The Day I Met Chris Benoit Three Weeks Before the Double Murder-Suicide
In May of 2007, a colleague of mine noted that she would interview Chris Benoit on behalf of our college radio station. She was a journalism student, and I was a radio broadcasting student. We were working for the college radio station over the summer before moving on to real-world gigs in 2008, where I enjoyed a successful career as an on-air personality. She knew I idolized Chris Benoit and quickly realized she HAD to bring me along.
It was May 28, 2007 (May 28th is my birthday), and we met Chris Benoit in front of the John Labatt Centre, later renamed Budweiser Gardens. He pulled up in a limo and was all smiles despite the fact it was just before 8 am. Chris had a WWE representative with him since he made another morning appearance on a radio station.
We shook hands, introduced ourselves, and he joked, "Boy, I feel like a ghost." He was very tanned, so I remarked, "If you feel like a ghost, I must be Casper." He legitimately laughed loudly, and then my colleague interviewed him on behalf of the station, where it was the typical question for sound bites.
"What's your favourite move?"
"How did you get started?"
"What can you promise tomorrow on Smackdown?" (Television taping)
etc etc.
I was already answering all of these questions in my head.
Once she was done, I chatted with Chris for nearly 10 minutes and asked him half a dozen questions that were all off the record. He knew these were going to be from a big pro-wrestling fan.
I asked, "Prior to winning the Royal Rumble in 2004, was the Super J Cup on April 16, 1994, the best performance of your career?"
He noted that the J Cup was always a special night and, upon winning the Royal Rumble, the Super J Cup immediately came to mind as he was physically and mentally exhausted. He explained that his time in Japan was special and he learned much from his opponents and peers.
We briefly discussed Stampede Wrestling and the Harts, and then I concluded with this question.
"What advice would you give to AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Samoa Joe?" I think they are too good for TNA Wrestling and would love to see them in WWE with you."
Without hesitation, Chris noted that each of those men should take a chance by coming over as they would inevitably become successful within WWE. Chris even mentioned that he wondered what it would be like to step in the ring with each of them. Furthermore, Chris felt they were three of the best WRESTLERS in the world. Yes, he emphasized the word wrestlers.
After about 10 minutes of chatting, we shook hands, and parted ways, and he couldn't have been a nicer person to me. Chris and I even took this picture together which remained my Facebook Profile Picture until the tragic news broke.
Fun Fact: I'm 6'2'', so I had to lean over for the shot. He joked, "you're making me look taller than I already am."
Once the shocking details were revealed, I was disgusted and confused while I mourned for Nancy and Daniel. Any compassion or admiration I ever had for Chris had permanently vanished.
I've interviewed a couple of dozen wrestlers throughout my radio career and podcast ventures and despite Chris Benoit's morbid and unforgivable final days, this was one of the greatest birthday memories I've ever had.
Note: Please consider making a charitable donation to the following organization:
Meeting Chris Benoit on May 28, 2007
