for him to get a push. But however when they got to the WWE, that's when the overall careers of both men began to even out. Because, Eddie's progression and in ring performance improved dramatically during the latter days of his career. And so did Benoit, but Benoit was more over than Eddie cause of his skill as a technical Wrestler. But I think Eddie reaped more of a Harvest in WWE then Benoit, due to the Lie Cheat and Steal Persona, the Latino Heat Fiasco with Chyna, and the fulfillment of a great career when he beat Brock Lesnar at No Way Out 2004 to win his first championship. Both men were good in their prime, but Eddie gotten more better with Age than Benoit.

But like I said, both men are pretty much even, but I have to give the edge to Benoit, cause Benoit's beginning basically set the stage for the rest of his career. Eddie got better years on down the road, but Benoit was just too much of a Wrestler for his own good during his younger days, and even when Eddie another gifted athlete mastered his craft, and started performing better and progressing at his prime, Benoit was still on top of his game, that's why Benoit got Eddie beat in my opinion. But it's sad that we lost both men during the prime of their careers. How would their lives been another 3 years down the road? we will never know, but for those of us, who followed the careers of both men, we know that they did what they love, and they did it from their hearts, and we can't thank them enough, but the memories of both men will live on forever. Thanks Again Eddie and Chris.

 

[GameOver]

Split call almost, on one hand If you are talking about a technical ability, Benoit wins hands down, he had more title reigns aswell and faced the greatest in high profile matches

Benoit just had the ability to look tough as nails and had the technical ability of the best of the best in that style. Benoit's only real issue was he wasn't that flash as a personality "Mr Roboto"

Eddie was the consumate performer though, he had the ability to entertain and was also a good inring performer which is what the game is about, Entertaining people

I went with Eddie because he was more entertaining overall

 

[ashe draven]

4 me its benoit easily. he was one of the best technical wrestlers of his (or any) generation. graduate of the hart dungeon, ferocious competitor. titles between him and eddie not withstanding. all of benoit's feuds stood out far more too me. booker t, jericho, angle, hhh/hbk etc. not taking anything away from eddie, but benoit was far better imo.

 

[THE SWAG]

i have always been a huge mark of both of them eddie was finesse as for chris was aggressive, but both put on a hell of a show, but i would have to give a slight edge to eddie since he was a high flyer, and like poster said earlier he could go toe to toe with any one no matter what style

 

[cboedeker2]

As far is in-ring performance, I think Benoit slightly edges Eddie out. Don't get me wrong, Eddie was phenomenal, no doubt one of the best ever, but in the ring, I think Benoit was slightly better. My only reasoning is personal preference. Now, if we were to talk about who had the total package, I would have to go with Eddie. In his promos, he had the ability to make you laugh, make you cry, make you love him, make you hate him, and sometimes even make you want to kill him. His Los Guerreros vignettes with Chavo remain to this day as the coups de gras when it comes to comedy in wrestling. The only person I can think of today that even comes close to being as funny as Eddie is Santino. Anyway, I think Benoit edges Eddie out in the ring, simply by way of my personal preference.

 

[P. Nut Butters]

Personally, Benoit is my pick. Pretty close call though.

Chris was awesome in the ring. I think his matches were amazing and entertaining and he showed a true sense of charisma in his skill and match quality. Eddie was definitely the better showman, but I don't think you can disregard the "elegance" so-to-speak, of a Chris Benoit match.

Benoit/Eddie, Benoit/Angle - actually Benoit/anybody, I found entertaining. In my personal opinion I think Benoit was better suited for the Main Event than Eddie. I found that, while I loved Eddie and his matches, his routine got stale on me at times.

Not counting Eddie out though. If I had to pick a top-five wrestlers from my era, in my opinion Eddie, Chris, Angle, Bret, Shawn and Jericho would be my most likely picks.
Eddie was entertaining and his gimmicks worked fantastically for him.

Eddie and Chris' work in WCW was also some of the best in my honest opinion. I didn't watch WCW very often back in the day but Eddie and Chris' matches always gave me something to rave about.

Hats off to both guys and may they both rest in peace!

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

For me it's Benoit.

I just finished praising his work in another thread, but I'm happy to say it again. Benoit game to the ring with some of the most intense and scrappy wrestling anyone will ever see. He had the power of a big man, the speed of a little man, and the technical prowess of a legitimate wrestler. Everything he did was 120%, never letting up and making a spot look fake or half-assed. When Benoit was in the ring you were all but guaranteed a match that had at least one competitor who was going to bring everything he had to the table.

Eddie was a great wrestler, had the ability to control the crowd like no other, and while he was close to matching Benoit's skills, I find myself hard pressed to say he ever looked as ruthless as Benoit did.

I think you said it almost perfectly. As an actual wrestler, with wrestling skills and holds, Chris Benoit was almost in a league of his own. There are only a couple of other wrestlers I have ever seen who have the technical ability of Benoit, Angle and Hart being those two. He legitimately looked like he was hurting his opponent and the Crossface was one of the most agonising moves in the business.

However, on the other hand you have one of the most entertaining wrestlers in the history of the business. An expert in controlling the crowd, and a wonderful wrestler in his own right who could fly, wrestle, use the power game and resort to submission holds when the time was right. Eddie Guerrero could do it all.

I would rate Benoit and Eddie almost identically for being rounded as wrestlers. Eddie was slightly better at the high risk manouvres, Benoit was better at submissions. Eddie had the 3 amigos triple suplex, Benoit had the triple German Suplexes, both had emotional WM World title victories, Intercontinental and Tag Team Title reigns....the only thing seperating these two is Eddie having superior charisma and crowd working abilities. He could really get a crowd involved in a match and make them fall in love with him, the hilarious moments where he would throw the opponent a chair and then lie down pretending he had been hit with it were golden. Eddie could be funny as hell in the ring as well as being a serious wrestler. Benoit only ever had the serious persona, and charisma is the only tool he was lacking

So for that reason I am voting Eddie Guerrero in this one

 

[Calderownz]

First of all, I loved Chris Benoit's work. But truthfully, it's not even close to me.

Eddie Guerrero is top 5 of all time, for me, personally. In terms of overall talent, he's almost untouched.

Eddie was the more overall varied and talented of the two. He was the more charismatic (even in the ring) and he told a better story.

With Benoit, he was fast-paced and intense and he worked his ass off. But, with Eddie, he had some of the same and so much more that came to him effortlessly.

Better overall legacy (even if you don't include the end of the Benoit story) and better matches overall, as well.

Eddie Guerrero is the man for me.

 

[ThUnDeRpHoEnIx]

I gave it to Eddie Guerrero.

Dont get me wrong Chris Benoit was a amazing wrestler.His technical wrestling can only be matched by Kurt Angle and Bret Hart.His matches were great and his technical wrestling skill may never be matched again unless there is another great technical wrestler.

Eddie Guerrero on the other hand had eveything.He had the high risk moves,moves with impact, high flying, submissions etc.But he had the charisma as well. He was so funny and could make a great match out of anything.I can name a few of the top of my head.

No Way Out 2004 v Brock Lesnar(this is obvious)

Smackdown v Edge No DQ

Those matches were great.Eddie had this ability I guess you could call it to get the crowd pumped.Depending on the match before or if it was the first match he would make the match different to get the crowd pumped.And he always gave it his all.He could also always make someone look good.He can also never be replaced in skill and charisma etc.There could be someone with the technical skills of Chris Benoit but never someone who is like Eddie who had the Total package.

 

[DethMetal]

This is a hard one for me, but I gotta go with Benoit.

Anyone with eyes could see that both were great wrestlers, great champions. Eddie was more entertaining and had awesome matchs(v. Kurt Angle, v. Lesnar, and OF COURSE, v. Mysterio). But Benoit had something about him. He had great matches as well(v. Kurt Angle, v. Kane, v. Orton, v. HBK & HHH). Both men could wrestle any style, from lucha-libre to Greco Roman.

It's a toss-up, but I gotta go with Benoit. Just had that intensity factor.

 

[Find'er Woo'er Ryder]

Good thread Disturbed.

To answer your question: Chris Benoit. This is not about mic skill or charisma but in ring work. Benoit was the better of the two wrestlers when it came down to in-ring work. Eddie Geurerro was great too, just not as talented as Benoit was. If this was a poll about mic skills, Geurerro will gt it hands down. One match i remember with Benoit was at Summerslam (05?) where he defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Randy Orton. That to me was the rise of Orton and i knew that one day he will be big.

 

[OutsiderDX]

The nod goes to Eddie.

Eddie was much more versitile in the ring. As many have mentioned before, he could perform so many differernt styles of wrestling : Lucha Libre, Technical, Submission, High Flying. But he could also wrestle in different styles of match: Comedic and Dramatic.

Chris Benoit had one style and he did that style to the highest level. He really was the personification of a wolverine in the ring, he just attacked and attacked with viciousness.

Its basically comparing : A baseball player who can hit for Avg, HR, steals bases and can play great defense VS a guy who leads the league in home runs every year. I'll take the all around ballplayer.

Because wrestling is not just 100% intensity, it is also entertainment, Eddie Guerrero was better in the ring.

 

[Dzone]

I'd have to go with Eddie, he's maybe not on par with Benoit in terms of ring skills (but he is by no means s***); he is much more entertaining to watch. Benoit was about pure in ring ability/submissions and the like but Guerrero was just so fun to watch, if he was still with us in the PG era I'd like to think he would have shone because of the like-ability factor.

 

[S.J. Maximus]

Everyone keeps bringing up Eddie's mic skills but this isn't about mic skills this is purely about in-ring ability. In this case, Chris Benoit has to be declared better, he's the best technical wrestler perhaps in the history of pro wrestling behind Bret Hart and Kurt Angle. He could put on CLINICS with just about anyone if given the chance and he even got a good match out of MVP at WM23

 

[Ruthless-RKO]

It's very ahrd to decide.. Because they were very different.. Eddie was the entertainer and made us laugh and enjoy his matches, while Benoit was more of a serious wrestler and always gave us wrestling and that was also very good to watch... When it come down to who was better in the ring.. I'm going to go with Chris Benoit..