Christopher Michael Benoit was a Canadian-American professional wrestler who competed for several of the sport's biggest organizations, including Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and the World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/WWE).
His list of accomplishments includes two world titles: one reign as WCW World Heavyweight Champion and one as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He also holds the distinction of being the second of only four wrestlers ever to complete both the WWE and WCW Triple Crown Championships.
On June 22, 2007, Benoit killed his wife and son, and took his own life two days later on June 24, 2007. In the years since, many theories have been put forward to explain his actions, such as brain damage, foul play, steroid use, carbon monoxide exposure, burglary, and marital difficulties. His final appearances were for WWE's ECW brand. Back in 1995, while under contract with the original ECW, plans were made for him to capture the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, but visa complications prevented it. Twelve years later, WWE scheduled him to win that title at the WWE Vengeance: Night of Champions pay-per-view, but the tragedy involving his family that same day meant it never occurred.
His list of accomplishments includes two world titles: one reign as WCW World Heavyweight Champion and one as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He also holds the distinction of being the second of only four wrestlers ever to complete both the WWE and WCW Triple Crown Championships.
On June 22, 2007, Benoit killed his wife and son, and took his own life two days later on June 24, 2007. In the years since, many theories have been put forward to explain his actions, such as brain damage, foul play, steroid use, carbon monoxide exposure, burglary, and marital difficulties. His final appearances were for WWE's ECW brand. Back in 1995, while under contract with the original ECW, plans were made for him to capture the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, but visa complications prevented it. Twelve years later, WWE scheduled him to win that title at the WWE Vengeance: Night of Champions pay-per-view, but the tragedy involving his family that same day meant it never occurred.
