NEWS: Chris Benoit interview/Q&A by UK's "The Sun" newspaper
The Vick
Out comes The Wolverine
MAKING HIS POINT ... The Crippler answers you
By THE LILSBOYS
WHEN Chris Benoit was 11-years-old he told his mum and dad that he
wanted to be a professional wrestler.
Twenty-five years later he was standing in the middle of America's
most famous wrestling venue, at the industry's biggest event, holding
its most sought-after prize.
In an exclusive webchat Chris answered your questions on his
remarkable story, which began in Stu Hart's infamous basement Dungeon
in Calgary and took in Europe, Mexico, Japan, ECW, WCW and WWE along
the way.
The Rabid Wolverine revealed all about his tearful moment at
WrestleMania XX, friendship with Bret Hart, idolisation of Britain's
Dynamite Kid and much more.
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Hey Chris, at Backlash Jim Ross said you left Edmonton with nothing
but $20 in your pocket and dreams of becoming a professional wrestler
- is that true?
Kate Davies
Yes - When I was around 17 I used to get the Greyhound bus to Calgary
every Saturday to train with Stu Hart, with nothing but a pocket full
of dreams.
I was just so in love with wrestling, I would have walked if I had to.
I was 11-years-old when I first said I wanted to be a wrestler, and my
parents thought I was just going through a phase.
But then they saw the passion that I had and realised this is what I
really wanted.
I just ate, slept and talked about wrestling - I was wrestling.
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How important was Stu Hart in making you the man and the wrestler you
are today and in what way? Also what are your memories of him?
Kevin, Southampton
I definitely wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for Stu. He gave me my
first break in the industry and was a huge influence on me.
He was a great role model and I spent a lot of time talking to him. He
also educated me in how to carry myself outside of the ring and in the
locker room, which is a very important part of the business.
My favourite memory of Stu was watching him in the Dungeon with 6'6,
380lb gym rats who could bench 500lbs.
They'd walk in there pounding their chests and come out wimpering. He
would make them suffer.
Stu stretched me, but he wouldn't lay into me as hard as he would them
because he realised they didn't have any respect for what they were
doing.
If someone came in with any type of attitude Stu would straighten them
out right away - and I used to love watching him do it!
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PURE DYNAMITE ... Chris tells us about his British hero
Did you ever get to wrestle your childhood hero the Dynamite Kid? Is
it strange thinking fans now idolise you, like you did Dynamite?
Wendy Moss
Yes, I got to wrestle him in Calgary and he presented his boots to me
at the end of one of the shows, which was a real honour.
I hope I might stimulate someone to enter wrestling and follow their
dreams, but I don't think anyone will ever idolise me the same way I
idolised Dynamite.
He just meant so much to me. I still think he's the greatest wrestler.
I still watch his stuff, on tapes and DVDs, and it always feels like
I'm watching him again for the first time.
His matches with Tiger Mask in Japan were 20 years ago, but if they
took place today people would still be going crazy for them.
I was talking with Chris Jericho the other day and we were saying how
timeless those matches are.
I was in contact with Dynamite until about three years ago, but sadly
he's moved since then and we've lost touch.
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What went through your mind immediately after your infamous match with
Sabu in ECW, where you broke his neck?
John, London
I was concerned. I didn't want to be responsible for ending someone's
career or putting someone in a wheelchair.
I didn't know the severity of Sabu's injuries and when I got back to
Canada I immediately got on the phone to ECW boss Paul Heyman.
All he would say was: "It's great, you're going to be called The
Crippler. This is awesome, we're going to make so much money."
And I was saying: "Paul, is Sabu OK? Is he going to walk?"
But that's what Paul's like - he loves wrestling even more than I do.
I know he's had his problems with some people, but I've always got
along with him.
I loved The Crippler name, I wanted to carry that with me into the WWE
but they went with The Wolverine instead.
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How did it feel to have Bret Hart choose you as an opponent for the
classic Owen Hart tribute match in WCW?
Darren Randall, Kent
I was very emotional and I get goosebumps just talking about it.
For Bret to come up to me and say, "I want you to do this for me, my
family and my brother," meant so much.
People always ask me, "what's your greatest match?" WrestleMania XX
defined who I was, but the most meaningful bout was that Owen Hart
tribute match at Kemper Arena in Kansas City.
We got there at around 1pm and I remember walking in and watching Bret
standing in the middle of the arena, just looking up.
I was a lot closer to Owen than I was to Bret. I broke in with him, we
went to Mexico, Japan and Europe together. I spent a lot of time with
Owen and his death was a tragedy.
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Do you still see much of Bret Hart and his family? Do you think Bret
will ever come back to the WWE?
PJ
I talk to Bret but I don't see him. He's in Calgary and I'm in
Atlanta. We get three days off a week, in an ideal week, and I want to
spend my free time with my wife and three children.
I hope Bret will come back to the WWE, but I don't know if he will
because I've never asked him about it. I don't want to put that
between our friendship.
I know that there are issues between Bret and Vince McMahon, Bret and
Ric Flair, Bret and Shawn Michaels, Bret and the company - but that's
between Bret and them and I won't get involved.
I don't believe Bret could wrestle a match now, since his stroke, and
he says he can't.
I know he talks about the idea of it like he'd love to - as he grew up
and spent his life around wrestling - but physically I don't think he
could.
But I'd still love to him come back and say farewell after everything
he's done and given to this industry, as well as thanking the fans for
being there for him.
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Why did you leave WCW, even though you won their world title just
before you headed to the WWE?
Azza, Bournemouth
I just had to get out of there! I told them I wanted to leave long
before I won the belt. There were so many negative things going on and
I was really unhappy.
I wasn't the only one who wanted to leave either. Bill Busch was
running WCW at the time and when we originally went in to ask for our
releases there were 21 of us. When Bill walked into the room there
were 12, when our backs were against the wall there were five and when
push came to shove it was just me, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko and
Perry Saturn.
I've tried to erase that WCW title win over Sid Viscous from my
memory. It's not that I didn't like Sid or the match, but because it
was such a negative time in my life.
I may have been the champion, but it meant nothing.
If you were that miserable in a job, hated it so much, took your work
home and were miserable at home and had no happiness in your life -
would it be a risk to leave?
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What made Kurt Angle such a perfect opponent for you in the WWE and of
your many memorable matches with him which is your favourite?
Ash, Leeds
I just clicked with Kurt and I look up to him and respect him as an
athlete. To me, he's superhuman. How many people win a gold medal at
the Olympics after recovering from a broken neck? He's our Michael
Jordan.
I loved our match at the Royal Rumble in 2003, where I got a standing
ovation, but we both feel our bout at Unforgiven 2002 in Los Angeles
was a better wrestling match.
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How draining was it winning the Royal Rumble when you entered at No1
and had to go through 29 other superstars?
LJ Smith
After that match I had cottonmouth. Then Steve Austin came into the
ring and started cracking the beers open. I was so depleted, I was
drunk after three beers!
It was one of the most difficult matches I've ever done, but I would
say my Iron Man match with Triple H was more demanding.
The Iron Man match was one-on-one so you've always got someone beating
on you and you always need to produce, whereas with the Royal Rumble
there was a lot of other stuff going on.
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What did your world heavyweight title victory at WrestleMania XX mean
to you?
Dan
It was the answer to all the negative questions I've ever been asked.
It was the answer to all the people that doubted me and told me I
wasn't good enough, big enough or talented enough, that I didn't know
enough people or wasn't enough of a politician.
But I never doubted myself or my ability - I wouldn't be here if I
did.
I don't think size is important, you don't have to be big to be good.
It's about the drive, desire and passion that's in your heart.
Rey Mysterio is one of the most entertaining wrestlers I know and I've
seen monsters - some of who have recently been with the company - who
absolutely sucked.
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Your celebration with Eddie was the most memorable moment in all my
time of watching wrestling. Whose idea was it and was the emotion 100
per cent genuine?
Col Doher
I didn't know Eddie was going to come into the ring, but it meant so
much to me because I've spent so much time with him.
Eddie's life story is well known and I walked that path with him. I've
laughed, cried and yelled with Eddie. We've done everything together
and we're like brothers.
There was a time when I wasn't sure if Eddie was going to live,
because of his problems. I was afraid I was going to get a call one
day telling me he was dead.
After Eddie came back and overcame all his obstacles I was so proud of
him. When he won the WWE title at No Way Out, I was so happy I felt
like I'd won it.
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What are your thoughts on you now being announced as being from
Atlanta, Georgia rather than Edmonton, Alberta, Canada? Do you not
feel like you've sold out in some way to the your long time Canadian
fans?
Vikram Sangar, Southall
I spoke to Vince McMahon about it and he told me that was the
direction the company wanted to go in.
And this is what I do for a living, this is how I feed my family and
pay my bills.
Some people were up in arms saying I sold out - but are they going to
sign my next cheque? Are they going to feed my kids?
I'm Chris Benoit from Edmonton and that's never going to change, but
the company want to say that I now reside in Atlanta. And that's the
truth, I do live there, so I don't have a problem with it.
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Do you watch much non-WWE wrestling? Have you heard of an independent
wrestler called Bryan Danielson, who many people are saying is the
next Chris Benoit?
Al, New Jersey
Yes, I still sit down now and watch tapes from around the world. I
enjoy watching each and every style because pro wrestling is art.
I love Bryan Danielson's style and he's very talented. I think he's
doing the right thing by wrestling in a whole lot of the independents,
which is very similar to what me, Eddie, Dean and William Regal did. I
think the day's going to come when Bryan is a major star in the US.
Another guy I'm really excited for is Davey Boy Smith's son Harry,
who's over in Japan right now. He's got a great look and is an
absolutely incredible wrestler. Mark my words, he's going to be a huge
star.
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If you had your chance to pick an opponent for WrestleMania 21 - from
Raw or Smackdown - who would it be?
M Hampson, Wigan
Wrestling Eddie Guerrero would be an honour and I'd love to do
something with Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho or Shawn Michaels.
But my dream match would be against Triple H for the world title.
--
The Vick
APWW's Rabid Wolverine
APWW Hall Of Fame Inductee 2004
APWW Slammy Award with Bluemonkey for Best Fantasy Poster 2004
APWW Slammy Award for Best On-Topic Poster 2002 and 2003
APWW Award for Best On-Topic Poster 2002
Bregans
the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in the world of
criminals who operate above the law:
> http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003560001-2005042323,00.html
>
<snip interview>
Benoit has been advertised as appearing on Ministry of Mayhem on ITV on
Saturday morning.
/me has visions of the annoying guy in a Crippler Crossface. :)
--
Bregans
"Calm down, Neddly diddily diddily diddily, doodily. They did their best
shodaiddily iddily iddily diddily diddily. Gotta be nice,
hostidididildilidilly ah HELL diddily ding dong crap!"
--
HeartBreak Kid Hornet© Version 1
news:cten04$os$1...@titan.btinternet.com...
> The Vick <vick_...@hotmail.com>, a young loner on a crusade to champion
> the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in the world of
> criminals who operate above the law:
>
>> http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003560001-2005042323,00.html
>>
>
> <snip interview>
>
> Benoit has been advertised as appearing on Ministry of Mayhem on ITV on
> Saturday morning.
so I've missed it then?
The Vick
>
>"Bregans" <sheepsheari...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:cten04$os$1...@titan.btinternet.com...
>> The Vick <vick_...@hotmail.com>, a young loner on a crusade to champion
>> the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in the world of
>> criminals who operate above the law:
>>
>>> http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003560001-2005042323,00.html
>>>
>>
>> <snip interview>
>>
>> Benoit has been advertised as appearing on Ministry of Mayhem on ITV on
>> Saturday morning.
>
>so I've missed it then?
I missed it too. so I have no idea if Holly Willoughby "got her tits
out for the lads".
HeartBreak Kid Hornet© Version 1
news:rgumv0to66m5d543e...@4ax.com...
> >On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 11:17:47 GMT, "HeartBreak Kid Hornet© Version 1"
> ><Sco...@2.Hornet> wrote:
>>
>>"Bregans" <sheepsheari...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>news:cten04$os$1...@titan.btinternet.com...
>>> The Vick <vick_...@hotmail.com>, a young loner on a crusade to
>>> champion
>>> the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in the world of
>>> criminals who operate above the law:
>>>
>>>> http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003560001-2005042323,00.html
>>>>
>>>
>>> <snip interview>
>>>
>>> Benoit has been advertised as appearing on Ministry of Mayhem on ITV on
>>> Saturday morning.
>>
>>so I've missed it then?
>
> I missed it too. so I have no idea if Holly Willoughby "got her tits
> out for the lads".
>
>
here he is...
http://www.geocities.com/hbkhornet/benoit.jpg
Bregans
the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in the world of
criminals who operate above the law:
>> On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 11:17:47 GMT, "HeartBreak Kid Hornet© Version 1"
>> <Sco...@2.Hornet> wrote:
>>
>> "Bregans" <sheepsheari...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:cten04$os$1...@titan.btinternet.com...
>>> The Vick <vick_...@hotmail.com>, a young loner on a crusade to
>>> champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in
>>> the world of criminals who operate above the law:
>>>
>>>> http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003560001-2005042323,00.html
>>>>
>>>
>>> <snip interview>
>>>
>>> Benoit has been advertised as appearing on Ministry of Mayhem on
>>> ITV on Saturday morning.
>>
>> so I've missed it then?
>
> I missed it too. so I have no idea if Holly Willoughby "got her tits
> out for the lads".
Here is a brief summary, from memory/imagination:
Willoughby introduces Benoit to a loud pop, with TitanTron video & theme,
saying that he'll be in the Rumble on Sunday night.
Male host, in muscle suit, lures Benoit on to some crash mats.
Benoit hits a back suplex, fujiwara armbar, snapmare, body slam (IIRC) and
boston crab.
Male host screams in pain, tapping furiously.
Willoughby gets tits out for the lads.
Later, Benoit plays Cakey Skate. Doesn't beat Darius Danesh!
I felt humiliated.
--
Bregans
"If God had wanted me to go to church for an hour a week, he would have made
the week an hour longer."
--