I cannot find TWNP columns before 11/07, but in my own personal archives from a 5/07 column entitled "Chris Benoit: The Memory Remains...or Does It?", I mentioned my stance on the subject. Here is a brief excerpt:

“This is the first, and hopefully last, time I’ll revisit a column on this forum, but with the feedback I received I cannot let this topic go. Never before have I seen such a 50/50 split with the feedback. The readers are saying that I gave justice to Benoit’s career, while others are calling me “sick” for even trying to mention him in a positive light. I think there are three main stances here. People who aren’t fans of wrestling that dismiss Benoit as a ruthless murderer and want to use this as a way to bury the business (the media), fans of the business who are letting this sink in but still can’t believe this happened (me), and people who feel they should completely dismiss Benoit because of the tragedy (which is your right). It’s great to hear wrestling fans speak so passionately about something again, it’s a shame it has to be this tragedy that’s doing so.”

That takes me back. I didn’t really want to talk anymore about death in another column, but then I got thinking. There are so many celebrities that soapbox their opinions, and people believe it's more justifiable because they're trendy. I’m just like everyone else and we should all have our own opinion. Death is an ill-fated part of life. Everyone deals with death at some part of his or her life, so I guess it is appropriate to talk about it, even in a wrestling column. After reading The Krisp’s column, I really wanted to post something soon (and you guys know I put effort into these), but Trev Winters beat me to it, so I don’t want to be redundant. Here’s what the Dragon’s Corner had to say about this:

“I know that the WWE will not speak of Benoit ever again because of what he did and from a PR standpoint the farther away they are from him the better. Money is what’s it’s all about. If they bring him up again in conversation or in anything, the federation might be thinking they would look bad in the light of all of America.”

Yes, money has something to do with it, but if you really do your homework, you can find some Benoit mentions on wwe.com. During the Million Dollar Mania sweepstakes, I found myself in the Fan Nation section reading blogs written by various WWE personalities. Some are entertaining like Howard Finkel, Joey Styles, and Jim Ross, while some wrestlers stay in character. Vince McMahon himself has a blog and to the surprise of absolutely no one he has not posted (after he didn’t create blogs why should he try?). Regular fans actually posted about Chris Benoit, mostly in a positive light remembering his wrestling days, which I felt was pretty decent of the WWE to at leave up people’s opinions (which of course is all Joey Styles).

Am I pissed that I watch old, classic episodes of WCW Nitro on WWE 24/7 and I can barely watch the Horsemen/NWO feud because the sensors are too worried about showing Benoit? Definitely. Have I watched my Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story DVD since the murders? No, I still kind of have a difficult time fathoming the situation, even a year later. Do I want Benoit blocked from television and my own memory? Of course not. Do I understand WWE’s decision for avoiding all things related to Benoit? Of course I do.

As I said, money does have something to do with it, but WWE is also in the midst of a public makeover. They are looking to go PG-friendly with the current television product and their WWE Kids magazine. Why do you think I have stated countless times that Cena can’t go heel? The kids. If you are apart of WWE’s public relations department and you make the call that “Hey, it’s been a year let’s put Chris Benoit in the Hall of Fame.” Enjoy the unemployment line, you earned it. If hell froze over and Benoit was honored, it would also affect future fans. Of course mom is not going to let little Mikey see a wrestling show where they “glorify killers.” Yes, those who don’t understand the business ACTUALLY think that way, believe me I got enough hate mail about it last year. If these so-called pundits tried to get Married…With Children off the air 20 years ago, who knows the field day they would have with the WWE. A lousy state of affairs, but that is the way it is going to have to be.

I was a bit all over the place with this because I am still passionate about it, no matter what anyone thinks. My stance stays the same from a year ago; remember him for what you will, I choose wrestling... although I still foolishly wish there was evidence that showed there was something other than what we know now. It would be great to see Chris Benoit’s talents within the ring be recognized, but I guess deep down we all know it is the day that will never come.

Alright, this was a bit deep, but in other news:

Kane This, Kane That…

Internet pundits (word of the day, kids) are bitching about Kane…again. Who cares? Okay, he is a solid big man and a loyal employee. I think the buck stops there, however. I have always found him extremely boring and a wannabe horror villain (making him perfect for ECW on SciFi). These same columnists complain that is not being used properly as a face and now poorly as a villain. It’s likely the same people that wanted him to remove his mask in 02 and want it back in 08. What the hell do you want??? Go to the wwe.com corporate section, apply for a job on the creative writing team (hey, I’ve tried) and when they ask why you are right for the job, simply say “I heart Glenn Jacobs, Isaac Yankem and the fake Diesel…and Vince is not using them correctly.” If you get the job, I will dedicate a column to Kane and then make love to Katie Vick (well not the latter, it’s not my thing).

Mick Foley to TNA

I really enjoy Mick’s outlook on all things wrestling...except this decision. I thought Tazz should have replaced JBL on Smackdown and have Mick exercise his skills in ECW. It didn’t go that way, Mick couldn’t take Vince’s criticisms on the headset and Ms. Foley’s baby boy acted like a baby boy and left for pastures far less green, TNA. Good luck, that Jarrett feud should be a classic. If Tazz, who was recently retired when he started as a color commentator, was known as a badass loner, with a worse attitude in and out of the ring, why was he able to be successful in the booth? He took direction well and grew into a natural. I like Tazz, he speaks to and like a normal fan and it’s worked for him for 6 or so years. Last color commentator I saw be that successful with that much honesty, was Jesse Ventura (pretty good company). In other news someone read my Being A Jerk Is Fun column: “I feel that Matt Striker would do a much better job as a color commentator than Mick Foley on Smackdown. (By the way, how come there are not anymore true heel announcers, Jerry Lawler rarely sides with villains anymore).” Good to see Striker getting his talents utilized behind the mic on ECW. Mick will be missed, but in other TNA news Christian’s TNA contract is almost up and I would love to see him come back to team with Edge who has absolutely flourished since Christian left 3 years ago. It’s the only conceivable way I could see the Wrestlemania streak end, at the hands of Edge with an assist from Christian (but I secretly don’t ever want Taker to lose at Mania).

So if you liked or disliked the Benoit mentions, think Mick will be the final push to put TNA over the top (as Gorilla Monsoon would say, “highly unlikely”), or have any other thoughts, email me at drago552@aol.com or post a comment…unless you really love Kane.

-Luscious Jonny F