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Chris Benoit
Benoit at a house show in Thailand in 2007
Born	Christopher Michael Benoit (1967-05-21)May 21, 1967 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died	June 24, 2007(2007-06-24) (aged 40) Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Martina Benoit ​ ​(m. 1980; div. 1997)​ Nancy Benoit ​ ​(m. 2000; their deaths 2007)​
Children	3
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Chris Benoit The Pegasus Kid Wild Pegasus
Billed height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Billed weight	220 lb (100 kg)
Billed from	Atlanta, Georgia Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Trained by	Bruce Hart Frank Cullen New Japan Pro Wrestling
Debut	November 22, 1985

Christopher Michael Benoit (French pronunciation: [bəˈnwa]; May 21, 1967 – June 24, 2007) was a Canadian professional wrestler.

During his 22-year career, Benoit worked for numerous promotions including the World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/WWE), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). Industry historian Dave Meltzer considered him "one of the top 10, maybe even the top 5, all-time greats".

Benoit held 22 championships between WWF/WWE, WCW, NJPW, and ECW. He was a two-time world champion, having been a one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time World Heavyweight Champion in WWE; he was booked to win a third world championship at a WWE event on the night of his death. Benoit was the twelfth WWE Triple Crown Champion and sixth WCW Triple Crown Champion, and the second of five men in history to achieve both the WWE and WCW Triple Crown Championships. He was also the 2004 Royal Rumble winner, joining Shawn Michaels as the only two men to win a Royal Rumble as the number one entrant. Benoit headlined multiple pay-per-views for WWE, including a victory in the World Heavyweight Championship main event match of WrestleMania XX in 2004.

Benoit murdered his wife and son on June 22, 2007, and hanged himself two days later. Research suggests depression and brain damage from numerous concussions are likely contributing factors leading to the crime.

Early life

Benoit was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Michael and Margaret Benoit. He grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, from where he was billed throughout the bulk of his career. He had a sister living near Edmonton.

Professional wrestling career

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Influences and training

During his childhood and early adolescence in Edmonton, Benoit idolized Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington and Bret Hart; at 12 years old, he attended a local wrestling event at which the two performers "stood out above everyone else". Benoit trained to become a professional wrestler in the Hart family "Dungeon", receiving education from family patriarch Stu Hart. In-ring, Benoit emulated both Billington and Bret Hart, cultivating a high-risk style and physical appearance more reminiscent of the former (years later, he would adopt Hart's trademark "Sharpshooter" hold as a finishing move).

Stampede Wrestling (1985–1989)

Benoit began his career in 1985, in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion. From the beginning, similarities between Benoit and Billington were apparent, as Benoit adopted many of his moves such as the diving headbutt and the snap suplex; the homage was complete with his initial billing as "Dynamite" Chris Benoit. According to Benoit, in his first match, he attempted the diving headbutt before learning how to land correctly, and had the wind knocked out of him; he said he would never do the move again at that point. His debut match was a tag team match on November 22, 1985 in Calgary, Alberta, where he teamed with "The Remarkable" Rick Patterson against Butch Moffat and Mike Hammer, which Benoit's team won the match after Benoit pinned Moffat with a sunset flip. The first title Benoit ever won was the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship in 1986 against Gama Singh. During his tenure in Stampede, he won four International Tag Team and three more British Commonwealth titles, and had a lengthy feud with Johnny Smith that lasted for over a year, which both men traded back-and-forth the British Commonwealth title. In 1989, Stampede closed its doors later that year, and with a recommendation from Bad News Allen, Benoit departed for New Japan Pro Wrestling.

New Japan Pro Wrestling (1986–1994)

Upon arriving in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Benoit spent about a year training in their "New Japan Dojo" with the younger wrestlers to improve his abilities. While in the dojo, he spent months doing strenuous activities like push ups and floor sweeping before stepping into the ring. He made his Japanese debut in 1986 under his real name. In 1989, he started wearing a mask and assuming the name The Pegasus Kid. Benoit said numerous times that he originally hated the mask, but it eventually became a part of him. While with NJPW, he came into his own as a performer in critically acclaimed matches with luminaries like Jushin Thunder Liger, Shinjiro Otani, Black Tiger, and El Samurai in their junior heavyweight division.

In August 1990, he won his first major championship, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, from Jushin Thunder Liger. He eventually lost the title in November 1990 (and in July 1991 in Japan and in November 1991 in Mexico, his mask) back to Liger, forcing him to reinvent himself as Wild Pegasus. Benoit spent the next couple years in Japan, winning the Best of the Super Juniors tournament twice (1993 and 1995). He went on to win the Super J-Cup Tournament in 1994, defeating Black Tiger, Gedo, and Great Sasuke in the finals. He wrestled outside New Japan occasionally to compete in Mexico and Europe, where he won a few regional championships, including the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship. He held that title for over a year, having many forty-plus minute matches with Villano III.

World Championship Wrestling (1992–1993)

Benoit first came to World Championship Wrestling in June 1992, teaming up with fellow Canadian wrestler Biff Wellington for the NWA World Tag Team Championship tournament; they were defeated by Brian Pillman and Jushin Thunder Liger in the first round at Clash of the Champions XIX.

He did not return to WCW until January 1993 at Clash of the Champions XXII, defeating Brad Armstrong. A month later, at Superbrawl III, he lost to 2 Cold Scorpio, getting pinned with only three seconds left in the 20-minute time limit. At the same time, he formed a tag team with Bobby Eaton. After he and Eaton lost to Scorpio and Marcus Bagwell at Slamboree, Benoit headed back to Japan.

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1994–1995)

In 1994, Benoit began working with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in between tours of Japan. He was booked as a dominant wrestler there, gaining notoriety as the "Crippler" after he put Rocco Rock out. At November 2 Remember, Benoit accidentally broke Sabu's neck within the opening seconds of the match. The injury came when Benoit threw Sabu with the intention that he take a face-first "pancake" bump, but Sabu attempted to turn mid-air and take a backdrop bump instead. He did not achieve full rotation and landed almost directly on his neck.

After this match Benoit returned to the locker room and broke down over the possibility that he might have paralysed someone. Paul Heyman, the head booker of ECW at the time, came up with the idea of continuing the "Crippler" moniker for Benoit. From that point until his departure from ECW, he was known as "Crippler Benoit". When he returned to WCW in October 1995, WCW modified his ring name to "Canadian Crippler Chris Benoit". In The Rise and Fall of ECW book, Heyman commented that he planned on using Benoit as a dominant heel for quite some time, before putting the company's main title, the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, on him to be the long-term champion of the company.

Benoit and Dean Malenko won the ECW World Tag Team Championship from Sabu and The Tazmaniac in February 1995, Benoit's first American title. After winning, they were initiated into the Triple Threat stable, led by ECW World Heavyweight Champion, Shane Douglas, as Douglas's attempt to recreate the Four Horsemen, as the three-man contingency held all three of the ECW championships at the time (Malenko also held the ECW World Television Championship at the time). The team lost the championship to The Public Enemy that April at ECW Three Way Dance. Benoit spent some time in ECW feuding with The Steiner Brothers and rekindling the feud with 2 Cold Scorpio. He was forced to leave ECW after his work visa expired; Heyman was supposed to renew it, but he failed to make it on time, so Benoit left as a matter of job security and the ability to enter the United States. He toured Japan until WCW called.

Return to WCW (1995–2000)

New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) had a working relationship, and because of their "talent exchange" program, Benoit signed with WCW in late 1995 along with a number of talent working in New Japan to be a part of the angle. Like the majority of those who came to WCW in the exchange, he started out in as a member of the cruiserweight division, having lengthy matches against many of his former rivals in Japan on almost every single broadcast. At the end of 1995, Benoit went back to Japan as a part of the "talent exchange" to wrestle as a representative for New Japan in the Super J-Cup: 2nd Stage, defeating Lionheart in the quarterfinals (he received a bye to the quarterfinals for his work in 1995, similar to the way he advanced in the 1994 edition) and losing to Gedo in the semifinals.

After impressing higher-ups with his work, he was approached by Ric Flair and the WCW booking staff to become a member of the reformed Four Horsemen in 1995, alongside Flair, Arn Anderson, and Brian Pillman; he was introduced by Pillman as a gruff, no-nonsense heel similar to his ECW persona, "The Crippler". He was brought in to add a new dynamic for Anderson and Flair's tormenting of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage in their "Alliance to End Hulkamania", which saw the Horsemen team up with The Dungeon of Doom, but that alliance ended with Dungeon leader and WCW booker, Kevin Sullivan feuding with Pillman. When Pillman abruptly left the company for the WWF, Benoit was placed into his ongoing feud with Sullivan. This would come to fruition through a dissension between the two in a tag team match with the two reluctantly teaming with each other against The Public Enemy, and Benoit being attacked by Sullivan at Slamboree. This would lead to the two having violent confrontations at pay-per-views, which led to Sullivan booking a feud in which Benoit was having an affair with Sullivan's real life wife and onscreen valet, Nancy (also known as Woman). Benoit and Nancy were forced to spend time together to make the affair look real, (hold hands in public, share hotel rooms, etc.)

This onscreen relationship developed into a real-life affair offscreen. As a result, Sullivan and Benoit had a contentious backstage relationship at best. Benoit did, however, admit having a certain amount of respect for Sullivan, saying on the DVD Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story that Sullivan never took undue liberties in the ring during their feud, even though he blamed Benoit for breaking up his marriage. This would continue for over the course of a year with Sullivan having his enforcers apprehend Benoit in a multitude of matches. This would all culminate in a retirement match at the Bash at the Beach, where Benoit defeated Sullivan; this was used to explain Sullivan going to a behind-the-scenes role, where he could focus on his initial job of booking.

In 1998, Benoit had a long feud with Booker T. They fought over the WCW World Television Championship until Booker lost the title to Fit Finlay. Booker won a "Best-of-Seven" series which was held between the two to determine a number one contender. Benoit went up 3 to 1 before Booker caught up, forcing the 7th and final match on Monday Nitro. During the match, Bret Hart interjected himself, interfering on behalf of Benoit in an attempt to get him to join the New World Order. Benoit refused to win that way and told the referee what happened, getting himself disqualified. Booker refused that victory, instead opting for an eighth match at the Great American Bash to see who would fight Finlay later that night. Booker won the final match and went on to beat Finlay for the title. This feud significantly elevated both men's careers as singles competitors, and both remained at the top of the midcard afterward.

In 1999, Benoit teamed with Dean Malenko once again and defeated Curt Hennig and Barry Windham to win the WCW World Tag Team Championship. This led to a reformation of the Four Horsemen with the tag team champions, Anderson, and Steve "Mongo" McMichael. The two hunted after the tag team championship for several months, feuding with teams like Raven and Perry Saturn or Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio, Jr. After a falling out with Anderson and McMichael, Benoit and Malenko left the Horsemen; he won the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship before bringing together Malenko, Perry Saturn, and Shane Douglas to form "The Revolution".

The Revolution was a heel stable of younger wrestlers who felt slighted (both kayfabe and legitimate) by WCW management, believing they never gave them the chance to be stars, pushing older, more established wrestlers instead, despite their then-current questionable worthiness of their pushes. This led to the Revolution seceding from WCW, and forming their own nation, complete with a flag. This led to some friction being created between Benoit and leader, Douglas, who called into question Benoit's heart in the group, causing Benoit to quit the group, thus turning face, and having his own crusade against the top stars, winning the Television title one more time and the United States title from Jeff Jarrett in a ladder match. In October 1999 on Nitro in Kansas City, Missouri, Benoit wrestled Bret Hart as a tribute to Owen Hart, who had recently died due to an equipment malfunction. Hart defeated Benoit by submission, and the two received a standing ovation, and an embrace from guest ring announcer, Harley Race.

Benoit was unhappy working for WCW. One last attempt in January 2000 was made to try to keep him with WCW, by putting the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship on him by defeating Sid Vicious at Souled Out. However, due to disagreements with management and to protest the promotion of Kevin Sullivan to head booker, Benoit left the company the next day alongside his friends Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn, forfeiting his title in the process. WCW then refused to acknowledge Benoit's victory as an official title reign, and Benoit's title reign was not listed in the title lineage at WCW.com. However, the WWF recognized Benoit's title win, and Benoit's title reign is still listed in the title lineage at WWE.com. Benoit spent the next few weeks in Japan before heading to the WWF, who acknowledged his WCW World Heavyweight Championship win and presented him as a former world champion.

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

The Radicalz and teaming with Chris Jericho (2000–2001)

Along with Guerrero, Saturn, and Malenko, Benoit debuted in the WWF as a stable that became known as The Radicalz. After losing their "tryout matches" upon entry, The Radicalz aligned themselves with WWF Champion Triple H and became a heel faction. Benoit quickly won his first title in the WWF just over a month later at WrestleMania 2000, pinning Chris Jericho in a triple threat match to win Kurt Angle's Intercontinental Championship. It was also in this time period that Benoit wrestled in his first WWF pay-per-view main events, challenging The Rock for the WWF Championship at Fully Loaded in July and as part of a fatal four way title match at Unforgiven in September. On both occasions Benoit appeared to have won the title, only to have the decision reversed by then-WWF commissioner Mick Foley due to cheating on Benoit's part. Benoit simultaneously entered into a long-running feud with Jericho for the Intercontinental title, with the two meeting at Backlash, Judgment Day and SummerSlam; Benoit winning all three matches. The feud finally culminated in Jericho defeating Benoit in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble in January 2001. Benoit won the Intercontinental title three times between April 2000 and January 2001.

In early 2001, Benoit broke away from The Radicalz (who had recently reformed three months earlier) and turned face, feuding first with his former stablemates and then with Kurt Angle, whom he wrestled and lost to at WrestleMania X-Seven. He gained some amount of revenge after beating Angle in a "Ultimiate Submission" match at Backlash. The feud continued after Benoit stole Angle's cherished Olympic Gold Medal. This culminated in a match at Judgment Day where Angle won a two out of three falls match with the help of Edge and Christian. In response, Benoit teamed up with his former rival Jericho to defeat Edge and Christian in that night's Tag Team Turmoil match.

The next night on Raw Is War in San Jose, California, Jericho and Benoit challenged WWF Tag Team Champions Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H for their title. On May 21, 2001, Jericho and Benoit ended their reign and as a result of the win, Benoit aided Jericho in becoming the fourth Grand Slam Champion when he captured the WWE title later in December.

The pair used the win as a springboard to challenge Austin for his world title. Benoit got two title matches the following week, first losing in a manner similar to the Montreal Screwjob in Calgary and then losing in a close match in Benoit's hometown of Edmonton. However, Benoit suffered a neck injury in a four-way TLC match that required surgery with Dr. Lloyd Youngblood. Despite this, he continued to wrestle until the King of the Ring, where he was pinned in a triple threat match versus Austin and Jericho. Benoit missed the next year due to his neck injury, missing the entire Invasion storyline.

Championship pursuits and reigns (2002–2003)

During the first WWE draft, he was the third Superstar picked by Vince McMahon to be part of the new SmackDown! roster, although still on the injured list. However, when he returned, he did so as a member of the Raw roster. On his first night back, he turned heel again and aligned himself with Eddie Guerrero, and he feuded with Stone Cold Steve Austin briefly. He and Guerrero were then moved to SmackDown during a storyline "open season" on wrestler contracts, with Benoit taking his newly won Intercontinental championship with him. Rob Van Dam defeated Benoit at SummerSlam and returned the title to Raw.

After returning to SmackDown!, He embarked on a feud with Kurt Angle in which he defeated him at Unforgiven. On October 20, 2002, at No Mercy, he was crowned the first winner of the WWE Tag Team Championship, alongside foe and partner Kurt Angle. In this, Benoit consecutively helped to crown the fifth Grand Slam Champion, as the tag title was the only remaining title Kurt needed. They became tweeners after betraying Los Guerreros. The team would split up shortly after that and Benoit would become a face.

Angle won his third WWE Championship from Big Show at Armageddon, and Benoit faced him for the title at the 2003 Royal Rumble. The match was highly praised from fans and critics. Although Benoit lost the match, he received a standing ovation for his efforts. Benoit returned to the tag team ranks, teaming with the returning Rhyno.

At WrestleMania XIX, the WWE Tag Team Champions, Team Angle (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin), put their belts on the line against Benoit and his partner Rhyno and Los Guerreros in a triple threat tag team match. Team Angle retained when Benjamin pinned Chavo.

In April 2003 following WrestleMania XIX, Benoit then feuded with John Cena (wearing a shirt saying "Toothless Aggression") and The Full Blooded Italians, teaming with Rhyno occasionally.

In June 2003, the WCW United States Championship was reactivated and renamed the WWE United States Championship, and Benoit participated in the tournament for the belt. He lost in the final match to Eddie Guerrero at Vengeance. The two feuded over the title for the next month, and Benoit went on to defeat the likes of A-Train, Big Show, and Brock Lesnar by submission. General Manager Paul Heyman had a vendetta against Benoit along with Lesnar, preventing him from gaining a shot at Lesnar's WWE Title.

World Heavyweight Champion (2004–2005)

When Benoit won a qualifying match for the 2004 Royal Rumble against the Full Blooded Italians in a handicap match with John Cena, Heyman named him as the number one entry. On January 25, 2004, he won the Royal Rumble by last eliminating Big Show, and thus earned a world title shot at WrestleMania XX. He became only the second WWE performer to win the Royal Rumble as the number one entrant along with Shawn Michaels. With Benoit being on the SmackDown! brand at the time, it was assumed that he was going to compete for his brand's championship, the WWE Championship. However, Benoit exploited a "loophole" in the rules and was traded on Raw the following night to announce he will instead challenge World Heavyweight Champion Triple H at WrestleMania. This "loophole" clause became standard storyline practice, with the Royal Rumble winner being free to choose the title for which he will challenge, until the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships were unified as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the 2013 TLC event. Though the match was originally intended to be a one-on-one match, Shawn Michaels, whose Last Man Standing match against Triple H at the Royal Rumble for the World Heavyweight Championship ended in a draw, thought that he deserved to be in the main event. When it was time for Benoit to sign the contract putting himself in the main event, Michaels superkicked him and signed his name on the contract, which eventually resulted in a Triple Threat match between Michaels, Benoit, and the champion, Triple H.

On March 14, 2004, at WrestleMania XX, Benoit won the World Heavyweight Championship by forcing Triple H to tap out to his signature submission move, the Crippler Crossface, in a highly acclaimed match. The match marked the first time the main event of a WrestleMania ended in submission. After the match, Benoit celebrated his win with then-reigning WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero. The rematch was held at Backlash in Benoit's hometown of Edmonton. It was Michaels who ended up submitting to Benoit's Sharpshooter, allowing Benoit to retain his title. The next night in Calgary, he and Edge won the World Tag Team title from Batista and Ric Flair, making Benoit a double champion.

The three months following his victory at Backlash, Benoit and Edge engaged in a rivalry with La Résistance for the World Tag Team Championship, which saw a series of matches, while simultaneously having confrontations with Kane over the World title. Benoit wrestled in two matches at Bad Blood in his respective rivalries; he and Edge failed to regain their World Tag Team title while he successfully defended the World title against Kane. A month later at Vengeance, Benoit retained the title against Triple H.

On August 15, 2004, Benoit was defeated by Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. Benoit then teamed with William Regal at Unforgiven against Ric Flair and Batista in a winning effort. Benoit then feuded with Edge (who had turned into an arrogant and conceited heel), leading to Taboo Tuesday where Benoit, Edge, and Shawn Michaels were all put into a poll to see who would face Triple H for the World Heavyweight title that night. Michaels received the most votes and as a result, Edge and Benoit were forced to team up to face the then tag team champions, La Résistance, in the same night. However, Edge deserted Benoit during the match and Benoit was forced to take on both members of La Résistance by himself. He still managed to win the World Tag Team title. At Survivor Series, Benoit sided with Randy Orton's team while Edge teamed with Triple H's team, and while Edge was able to pin Benoit after a Pedigree, Orton's team won.

The Benoit-Edge feud ended at New Year's Revolution. The feud stopped abruptly, as Edge feuded with Shawn Michaels, and Benoit entered the Royal Rumble. The two then continued to have matches in the following weeks until the two of them, Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, Kane, and Christian were placed in the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 21. Edge won the match by knocking Benoit off of and smashing his arm with the ladder. The feud finally culminated in a Last Man Standing match at Backlash, which Edge won with a brick shot to the back of Benoit's head.

United States Champion and ECW (2005–2007)

On June 9, Benoit was drafted back to SmackDown! after being the first man selected by the SmackDown! brand in the 2005 Draft Lottery and participated in an ECW-style revolution against the SmackDown! heels. Benoit appeared at One Night Stand, defeating Eddie Guerrero.

On July 24 at The Great American Bash, Benoit failed to win the WWE United States Championship from Orlando Jordan, but won a rematch at SummerSlam in 25 seconds. Benoit then won three consecutive matches against Jordan in less than a minute. Benoit later wrestled Booker T in friendly competitions, until Booker and his wife, Sharmell, cheated Benoit out of the United States title in October.

On November 13, 2005, Guerrero was found dead in his hotel room. The following night, Raw held a Guerrero tribute show hosted by both Raw and SmackDown! superstars. Benoit was devastated at the loss of his best friend and was very emotional during a series of video testimonials, eventually breaking down on camera. Some of his colleagues state that "he was never the same" after Eddie's death The same week on SmackDown! (taped on the same night as Raw), Benoit defeated Triple H in a tribute match to his fallen friend. Following the contest, Benoit, Helmsley, and Dean Malenko all assembled in the ring and pointed to the sky in salute of Guerrero.

After controversy surrounding a US title defence against Booker T, Theodore Long set up a "Best of Seven" series between the two. Booker T won three times in a row, due largely to his wife's interference, and Benoit faced elimination in the series. Benoit won the fourth match to stay alive at Armageddon, but after the match, Booker suffered a legitimate groin injury, and Randy Orton was chosen as a stand-in. Benoit defeated Orton twice by disqualification. However, in the 7th and final match, Orton defeated Benoit with the help of Booker T, Sharmell, and Orlando Jordan, and Booker captured the US title. Benoit feuded with Orton for a short time, only to compete against Booker for the US title. Benoit was given one last chance at the US title at No Way Out and won it by making Booker submit to the Crippler Crossface, ending the feud. Soon after, Benoit defeated Orton in a No Holds Barred match on SmackDown! via Crippler Crossface.

The next week on SmackDown!, Benoit kayfabe broke John Bradshaw Layfield's (JBL) hand (JBL actually needed surgery to remove a cyst). A match was set up for the two at WrestleMania 22 for Benoit's title, and for the next several weeks, they attacked each other. At WrestleMania, JBL won the match with an illegal cradle to win the title. Benoit used his rematch clause two weeks later in a steel cage match on SmackDown!, but JBL again won with illegal tactics. Benoit entered the King of the Ring tournament, only to be defeated by Finlay in the opening round, after Finlay struck Benoit's neck with a chair and delivered a Celtic Cross. At Judgment Day, Benoit gained some revenge by defeating Finlay with the Crippler Crossface in a grudge match. On the following edition of SmackDown!, Mark Henry brutalized Benoit during their match, giving him (kayfabe) back and rib injuries and causing him to bleed from his mouth. Benoit then took a sabbatical to heal nagging shoulder injuries.

On October 8, Benoit made his return at No Mercy, defeating William Regal in a surprise match. Later that week, he won his fifth United States Championship from Mr. Kennedy. Benoit then engaged in a feud with Chavo and Vickie Guerrero. He wanted answers from the Guerreros for their rash behaviour towards Rey Mysterio, but was avoided by the two and was eventually assaulted. This would lead to the two embarking on a feud with title implications at the coming two pay per views. The feud would culminate with one last title match as a No disqualification match, which was also won by Benoit. Later, Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), who claimed that he was the best man to hold the US title, challenged Benoit for the title at WrestleMania 23, where Benoit retained. Their rivalry continued with similar results again at Backlash. At Judgment Day, however, MVP gained the upper hand and won the title in a two out of three falls match.

On the June 11 episode of Raw, Benoit was drafted from SmackDown! to ECW as part of the 2007 WWE draft, after losing a match to Bobby Lashley. Benoit won his ECW debut match teaming up with CM Punk and defeating Elijah Burke and Marcus Cor Von by disqualification. On June 19, Benoit wrestled his last match, defeating Burke in a match to determine who would compete for the vacated ECW World Championship at Vengeance.

Benoit missed the weekend house shows, telling WWE officials that his wife and son were vomiting blood due to food poisoning. When he failed to show up for the pay-per-view, viewers were informed that he was unable to compete due to a "family emergency" and he was replaced in the title match by Johnny Nitro, who won the match and became ECW World Champion. WWE executive Stephanie McMahon later indicated that Benoit would have defeated Punk for the championship had he been present for the event.

Other media

Benoit appeared in at least 21 video games including:

1. Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 released on Nintendo 64 in December 1997
   • In this game he was known as Pegasus Kid or Wild Pegasus, alongside Eddie Guerrero who was known as Black Tiger II
2. Shin Nippon Pro Wrestling: Toukon Retsuden 3 released on PlayStation in March 1998
   • This is part of the New Japan Pro Wrestling: Toukon Retsuden series for the PlayStation.
   • The Toukon Retsuden series is a trilogy related to New Japan Pro Wrestling which Benoit competed for.
   • It is unknown if Benoit appeared in the first two games, but he may have been in the second one based on reviews.
   • (This is/these are) the only non-WCW/WWF/WWE game Benoit may have appeared in.
3. WCW/nWo Revenge released on Nintendo 64 in October 1998
4. WCW Mayhem released on PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and Game Boy Color in August 1999
5. WWF No Mercy released on Nintendo 64 on November 14, 2000
6. WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role released on PlayStation on November 21, 2000
7. With Authority! released on Windows in July 2001
8. WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It released on PlayStation 2 in November 2001
9. WWF Raw released on PC and Xbox in February 2002
10. WWE WrestleMania X8 released on GameCube in June 2002
11. WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth released on PlayStation 2 in October 2002
12. WWE WrestleMania XIX released on GameCube on September 8, 2003
13. WWE Raw 2 released on Xbox on September 16, 2003
14. WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain released on PlayStation 2 in October 2003
15. WWE Day of Reckoning released on GameCube in August 2004
16. WWE Survivor Series released on Game Boy Advance in October 2004
17. WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw released on PlayStation 2 in November 2004
18. WWE Aftershock released on N-Gage on July 11, 2005
19. WWE Day of Reckoning 2 released on GameCube on August 29, 2005
20. WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 released on PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable in November 2005
21. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 released on PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Xbox 360 in November 2006

Personal life

Benoit spoke both English and French fluently.

Benoit became good friends with fellow wrestler Eddie Guerrero following a match in Japan, when Benoit kicked Guerrero in the head and knocked him out cold. This started a friendship that lasted even after Guerrero's death in late 2005, in which Benoit had written diary entries to him just ten days after his passing. The content became precognition of Benoit's own demise.

Benoit was close friends with Dean Malenko as the trio travelled from promotion to promotion together putting on matches, eventually being dubbed the "Three Amigos" by commentators. According to Benoit, the Crippler Crossface was borrowed from Malenko and eventually caught on as Benoit's signature hold.

Benoit's lost tooth, his top-right lateral incisor, was usually attributed to training or an accident early on in his wrestling career. It actually resulted from an accident involving his pet rottweiler: one day while playing with the dog, the animal's skull struck Benoit's chin and his tooth "popped out".

Benoit married twice, having two children (David and Megan) by his first wife, Martina. By 1997, that marriage had broken down and Benoit was living with Nancy Sullivan, the wife of WCW booker and frequent opponent Kevin Sullivan. On February 25, 2000, Chris and Nancy's son Daniel was born; on November 23, 2000, Chris married Nancy. It was Nancy's third marriage. In 2003, Nancy filed for divorce from Benoit, citing the marriage as "irrevocably broken" and alleging "cruel treatment". She claimed that he would break and throw furniture around. She later dropped the suit, as well as the restraining order she filed.

Death

On June 25, 2007, police entered Benoit's home in Fayetteville, Georgia on a "welfare check" after several missed appointments, leading to concerns. The officers discovered the bodies of Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their 7-year-old son Daniel at around 2:30 p.m. EDT. Upon investigating, no additional suspects were sought by authorities. It was determined that Benoit had committed the murders. Over a three-day period, Benoit had killed his wife and son before hanging himself. His wife was bound before the killing. Benoit's son was drugged and likely unconscious before Benoit strangled him. Benoit then committed suicide with a weight machine.

WWE cancelled the scheduled three-hour long live Raw show on June 25, and replaced the broadcast version with a three-hour tribute to his life and career, featuring his past matches, segments from the Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story DVD, and comments from wrestlers and announcers. However, once the details of the murder–suicide became apparent, WWE quickly and quietly began distancing itself from the wrestler by removing merchandise and no longer mentioning him. The June 26 episode of ECW began with Vince McMahon addressing the television audience about the circumstances and announcing that there would be no mention of Benoit that night other than his comments. There was no mention of Benoit at all the following Friday on SmackDown!.

Toxicology reports released on July 17, 2007, revealed that at their time of death, Nancy had three different drugs in her system: Xanax, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, all of which were found at the therapeutic rather than toxic levels. Daniel was found to have Xanax in his system, which led the chief medical examiner to believe that he was sedated before he was murdered. Benoit was found to have Xanax, hydrocodone, and an elevated level of testosterone, caused by a synthetic form of the hormone, in his system. The chief medical examiner attributed the testosterone level to Benoit possibly being treated for a deficiency caused by previous steroid abuse or testicular insufficiency. There was no indication that anything in Benoit's body contributed to his violent behaviour that led to the murder–suicide, concluding that there was no "roid-rage" involved. Prior to the murder–suicide, Benoit had been given illegal steroids not in compliance with WWE's Talent Wellness Program in February 2006. Benoit received nandrolone and anastrozole. During the investigation into steroid abuse, it was revealed that other wrestlers had also been given steroids.

After the double-murder suicide, former wrestler Christopher Nowinski contacted Michael Benoit, father of Chris Benoit, suggesting that years of trauma to his son's brain may have led to his actions. Tests were conducted on Benoit's brain by Julian Bailes, the head of neurosurgery at West Virginia University, and results showed that "Benoit's brain was so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient." He was reported to have had an advanced form of dementia, similar to the brains of four retired NFL players who had suffered multiple concussions, sank into depression, and harmed themselves or others. Bailes and his colleagues concluded that repeated concussions can lead to dementia, which can contribute to severe behavioural problems. Benoit's father suggests that brain damage may have been the leading cause of the crime. He confirmed that his son was quietly cremated, but what was done with the ashes is not public knowledge.

No mention has been made of Benoit on WWE programming since McMahon's June 26, 2007 announcement on ECW on Sci Fi. Once the details of Benoit's actions became apparent, WWE made the decision to remove nearly all mentions of Benoit from their website, from future broadcasts and all publications. Benoit's matches however are available to watch on the WWE Network, a subscription-based wrestling video streaming service although a search for his name on the WWE Network comes up empty.In a 2009 interview with WWE Magazine, Vince McMahon discussed Benoit's legacy saying "it's not right to pretend he didn't exist. It's one thing to include him as part of a historical perspective, which I believe is okay, and it's another thing to promote him, which is not okay. The situation is very similar to that of O.J. Simpson despite his controversy, O.J. was still a part of the NFL scene. You can't deny that he existed." In 2015, Benoit's name was mentioned as part of the WWE Network Monday Night Wars series that looks back at the fall of WCW. This marked the first time Benoit was mentioned by name on new WWE programming since 2007. The segment featured the 2000 invasion angle with Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn however when the footage was shown it focused more on the other three and less on Benoit.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Bridging dragon suplex – 1992–1998; used as a regular move thereafter
  • Crippler Crossface (Arm trap crossface)
  • Diving headbutt – adopted from Dynamite Kid
  • Kneeling reverse piledriver, sometimes from the second rope – 1989–1994; used as a regular move thereafter
  • Sharpshooter – 1998–2007
  • Wild Bomb (High speed release powerbomb), sometimes from the top rope – 1994–2002; rarely used as a regular move thereafter
• Signature moves
  • Back body drop
  • Backhand chop
  • Cross armbreaker
  • Dragon screw
  • Forearm smash
  • Headbutt
  • Lariat
  • Multiple suplex variations
    • Belly to back
    • Bridging Northern Lights
    • Bridging/Release/Rolling German
    • Overhead belly to belly
    • Slingshot
    • Snap
    • Super
    • Three Amigos (Triple rolling verticals) – used as a tribute to Eddie Guerrero
  • Pendulum backbreaker
  • Shoulderbreaker – 2001–2003
  • Springboard clothesline to opponent on ring apron – 1994–1998
  • Suicide dive
• Managers
  • Ted DiBiase
  • Shane McMahon
  • Woman
• Nicknames
  • "The Best Damned Technical Wrestler in the World"
  • "The Broom"
  • "The Canadian Crippler"
  • "The Rabid Wolverine"
• Entrance themes
  • World Championship Wrestling
    • "Replica" (instrumental) by Blood Brothers
    • "Too Much Information"
  • Extreme Championship Wrestling
    • "Perfect Strangers" by Deep Purple
  • New Japan Pro Wrestling
    • "Jump (DJ Power Mix)" by Eskimo
  • World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
    • "Shooter" by Jim Johnston
    • "Whatever" by Our Lady Peace

Championships and accomplishments

• Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Future Legend Award (2002)
• Catch Wrestling Association
  • CWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Dave Taylor
• Extreme Championship Wrestling
  • ECW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Dean Malenko
• New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Super J-Cup (1994)
  • Top/Best of the Super Juniors (1993, 1995)
  • Super Grade Junior Heavyweight Tag League (1994) – with Shinjiro Otani
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Feud of the Year (2004) vs. Triple H
  • Match of the Year (2004) vs. Shawn Michaels and Triple H at WrestleMania XX
  • Wrestler of the Year (2004)
  • Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2004
  • Ranked No. 69 of the top 500 greatest wrestlers in the "PWI Years" in 2003
• Stampede Wrestling
  • Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
  • Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Ben Bassarab (1), Keith Hart (1), Lance Idol (1), and Biff Wellington (1)
  • Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame
• Universal Wrestling Association
  • WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• World Championship Wrestling
  • WCW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WCW World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Dean Malenko (1) and Perry Saturn (1)
  • WCW World Television Championship (3 times)
  • WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • Sixth WCW Triple Crown Champion
• World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
  • World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Kurt Angle
  • WWE United States Championship (3 times)
  • WWF/WWE Intercontinental Championship (4 times)
  • WWF/World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Chris Jericho (1) and Edge (2)
  • Royal Rumble (2004)
  • WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament (2002) – with Kurt Angle
  • Twelfth Triple Crown Champion
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • 5-Star Match (1994) vs. The Great Sasuke at Super J-Cup
  • Best Brawler (2004)
  • Best Technical Wrestler (1994, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2004)
  • Feud of the Year (2004) vs. Shawn Michaels and Triple H
  • Match of the Year (2002) with Kurt Angle vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio
  • Most Outstanding Wrestler (2000, 2004)
  • Most Under-rated (1998)
  • Readers' Favorite Wrestler (1997, 2000)
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2003)

1. Benoit's reign with the championship is not recognized by WWE, who does not recognize any reign prior to December 1997.
2. After Benoit left WCW for the WWF, WCW refused to acknowledge Benoit's victory as an official title reign, and Benoit's title reign was not listed in the title lineage at WCW.com. However, the WWF recognized Benoit's title win, and Benoit's title reign is still listed in the title lineage at WWE.com.
3. Benoit underwent a special recall election in 2008 due to the double murder-suicide of his wife and son. The recall was supported by a majority of 53.6% of voters, but was below the 60% threshold necessary to remove him.

Notes

1. ^ "Chris Benoit Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
2. Randazzo V, Matthew (2008). Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit & the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry. Phoenix Books. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-59777-622-6.
3. McCoy, Heath (2007). Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling. ECW Press. pp. 214–215. ISBN 978-1-55022-787-1.
4. Hart, Bruce (2011). Straight From the Hart. ECW Press. p. 130. ISBN 978-1-55022-939-4.
5. "Benoit's Public Image Hid Monster". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2009-02-01. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
6. "Inside WWE > Title History > WCW World Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2010-07-09.
7. "Inside WWE > Title History > World Heavyweight Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2010-07-09.
8. ^ "U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Government Oversight and Reform – Interview of: Stephanie McMahon Levesque (p. 81)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-03. Ironically, Mr. Benoit was supposed to become ECW champion that night, and he didn't show up at the pay‐per‐view because he was dead. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
9. "TV Shows > Royal Rumble > History > 2004 > Rumble Match". WWE. Archived from the original on 2010-06-11. Retrieved 2010-07-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
10. "Full WrestleMania XX Results". WWE. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
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13. "Benoit's Dad: 'He Was a Kind & Gentle Man'". ABC News. 12 August 2010.
14. "Wrestler Chris Benoit Used Steroid Testosterone; Son Sedated Before Murders". FOXNews.com. 2007-07-17. Retrieved 2010-07-09.
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101. Interview with his father, "Hard Knocks" DVD
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See also

• Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Nancy Benoit
• The Radicalz
• The Revolution

References

• Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 978-0-9698161-5-7.
• Kevin Dunn (Director) (2004). Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (DVD). WWE Home Video.
• SLAM! Wrestling — Chris Benoit
• The Sun — Over the Top Rope: Why TNA appalls Chris Benoit
• Metro — 60 Seconds: Chris Benoit by Andrew Williams
• Wrestling Digest: Technically Speaking, wrestler and sports entertainer Chris Benoit

External links

• Chris Benoit at IMDb 
• Chris Benoit's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database

Links to related articles

v t e Top/Best of the Super Juniors winners 1988:Shiro Koshinaka 1991:Norio Honaga 1992:Jyushin Thunder Liger 1993:Pegasus Kid/Wild Pegasus 1994:Jyushin Thunder Liger 1995:Pegasus Kid/Wild Pegasus 1996:Black Tiger 1997:El Samurai 1998:Koji Kanemoto 1999:Kendo Kashin 2000:Tatsuhito Takaiwa 2001:Jyushin Thunder Liger 2002:Koji Kanemoto 2003:Masahito Kakihara 2004:Tiger Mask 2005:Tiger Mask 2006:Minoru 2007:Milano Collection A. T. 2008:Wataru Inoue 2009:Koji Kanemoto 2010:Prince Devitt 2011:Kota Ibushi 2012:Ryusuke Taguchi 2013:Prince Devitt 2014:Ricochet 2015:Kushida 2016:Will Ospreay 2017:Kushida 2018:Hiromu Takahashi 2019:Will Ospreay 2020:Hiromu Takahashi 2021:Hiromu Takahashi 2022:Hiromu Takahashi 2023:Master Wato 2024:El Desperado Category v t e The Four Horsemen Originals Arn Anderson Ole Anderson Tully Blanchard Ric Flair J. J. Dillon Other members Lex Luger Barry Windham Sting Sid Vicious Paul Roma Brian Pillman Chris Benoit Steve McMichael Curt Hennig Dean Malenko Managers and valets Hiro Matsuda Baby Doll Dark Journey Woman Miss Elizabeth Debra McMichael v t e Grand Slam and Triple Crown champions Grand Slam Championship FCW Seth Rollins Richie Steamboat Stardom Io Shirai Mayu Iwatani IR Tsukasa Fujimoto TNA A.J. Styles Abyss Samoa Joe Eric Young Austin Aries ROH Christopher Daniels Matt Taven Jay Lethal NJPW Jay White Hiroshi Tanahashi WWE Men Shawn Michaels Triple H Kane Chris Jericho Kurt Angle Eddie Guerrero Edge Rob Van Dam Booker T Jeff Hardy John "Bradshaw" Layfield Christian Big Show The Miz Daniel Bryan Dean Ambrose Roman Reigns Randy Orton Seth Rollins Kofi Kingston Rey Mysterio AJ Styles Kevin Owens Finn Bálor Women Bayley Asuka Sasha Banks Charlotte Flair Rhea Ripley Becky Lynch Triple Crown Championship AAA Fénix El Mesías AAW ACH Jimmy Jacobs Michael Elgin Penta el 0M AEW Kenny Omega CW John Walters Brian Black Donovan Dijak Christian Casanova Anthony Greene CZW Justice Pain Ruckus Drake Younger Drew Gulak Devon Moore Sozio BLK Jeez ECW Mikey Whipwreck Sabu Taz EPW Marcius Pitt FIP Erick Stevens Jon Davis IR Riho Miyako Matsumoto Tsukasa Fujimoto Maya Yukihi Satsuki Totoro TNA Men A.J. 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Jones Ricky Steamboat Baron von Raschke Johnny Weaver 1980s The Masked Superstar Roddy Piper Sweet Ebony Diamond Ron Bass Charlie Brown/Jimmy Valiant Jos LeDuc Leroy Brown Mike Rotundo Dick Slater The Great Kabuki Mark Youngblood Tully Blanchard Dusty Rhodes Arn Anderson Nikita Koloff WCW (1988–2000) 1980s Rick Steiner Sting The Great Muta 1990s The Z-Man Bobby Eaton Steve Austin Barry Windham Scott Steiner Paul Orndorff Lord Steven Regal Larry Zbyszko Johnny B. Badd The Renegade Diamond Dallas Page Lex Luger Prince Iaukea Ultimate Dragon Alex Wright Disco Inferno Perry Saturn Booker T Rick Martel Chris Benoit Fit Finlay Stevie Ray Chris Jericho Konnan Scott Hall 2000s Jim Duggan v t e WCW World Tag Team Champions MACW/JCP (1975–1988) 1970s Minnesota Wrecking Crew (Gene Anderson and Ole Anderson) Paul Jones and Wahoo McDaniel Rufus R. Jones and Wahoo McDaniel Dino Bravo and Mr. Wrestling Greg Valentine and Ric Flair Dick Slater and Dusty Rhodes Paul Jones and Ricky Steamboat Baron von Raschke and Greg Valentine Jimmy Snuka and Paul Orndorff Baron von Raschke and Paul Jones Blackjack Mulligan and Ric Flair Jay Youngblood and Ricky Steamboat Greg Valentine and Ray Stevens 1980s Jimmy Snuka and Ray Stevens The Masked Superstar and Paul Jones Ivan Koloff and Ray Stevens Ole Anderson and Stan Hansen Don Kernodle and Sgt. Slaughter Jack Brisco and Jerry Brisco Bob Orton Jr. and Don Kernodle Mark Youngblood and Wahoo McDaniel Don Kernodle and Ivan Koloff Dusty Rhodes and Manny Fernandez The Russians (Ivan Koloff and Nikita Koloff) The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey) Manny Fernandez and Rick Rude Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard Barry Windham and Lex Luger The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) WCW (1988–2001) 1980s The Varsity Club (Mike Rotunda and Steve Williams) Fabulous Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin and Michael Hayes) Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner) 1990s Doom (Butch Reed and Ron Simmons) Enforcers (Arn Anderson and Larry Zbyszko) Dustin Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton Terry Gordy and Steve Williams Barry Windham and Dustin Rhodes Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas Hollywood Blonds (Brian Pillman and Steve Austin) Arn Anderson and Paul Roma The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) 2 Cold Scorpio and Marcus Bagwell Cactus Jack and Kevin Sullivan Pretty Wonderful (Paul Orndorff and Paul Roma) Stars and Stripes (Marcus Alexander Bagwell and The Patriot) Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater American Males (Marcus Bagwell and Scotty Riggs) Sting and Lex Luger The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) The Outsiders (Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Syxx) The Giant and Lex Luger Kevin Nash and Sting The Giant and Scott Hall Kenny Kaos and Rick Steiner Barry Windham and Curt Hennig Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko Filthy Animals (Billy Kidman and Rey Misterio Jr.) Perry Saturn and Raven Jersey Triad (Bam Bam Bigelow, Diamond Dallas Page and Kanyon) Chris Benoit and Perry Saturn West Texas Rednecks (Barry Windham and Kendall Windham) Filthy Animals (Konnan and Rey Misterio Jr.) Filthy Animals (Billy Kidman and Konnan) Creative Control/The Harris Brothers (Gerald/Ron Harris and Patrick/Don Harris) Bret Hart and Goldberg 2000s Crowbar and David Flair Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny the Bull) Buff Bagwell and Shane Douglas KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) The Perfect Event (Chuck Palumbo and Shawn Stasiak) Dark Carnival (The Great Muta and Vampiro) Filthy Animals (Juventud Guerrera and Rey Misterio Jr.) Mark Jindrak and Sean O'Haire Misfits in Action (Corporal Cajun and Lieutenant Loco) Boogie Knights (Alex Wright and Disco Inferno) The Insiders (Diamond Dallas Page and Kevin Nash) Natural Born Thrillers (Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire) WWF (2001) Brothers of Destruction (Kane and The Undertaker) Booker T and Test Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) v t e ECW World Tag Team Champions 1990s The Super Destroyers (A. J. Petrucci and Doug Stahl) Larry Winters and Tony Stetson Suicide Blondes (Chris Candido, Chris Michaels and Johnny Hotbody) Dangerous Alliance (The Dark Patriot and Eddie Gilbert) Johnny Hotbody and Tony Stetson Johnny Gunn and Tommy Dreamer Kevin Sullivan and The Tazmaniac Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) Cactus Jack and Mikey Whipwreck Dangerous Alliance (Sabu and The Tazmaniac) Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko Raven's Nest (Raven and Stevie Richards) The Pitbulls (Pitbull #1 and Pitbull #2) 2 Cold Scorpio and The Sandman The Eliminators (Kronus and Saturn) The Gangstas (Mustapha Saed and New Jack) Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) Gangstanators (Kronus and New Jack) Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tracy Smothers) Can-Am Express (Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon) Chris Candido and Lance Storm Rob Van Dam and Sabu Balls Mahoney and Masato Tanaka Balls Mahoney and Spike Dudley Raven and Tommy Dreamer Impact Players (Lance Storm and Justin Credible) 2000s Masato Tanaka and Tommy Dreamer Mike Awesome and Raven Unholy Alliance (Mikey Whipwreck and Yoshihiro Tajiri) Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tony Mamaluke) Danny Doring and Roadkill v t e World Heavyweight Champions 2000s Triple H Shawn Michaels Goldberg Chris Benoit Randy Orton Batista Kurt Angle Rey Mysterio King Booker The Undertaker Edge The Great Khali CM Punk Chris Jericho John Cena Jeff Hardy 2010s Jack Swagger Kane Dolph Ziggler Christian Mark Henry Big Show Daniel Bryan Sheamus Alberto Del Rio v t e WWE World Tag Team Champions (1971–2010) 1970s Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler Karl Gotch and Rene Goulet King Curtis Iaukea and Mikel Scicluna Chief Jay Strongbow and Sonny King Mr. Fuji and Professor Tanaka Haystacks Calhoun and Tony Garea Dean Ho and Tony Garea Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) Dominic DeNucci and Pat Barrett/Víctor Rivera The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza and Blackjack Mulligan) Louis Cerdan and Tony Parisi Executioners (Executioner #1 and Executioner #2) Billy White Wolf and Chief Jay Strongbow Dino Bravo and Dominic DeNucci Yukon Lumberjacks (Lumberjack Eric and Lumberjack Pierre) Larry Zbyszko and Tony Garea Valiant Brothers (Jerry Valiant and Johnny Valiant) Ivan Putski and Tito Santana 1980s Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales Rick Martel and Tony Garea Moondogs (Moondog Rex and Moondog King/Moondog Spot) Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito Chief Jay Strongbow and Jules Strongbow Soul Patrol (Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas) North-South Connection (Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch) U.S. Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo) The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine) The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) Strike Force (Rick Martel and Tito Santana) Demolition (Ax, Crush, and Smash) Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) Colossal Connection (André the Giant and Haku) 1990s The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) Money Inc. 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Jeri-Show (Big Show and Chris Jericho) D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H) 2010s ShoMiz (Big Show and The Miz) The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd) v t e WWF Light Heavyweight Champions UWA/MPW/NJPW (1981–1997) Perro Aguayo Fishman Chris Adams Gran Hamada Villano III El Signo Rambo Sangre Chicana Pegasus Kid Aero Flash The Great Sasuke El Samurai Último Dragón Jushin Thunder Liger Shinjiro Otani WWF (1997–2001) Taka Michinoku Christian Gillberg Essa Ríos Dean Malenko Scotty 2 Hotty Crash Holly Jerry Lynn Jeff Hardy X-Pac Tajiri v t e WWE Intercontinental Champions 1970s Pat Patterson 1980s Ken Patera Pedro Morales Don Muraco Tito Santana Greg Valentine Randy Savage Ricky Steamboat The Honky Tonk Man The Ultimate Warrior Rick Rude 1990s Mr. Perfect The Texas Tornado Bret Hart The Mountie Roddy Piper The British Bulldog Shawn Michaels Marty Jannetty Razor Ramon Diesel Jeff Jarrett Dean Douglas Goldust Ahmed Johnson Marc Mero Hunter Hearst Helmsley/Triple H Rocky Maivia/The Rock Owen Hart Stone Cold Steve Austin Ken Shamrock Val Venis Road Dogg The Godfather Edge D'Lo Brown Chyna Chris Jericho 2000s Kurt Angle Chris Benoit Rikishi Eddie Guerrero Billy Gunn Jeff Hardy Kane Albert Lance Storm Christian Test William Regal Rob Van Dam Booker T Randy Orton Shelton Benjamin Carlito Ric Flair Johnny Nitro/John Morrison Umaga Santino Marella Kofi Kingston CM Punk John "Bradshaw" Layfield Rey Mysterio Drew McIntyre 2010s Dolph Ziggler Wade Barrett/Bad News Barrett Ezekiel Jackson Cody Rhodes Big Show The Miz Curtis Axel Big E Langston/Big E Luke Harper Daniel Bryan Ryback Kevin Owens Dean Ambrose Zack Ryder Roman Reigns Seth Rollins Bobby Lashley Finn Bálor Shinsuke Nakamura/King Nakamura 2020s Braun Strowman Sami Zayn AJ Styles Apollo Crews Ricochet Gunther Bron Breakker (current) Jey Uso v t e WWE Tag Team Champions 2010s Heath Slater and Rhyno The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Randy Orton) American Alpha (Chad Gable and Jason Jordan) The 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Wrestling Jimmy Snuka 1980s Roddy Piper Wahoo McDaniel Sgt. Slaughter Greg Valentine Dick Slater Magnum T. A. Tully Blanchard Nikita Koloff Lex Luger Dusty Rhodes Barry Windham WCW (1988–2001) 1980s Michael Hayes 1990s Stan Hansen Sting Rick Rude Dustin Rhodes Steve Austin Jim Duggan Big Van Vader Kensuke Sasaki One Man Gang Konnan Eddie Guerrero Dean Malenko Jeff Jarrett Steve McMichael Curt Hennig Diamond Dallas Page Raven Goldberg Bret Hart Scott Hall Scott Steiner David Flair Chris Benoit Sid Vicious 2000s Lance Storm Gen. Hugh G. Rection Shane Douglas Rick Steiner Booker T WWF/E (2001, 2003–present) 2000s Chris Kanyon Tajiri Rhyno Kurt Angle Edge Big Show John Cena Carlito Caribbean Cool Orlando Jordan John "Bradshaw" Layfield Bobby Lashley Finlay Mr. Kennedy Montel Vontavious Porter Matt Hardy Shelton Benjamin Kofi Kingston The Miz 2010s R-Truth Daniel Bryan Sheamus Dolph Ziggler Zack Ryder Jack Swagger Santino Marella Antonio Cesaro Dean Ambrose Rusev Seth Rollins Alberto Del Rio Kalisto Roman Reigns Chris Jericho Kevin Owens AJ Styles Baron Corbin Bobby Roode Randy Orton Jinder Mahal Jeff Hardy Shinsuke Nakamura (current) Samoa Joe Rey Mysterio Ricochet Andrade 2020s Apollo Crews Riddle Damian Priest Finn Bálor Theory/Austin Theory Logan Paul LA Knight

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