10 Great Chris Benoit Moments WWE Shouldn't Let You Forget

6. Chris Benoit Wins 2004 Royal Rumble

https://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=pt&≷=BR&fmt=18&v=iGRB8lv352g Even though it has been wiped from history and will most likely never be mentioned again, Chris Benoit put on one of the best performances ever at the 2004 Royal Rumble. Benoit was in the midst of a storyline rivalry against Smackdown GM Paul Heyman. Heyman was playing the evil authority figure on the show and was doing his best to keep Chris Benoit away from world champion Brock Lesnar. Heyman even booked Benoit in handicap matches to keep him from qualifying for the Rumble. However, Benoit and John Cena defeated the Full Blooded Italians for the right to enter the match but Heyman had one more ace up his sleeve. Heyman admitted that Benoit did indeed qualify for the Rumble but, as Smackdown GM, Heyman was going to make Chris the very first participant in the match. Benoit swore victory and delivered above and beyond when the match rolled around a few weeks later. Benoit survived over an hour in the ring, lasting from the very beginning of the match to the very end. The Big Show entered late in the match and began dominating, tossing competitors like they weighed nothing and seemed poised to win the match. Kurt Angle attempted to eliminate the huge wrestler but Big Show used his strength to power Angle over the top rope while Kurt had his ankle lock submission applied. With only Benoit and Big Show left in the ring, Big Show looked to finish off the babyface but Benoit wouldn't go quietly. Benoit countered a chokeslam and applied a front facelock. Big Show powered Benoit to the apron but Chris held onto the facelook like an animal, slowly choking the Big Show out. As Show lost consciousness, he fell to the arena floor, giving Benoit the biggest win of his career and sending him to Wrestlemania XX.