Longest Running Triple H Fansite
Since 2006
Showing posts with label Chris Benoit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Benoit. Show all posts

May 21, 2021

This Day In Wrestling History

September 9, 2016

Chris Benoit Biopic “Crossface” Officially Moving Forward, Director Comments, Screenwriters and More Movie Details Released


In 2010, indie filmmaker and screenwriter Richard O’Sullivan wrote a spec script about the Chris Benoit tragedy called Crossface, which he began developing as a feature film project.

After partnering with Let It Play’s Alex A. Ginzburg (Producer of Hardcore Henry and Geezer), O’Sullivan soon grew frustrated by feedback from William Morris Endeavor and stepped aside as Writer/Director (on the condition that he would continue as a Producer on the project).

Now, six years later, Variety.com reports the project is moving forward at Radar Pictures (makers of the Vin Diesel Riddick movies and the upcoming King Kong & Jumanji reboots) with Oscar-winning director Lexi Alexander (Punisher: War Zone) attached.

Alexander will direct from a script by Jake Goldberger and Sarah Coulter. The project is based on Matthew Randazzo’s book “Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit & the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry.” The movie’s title is taken from Benoit’s trademark “crippler crossface” wrestling hold.

“I was pretty certain I’d stay in TV rather than returning to the feature world, because the material just seems so much better in TV, especially in drama, but then ‘Crossface’ came my way,” Alexander said. “A heartbreaking, true story about the dark side of wrestling. … I couldn’t say no to that.”

On Thursday, Richard O’Sullivan posted the Variety article on his Facebook page and then made the following comment:

“Since people have been asking me about this the past couple of days…I have absolutely no details. Just that it’s in development at Radar (which is also developing the “King Kong” and “Jumanji” reboots) with Lexi Alexander as the director. I wrote the first draft, was the original developer of the project, and have a valid contract (not to mention a terrific L.A. entertainment attorney in Manoj Shah who will sue everyone back to the motherfucking stone age if I don’t get paid). Other than that? I wish everyone involved with the project great success. Lexi’s a terrific director.”

Meanwhile, O’Sullivan (along with producing partner Sandra Rayne Garcia) have launched their own New York City-based wrestling company, Lucha Ilimitado, which will hold its first event on Wednesday, October 12 at the Yakima, Washington SunDome.

In an interview on the company’s website, O’Sullivan talked about his previous brushes with wrestling (saving an eight year old Dwayne Johnson’s life, co-creating a sitcom for Mick Foley, and developing a show about ’80s territory wrestling called Citizen Pain for the Fight Network).

July 10, 2016

Does lawsuit mean Chris Nowinski is caught in the middle?


In the summer of 2007, soon after retired pro wrestler Chris Nowinski created a concussion research foundation he would affiliate with Boston University, a star wrestler named Chris Benoit strangled his wife, choked to death his 7-year-old son, and hanged himself.

The 40-year-old Benoit previously had told Nowinski he experienced “more [concussions] than I can count.’’

“I was certain Benoit had suffered from CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy],’’ Nowinski wrote in his book, “Head Games: The Global Concussion Crisis.’’

Nowinski and his then-partner, Dr. Bennet Omalu, wasted little time procuring Benoit’s brain to examine. And when Omalu diagnosed Benoit with severe CTE — the first confirmation of the degenerative brain disease in a World Wrestling Entertainment performer — Nowinski widely publicized the findings, helping to galvanize national concern about traumatic brain injuries and catapult his foundation to prominence.

Nine years later, Nowinski faces a possible dilemma. He has since split bitterly from Omalu and embraced WWE as a multimillion-dollar sponsor of his BU-affiliated Concussion Legacy Foundation. And as WWE fights a concussion lawsuit in part by challenging Omalu’s diagnosis of Benoit, the question arises: Were Nowinski compelled to choose sides, would he defend Omalu’s findings or support WWE, the largest benefactor that Nowinski’s foundation has publicly acknowledged?

June 25, 2016

Nancy Benoit’s Sister Reveals Frightening Google Search Chris Benoit Did Prior to His Death, Reveals Past Benoit Restraining Order


As noted, the sister of Nancy Benoit, Sandra Toffolini, appeared on this week’s edition of Chris Jericho’s Talk is Jericho podcast, and during the appearance Toffolini revealed some details about the Chris Benoit murder suicide that the press had previously not mentioned.

Toffolini says she began noticing “changes” in Chris Benoit as early as 2004, and she feels that both “roid rage” and the pressure of winning the WWE Title at WrestleMania 20 contributed to the aggressive behavior he would direct at his wife Nancy.

Toffolini added her sister Nancy was “brutalized” by Chris’ roid rage, but she also said the concussions Chris suffered from his many years in the business coupled with the loss of good friends like Eddie Guerrero and Ray Traylor, aka Big Bossman, also likely played a part in his behavior towards his family.

One of the more frightening revelations Toffolini made during the podcast is she claimed that prior to the murders Chris had done a Google search on the easiest way to break someone’s neck. She also revealed that Nancy had gotten a restraining order against Chris at one point. Toffolini also spoke out against media reports that Chris and Nancy’s son Daniel Benoit had Fragile X syndrome, claiming those reports were false and that Daniel was healthy.

On the subject of the actual murder suicide, Toffolini clarified that Chris killed Nancy on a Friday, Daniel the following morning on Saturday, and then himself on Sunday night by rigging the pulldown machine in his gym to take his own life.

June 25, 2015

Chris Benoit Murder-Suicide Anniversary


Today marks the eight-year anniversary of the Chris Benoit double murder-suicide that occurred over a three-day period ending on June 24, 2007 [full story]. He allegedly murdered his wife and son before hanging himself.

October 25, 2014

Chris Jericho Talks About What Match He Can’t Watch Anymore


“What was voted the best match in Raw history by a lot of people, Jericho and Benoit vs. Triple H and Austin, so famous for being the night H tore his quad during the match, the crowd going bananas and the first time anybody had vanquished the evil Steve Austin and Triple H. It was a huge night in WWE history, a huge moment in the history of the Tag Team Championships and a huge moment in the history of my career, and I can’t ever see that match really. I can’t watch that match. I think I’ve watched it once and it’s good, it’s a great classic five star match, but it’s always tainted when I see Chris Benoit.”

February 8, 2014

WWE Network to Edit Over The Edge 1999, Stephanie McMahon Comments on Benoit & Owen Decision

CBS Pittsburgh has published an article on WWE deciding to air the controversial Over The Edge 1999 pay-per-view on the WWE Network.

WWE issued the following statement on Friday:

“WWE Network will be airing the 1999 Over The Edge pay-per-view. However, portions of the event will be edited out of respect for Owen Hart.”

Before the Royal Rumble last month, CBS spoke with Stephanie McMahon about Over The Edge 1999 and she said they had not made a decision at that time. Stephanie did confirm that Chris Benoit matches will be on the Network.

In the video above, Stephanie said:

“They are incredible challenging decisions to make. At the end of the day, we try to do what’s right for our fans and we try to give them exactly what they want to see.”

January 3, 2014

WWE to Air Chris Benoit Footage on the WWE Network with Advisory Note


F4Wonline.com reports that WWE has sent out a memo stating that Chris Benoit footage will be allowed on its new Network broadcasts. There will be an advisory played before every show he appears on. WWE is expected to announce the Network in Las Vegas next week.

September 5, 2013

WWE Raw Box Set Announced


WWE will be releasing a "Raw 20th Anniversary Collection" containing 12 DVDs (or 10 blu-ray discs) that boast a full 20 episodes of Monday Night Raw, "uncut and unedited".

The box set is available for pre-order now through Amazon.com, and will be released on December 3rd in the United States for $79.99. They have also released a brief synopsis of the collection:

"Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Raw, WWE presents 20 of the most memorable Raw episodes in history all in one all-new collector's set. For the first time ever, this collection will feature 20 COMPLETE EPISODES of Raw spread out over 12 DVD discs (10 Blu-ray). Each episode will be featured in chronological order, and were carefully selected to present a wide range that showcases all eras, several milestones and historic moments throughout Raw history. This collection is a must-own for WWE fans."

Both the WCW/WWF "simulcast" and "homecoming" editions of Monday Night Raw will be included in the set. It's worth noting that if the collection is true to its word, and will leave each episode "uncut and unedited", both episodes feature matches with Chris Benoit. Other episodes that have been confirmed include Mankind's WWF Championship title win, the very first Raw Roulette, the night Raw finally ended Nitro's ratings dominance, the DX Invasion and the original ECW Invasion.

July 4, 2013

A Storytelling Lesson From World Wrestling Entertainment’s Darkest Chapter


B.J. Mendelson of SocialTimes has a story on why WWE distancing themselves from Chris Benoit since his career and life ended in a murder–suicide in June 2007 is damaging to the sports-entertainment organization in his eyes.

Benoit is not acknowledged by WWE on television, as references to the deceased Canadian grappler are solely limited to historical perspectives and matches on new video releases involving multiple wrestlers. For instance, when commentators mention the fact that only two men have won the annual Royal Rumble match starting from the number one spot, with Shawn Michaels being the first to do so in 1995, followed by Benoit in 2004, Benoit is not acknowledged.

Mendelson feels the exclusion of Benoit from many of the company's properties creates a "black hole" and also sets a problematic precedent. He writes, "By erasing Benoit, WWE is erasing a good chunk of history within their fictional universe. This creates a black hole where his and other wrestlers storylines once existed. And since the true wealth of the WWE rests in its possession of the world's largest video library of professional wrestling, creating a near limitless resource for DVDs, merchandise, retrospectives, and repurposed programming, you can see where creating a black hole could represent a problem for the company and its shareholders. Especially if this decision to delete a wrestler established a precedent that would be followed and expanded to include performers who did things the company, its shareholders, or the public frowned upon. Because they're not only deleting the offending party, you're also deleting the other wrestler's match as well, which limits the exposure that wrestler has, hampers his or her ability to sell merchandise (which is how WWE determines which wrestler to put their efforts behind), and damages one of the key assets of the company."...More?

June 24, 2013

Chris Benoit Double Murder-Suicide Anniversary


Today marks the six-year anniversary of the Chris Benoit double murder-suicide that occurred over a three-day period ending on June 24, 2007 [full story]. He allegedly murdered his wife and son before hanging himself.

January 31, 2013

This Day In Wrestling History


Chris Benoit, Perry Saturn, Eddie Guererro and Dean Malenko show up on RAW. The group would be known as "The Radicalz."
January 31, 2000

January 17, 2013

This Day In Wrestling History


The WCW World Heavyweight Title is vacated by Chris Benoit. Benoit, Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko and Eddie Guerrero are released by WCW.
January 17, 2000

December 6, 2012

NFL Handled Murder/Suicide Differently Than WWE Did With Benoit


In the wake of a murder-suicide, should there be a standard protocol on how to deal with their deaths? On one hand, the fact that someone has now died needs to be acknowledged but is it always proper to mourn or grieve that loss, especially when they are responsible for the death of another human being?

The recent murder-suicide of Kansas City Chief Jovan Belcher and Kasandra Perkins reminded me of the death of Chris Benoit and his family. As I watched the Belcher incident take form, I was amazed at the parallels between the Belcher and Benoit murder-suicide situations.

This article is not meant to give any answers, but rather to ask the question if either the NFL or the WWE did the right thing regarding either of these horrific incidents. Is there a difference between the deaths of a professional athlete and a professional wrestler that should make us react in a different way than the other? Should the number of victims have any factor? Does the way the killings occurred matter?

Simply, is there a right way to handle this situation or does each situation need to be addressed individually? Click here.

source: slam wrestling

November 21, 2012

This Day In Wrestling History


Bret Hart wins the WCW World Title by defeating both Sting and Chris Benoit in 2 matches on the same night.
November 21, 1999

World Wrestling Entertainment announced on their website that details of a new drug policy being instituted by Vince McMahon.
November 21, 2005

June 25, 2012

This Day in Wrestling History


Antonio Inoki and Mohammad Ali fought to a 15 round draw.
June 25, 1976

WWE inducts legends Fabulous Moolah, Pedro Morales, Ivan Putski, Antonino Rocca, The Grand Wizard, George Steele and Ernie Ladd into the WWE Hall of Fame.
June 25, 1995

The Rock defeated Triple H by pinning Vince McMahon in a 6-man match for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title.
June 25, 2000

Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy and son are found dead in their home in Atlanta. The tragedy was later determined to be a double-murder/suicide after WWE ran a two-hour tribute show to Benoit. Vince McMahon would later apologize the following night on ECW.
June 25, 2007

May 25, 2012

This Day in Wrestling History


The Brian Pillman Memorial event is held in Cincinnati, OH at the Schmidt Field House. The card features the memorable Chris Benoit vs. William Regal match.
May 25, 2000

April 13, 2012

Our Lady Peace Comments on Retiring Chris Benoit's Theme Song


Some bands refuse to play some of their songs live. Radiohead immediately comes to mind, because for the most part, they rarely perform their mega-hit "Creep" on tour. The reasoning varies from band to band, but in the case of Thom Yorke and company I'm pretty sure they nixed that song from any set because they despise all it stood for when it came out in the grunge rock era. I could be wrong, but it really doesn't matter. In the case of Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace, they've chosen to take one of their popular songs off any set list for an entirely different reason. In a nutshell, the track comes with way too much baggage.

"Whatever" was the entrance song for fellow Canadian star and former WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) superstar Chris Benoit, whose wrestling career and life ended in a murder-suicide in 2007. In an interview just prior to their show at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City on April 5, the band's frontman Raine Maida and guitarist Steve Mazur discussed how they've had to retire the song altogether because of the incomprehensible tragedy that took place...More?

source: huffingtonpost.com

March 14, 2012

This Day in Wrestling History


Evan "Strangler" Lewis defeats Joe Acton in Chicago, Illinois to win the World Catch-as-Catch-Can Heavyweight Title.
March 14, 1887

Ric Flair becomes a 14-time World Heavyweight Champion defeating Hollywood Hogan
March 14, 1999

The infamous Bob Costas interview of Vince McMahon airs on HBO's "On the Record with Bob Costas". McMahon looked very intense and visably upset when Costas asked him questions about the fledgling XFL and the sex and violence in the WWF(E).
March 14, 2001

WWE sets a record for the highest grossing wrestling event ever held in Madison Square Garden in New York City, pulling in over $2.4 million in ticket sales for WrestleMania XX, which was headlined by Chris Benoit defeating Triple H and Shawn Michaels in a three way match for the World Heavyweight Title. The event also sees the final WWE appearances (to date) for Brock Lesnar and Bill Goldberg.
1987 - The WWF aired the 10th edition of Saturday Night's Main Event on NBC, which got an 11.6 rating. The show was taped on February 21 in Detroit, Michigan at Joe Louis Arena.
March 14, 2004

Vince McMahon receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
March 14, 2008

February 7, 2012

Christopher Nowinski Details Conversations with Benoit Prior to Tragedy


Former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski says his mission with the Sports Legacy Institute is to understand why the concussion-related CTE disease happens so it can be prevented in the future. It relates to Chris Benoit, who Nowinski says showed signs of CTE in their conversations prior to Benoit's double murder/suicide in June 2007.

"We incorporated Sports Legacies ten days before the Benoit tragedy. A year prior to that I sat down with Benoit when I was still working for (WWE) and he just started asking me questions," Nowinski said on the "Busted Open" satellite radio show. "He was more interested than any other wrestler, which helps me realize that he actually knew there was something wrong with him. He asked me about how many concussions I had and I asked him and he said, 'Well, I had more concussions than I can count.' So, because he told me that and then he told me to give him a call. I remember months later... I called him and he acted like he didn't know why I was calling after he gave me his number. So, I thought maybe there was a memory thing or maybe a mood thing going on. So, when it happened, I was sure that is why it happened."

source: busted open radio

 photo i_zps0ebed5ab.jpg
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear