History of Chris Benoit in Timeline

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

May 21, 1967: Chris Benoit's Birth

On May 21, 1967, Christopher Michael Benoit was born. He would later become a Canadian professional wrestler.

Others born on this day/year

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: Induction into Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame

In 1995, Chris Benoit was inducted into the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame.

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).

1997: Breakdown of first marriage

By 1997, Chris Benoit's first marriage to Martina had broken down, and Benoit was living with Nancy Sullivan.

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.

February 25, 2000: Birth of Son Daniel

On February 25, 2000, Chris Benoit and Nancy Sullivan's son Daniel was born.

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.

November 23, 2000: Marriage to Nancy Sullivan

On November 23, 2000, Chris Benoit married Nancy Sullivan. It was Nancy's third marriage.

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.

2003: Induction into Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame

In 2003, Chris Benoit was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

2003: Nancy files for divorce

In 2003, Nancy filed for divorce from Chris 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 had filed.

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.

November 2005: Eddie Guerrero's Death

After Eddie Guerrero died in November 2005, Chris Benoit acquired a diary in which he wrote grief-stricken personal entries to a deceased Guerrero as a coping mechanism.

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.

January 19, 2007: Defending the United States title against Chavo Guerrero

On January 19, 2007, Chris Benoit successfully defended the United States title against Chavo Guerrero in a no disqualification match on SmackDown!.

June 22, 2007: Murder of Wife

On June 22, 2007, Chris Benoit murdered his wife in their residence, marking the beginning of a three-day double-murder and suicide.

June 24, 2007: Chris Benoit's Death

On June 24, 2007, Chris Benoit committed suicide after killing his wife and son.

June 25, 2007: Discovery of Benoit family deaths

On June 25, 2007, police discovered the bodies of Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their son Daniel in their home in Fayetteville, Georgia, after WWE requested a welfare check. It was later determined that Benoit had murdered his wife and son before committing suicide. His wife was bound before the killing, and his son was drugged before being strangled. Benoit then committed suicide by hanging himself on his lat pulldown machine.

July 17, 2007: Toxicology Reports Released

On July 17, 2007, toxicology reports revealed the substances found in the systems of Nancy, Daniel, and Chris Benoit at the time of their deaths. Nancy had Xanax, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone; Daniel had Xanax, leading to the belief he was sedated before his murder; and Chris had Xanax, hydrocodone, and an elevated level of testosterone. The medical examiner attributed Chris's testosterone level to possible treatment for a deficiency and concluded there was no indication of "roid-rage" contributing to the murder-suicide.

2007: Drafted to ECW brand

In 2007, Chris Benoit was drafted to the ECW brand as part of the 2007 WWE draft after losing to Bobby Lashley.

2008: WON Hall of Fame Re-Vote

In 2008, a re-vote was held to determine if Chris Benoit should remain a member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. The threshold percentage of votes required to remove Benoit was not met.