10 WWE Moments You Won't Believe Are 10 Years Old

1. The Chris Benoit Tragedy

Donald Trump Vince McMahon
WWE.com

On the afternoon of June 25, 2007, police discovered the bodies of Chris, Nancy and 7-year-old Daniel Benoit in their Atlanta homes.

Fans, insiders and mainstream media later discovered that Nancy and Daniel passed from asphyxiation, suffocated by Chris, who then proceeded to hang himself via exercise equipment.

It was a sad end for one of wrestling's most acclaimed technicians but an even more tragic for his wife and child, neither of whom deserved to be taken from family and friends far too soon by a man clearly not in his right mind.

The media covered the event extensively.

Benoit was on the cover of People, the subject of discussion on cables news channels and the emphasis for a look into the safety and well-being of WWE employees. The tragedy dominated headlines and forced Vince McMahon's company to invest time and energy into cleaning up its locker room.

Substantial steroid suspensions were handed down to offenders. More time and money was put into investigating concussions. There was a plethora of negative press but the company powered through and shored up its Wellness Policy, ensuring the health and well-being of its employees.

Benoit was essentially erased from WWE history, his accomplishments and victories scrubbed from magazines and the spotlight he once shined under turned off. His name hangs like a black cloud over the industry today, his many championship reigns and classic matches unrecognized. He will never receive a spot in the Hall of Fame, nor will his name be uttered on a WWE telecast.

And rightfully so.

This year, the tragedy turns a decade old. Of all entries on this list, it is the one anyone associated with the industry would most like to forget.

Contributor
Contributor

Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.