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WWE News
WWE News: Chris Benoit's father to go on national TV this week to discuss Chris's death Sep 2, 2007 - 1:58:00 PM
Irv Muchnick, author of "Wrestling Babylon," reports that Chris Benoit's father, Michael Benoit, will be interviewed on ABC on Sept. 6 for both "Good Morning America" and "Nightline."
Muchnick reports that Michael will talk about Chris's "diminished capacity" and says his sources indicate he will not be saying steroid alone led to that, but also concussions and repeated head trauma from his diving headbutt finishing move.
WK ANALYSIS: I've always believed it was bad policy by WWE to allow Chris Benoit to execute the top rope headbutt, especially after his return from neck fusion sugery. I suggested to a WWE official in power that they should not allow that. His response was, "What are we supposed to do, fine him?" My answer: "Yes! Of course. Whatever it takes." Adding Chris's father to this story in terms of putting a face on the tragedy adds another dimension. This is, as Muchnick reports, at least in part motivated by the battle over Chris's substantial estate and the two families battling over it. It's also, I believe, a case of Michael Benoit wanting to make sure the message is heard loud and clear that WWE ought to be more concerned with the health of wrestlers not just in terms of drug testing, but also as it relates to concussions and other head trauma. One of my five main talking points that I suggested the media and authorities focus on in regards to the Benoit story, as written back in June, was "concussions." It's an underplayed aspect of this story that deserves more attention.
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