By Michael Moore, PWTorch collectibles specialist

In A Sentence: Items signed by Chris Benoit sell at very high prices, despite disagreements among knowledgeable collectors and dealers.

Since this collectibles column debuted on PWTorch.com in January, more readers have sent in questions about Chris Benoit collectibles than anything else.

Multiple readers have e-mailed questions about their action figures, trading cards, and signed photos of the former World champion, wanting to know how much each item is worth. A couple weeks ago, Torch reader Jerry Saurbeir sent in a question about what has to be one of the most unique collectibles ever sold directly by WWE.

Jerry owns one of the 12 turnbuckle pads used in the main event of WrestleMania XX in Madison Square Garden, when Benoit defeated Triple H and Shawn Michaels to win to win WWE’s World Title. The turnbuckle pad is signed by Benoit, and is also inscribed “WrestleMania XX World Champion.” This item was sold directly by WWE, complete with a certificate to guarantee its authenticity.




Jerry coincidentally bought the turnbuckle pad in June 2007, just weeks before the Benoit murder-suicide. He wanted to know just how much this item would bring in if he decided to sell it.

An item like this is very difficult to price; there just isn’t much of a basis for comparison. It can’t be measured against photos or cards signed by Benoit, because those weren’t used in a WrestleMania main event. The best thing to do is compare it to other items worn or used in a historic wrestling match. However, those items are also very rare and difficult to price.

But, they do surface from time to time. A few years back, the robe that Kerry Von Erich wore to the ring when he defeated Ric Flair for the NWA World title in 1984 was sold at auction. If I recall correctly, that item brought in about $7,000 or $8,000.

The Benoit turnbuckle pad isn’t quite as unique and likely wouldn’t fetch nearly as much money. There were 12 turnbuckle pads compared to one robe and, while the turnbuckle pads were involved in a big main event, they weren’t worn by a specific wrestler.

Considering several factors, my guess is that the Benoit item would likely sell for about $2,000 to $3,000. I contacted several knowledgeable collectors and dealers to get their take, but didn’t offer my estimated value. Most of them independently came up with an estimate of $2,000 to $2,500.

“Benoit is a little tricky, with everything that happened at the end of his life,” said veteran collector Christopher Hoffield. “The turnbuckle is a one-of-a-kind item, so I would guess that it might be in the $2,000- $2,500 range. If he listed it on eBay, he might get $500, or he might get $5,000.”

Rob Ruzicka of Paradise Collectibles disagrees.

“That’s a tough one to call or put a price on,” he said. “If the (Benoit family tragedy) did not occur, I figure this would be a sought after piece, but due to the unfortunate circumstances – and that WWE basically makes no reference to Benoit at all – I would say the value has probably depreciated.”

Wrestling fans are largely split into two camps when it comes to Chris Benoit: those who choose to separate the man from the murderer, and those who can’t. Collectors are no different. Some are willing to pay $150 for an autographed Benoit card, while others ask, “Why would anybody spend a dime on that?”

“I had mixed reactions on the turnbuckle when it's been out on display,” Saurbeir said. “I've been able to displace the wrestler from the wrestler with concussion issues. I don't agree with the latter, but respected Benoit's wrestling career.”

Whatever your opinion of Benoit, the fact remains that his autographed items sell at a very high price. There are a few key reasons why.

First, Benoit is deceased. The logic to this point is simple, although somewhat morbid. Anytime a famous athlete dies, the demand for his autograph goes up, while the supply either stays the same or decreases as collectors keep those items in their personal collections. If you want a certified Benoit autograph, you’re going to find something that was released before June 2007; even if a company like WWE or Topps is sitting on unreleased Benoit autographs, they’ll never see the light of day.

Another important factor is the profile of a typical wrestling collector. If someone is going to devote his time to collecting wrestling items, by definition he’s a hardcore wrestling fan. Those are the same types of fans that made up Benoit’s fan base. Benoit was not John Cena or Steve Austin, drawing in casual fans who wouldn’t otherwise give wrestling a second glance. Benoit was the wrestling purist’s wrestler. If anyone is going to separate Benoit’s career from his final actions, it would be this type of fan.

There was a great degree of uncertainty among collectors following Benoit’s death in 2007. Immediately after his death, prices of his autographed cards skyrocketed; cards that had been selling for $25-$30 suddenly jumped over $100. Then, within hours, values plummeted, and those same cards sold for less than $10.

Over the last four years, though, Benoit’s autographs have steadily increased in value. In recent months, his certified autographed cards have sold for $90-$150.

Other Benoit collectibles have held steady as well. There were enough different Chris Benoit action figures released from 1996 to 2007 to fill one of Jakks Pacific’s real scale toy rings. Those figures haven’t increased much in value, but they haven’t decreased either. A Jakks Pacific Ruthless Aggression-style figure – generally the most popular among adult collectors – will typically fetch $5-$10 if the figure is loose and in good condition, and one still packaged will sell for about $15-$20.

Despite whatever personal feelings wrestling fans, collectors, and dealers have about Chris Benoit, the numbers speak for themselves. His autographed items are in high demand today, and as the supply dries up, prices are likely to increase over time.

Do you have a question about the value of an item? Do you have a unique collectible that you’d like to share with other wrestling fans? Contact Michael Moore at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com.

[Torch photo credit Wade Keller (c) PWTorch.com]

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