It’s been nearly 13 years since Chris Benoit and his family were found dead were in their Fayetteville, Georgia, home. While 13 years can be a lifetime to some, to the people close to the whole sordid situation, 13 years might as well be 13 minutes.
That’s why the creators Vice ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ documentary series had the equivalent of a live hand grenade in their hands with ‘Benoit’ to kick off their second season. Skew too positive and appear insensitive to the victims left behind. Skew too negative and you miss the opportunity to get into some of the overlooked aspects of the story.
To their credit, they stuck the landing on both aspects, building a story of how beloved the Canadian star was to friends and family, why that made this turn of events so shocking, and how the aforementioned friends and family — and even fans — have had to juggle their feelings given the tragic turn of events.
For those who watched all of season one and have heard interviews with the creators, it’s clear season two was the ideal time to tackle this story. Because of how well received that first round was, that undoubtedly bought them some cache with talents that might have otherwise not talked to them for a subject like this.
That cache enabled them to get nearly everyone you would want to hear from including Nancy Toffoloni’s sister, Chris’ surviving son David (his resemblance to Chris when you first see him is arresting), Chris Jericho, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Vicky Guerrero, Dean and Julie Malenko, Jim Ross, the detective who found the bodies, and others. The interviews combined with the family footage and images is tremendous and heartbreaking at the same time.
The bulk of the first hour focuses on who Benoit was and what drove him to become one of the best wrestlers in the world. Intertwined with that is the story of Nancy, aka Fallen Angel aka Woman. We learn how she gets into the business, how her work with Kevin Sullivan helped bring her to the forefront, and the complications that were to come with her, Sullivan, and Benoit.
Benoit beginning to work with Eddie Guerrero in Japan shapes the rest of the documentary and is portrayed as a trigger point for what began Benoit’s decline. All these years later, I didn’t realize just how tight their friendship was, first born out of Benoit’s initial dislike of Guerrero. Their families became friends and they eventually became inseparable. In painstaking detail, we taken through Guerrero’s sudden death, how it crushed Benoit, and examples of how he never truly recovered to the point of laying in the Guerreros’ bed and weeping.
The second half of the documentary focuses on the decline, the eventual double murder/suicide, and the aftermath which hits on two topics that I find fascinating.
The first was how WWE handled the blowback from mainstream media who were all over the story and then some. They go over the erasing of Benoit from their history, the infamous tribute show, the wellness policy loopholes, their claims steroids weren’t an issue, and how David and Nancy’s sister Sandra were essentially abandoned by the company after the tragedy.
The second was the complicated legacy of Benoit today including the aforementioned erasure. David talks about the struggles with growing up and still seeing his father as a hero despite what he did. His friends talk about remembering what a good and loyal friend Benoit but struggling with how to cope with what he did. Jericho, in particular, brings up how the wrestling business was nearly ruined by this story and how that would have crushed Benoit to know that given how much he loved the business.
Then, there’s the ending. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil it but for those closely following the story, it’s truly a moment and a very good one at that.
For some, ‘Benoit’ will be a tough watch but it remains one of the Dark Side crew’s strongest works to date. While there are some complaints about certain people they didn’t talk to and some of the details that weren’t covered, it was a compelling and well put together effort considering the topic and is a great kickoff to their second season.
If you don’t have Vice TV, part 1 and part 2 are available for free on their YouTube channel. I’d also recommend checking out recent editions of Wrestling Observer Radio where Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez answer questions in detail about the documentary and that time in their lives.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including your mailbag questions on the Chris Benoit documentary, all the latest ratings news, Vince McMahon selling a bunch of stock, Japanese pro wrestling update, a full recap of both AEW and NXT from Wednesday night and tons more.
A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Chris Benoit documentary
28:30: Japan shutting down again
35:37: Ratings
38:30: Vince sells stock
47:25: AEW, NXT thoughts
52:35: AEW
1:12:53: NXT
The evolution of AEW since we last talked, what we like, and what we’d like to see tweaked in the future
John’s thoughts on the Dark Side of the Ring Chris Benoit documentary…and more
Then, I give some blistering hot takes on the Dana White-Kevin Iole interview including some comments that even made the non-alarmist in me take a pause.
Are you interested in attending our annual F4W/WON convention? We will hold it during AEW Double or Nothing weekend. For more information, check this post for activities and prices.
A detailed look at how the pro wrestling and MMA industry has changed in just one week is the subject of our in-depth lead story.
We cover:
Steps taken, made, executed, and constantly changed, from WWE, UFC, AEW and every other company.
Which companies can afford the lockdown the best, and which companies are threatened the most.
WWE, why they chose to do WrestleMania now on tape, why the move made little sense.
Why UFC was forced to shut down shows and the steps they took to avoid it.
What AEW said and what it actually meant.
The dangers from doctors on doing shows right now.
Latest ideas for WrestleMania, revenue lost by not doing the show now, just how fast decisions were changing, pro wrestling vs. MMA in an empty arena, styles vs. styles in an empty arena, what does and doesn’t work, ideas to make the show more entertaining, what is and isn’t finalized for WrestleMania, and update on other planned WWE events.
We also cover:
WWE training, who were brought to the WWE & AEW taping, what was said to those working there, Dana White’s memo to the staff, why UFC had it harder to keep shows going than pro wrestling, UFC’s economic realities, different reactions of talent about shows continuing, new dates for major shows, next shows on UFC schedule, ESPN plans, Japanese government reaction, updates on Japanese shows, XFL ending the season, how the first season leaves the XFL in its quest to make it, Bellator’s reaction, MLW’s reaction, Impact’s reaction, NWA’s reaction, Independent shows, WrestleCon, U.K. groups, Mexico and other U.S. indies.
AEW’s live television show, the in and out of character remarks, Cody and Tony Khan’ reactions, and show things were handled
A look at the career of Jushin Liger, his historical status, his early career, his becoming the best wrestler in the world, his debut with the character, who was first pegged for the role, his debut with the gimmick, his U.S. arrival in WCW, his one MMA fight, and his list of credentials.
Why WWE stock hasn’t collapsed, Shane McMahon’s income, Michelle Wilson and George Barrios’ severance packages, update on The Revival, WWE threatens small group on a frivolous case, WWE legend selling his home, last several weeks of Canadian TV ratings, Jerry Lawler talks empty arena matches, latest WWE tryout, Sonya Deville talks storyline she wanted, as well as the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.
Full coverage of the UFC’s empty arena show in Brasilia, Brazil with the stories coming out of the show and match-by-match coverage.
A feature on the worst weekend in the history of the business when Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son. We look at the Reelz television show that just came out covering the crime as well as a look at the Viceland story coming this week. We talk about different theories, the death of Eddy Guerrero, CTE, steroids, xanax and more, WWE reaction, drug testing questions and problems and much more.
Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
With all indoor gatherings of more than 100 people banned in Australia, pretty much everything except empty arena shows look to be canceled.
The first hour of the two-hour Viceland Dark Side of the Ring special on Chris Benoit can be seen here.
Arena Mexico tonight has been canceled which was the El Homenaje a Dos Leyendas show. They are still planning to do the show in the future.
The state of Mexico has suspended all boxing and pro wrestling events though 4/20.
Dragon Gate will be running a Sunday empty arena show from Kobe headlined by Kzy & Yosuke Santa Maria & Dragon Dia vs. Eita & Big R Shimizu & Kaito Ishida. The show starts at 6 a.m. Eastern Sunday morning on the Dragon Gate Network.
I did a lengthy talk about a million different pro wrestling subjects earlier today here
WWE
I hope Adam Scherr’s friends talk to him about this. It’s poorly timed and thought out. I get the mentality behind it at a different point in time, but not at this point in time. This is not the time for it and really, this isn’t the time for rich people to be blaming poor people for their inability to keep jobs that by all rights they would have thought they had. Anyway, if you’re a friend of his, let him know. Hopefully he has some real friends
Smackdown tonight has John Morrison & The Miz vs. Heavy Machinery in a non-title match, a Bill Goldberg/Roman Reigns contract signing plus Rob Gronkowski debuts. 205 Live will be taped as well with Danny Burch vs. Joaquin Wilde and Oney Lorcan vs. Swerve Scott.
Today is the 25th anniversary of the death of John Minton aka Big John Studd at the age of 47.
UFC
State Troopers came to the Had Knocks 365 gym in Fort Lauderdale, FL and Jared Gordon told MMA Fighting that he was facing a possible arrest if he didn’t relocate. So the fighters went to a local park and did some running and hid pads. He noted that it’s not fair for fighters who can’t train due to not being allowed to go to the gym to fight.
AEW
Nick Jackson’s wife had the couple’s baby boy yesterday.
MISCELLANEOUS
AAW noted that its anniversary show tonight at the Logan Square Arena in Chicago was canceled. But they are putting complete shows up on YouTube.
The Villano III Jr. vs. Aereo mask vs mask match that people have been raving about is 1:59 into this broadcast.
Regarding the discussion I had on Wednesday’s show, an official with the NCAA told us that the idea of a 16-man tournament for basketball was an option discussed, but the decision has been made to cancel all spring championships.
Hoosier Pro Wrestling announced that their 4/4 show is canceled, noting its only the second time in 22 years of promoting wrestling that they’ve had to do that.
The Alabama Athletic Commission has halted the issuance of permits to hold pro wrestling events in the state based on Gov. Kay Ivey ordering no gatherings with more than 25 people where a six foot distance between people couldn’t be maintained. (thanks to Larry Goodman)
Legacy Fighting Alliance announced tonight’s show is off, as well as the 4/3 show in Broomfield, CO and 4/17 in South Dakota.
Riot City Wrestling tomorrow night in Adelaide, Australia has been canceled.
A new DVD called Wrestling from the Heartland featuring matches with John Cena, Cactus Jack, Eddy Guerrero Charlie Haas, Big Show, Rikishi, Ron Simmons and many others that were thought to be lost is at www.Joe-Dombrowski.com
Revolution Wrestling Federation’s Sunday show with Scott Steiner was canceled.
CWE has canceled its shows in Modern, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg due to the closing of the border not allowing talent to come, including headliner Savio Vega, and the 50 person maximum gathering would mean only 30 tickets could be sold.
Synergy Pro Wrestling will have an iPPV show on 3/28 at 3 p.m. Eastern on FITE.tv Fightmare vs. DeSean Pratt will headline.
EPW in Western Australia has postponed all events indefinitely. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
The most tumultuous four-day period in the recent history of World Championship Wrestling started with WCW getting the word that an injury would cause champion and main eventer Bret Hart to miss the Souled Out PPV. As dominos starting falling one by one, it ended with a new booker, the crowning of a new champion who asked to be released from his contract anyway, and his vacating the title voluntarily some 18 hours later and possibly with several wrestlers leaving the company.
For Bill Busch, who is running WCW, this week will probably become his sink-or-swim week as far as what the end result regarding his respect both in and out of wrestling based on his handling of a chaotic situation, which was still ongoing at press time.
It all started when WCW was told officially late Thursday or early Friday that Hart’s doctor had diagnosed his severe migraines and inability to focus as the result of a severe concussion and not only ruled out wrestling on the PPV, but even flying in for television this week or doing any lifting this week.
Crossface, the long-talked about movie about the life of Chris Benoit, is back on the radar after many years with the official announcement that director and Academy Award nominee Lexi Alexander is attached to the project.
Variety reported the news Thursday, although Alexander (Punisher: War Zone, Johnny Flynton) has teased it on Twitter. It also had been reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter several months ago that she was in talks to do the piece.
July 4th will mark Les Thatcher’s 56th anniversary in the wrestling business! Les & Vic start off talking about what it was like early in Les’ career to walk into locker rooms filled with guys he’d paid to see just a few years earlier, including the time young, inexperienced Les was ribbed into doing something he shouldn’t have done to of all people, THE ORIGINAL SHEIK. We’ll also discuss Chris Jericho’s recent podcast with Nancy Benoit’s sister (21:12) and Les will share some personal memories of both Chris & Nancy. We’ll wrap up by opening the mailbag and answering your questions on whether Les saw WCW’s impending doom (40:41) when he had a developmental territory deal with them, HWA’s television coverage (44:03), wrestling Hiro Matsuda in Florida (51:01), the lack of time limit draws in wrestling today (55:01), that Stephanie McMahon interview from a few days ago (58:24), and what Les thought when he watched the Ali vs Inoki fight on that fateful night in 1976 (65:21). Thanks for listening, have a great weekend and if you’re celebrating the US Independence Day, Happy 4th and be safe~!
On this week’s Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa look back at the days when you could count on a bunch of roster cuts from WWE shortly after Wrestlemania and wonder if it might be time for that to happen again.
We’ll also talk Sting in the WWE HOF (29:01) and remember the night one of Les’ dear friends was honored by WCW in a very moving ceremony (34:36). As always, we’ll close the show with the mailbag (42:48).
