Heyman Hustle: Paul Heyman on the Chris Benoit Tragedy

There was a new article by Paul Heyman posted the The Sun's website today. Heyman is taking on the subject that we all, at one time or another, has taken on.

The Chris Benoit tragedy.

This is a different kind of dialogue from Paul Heyman. From a man that is so good at forming thoughts and relaying them eloquently, he rattles on (like I do).

Obviously, the event still disturbs him, like it still disturbs all of us. For most of us, Chris was a hero, a role model, a respected representation of 'the business', a stand-up guy, an idol. While he may have been some of those things to Paul Heyman, Chris Benoit was, of course, something more. A friend and co-worker. Paul, and the rest of the 'guys-in-the-back' actually knew Chris Benoit.

As difficult as it has been for me, as I'm sure many other wrestling fans, to theorize, understand and forgive Benoit for what he did, it has to be tenfold for friends and acquaintances of the man.

Chris was obviously sick, and obviously insane. Sane people, don't kill other people. I can't believe that no one in Chris Benoit's circle didn't see this coming. I'm not blaming them, or suggesting 'guilt by association'... but were there really no warning signs? Was there no change in temperament, or personality? Chris Benoit never struck me as the type of person that would let a person through the emotional wall, but I would think when you work with a guy for years, you'd still be able to tell if something was 'off'.

Or perhaps the only time Chris Benoit was level-headed, was when he was knee-deep in 'the business'. Who knows?

Paul Heyman really says it best:

'The only people who can accurately tell us what happened, what caused the chain of events that lead to three people's lives being extinguished, are all gone.'

Paul has stopped trying to understand it and let go... maybe it's time for the rest of us to follow suit.

Please have a read of Paul E's article: I've no Answers and I Never Will

Documentary Suggests Benoit had Brain Damage

A new documentary by Canadian network CBC, 'The Fifth Estate', suggests that Chris Benoit was suffering from brain damage from repeated concussions, going so far as saying that Benoit's brain resembled that of an 85-year-old man with dementia. This investigation was promped by Chris Nowinski (remember him? Mr. Harvard?). Apprently, when Nowinski heard about Chris Benoit, he called police and suggested examining Benoit's brain to see if concussions played a role in any episodes of rage or depression. It was reported that Vince McMahon dismissed the concussion theory, saying that he couldn't have performed as his did with this condition.

Chris, not that it makes what happened okay (Killing your wife, your son, and hanging yourself is inexcusable), but I truly hope that this was the case. I can see how this might have been the case, with all of the chair shots, headbutts and swan dive headbutts I saw over the years, not to mention all the ones that I didn't see. You were an idol of mine, and always seemed like a stand-up guy. I was shocked and dismayed when I first heard what you had done.