cyfar Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Vince Mcmahon is "alive" again, I just saw his thoughts about the situation Yet "Mr. McMahon" is dead. He killed the character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stwasm Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/070628 The WWE was in the middle of an elaborate, fake-death story line involving chairman Vince McMahon -- going as far as to put out a press release about it and declare a day of mourning -- when life decided it could trump art. The WWE got its wish, all right. The pro wrestling world was indeed leveled by a major death, creating the nationwide buzz it so desperately sought. Only this death wasn't staged, it wasn't McMahon's and it pointed to a much more significant problem in the "sport." The bodies of legendary wrestler Chris Benoit, wife Nancy and 7-year-old son Daniel were discovered Monday after a gruesome murder-suicide. Initially, all three were thought to be victims -- the WWE and USA Network even aired a three-hour tribute to the 22-year wrestling vet -- but it soon became apparent the deaths were executed by Benoit, who strangled his wife and suffocated his child before hanging himself on the portable weight machine in the family's home. I realize we're supposed to look at pro wrestling as a high-flying version of "The Young and the Restless." But it is inconceivable that, given the appalling number of real wrestling deaths, there would ever be any plot lines involving fake deaths. The real lives of pro wrestlers, as the Benoit tragedy illustrates, are far more disturbing than anything they could act out in the ring. Two years ago, Eddie Guerrero was found dead in his Minneapolis hotel room -- medical examiners ruled Guerrero had an enlarged heart, a result of the anabolic steroids he had abused. In 2003, Miss Elizabeth -- the girlfriend of former WCW champion Lex Luger and a one-time fixture in the sport -- overdosed on a combination of pain pills and alcohol. That same year, Curt "Mr. Perfect" Henning died of a cocaine overdose. And in 1999, Owen Hart died while trying to perform a stunt during a pay-per-view event -- the show went on, and because pro wrestling is always full of theatrics, the viewing audience had no idea the mishap it had just witnessed resulted in a real death. "Personally, I thought the [McMahon] story line was in extremely poor taste from the start," said Phil Lowe, editor of WrestleMag.com, the largest wrestling Web site in the United Kingdom. "I'd like to think a story line such as this should never even be considered again and that the company now focuses on wrestling over far-fetched story lines, as well as paying more attention to the well-being of those who play a massive role in ensuring that the company is such a massive success." Although pro wrestling makes no illusions about its purpose, the countless deaths suggest it's time to scrutinize what goes on there with the same seriousness as in the NBA or NFL. Pro wrestling is still sports entertainment, which doesn't make it all that different from the sports leagues that don't have predetermined outcomes. It took Jose Canseco's book, "Juiced," and the BALCO scandal to get Congress to question officials from the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball. How many more pro wrestlers have to die before Congress gives McMahon, who was charged with conspiring to distribute steroids to his wrestlers, a phone call? "Depending on what comes out from [benoit's] toxicology reports, we could see changes implemented or at least changes called for," Lowe said. Although steroids are poised to be the banner issue that emerges from the Benoit tragedy, the changes that need to be implemented should go further than just drug testing, which WWE already has. As we've seen with the retired NFL players who have taken their plight to the government, the mental strain that comes from competing in brutal sports -- and despite its being programmed, you could argue pro wrestling is as physically taxing as professional football -- can be debilitating, whether steroids are involved or not. Many pro wrestlers, as shown in the stunning 1999 documentary "Beyond the Mat," lead lives that are demoralizing, not glamorous. In that documentary, we learn that Jake "The Snake" Roberts -- whose signature "DDT" move I tried many times as a kid -- is just a lonely cocaine addict estranged from his family. Based on the things in "Beyond the Mat," we should almost be surprised when a pro wrestler doesn't die tragically. "Ultimately, every guy is responsible for his or her own actions," Lowe said. "That said, some of these guys -- especially those at the top of the tree -- are under huge pressure to keep in shape and maintain their physical condition while burning themselves out on the road 200-plus days a year." It seems the drama in pro wrestling isn't as fake as we'd like to believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVAbrendan Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Wrestling sure does take a toll on ones body and mind. No doubt that Benoit has used steroids in the past (I doubt recently though). He's also suffered numerous concussions. Combine those two and I'm sure you have a recipe for disaster. A lot of these wrestlers were my heroes when I was a kid; Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Owen Hart. Both Shawn and Bret have health problems and Owen is gone. It's sad to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
National Defense Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 thats right-WWE corporate planned the whole thing in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolblue13 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 thats right-WWE corporate planned the whole thing in advanceI can just see it now, those guys will exploit anything.Good guys- Benoit was a hero Bad guys- He was a murderer Good guys- I'll show you a murderer Next week- the Benoit death cage battle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herrmag Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 What if it just turns out that Benoit was just a wack job? Everybody says he was a great guy in the lockerroom, but NEVER talked about his personal life....Yeah, I know, it doesn't have the mass hysteria appeal of 'roids and Vincent McMahon being the antichrist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCsportsfan53 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Why would they be in custody? It's not illegal to post something on wikipedia just because the cops don't know about it yet. When you know about a murder before the bodies have been discovered, yeah, you're going downtown for questioning. Whoever wrote that either found the bodies and didn't think it necessary to tell anyone or they knew what was happening before it happened. Either way, he/she has got some questions to answer, that's for damn sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolblue13 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 My old roomate used to make me watch this crap. They pulled a handicapped kid out of the stands and beat the hell out of him. So disrespectful and shameless, but the crow loves it. The more Springer-ish it ges, the more they eat it up. All of these wrestlers who have died, knew what was going on. They went for the money and accepted the pressure, they didn't make it. I'm sure when one dies, there are 10 more behind them who see it as a job opertunity. Poor professional wrestlers, boo hoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zguy28 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 :munchout: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidenreich Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 What if it just turns out that Benoit was just a wack job? Everybody says he was a great guy in the lockerroom, but NEVER talked about his personal life....Yeah, I know, it doesn't have the mass hysteria appeal of 'roids and Vincent McMahon being the antichrist. Excatly. But if the media waits until the reports come in, they can't write these stories. I side with the WWE here. As someone who was on the receiving end of roid rage (note to self, never make a roided up guy look stupid!), it's not a methodical act. You pretty much get the **** kicked out of you. I would buy the roid rage theory if Nancy was found a bloody mess, with obvious marks of physical confrontation. Tying her up & choking her & her son to death, makes me guess that it's more of a "mental" issue, that the guy had a couple of screws loose..... My old roomate used to make me watch this crap. They pulled a handicapped kid out of the stands and beat the hell out of him. So disrespectful and shameless, but the crow loves it. Damn, I must have missed that one...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVAbrendan Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 My old roomate used to make me watch this crap. They pulled a handicapped kid out of the stands and beat the hell out of him. So disrespectful and shameless, but the crow loves it. The more Springer-ish it ges, the more they eat it up. All of these wrestlers who have died, knew what was going on. They went for the money and accepted the pressure, they didn't make it. I'm sure when one dies, there are 10 more behind them who see it as a job opertunity.Poor professional wrestlers, boo hoo. Can you reference this? I can only remember seeing good things happen towards handicapped kids; Bret Hart giving them his sunglasses before matches, Shawn escorting a handicapped kid out of the arena when he tried to come in and help the match, rather than having the security guards manhandle him, etc. And about 95% of Pro-Wrestlers aren't in it for the money; it's a hard, hard lifestyle. Even if you're jobbing for the WWE, you're not making a lot of money; you have to have the passion for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rincewind Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Damn, I must have missed that one...... Can you reference this? I can only remember seeing good things happen towards handicapped kids; Bret Hart giving them his sunglasses before matches, Shawn escorting a handicapped kid out of the arena when he tried to come in and help the match, rather than having the security guards manhandle him, etc. And about 95% of Pro-Wrestlers aren't in it for the money; it's a hard, hard lifestyle. Even if you're jobbing for the WWE, you're not making a lot of money; you have to have the passion for it. I'm thinking he means that dude with only one leg that was actually a wrestler a few years back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolblue13 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 There is plenty of money in the WWE. Much more than just lifting weights and training. The kid in the wheelchair was about two years ago. I wouldn't even know where to look for it. I think he even had a match against McMahon the following week. I remeber my roomate calling me in so I could "check this out". I shook my head, told him he should be ashamed of himself and going back to play the bass in my room. My point is, this is what they do. The "povich/springer" style dramatics and the pressure are known when they get into it. I don't care if it has nothing to do with money and they just want to wear little shorts on national TV. Nobody forces you to be a professional wrestler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolblue13 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I'm thinking he means that dude with only one leg that was actually a wrestler a few years back.That could be it. I don't really remeber all that much and I don't watch it. I did when I was a little kid, but not as an adult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVAbrendan Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I'm thinking he means that dude with only one leg that was actually a wrestler a few years back. Oh yeah! I remember that. Yeah, that was pretty tasteless, but it was obvious the guy was a professional. I stand corrected Koolblue... At least Vince and Co. has decided to resort back to more pure wrestling, and less soap opera storyline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stwasm Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Oh yeah! I remember that. Yeah, that was pretty tasteless, but it was obvious the guy was a professional. I stand corrected Koolblue...At least Vince and Co. has decided to resort back to more pure wrestling, and less soap opera storyline. Speaking of Vince McMahon, now that guy has to be on steroids. I remember when he was just a skinny guy commentating for them. Then, all of the sudden, he shows up, totally buff. Yikes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endzone_dave Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I'll take a different view of this. Look at the type of people who become pro wrestlers in the first place. These are guys who typically live in a gym and want to bulk up to be as big as possible. Then they join pro-wrestling schools and learn how to basically beat the crap out of each other without getting too hurt. They know going into it they will have to be as big and buff as possible, but that's perfectly fine with them because they are gym rats to begin with. I think people have the cause and effect backwards on people. The people who become pro wrestlers are a little bit different people to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tastes Like Chicken Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Wow. Imagine you find out that Benoit's wife died. What's the first thing you can think of doing, before anything else? :idea: Oh I know, I'll update his Wikipedia page. :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Worthy Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I've always thought pulleys were a killer exercise, and Chris Benoit apparently agreed. Its sad that not only you took the time to post this, but your thought process came up with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praise_gibbs Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I'll take a different view of this.Look at the type of people who become pro wrestlers in the first place. These are guys who typically live in a gym and want to bulk up to be as big as possible. Then they join pro-wrestling schools and learn how to basically beat the crap out of each other without getting too hurt. They know going into it they will have to be as big and buff as possible, but that's perfectly fine with them because they are gym rats to begin with. I think people have the cause and effect backwards on people. The people who become pro wrestlers are a little bit different people to begin with. Not all true. I think of guys like Bob Backlund, Terry Funk, Mick Foley, Sandman, Tommy Dreamer just to name a few off the top of my head. They don't all try and turn into beefcakes. Most of the great actual wrestlers did not beef up like wrestlers as a whole are trying to be sterotyped as. There are a lot of wrestlers whom bulk up in an exagerated manner to play the intimidation role. The dude is built like a house... he must be tough right? That is the angle that some wrestlers take. However, if you do notice the majority of wresters are not all jacked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rictus58 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I'll take a different view of this.Look at the type of people who become pro wrestlers in the first place. These are guys who typically live in a gym and want to bulk up to be as big as possible. Then they join pro-wrestling schools and learn how to basically beat the crap out of each other without getting too hurt. They know going into it they will have to be as big and buff as possible, but that's perfectly fine with them because they are gym rats to begin with. I think people have the cause and effect backwards on people. The people who become pro wrestlers are a little bit different people to begin with. ^Gym rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endzone_dave Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Not all true. I think of guys like Bob Backlund, Terry Funk, Mick Foley, Sandman, Tommy Dreamer just to name a few off the top of my head. They don't all try and turn into beefcakes. Most of the great actual wrestlers did not beef up like wrestlers as a whole are trying to be sterotyped as. There are a lot of wrestlers whom bulk up in an exagerated manner to play the intimidation role. The dude is built like a house... he must be tough right? That is the angle that some wrestlers take. However, if you do notice the majority of wresters are not all jacked up. But I think you have to be a little bit different type of person to want to be a pro wrestler. I read Mick Foley's first book and the guy is definitely not your normal guy. Plus, some of the stories that Mick told in his book showed that a lot of those guys aren't playing with a full deck to begin with. I'm not saying these are bad guys, just a little bit off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVAbrendan Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Chris Benoit mystery editor confesses: claims "terrible coincidence" "I feel incredibly bad for all the attention this got because of the fact that what I said turned out to be the truth. Like I said it was just a major coincidence, and I will never vandalize anything on wikipedia or post wrongful information. I've learned from this experience. I just can't believe what I wrote was actually the case, I've remained stunned and saddened over it..." http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Chris_Benoit_mystery_editor_confesses:_Claims_%22terrible_coincidence%22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praise_gibbs Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 But I think you have to be a little bit different type of person to want to be a pro wrestler. I read Mick Foley's first book and the guy is definitely not your normal guy. Plus, some of the stories that Mick told in his book showed that a lot of those guys aren't playing with a full deck to begin with.I'm not saying these are bad guys, just a little bit off. No doubt. Just the same as you have to be a bit off to be a Rock Star. Anytime you are on the road more so than at home with your family... You have to be a bit different. They [the wrestlers] know this. At the same time though, they can get out anytime they want--barring they are let out of their contract early... If not, they just have to wait until the end of their contract which is generally not long to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOOPSKIN28 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 And people say Wikipedia isn't reliable. Practically anything said about this situation is going to be in bad taste, but that was funny as hell... I hate it when people bust on Wiki..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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