History of Chris Benoit in Timeline

Chris Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler known for his technical wrestling ability and intense in-ring style. He achieved significant success in promotions like WWE, WCW, and ECW, winning multiple championships. However, his legacy is overshadowed by the tragic double murder-suicide in 2007, where he killed his wife and son before taking his own life. This event led to widespread condemnation and scrutiny of the wrestling industry's effects on mental health and the long-term impact of head injuries.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

May 21, 1967: Christopher Benoit's Birth

On May 21, 1967, Christopher Michael Benoit was born. He later became 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, and won against Butch Moffat and Mike Hammer.

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: Wins Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship

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

1989: Becoming The Pegasus Kid

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

1989: Departure from Stampede Wrestling and Joining NJPW

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: Mask Loss in Japan

In July 1991, Chris Benoit lost his mask in Japan during a match.

November 1991: Mask Loss in Mexico

In November 1991, Chris Benoit lost his mask again, this time in Mexico, which led to him reinventing himself as Wild Pegasus.

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 they were defeated in the first round.

January 1993: WCW Return and Match Against Brad Armstrong

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) in between tours of Japan, participating in a tournament for the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

1994: Super J-Cup

Chris Benoit competed 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 Australia, Mexico, and NWA New Jersey

In 1994, Chris Benoit worked in Australia and CMLL in Mexico, and 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 and became part of the Triple Threat stable.

June 1995: Dark Matches in WWF

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

August 1995: Departure from ECW

In August 1995, Chris Benoit was forced to leave ECW due to his work visa expiring, leading him to tour Japan until WCW called.

October 1995: Return to WCW and "Canadian Crippler" Name

In October 1995, after his time in ECW, Chris Benoit returned to WCW, and his ring name was modified to "Canadian Crippler Chris Benoit."

1995: Joins the Reformed Four Horsemen in WCW

In 1995, Chris Benoit was approached by Ric Flair to join the reformed Four Horsemen in WCW, adopting a gruff, no-nonsense heel persona. He then became involved in a controversial storyline with Kevin Sullivan and Nancy.

1995: Induction into Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame

In 1995, Chris Benoit was inducted into the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the sport.

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 as Part of Talent Exchange Program

In late 1995, Chris Benoit signed with WCW as part of a "talent exchange" program between New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and WCW.

1997: Benoit lived with Nancy Sullivan

In 1997, Chris Benoit was living with Nancy Sullivan, the wife of the WCW booker and frequent opponent Kevin Sullivan.

1998: Feud with Booker T over WCW World Television Championship

In 1998, Chris Benoit engaged in a long feud with Booker T over the WCW World Television Championship, which elevated both men's careers as singles competitors.

October 1999: Wrestled 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 and Reformation of Four Horsemen

In 1999, Chris Benoit teamed with Dean Malenko to win the WCW World Tag Team Championship, leading to a reformation of the Four Horsemen with Anderson and Steve "Mongo" McMichael.

January 2000: Won WCW World Heavyweight Championship and left WCW

In January 2000, Benoit won the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Sid Vicious at Souled Out. The next day, due to disagreements with management and to protest the promotion of Kevin Sullivan to head booker, Benoit left WCW with Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn, forfeiting the title.

February 25, 2000: Birth of Daniel Benoit

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

April 2000: Won Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 2000

At WrestleMania 2000 on April 2, Chris Benoit pinned Chris Jericho in a triple threat match to win Kurt Angle's Intercontinental Championship.

November 23, 2000: Chris Benoit and Nancy Sullivan Marriage

On November 23, 2000, Chris Benoit and Nancy Sullivan married.

January 2001: Feud culmination with Jericho

In January 2001, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho's feud culminated in Jericho defeating Benoit in a ladder match at Royal Rumble.

January 21, 2001: Lost Intercontinental title to Chris Jericho

On January 21, 2001, Chris Jericho defeated Chris Benoit in a ladder match at Royal Rumble. Benoit had previously won the title three times between April 2000 and January 2001.

2001: Feud with Kurt Angle

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: Failed to win WWE Championship from Kurt Angle

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, honoring his wrestling career.

2003: Nancy filed for divorce

In 2003, Nancy filed for divorce from Chris Benoit, citing the marriage as irrevocably broken and alleging cruel treatment. She later dropped the suit as well as the restraining order she had filed.

January 1, 2004: Qualified for Royal Rumble match

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

March 2004: WrestleMania XX World Heavyweight Championship Victory

In March 2004, Chris Benoit achieved a significant career milestone by headlining WrestleMania XX and winning the World Heavyweight Championship in a triple threat match.

January 9, 2005: Competed in Elimination Chamber at New Year's Revolution

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: Death of Eddie Guerrero

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.

2005: Drafted to SmackDown!

In 2005, Chris Benoit was drafted to the SmackDown! brand after being the first man selected by SmackDown! in the 2005 Draft Lottery and participated in an ECW-style revolution against the SmackDown! heels.

January 6, 2006: Defeated Randy Orton by disqualification

On the January 6, 2006 episode of SmackDown!, Chris Benoit defeated Randy Orton by disqualification in the sixth match of the "Best of Seven" series, due to Booker T, Sharmell and Jordan interference awarding Booker T the United States Championship.

February 2006: Illegal Medication Given to Benoit

In February 2006, Chris Benoit was illegally given medications, including nandrolone (an anabolic steroid) and anastrozole (a breast cancer medication used for antiestrogenic effects), which were not in compliance with WWE's Talent Wellness Program. The investigation into this matter revealed that other wrestlers had also been given steroids.

January 19, 2007: Defeated Chavo Guerrero

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

June 22, 2007: Murder of Wife

On June 22, 2007, Chris Benoit murdered his wife in their residence, initiating a tragic three-day double-murder and suicide.

June 24, 2007: Chris Benoit's Death

On June 24, 2007, Chris Benoit died in a double-murder 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 7-year-old son Daniel in their home in Fayetteville, Georgia. Chris Benoit was determined to have committed the murders before committing suicide.

July 17, 2007: Toxicology Reports Released

On July 17, 2007, toxicology reports revealed the substances in the systems of Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their son Daniel at the time of their deaths. Nancy had Xanax, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, while Daniel had Xanax, suggesting sedation before his death. Benoit had Xanax, hydrocodone, and elevated testosterone, possibly due to treatment for a deficiency or previous steroid abuse. The report concluded that "roid-rage" was not a factor in Benoit's violent behavior.

2007: Drafted to ECW

In 2007, on the June 11 episode of Raw, Chris Benoit was drafted to the ECW brand as part of the 2007 WWE draft after losing to ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley.

2008: WON Hall of Fame Re-Vote

In 2008, after the murders, Benoit's induction into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame was put to a re-vote to determine if he should remain a member. The votes did not reach the threshold to remove Benoit.