Chris Benoit?

Question

Not only did he commit suicide he killed his wife and kid. The Question is, WHY should WWE be responsible? They did not FORCE him to do it. They offered him to do it, he took the chance. Being a lawyer myself I come across many types of cases like this. The 10th ammendmant says nobody can be forced to do anything. Its all choice. Therefore, World Wrestling Entertainment is NOT responsible for the deaths. This is also because there is no one close enought to Benoit to hold charges against them.
Therefore, in the case of Chris Benoit, WWE is NOT responsible.
However, and here is my question, what would you do if you were...

a) Nancy Benoit's parents(wife)
b)Chris' parents
c)Nancy Benoit/ suppose you saw your son getting killed
d) Chris Benoit after he does this and lives, how would you explain it. His family was never mentioned in WWE, so...

Answer 1

too many steroids!!
bad scene!

Answer 2

how come everybody is giving the WWE crap about running that special on Benoit. The tragedy had just happened an hour before the tribute ran. They didnt know the details of this horrific incident. To further prove my point, Vince McMahon had to say this before tonights ECW

The following message from Vince McMahon aired at the beginning of tonight's ECW on Sci Fi:

Last night on Monday Night Raw, the WWE presented a special tribute show, recognizing the career of Chris Benoit. However, now some 26 hours later, the facts of this horrific tragedy are now apparent. Therefore, other than my comments, there will be no mention of Mr. Benoit tonight. On the contrary, tonight's show will be dedicated to everyone who has been affected by this terrible incident. This evening marks the first step of the healing process. Tonight, the WWE performers will do what they do better than anyone else in the world – entertain you.

Answer 3

I give WWE a lot of credit.... When they thought he had a "family emergency" they let him miss the performance. When they learn of the strange text messages, they alerted police. They did not know the entire story when they did the tribute show -- he was family to them and they were all terribly in shock and visibily upset. As details came out that is was a double murder-suicide, WWE released the timeline of events and removed the online tribute to him. WWE has stated that he tested negative for drugs during his April 2007 drug test. Benoit's decision was just that - his horrible terrible decision. IF steroids did play a part, it is not the WWE's fault. I think both Chris and Nancy's parents need time to reflect on what has happened. Remeber, Nancy was involved in the wrestling business too - her parents are aware of the steroid use and controversy of the business. The police are saying Nancy was killed Friday evening and the son later - I think he snapped, killed her and then did not know what else to do, but the unthinkable. It is a horrible tragedy that this would happen to any family...

Answer 4

On the WikiNews website, there was an anonymous poster whose IP address was traced back to Stamford Connecticut, which is where WWE HQ is located. In it, it was announced that Benoit didn't show up to the PPV event due to the death of his wife, a good 14 hours before the police found the bodies. This would indicate that somebody at WWE knew about the murder/suicides prior to the police, and is somewhat fishy business that conspiracy buffs oggle over. It is very possible that Chris was silenced by Vince & Co. Being as close to Eddie as Benoit was, he was the most likely to come forward and talk in the event of a steroid ring bust, especially considering he was JUST recently demoted to ECW via the last draft... indicating bitterness. What really did it though was the "Vince is dead" tribute episode WWE just aired that mocked both Eddie Guerrerro and Owen Hart's actual deaths... two wrestlers very close to Benoit. Vince mocked those deaths that night, and Benoit snapped... and gave us some REAL death to mourn over. That's my theory anyhow.

Answer 5

This whole mess began because there was a tribute show in the honor of a now known murderer. All the cable news shows have been ripping the WWF today because of it. Hey, they gotta report something other than Paris Hilton.

Also McMahon and Co. are under scrutiny because there is a history of promoting and encouraging the use of steroids among its stable of athletes. There is speculation, but nothing conclusive at this point in time, that Benoit murdered his family in a fit of roid rage.

I personally don't think the wrestling industry should be held responsible for this incident but they should be creating a more stable environment for its talent. I would be willing to wager that at least 80% of wrestlers are juicing or taking some kind of human growth hormone. Look at HHH when he first started and look at him now, look at Edge 5 years ago and his current physique. It's possible to build muscle and mass just by lifting, diet, and working out but when your veins start popping out to their own area code chances are it's not natural, right Scott Steiner.

In addition there is a long history of depression among professional wrestlers due to grueling schedules, travel, demands, and pay.

So to answer your question, Should WWE be responsible for the deaths of the Benoits? No. Should all professional circuits start cleaning up their acts and pushing guys based on their charisma and natural talents?Yes.

Personally I miss the days of guys in mullets looking like they just got off the couch after a few six packs hooking it up in the ring ala Midnight Express, Freebirds, Bushwhackers, Natural Disasters, etc.

Answer 6

Someone mentioned in a different answer that WWE should be held responsible because they allow wrestlers to take steroids to get as big as they are... This is NOT the case. WWE is not responsible for the deaths of Chris Benoit or his family. Chris, and possibly the steriods that he was supposedly taking, is responsible for the deaths of his family members.

Steriods have been known to cause "roid rage" in many people, as well as paranoia and depression. So... WWE shouldn't be blamed for this. This is just a horrible and incredibly sad situation. I pray for the extended Benoit family and extend them my condolences.

Answer 7

first of all what the hell are you talking about
you're a lawyer? i wuold so not ask you for legal advice
secondly, no one is blaming WWE they are just saying that WWE might've been a factor in what caused the tragedy that is the death of the benoit family. Also yes i do think it is quite sad that they retracted the memorial dedicated to chris benoit because come on who cares what he did how can that take away from the fact that he gave the best years of his life to the company and whilst putting strain on his personal life was on the road most of the time to do what he did best, Entertain us, the fans.

Answer 8

Where did you ever hear that the WWE was being blamed for Chris Benoit's' actions. I have been hearing on the news that it was possibly because of Steroids. They can give some people the feeling of depression. I think if I was the surviving members of the family I would go after the people who made the steroids that he was taking.

Answer 9

I realize that this is not an answer to the above question, but can I just point out that I think it is sad that it took the death of Benoit to bring out the storyline premise of Vince's death?

Answer 10

It's terrible,and very disheartening to hear things like this,three people are dead and we don't even know why, there is a lot of mixed feelings out there,anger,sadness,regret I don't know why things like this happen in the world,just goes to show just how dark the heart of a man can be

Answer 11

I think there should be accountability since WWE actually encourages the freakish size of its wrestlers and some even provide illegal steroids to them. So someone should pay for this crap and it has Vince McMahon's name all over it (and didn't Vince die a couple of weeks ago and he suddenly rescucitated???)