madwomanwithabox

R.I.P.
Chris Benoit
Nancy Benoit
Daniel Benoit

When I was growing up, pro wrestling was my thing. I was one of very few girls in my world who knew and loved it for what it was and more. The women I admired were strong and beautiful characters who could either make or break a match, and even fought, sometimes hanging on even terms with men in the ring.

And the men...they were the ultimate villains, and the gladiators of a fifteen year old's imagination. They were my modern day knighits in both shining and black armor.

One of the wrestlers I grew up watching, loving, and admiring was Benoit. I first caught him in the WCW with Woman on his arm, aka Nancy Benoit, his wife. I watched as he took her from The Taskmaster, Kevin Sullivan, and entered into one of the most memorable feuds the promotion ever saw.

What happened was a tragedy...but what Chris Benoit was can't be denied. He was a world-class athlete, as any graduate of Stu Hart's Dungeon is expected to be. He was a great character in the ring, and admired by his peers. And to me, he will always be one of the few good parts of my teenage years. My heart is with the members of the Benoit family, and my prayers go out to them...and to Chris, Nancy, and Daniel.

Regardless of the circumstances...the Rabid Wolverine will never be forgotten.

EDIT: We've all been reading up on the developments in this case. When I put this memorial up on my journal, I didn't know all the details about the deaths...now I do.

I will never lose my respect for Chris Benoit as an athlete. His impact on the business of professional wrestling will never be forgotten. But it's become more and more clear that the deaths of Nancy and Daniel Benoit were an act of deliberation on the part of Chris Benoit...and childhood hero or not, he killed his wife and little boy.

I leave this memorial up instead for Daniel and Nancy, and the memory of the athlete that I *did* admire, rather than the man who took the lives of his family. I can only hope that Daniel and Nancy find some peace in the next life.