Chris Benoit: Does He Deserve Another Chance As Champion?

I am writing this article because I want to share my views about the last 2 years of Chris Benoit�s career, winning the United States title and the positives and the negatives of this and if he deserves more than this? But before I do that, I want to explain who Chris Benoit really is for those who don�t know. He is a living legend, He's the founder and master of Toothless Aggression, a future member of the Hall of Fame and through my eyes, he is the best wrestler in the wrestling business today. Yes, Chris Benoit has dominated the wrestling world as he has wrestled over the world; the �Rabid Wolverine� has wrestled in Japan, Mexico, Canada and America. Throughout his 20 years in the business, Benoit has accomplished nearly everything (or what some fans call everything) in the square circle; 2 times World Heavyweight Champion (One time in WCW and one time in WWE), 4 times Intercontinental Champion, 5 times United States Champion (Two times in WCW and three times in WWE), 3 times Television Champion, won the Super J Cup Tournament 1994 in Japan and has held one of the tag team title 8 times (One time ECW tag team champions with Dean Malenko, three times WCW tag team champions with Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn, three times WWE World Tag Team Champions with Chris Jericho and Edge and has held WWE Tag Team belts once with Kurt Angle). This has gained the respect of most wrestling fans around the world.

Let�s start with a recap of the last 2 years of Benoit�s career. On March 14 2004, Chris Benoit�s life long dream came true as he captured the World Heavyweight Championship in a Triple Threat match against Triple H and Shawn Michaels at what people call the �super - bowl of wrestling�, WrestleMania. It was a magical moment for Benoit as he celebrated his victory with one of his best friends, the late Eddie Guerrero. This was truly a night to remember for the �Rabid Wolverine� and for his fans across the world or should I say all the fans that supported Benoit in his 20 year journey. Sadly, as champion, Benoit failed to step out of the shadows of Triple H. As the �King of Kings� kept his throne on RAW, Benoit was forced into the mid - card ranks, only to interfered in the king�s feud. At Summerslam 2004, the �Rabid Wolverine� dropped the belt to the �Legend Killer� Randy Orton. Many fans of the wrestling world thought Benoit�s title run had failed to captivate fans and I agree. The reason why Benoit�s title run was a flop was partly because of the WWE. Sure, Benoit did delivered in the ring, but a lack of personality, limited acting talents and poor verbal skills were probably what you thought made Benoit�s run a compete failure and you would be correct, but there is another reason. That reason was the WWE never gave him anything real to work with. They barely gave the �Rabid Wolverine� any time to work on his mic skills. Personally, I was happy to see my favourite wrestler get what he deserved and I was even happier to see Benoit�s run was not as short lived as many people thought it would be.

After losing the World Heavyweight Championsip, Chris Benoit was immediately forced into the background of the main picture. WWE quickly lost the interest in putting Benoit back in for a title hunt as he had to make room for the up and coming superstar known as Randy Orton. Through Benoit was apart of the main event, WWE�s focus was on the upcoming feud between HHH and Orton. So, it didn�t look like the WWE was considering Benoit as a future contender for the belt.

A few months later, the �Rabid Wolverine� Chris Benoit was drafted back to Smackdown! This was a questionable move, seeing that Batista was drafted to Smackdown! as well. Batista has a similar character to Benoit�s, but Batista had a dominant attitude and also had a physical appearance bigger than Benoit�s, and that is what WWE looks for in a Champion. The WWE management clearly did not know what to do with Benoit. So they decide to put him in the hunt for the United States title which was carried by Orlando Jordan. Benoit jobbed to Orlando Jordan at The Great America Bash in 2005. However, at Summerslam 2005, Chris Benoit got his revenge as he won the United States belt in a less than one minute match.

After that, Chris Benoit resurrected his WCW feud with Booker T (Now known as King Booker). Booker T won the United States thanks to his real life wife Sharmell. That reign ended on Smackdown! As General Manager Theodore Long vacated the United States Championship following a tight match against the �Rabid Wolverine�. General Manager Theodore Long announced the return of the Best of Seven series. I�m sure this brought back memories for the WCW fans, as they once saw these two men square off against each other in the first ever Best of Seven series match back in the days of WCW. So both men faced each other once again in the Best of Seven series, but this time it was in a WWE ring. The short story of Best of Seven series, was Booker T went up 3-0 in a best-of-seven series before suffering an injury that forced him to find a substitute. The man who replaced Booker T was none other then the �Legend Killer� Randy Orton. However, after the change, Benoit battled back to make 3-3 in the Best of Seven series. However, in the final match, Orton picked up the deciding victory with a little help from Booker T. As a result, Booker T was declared the new United States Champion. A month later, Chris Benoit got his revenge as he got his match against Booker T at No Way Out. At No Way Out, Benoit was able to make Booker tap out to the Crippler Crossface to win the United States title once again. This match had ended the long term feud between the two men for now.

Chris Benoit continued carrying mid carders to a good match throughout his reign as United States Champion. He then had a short feud with self - proclaimed �Wrestling God� (which he clearly wasn�t)

JBL. The �Rabid Wolverine� dropped the belt to JBL at WrestleMania 22. So after, Benoit continued his role carrying others wrestlers, until he decided he wanted a break from wrestling. On May 26 of the year of 2006, Benoit�s wish was granted as he was allow as much time as he wanted away from the wrestling business. Around this time, WWE feared loosing Benoit. This was because Benoit�s contract was running out and the �Rabid Wolverine� did not show any sign of signing a new one. It was well know that Benoit desired a move back to NJW (New Japan Wrestling). When word spread about Benoit�s status with the WWE, there were immediate rumours that the �Rabid Wolverine� was going to jump ship to TNA. However, these rumours were put to rest as Benoit signed a new deal with the WWE.

After a 5 months absence, Benoit returned to the ring at No Mercy earlier this month. He defeated long term rival William Regal on the night. I was happy to see Benoit back in the ring and so was everyone else. The �Rabid Wolverine� then returned to Smackdown! where WWE dumped the United States title on Benoit once again because Mr Kennedy had to continue his rivalry with the Undertaker.

Well, that leads up to where we are now. Now, positives and the negatives of Benoit�s United States championship victory:

Positives:

Benoit�s victory shows that WWE are thinking seriously about the United States/midcard division on Smackdown!

I am happy to see Chris Benoit with a title around his waist, weather title it may be.

Negative:

Is this any way to treat a man like Chris Benoit? He has amazing wrestling talent, with the ability to carry just about anyone to a good match. Just over two years ago, he was world champion. So why does WWE see the need to downgrade him once again? Was his title reign purely a way of keeping his fans happy? Or was the world title a reward for carrying so many of his peers to quality matches, or was it because the WWE just figured it was his turn?

Whether or not you agree with me, I feel Benoit deserve another run with the World title. Chris Benoit has great talent in the ring, there is no doubt about that, but if he�s to be a great champion, WWE need to let Benoit develop his mic skills and to give him the main event spot. If you look at Lashley, compared to Benoit, they are very alike, the only difference is Lashley has a much bigger appearance than Benoit and that�s why Lashley has a better chance of getting push for the World title.

Why is it that guys who can perform in the ring have to work 10 - 15 years to get a shot at the world title, whereas newcomers with big physical attributes get a World title push in their first years. Its guys like; Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, C.M. Punk, Edge, Christian Cage, Eddie Guerrero and many more have all been waiting for 10 - 15 years because they were not built to be �championship material�. Isn�t that unfair? Anyway back to Benoit, Benoit is obviously a main eventer, so he needs to remain in that position. I�m sure a something interesting would spice up the character of the �Rabid Wolverine� - maybe a heel turn? I just feel Benoit has at least two World title runs left in him, whether its on Smackdown! RAW, ECW, NJW or even TNA (Highly unlikely but you never know), I don�t care where he wins it, just so long as he does.

Thanks for reading�.until next time!