Date of Birth
21 May 1967, Montreal, Québec, Canada

Date of Death
25 June 2007, Fayetteville, Georgia, USA. (suicide)

Birth Name
Christopher Michael Benoit

Nickname
The Canadian Crippler
The Rabid Wolverine
The Pegasus Kid
Wild Pegasus

Height
5' 10¾" (1.80 m)

Chris Benoit was born on 21st May 1967 in Montreal, Quebec. He began his wrestling career on November 22nd 1985 in Stu Hart's Stampede wrestling promotion in a tag match. When Stampede closed it's doors in 1989 he departed for the New Japan Pro and spent about a year training in their 'New Japan Dojo' wearing a mask and assuming the name 'The Pegasus Kid'. Chris went on to win the Super J cup Tournament in 1994 defeating Black Tiger, Gedo and Great Sasuke in the finals making him one of the foremost junior heavyweights in the world.

He eventually left New Japan to compete at Mexico and Germany where he won few regional championship awards. During this year he signed with 'Extreme Championship Wrestling' where he dropped his name 'The Pegasus Kid' and became The Canadian Crippler for his rougher styles. His appearance at the ECW caught the attention of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) bookers, which led to Chris having three try out matches. However, when he was told that a WWF competitor cannot work in Japan he declined the offer and then due to VISA problems he returned to Japan.

Chris signed with WCW in early 1996 and started as a member of the cruiserweight division. By early January 2000 he left WCW forfeiting his title 'WCW World Heavyweight Champion' and made his WWF TV debut with Malenko, Saturn and Gurrero on 31st January 2000. During this year he won the Inter continental title defeating Billy Gunn. During 2001, Chris underwent a major neck surgery to repair a ruptured disc which has fragmented into his spinal column. In 2004, he won the qualifying match for the Royal Rumble. He won the 2004 Royal Rumble and on March 14th 2004 he won the World Heavy Weight Championship against Triple H.

Some of his unique signature taunts include the 'throat slash' where he takes his thumb across the throat making a slashing motion, cutting the air making a 'x ' in the air, pounding the chest and after winning the match he will slightly pump his fist in excitement and yell. Some of his theme music includes 'Dynamite Kid's' old theme song and 'Back in the Saddle' by Aerosmith. Canadian rock band our lady peace's 'Whatever' is his recent one.

On June 25, 2007, Benoit was found dead in his home in Fayetteville, Georgia, along with his wife, Nancy Daus, and his 7-year old son, Daniel.