... I'm going to start (sort of!!!) with an opinion on someone I know very much about, one of the greatest Wrestlers in history, Chris Benoit. Enjoy.
He was the first wrestler I ever saw compete and I have been amazed with his work ever since, doing a heavy amount of research and video buying, ... Read review
...the greatest Wrestlers in history, Chris Benoit. Enjoy.
He was the first wrestler I ever saw compete and I have been amazed with his work ever since, doing a heavy amount of research and video buying, to learn more and more about the 15 year plus wrestling career of Chris Benoit.
...now big time wrestling superstars, Chris Jericho, Bret Hart, Lance Storm and the deceased Owen Hart. He trained in the Dungeon from late 1985 and debuted in Stu Harts wrestling Promotion 'Calgary Stampede' in August of 1986
=============================================
Benoit in Japan
=============================================
Benoit also began training in the New Japan Dojo until making his Japanese Wrestling ... more
Hello everyone. I'm new around here and this is only my second opinion on Ciao. I'm going to start (sort of!!!) with an opinion on someone I know very much about, one of the greatest Wrestlers in history, Chris Benoit. Enjoy.
He was the first wrestler I ever saw compete and I have been amazed with his work ever since, doing a heavy amount of research and video buying, to learn more and more about the 15 year plus wrestling career of Chris Benoit. ======================================= Brief Introduction: =======================================
Now, Chris Benoit is considered by many (including me) to be the best wrestler in the world. He can work any style of match and can pull a good match out of the laziest of workers. The intensity he puts into each of his matches proves how much of a hard worker he really is. While his microphone work is nothing special, his spectacular in-ring technique more than make up for that. In a business where entertainment rules all and 'wrestling' ability has taken a backseat, Benoit has found it hard to stay amongst the top superstars and he is usually floating around the mid-card level in every promotion he's worked in. Though now in the WWF he looks to be very popular with the fans and seems to have found his niche.
======================================= Breaking Into The Business: ======================================= Benoits favourite wrestler as a kid had always been The Dynamite Kid (One half of The British Bulldogs) and he idolized him and even modeled his in ring style around the mould of Dynamike Kid. Benoit was trained in The famed 'Hart Dungeon' where he was trained by Stu Hart and worked along side now big time wrestling superstars, Chris Jericho, Bret Hart, Lance Storm and the deceased Owen Hart. He trained in the Dungeon from late 1985 and debuted in Stu Harts wrestling Promotion 'Calgary Stampede' in August of 1986 ======================================= Benoit in Japan ======================================= Benoit also began training in the New Japan Dojo until making his Japanese Wrestling debut in the 'New Japan Pro Wrestling' promotion debuting on 01.02.87 against Yugi Funaki (Now Wrestling under the name 'Masakatsu Funaki' in the 'Pancrase' promotion) Benoit wrestled under the name 'Dynamite' Chris Benoit. On 02.09.90 he re-debuted under the name 'Pegasus Kid' and wore a mask at a New Japan/All Japan combined card teaming with 'Naoki Sano' against 'Jushin Thunder Liger' and 'Akira Nogami'.
Later in the year Benoit would go on to win AND lose The International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) junior-heavyweight (Cruiserweight or light-heavyweight as you may know them) to and from Jushin Thunder Liger. He also worked for UWA in Mexico and later in the year lost his mask to Jushin Thunder Liger on 04.06.1991 but still wrestles under the Pegasus Kid name for a while after that and even used the name and mask while working in Mexico, unti losing it in a 2 out of 3 falls match to Villano 3 on 03.11.1991. During this time he worked in Europe in the CWA promotion and won their tam team titles along Dave Taylor. Benoit also competed in the Super Junior cups from 1991 to 1996. He won the best of the super juniors in 1993 and 1995, aswell as the Super Junuior Cup in 1994 beating The Great Sasuke, in what was considered one of the best Junior-Heavyweight matches of all time.
======================================= Benoits' brief stint in WCW: ======================================= Benoit worked in WCW in 1992 and 1993 teaming with Beef Wellington and Bobby Eaton, although Benoits talent always stood out from his compadres he was never given much of a chance to prove his skills in the U.S. ======================================= Benoit in ECW: =======================================
While Benoit's career was wasted in WCW and remained unrecognised throughout America, this was soon to change when Extreme Championship Wrestling signed up Benoit, alongside 2 other New Japan stars, in Eddy Guerrero and Dean Malenko. Benoit and Malenko teamed up in late 1995 to win the tag titles but lost them later in the year. Things were looking good for Benoit untill....
======================================= Benoit in WCW: ======================================= WCW executives saw talent in Benoit, Malenko and Guerrero and signed up, what was known to the internet fans as 'The New Japan Threesome' and introduced the three into their growing Cruiserweight division. While Eddy and Dean were used pretty well and placed in the United States title, division, Benoit was insanely under-utilized and his career was damaged immensely.
For a while he was involved in high profile feuds competing against Raven, Diamond Dallas Page and Kevin Sullivan, to name a few and the fans respect for his intensity was imminent.
On the other hand Benoit was underused for 3 years, winning 1 title (The TV title) on low card house shows and had real life problems with booker, Kevin Sullivan fightin over Sullivans woman Nancy (Who Benoit later on married and had a son with)
Benoit got off to a good start in 1999 with Ed Ferrera and Vince Russo as the bookers, who seemes convinced on pushing the younger talent. He won two tag team titles with two different partners and had a brief stint with the US title. In 1999 Benoit experienced one of his proudest moments in the business, competing against longtime friend, Bret Hart in a tribute to Brets deceased brother Owen, in Kansas City. The match lasted 27 minutes and was considered to be one of the best matches of 1999 similar to a few Stampede Wrestling matches. Chris then went on to compete for the Heavyweight title in a 16-man tournament but lost to Bret again in the finals, his luck later changed as he was places in a feud with Jeff Jarrett over the New World Order and Sid Vicious later on in the year. It looked like Finally, Benoit had earned his break. However, at this time, Vince Russo was being removed from the booking team due to backstage problems and was soon to be replaced by JJ Dillon and Kevin Sullivan, Benoit knew Kevil Sullivan was out to ruin his career and along with Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko and Eddy Guerrero asked for their release from WCW. Benoit's last WCW apperance was at Souled Out 2000 in a World Title match against Sid Vicious, Chris made Sid tap out in the match and was awarded the belt, but on the next Nitro, the referee reversed his decision saying that Sid had his foot on the ropes so Benoit never won the title. The title win was erased from WCW?s history books and this was the end of Benoit's WCW career. Whilst in WCW, WCW had made a deal with New Japan Pro wrestling that they would allow certain wrestlers to travel over to each promotion, This deal was now broken and Benoit is not likely to return to any Japanese arenas.
======================================= Benoit In The WWF: ======================================= Benoit, alongside Malenko, Guerrero and Saturn moved on to the World Wrestling Federation in early 2000 (The night after the Royal Rumble PPV) and debuted by leaving the D-Generation-X stable lying on house shows destroyling, then mocking them. The team were soon dubbed 'The Radicalz' and sided with Mick Foley to up-end D-Generation-X, Triple H (DX?s leader) soon told the Radicalz that they would have a chance to get a contract in the WWF. They just had to win 2 out of 3 matches against DX. Dean Malenko would face X-Pac, Perry Saturn and Eddy Guerrero would face The New Age Outlaws, Billy Gunn and The Road Dogg and in the main event Benoit would take on HHH. It didn't start well for The Radicalz because in the first match Dean Malenko was about to win the match, when Tori interefered, X-Pac then gave Malenko a low-blow and an X-Factor (His finishing move) The Radicalz were down by 1. Next Perry Saturn and Eddy Guerrero were defeated, as Eddy Guerrero overshot his finishing move (The Frog Splash) and landed awkwardly on his elbow, dislocating it and giving the New Age Outlaws the easy win. The Radicalz had been defeated and weren't going to get their contracts, but HHH decided to have the match with Chris Benoit anyways, and went on to defeating him (By luck and outside interference) This looked to be the end for the Quartet, but no, on the next show they came out to the ring with Mick Foley and said their goodbyes to the fans, HHH soon came out and told the Radicalz to £show their appreciation to the man who gave them their contracts" soon after this, the 4 men beat on Mick Foley, leaving him lying on the mat, the Radicalz had turned their back on Mick Foley and sided with HHH to get their contracts. They were now heels (Bad Guys) and were hated amongst the fans, All 4 men have had pretty long and complicated careers in the WWF and for me to list all the occurances would be a pretty silly thing to do, but I will tell you, Chris Benoit went on to win the Intercontintal title, Malenko won the light heavyweight title, Saturn won the european title and Guerrero won the European, Intercontintal AND tag team titles.
At the start of 2001 Benoit was involded in a feud with Steve Austin and they had some of the better matches of 2001. During this time Benoit was wrestling injured, over the years of hurt he had incured a neck injury and couldn't go without surgery for much longer. He wrestled his final match to date in the WWF at King Of The Ring 2001, against Chris Jericho and Steve Austin. AT this time Benoit had definitely landed a top spot in the US and was in the spotlight more than ever. It must have been really annoying to be taken out of the business he loves while reaching his peak. Benoit has been out of action for over 8 months now and is set to return in the next few months. I'm counting down the hours. :)
======================================= Conclusion: ======================================= He excels at adapting to many different ring styles and is worldwide known for his hard work and determination. He has wrestled in numerous promotions all over the world including, Japan, Mexio, America and Europe. He won't be remembered as the greatest microphone talker but his ring work will forever live in the annals of professional wrestling. ======================================= Extras: =======================================
Real Name: Chris Benoit
Nickname(s) Chris Benoit, Dynamite Chris Benoit, Pegasus Kid, The Crippler, The Wolverine.
Birthdate. 05.21.67
Signature Moves: Flying Headbutt, Crippler Crossface, Powerbomb, Dragon Suplex, Rolling German Suplexes.
Promotions Worked in: Stampede, NJPW, UWA, CWA, ECW, WCW, WWF
Memorable Matches:
Pegasus Kid VS Jushin Thunder Liger: 16.14.94 Wild Pegasus & Shinjiro Otani v. Great Sasuke & Black Tiger 10/18/94 Benoit v. Al Snow 02.04.95 Wild Pegasus vs. Chris Jericho (Super J Cup) 12/13/95 Benoit vs. Dean Malenko 08/10/96 Benoit vs. Jeff Jarrett 12/29/96 Benoit vs. Bret Hart (Owen Hart Tribute) 10/04/99 Benoit vs. Sid Vicious (Souled Out PPV) 01/16/00
Hope this was at least useful, even to some none-wrestling fans.
...of him shining through.
Chris Benoit may not be the most popular wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation, but when it comes down to fighting in the ring, Benoit is a difficult man to beat. He is said to be the best technical wrestler in sports entertainment and although I dislike him, I would have to agree with that. Benoit is well known for his painful submission move, the crippler cross face. If he locks this move in, you are likely to tap ... ...World Wrestling champion.
Chris Benoit is a great wrestler. He has wrestled around the world, and found success everywhere, not just in North America. He might have won titles in both WCW and the WWF, but his best performances in my opinion were in Japan, when wrestling for New Japan. Wrestling as the Pegasus Kid he managed to win the prestigious Junior Cup, and had great battles with stars such as Jushin Liger, The Great Muta and so on. Now in ...
samsterjones 08.10.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit; The Rabid Wolverine; The Crippler and even Wild Pegasus - whatever he is referred as he will always be a solid favourite of mine, I started to like him back during his WCW Days; sure, watching Nitro every week was tedious, but worth it to see Chris Benoit as part of the Horsemen with Dean Malenko team up against Raven and Perry Saturn from the Flock or whoever they are scheduled against
Clearly not every match can be ... ...would be amazed to watch Chris Benoit technically tear his opponents apart!
Then he feuded with Dean Malenko. This was a pretty interesting feud which included a certain cage match I remember in which Chris Benoit leapt from the top of a cage and hit his headbut to Malenko - it looked excellent!
He then went on to face Jeff Jarrett in high profile ladder matches, there were other names for these matches including really weird gimmicks attatched ...
Marshwwf316 26.09.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Chris Benoit
Advantages: The Crossface Disadvantages: A bit Dull
"The Crippler" Chris Benoit is a confident, pugnacious fighter with some extreme moves including the Crippler Crossface, Diving Headbutt and Rolling German Suplexes. Chris Benoit is rated by many as being one of the very finest wrestlers in the world. His versatility allows him to brawl, fly and mat wrestle his way to victory, which he has done not only in North America, but also in Europe, Japan and Mexico. Inspired by the legendary Dynamite Kid, ... ...with one world title behind him and within a very short space of time he has pushed himself to become one of the top players in the federation. He is not quite as good as HHH on the mic but this will improve given time. With Shane O' Mac by his side I can see him becoming federation champion very soon. ...
Mohammed 28.07.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Chris Benoit
Advantages: Good Heel and technically faultless Disadvantages: Getting older and needs some sprucing up!
Chris Benoit – a man who previously in his career has been known as the Executioner – has fantastic ability, of that there is no doubt. At the moment, he really also is one of the chosen heels in the WWF, enjoying a lucrative run with the Big Show Paul Wight, and Shane McMahon. He is a fantastic veteran wrestler with an amazing repertoire of technical submission holds and pinning combinations, and is another on who can have a good crack at a title ...
BIGHORSE 24.08.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Chris Benoit
Advantages: he has some good moves especilly the flying headbutt Disadvantages: Not very entertaining
Chris Benoit came to the WWF from WCW along with Dean Malenko, Perry Satun and Eddie Guerrero forming the Radicalz. Chris claims to be the best technical wrestler in the wwf but is it true? I don't think it is hes only won the intercontinental title although hes won it more than once. He's never captured the WWF title although hes tried when you have wrestlers out there like Triple H, Stone Cold, The Rock, I think any of them can be more technical ... ...With Eddie and Chris having a falling out Chris is really pissed off and doesn't want eddie near him and given the chance would beat the crap out him. Chris benoits most famous move is the cripler crossface and normally forces even the rock and Triple H to tap out. ...
saintsfanuk 07.03.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Chris Benoit
Strength
Moves
Character
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Chris Benoit"
Edge must surely be one of the most talented young wrestlers in the world, let alone the WWF. Although he started quietly, and stayed that way in the Brood, he has now developed both his skills, and his charisma. Together with Christian he sits on the top of the tag-team rankings, although not for long the way the WWF shares its belts around. Hopefully soon he will return to the singles ranks. With his ability he could be having outstanding matches with other young stars, such as Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero and ChrisBenoit. ...
NigelR 04.09.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Edge
Advantages: Quick Disadvantages: No persona or gimmicks really
.Eddie Guerrero was one of the stars lured away from Ted Turner?s lucrative WCW empire along with Perry Saturn, ChrisBenoit and Dean Malenko. He is a great high-flyer but at the moment is stuck in a run with Chyna, a woman who actually far outclasses him in terms of physique. He plays second fiddle to her far too much of the time and needs to get out of this predicament in order to get somewhere in the WWF, given that he did very little in WCW besides get some other members of his family into the game. ...
Advantages: High-flyer Disadvantages: Little else to offer
Eddie Guerrero was one of the stars lured away from Ted Turner?s lucrative WCW empire along with Perry Saturn, ChrisBenoit and Dean Malenko. He is a great high-flyer but at the moment is stuck in a run with Chyna, a woman who actually far outclasses him in terms of physique. He plays second fiddle to her far too much of the time and needs to get out of this predicament in order to get somewhere in the WWF, given that he did very little in WCW besides get some other members of his family into the game. ...
