Career Timeline of Chris Benoit: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Chris Benoit built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Chris Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler known for his technical wrestling ability and performances in promotions like WWE, WCW, and ECW. He achieved considerable success, winning multiple championships. However, his career and life ended tragically in June 2007 when he murdered his wife and son before committing suicide. This event led to significant controversy and scrutiny of professional wrestling, particularly regarding head injuries and their potential impact on mental health.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 22, 1985: Debut Match in Stampede Wrestling

On November 22, 1985, Chris Benoit had his debut match in Calgary, Alberta, teaming with "The Remarkable" Rick Patterson against Butch Moffat and Mike Hammer. Benoit's team won after he pinned Moffat.

1986: Japanese Debut in NJPW

In 1986, Chris Benoit made his Japanese debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) under his real name.

March 18, 1988: Won Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship

On March 18, 1988, Chris Benoit won his first title, the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship, against Gama Singh.

1989: Benoit becomes The Pegasus Kid

In 1989, Chris Benoit started wearing a mask and assuming the name The Pegasus Kid in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

1989: Departure for New Japan Pro-Wrestling

In 1989, after Stampede Wrestling closed, Chris Benoit left for New Japan Pro-Wrestling with a recommendation from Bad News Allen.

August 1990: Wins IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

In August 1990, Chris Benoit won his first major championship, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, from Jushin Thunder Liger.

November 1990: Loses IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

In November 1990, Chris Benoit lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship back to Jushin Thunder Liger.

July 1991: Loses Mask in Japan

In July 1991, Chris Benoit lost his mask back to Jushin Thunder Liger in Japan.

November 1991: Loses Mask in Mexico

In November 1991, Chris Benoit lost his mask back to Jushin Thunder Liger in Mexico.

June 1992: WCW Debut

In June 1992, Chris Benoit debuted in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), teaming with Biff Wellington for the NWA World Tag Team Championship tournament but losing in the first round.

January 1993: Return to WCW

In January 1993, Chris Benoit returned to WCW at Clash of the Champions XXII, defeating Brad Armstrong.

1993: Wins Best of the Super Juniors Tournament

In 1993, Chris Benoit won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament for the first time.

August 1994: ECW Debut

In August 1994, Chris Benoit began working with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), competing in a tournament for the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Championship and gaining notoriety as the "Crippler".

1994: Super J-Cup

Chris Benoit advanced in the 1994 edition of Super J-Cup.

1994: Wins Super J-Cup Tournament

In 1994, Chris Benoit won the inaugural Super J-Cup tournament, defeating Black Tiger, Gedo, and The Great Sasuke in the finals.

1994: Matches in NWA New Jersey

In early 1994, Chris Benoit worked for NWA New Jersey, where he defeated Jerry Lawler and fought Terry Funk to a double count out.

February 1995: Wins ECW World Tag Team Championship

In February 1995, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko won the ECW World Tag Team Championship from Sabu and The Tazmaniac at Return of the Funker. They were then initiated into the Triple Threat stable.

June 1995: ECW Dark Matches

In June 1995, Chris Benoit, while under contract with ECW, participated in three dark matches, losing to Bob Holly, Adam Bomb, and Owen Hart.

August 1995: Leaves ECW

In August 1995, Chris Benoit was forced to leave ECW after his work visa expired.

October 1995: Returns to WCW as "Canadian Crippler Chris Benoit"

In October 1995, Chris Benoit returned to WCW, and WCW modified his ring name to "Canadian Crippler Chris Benoit".

1995: Joins the Four Horsemen

In 1995, Chris Benoit was approached to become a member of the reformed Four Horsemen in WCW, alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Brian Pillman.

1995: Wins Best of the Super Juniors Tournament Again

In 1995, Chris Benoit won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament for the second time.

1995: Signs with WCW

In late 1995, Chris Benoit signed with WCW due to a talent exchange program between New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

1998: Feud with Booker T

In 1998, Chris Benoit had a long feud with Booker T over the WCW World Television Championship. Booker T won a "Best-of-Seven" series to determine a number one contender.

October 1999: Wrestling Bret Hart as a tribute to Owen Hart

In October 1999, on Nitro in Kansas City, Missouri, Chris Benoit wrestled Bret Hart as a tribute to Bret's brother 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.

1999: Wins WCW World Tag Team Championship

In 1999, Chris Benoit teamed with Dean Malenko and defeated Curt Hennig and Barry Windham to win the WCW World Tag Team Championship, leading to a reformation of the Four Horsemen.

January 2000: Winning and Forfeiting the WCW World Heavyweight Championship

In January 2000, Chris Benoit won the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Sid Vicious at Souled Out. However, due to disagreements with management over Kevin Sullivan being promoted to head booker, Benoit left WCW the next day alongside Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn, forfeiting the title in the process.

April 2000: Winning the Intercontinental Championship

In April 2000, at WrestleMania 2000, Chris Benoit pinned Chris Jericho in a triple threat match to win Kurt Angle's Intercontinental Championship.

January 2001: Winning the Intercontinental Title three times

Between April 2000 and January 2001, Chris Benoit won the Intercontinental title three times.

January 21, 2001: Losing to Chris Jericho at Royal Rumble

On January 21, 2001, at Royal Rumble, Chris Jericho defeated Chris Benoit in a ladder match, ending their feud. Benoit lost the title after winning it three times between April 2000 and January 2001.

2001: Breaking away from The Radicalz

In early 2001, Chris Benoit broke away from The Radicalz and turned face, feuding with his former stablemates and then with Kurt Angle.

January 19, 2003: Failing to win the WWE Championship from Kurt Angle at Royal Rumble

On January 19, 2003, at Royal Rumble, Chris Benoit failed to win the WWE Championship from Kurt Angle.

January 1, 2004: Qualifying for the Royal Rumble match

On January 1, 2004, Chris Benoit and John Cena defeated FBI in a handicap match to qualify for the Royal Rumble match. Paul Heyman named Benoit as the number one entrant.

March 2004: WrestleMania XX World Heavyweight Championship win

In March 2004, Chris Benoit won the World Heavyweight Championship main event triple threat match at WrestleMania XX. This victory headlined multiple pay-per-views for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

January 9, 2005: Competing in the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship

On January 9, 2005, Chris Benoit competed in the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship at New Year's Revolution, but lost.

January 6, 2006: Defeating Randy Orton by disqualification on SmackDown!

On January 6, 2006, Chris Benoit defeated Randy Orton by disqualification on SmackDown! in a "Best of Seven" series for the United States Championship.

February 2006: Illegal Medications Given

In February 2006, prior to the murder-suicide, Chris Benoit had illegally been given medications not in compliance with WWE's Talent Wellness Program, including nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, and anastrozole, a breast cancer medication used by bodybuilders for antiestrogenic effects. This event occurred during an investigation into steroid abuse, where it was revealed that other wrestlers had also been given steroids.