Chris Benoit, commonly known as The Rabid Wolverine, was a respected figure in the WWE, holding the prestigious title of world champion, headlining Wrestlemania, and triumphing at the Royal Rumble.
Nevertheless, in June 2007, he committed a shocking and tragic act by taking the lives of his wife and young son before ending his own life on the night he was to secure his third world championship.
Following this devastating event, Benoit was effectively expunged from the company’s history, with his name removed from various platforms and rarely mentioned in WWE broadcasts.
In 2024, former WWE CEO Vince McMahon addressed the double murder-suicide in a Netflix documentary series, Mr. McMahon.
At the time of his passing at age 40, Benoit, who had been in the wrestling industry since he was 18, had competed internationally, garnering 30 championships and earning recognition as one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the sport.
After his death, concerns were raised about the potential impact of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repetitive head injuries, on Benoit’s actions, similar to cases in American football.
Post-mortem examinations revealed severe brain damage in Benoit, suggesting he may have suffered from CTE, while the discovery of steroids at his residence led to speculation about the role of “roid rage” in the tragic events.
McMahon dismissed the steroid speculation, attributing Benoit’s actions to human flaws and denying a connection between steroids and the tragedy.
Despite WWE’s stringent concussion and drug-testing protocols, the company distanced itself from any responsibility for Benoit’s actions.