Chris Benoit: Is He On The WWE Network?

The question of whether Chris Benoit is on the WWE Network is a complex one, steeped in tragedy and controversy. For those unfamiliar, Chris Benoit was a highly accomplished professional wrestler, known for his technical prowess and intense in-ring style. He achieved considerable success in WWE, winning multiple championships and headlining major events. However, his legacy is forever overshadowed by the tragic events of June 2007, when he murdered his wife and son before taking his own life. This horrific incident led WWE to essentially erase Benoit from their history, removing his matches and mentions from their programming and archives. So, the simple answer to whether Chris Benoit is on the WWE Network is no. WWE has made a deliberate decision to exclude him due to the heinous nature of his actions. This decision reflects a broader ethical consideration about how to handle the legacy of individuals who have committed terrible crimes, especially when those crimes are deeply intertwined with their public persona. The situation is further complicated by the fact that many fans and wrestling historians acknowledge Benoit's contributions to the sport. He was, undeniably, a talented performer who had memorable matches and feuds. Completely ignoring his existence would be a disservice to the history of wrestling, but celebrating him is understandably out of the question given the circumstances. WWE's stance is understandable, considering the sensitivity surrounding the tragedy and the potential backlash from fans and the public. It is a difficult situation with no easy answers, and the company has chosen to prioritize respect for the victims and their families above all else. This decision is not without its critics, but it reflects a careful consideration of the moral and ethical implications involved. It's also worth noting that while Benoit is absent from the WWE Network, his matches and career are still discussed and analyzed in various wrestling forums, podcasts, and documentaries. The wrestling community grapples with his legacy in different ways, with some focusing on his in-ring achievements and others emphasizing the importance of remembering the victims of his crimes.

Why WWE Excluded Chris Benoit

WWE's decision to exclude Chris Benoit from the WWE Network and its programming stems directly from the horrific nature of the double murder-suicide he committed in June 2007. The tragedy shocked the world and left WWE in an incredibly difficult position. The company had to balance acknowledging Benoit's past contributions to the sport with the moral imperative to condemn his actions and show respect for the victims, his wife Nancy and their son Daniel. Immediately following the tragedy, WWE removed all mentions of Benoit from their website and pulled his matches from broadcast. They also canceled a scheduled Monday Night Raw episode and replaced it with a tribute to Benoit's life and career. However, as more details emerged about the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the possibility of long-term brain damage contributing to Benoit's actions, WWE quickly reversed course. The tribute episode was removed from their archives, and the company adopted a policy of essentially erasing Benoit from their history. This decision was not taken lightly. WWE faced immense pressure from the media, fans, and advocacy groups to take a strong stance against domestic violence and violence in general. Continuing to showcase Benoit's matches and accomplishments would have been seen as insensitive and disrespectful to the victims and their families. Furthermore, WWE had to consider the potential impact on their brand and reputation. Associating themselves with a murderer, regardless of his past achievements, would have been a public relations disaster. The WWE Network, as a subscription-based streaming service, is particularly vulnerable to this kind of backlash. Subscribers could easily cancel their subscriptions if they felt that WWE was condoning or glorifying Benoit's actions. Therefore, the decision to exclude Benoit was a strategic one, aimed at protecting the company's image and maintaining the trust of its audience. It was also a moral one, reflecting WWE's commitment to promoting positive values and condemning violence. While some fans argue that Benoit's in-ring career should be separated from his personal actions, WWE has clearly decided that the two are inextricably linked. The company has chosen to err on the side of caution and prioritize respect for the victims above all else.

The Broader Impact on Wrestling History

The Chris Benoit tragedy has had a profound and lasting impact on how wrestling history is viewed and presented. It raises complex questions about how to reconcile the accomplishments of a performer with the horrific acts they may have committed. Benoit's case is particularly challenging because he was not a minor figure in wrestling; he was a main event star who held multiple championships and had a significant following. Erasing him completely from the record would be a disservice to the history of the sport, but celebrating him is clearly out of the question. This has led to a situation where Benoit's matches and career are rarely discussed or shown on official WWE platforms. His name is often avoided, and his achievements are downplayed or ignored. This creates a void in the historical narrative of wrestling, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Benoit was at the peak of his career. Other wrestlers who worked with Benoit are also affected by this situation. Their matches and storylines are often omitted from historical retrospectives, simply because Benoit was involved. This can be frustrating for those wrestlers who want their work to be recognized and remembered. The Benoit tragedy has also sparked a wider debate about the culture of professional wrestling and the potential for long-term brain damage to contribute to violent behavior. Benoit was found to have suffered from severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. This diagnosis has led to increased scrutiny of the risks associated with wrestling and calls for greater safety measures to protect wrestlers' health. In addition to the WWE's approach, wrestling fans and historians have grappled with Benoit's legacy in various ways. Some attempt to separate his in-ring work from his personal life, arguing that his matches should be appreciated for their athletic and artistic merit. Others believe that it is impossible to separate the two and that celebrating Benoit in any way is disrespectful to the victims. Ultimately, the Chris Benoit tragedy serves as a reminder of the dark side of professional wrestling and the importance of addressing issues such as violence, mental health, and the long-term effects of head trauma. It is a complex and sensitive topic that continues to be debated and discussed within the wrestling community.

Alternatives to Watching Chris Benoit Matches

While Chris Benoit's matches are not available on the WWE Network, there are alternative ways to watch and appreciate the history of professional wrestling without directly supporting or glorifying his actions. One option is to focus on the wrestlers he competed against. Many of Benoit's opponents, such as Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Jericho, had incredible careers of their own and have a wealth of matches available on the WWE Network and other platforms. By watching their matches, you can get a sense of Benoit's in-ring style and contributions without having to directly watch him perform. Another alternative is to explore wrestling promotions outside of WWE. Benoit had a successful career in other organizations, such as WCW and ECW, before joining WWE. These promotions have their own libraries of classic matches and events, which can provide a broader perspective on the history of professional wrestling. Several independent streaming services and online archives offer access to these matches, allowing you to discover new wrestlers and styles. Additionally, many wrestling fans and historians have created their own compilations and documentaries that examine Benoit's career in a critical and thoughtful way. These resources often provide context and analysis that is missing from official WWE productions, allowing you to understand the complexities of his legacy. It's important to approach these resources with a critical eye, however, and to be aware of the potential for bias or insensitivity. Another way to engage with wrestling history is to focus on the storytelling and characters that make the sport so compelling. Many classic wrestling storylines have nothing to do with Benoit, and there are countless wrestlers who have achieved success and fame without ever having crossed paths with him. By focusing on these positive aspects of wrestling, you can enjoy the sport without having to confront the difficult and painful legacy of Chris Benoit. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to watch Benoit's matches is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and each individual must weigh the ethical considerations involved. However, by exploring alternative options and engaging with wrestling history in a thoughtful and critical way, you can still appreciate the sport while respecting the victims of his crimes.

WWE's Current Stance

WWE's current stance on Chris Benoit remains consistent: he is essentially erased from their official history. This means that his matches are not shown on the WWE Network, his name is rarely mentioned on television, and his accomplishments are not celebrated in any way. This policy reflects WWE's continued commitment to condemning his actions and showing respect for the victims, Nancy and Daniel Benoit. While some fans and wrestling historians have argued that Benoit's in-ring career should be separated from his personal life, WWE has consistently rejected this argument. The company believes that it is impossible to separate the two and that celebrating Benoit in any way would be insensitive and disrespectful. This stance is not without its critics. Some argue that WWE is whitewashing history and that Benoit's contributions to the sport should be acknowledged, regardless of his personal actions. Others believe that WWE is being hypocritical, as they have sometimes celebrated other controversial figures in wrestling history. However, WWE has remained firm in its decision, citing the horrific nature of Benoit's crimes and the need to prioritize the victims. It is important to note that WWE's policy on Benoit is not absolute. There have been rare occasions where his name has been mentioned or his matches have been shown, usually in the context of documentaries or historical retrospectives that address the tragedy. However, these instances are carefully considered and are always presented with sensitivity and context. Overall, WWE's current stance on Chris Benoit reflects a complex and difficult situation. The company is trying to balance the need to acknowledge the history of professional wrestling with the moral imperative to condemn violence and show respect for the victims of crime. It is a decision that is sure to continue to be debated and discussed for years to come.