Chris Benoit News: Alternative Perspectives on the Tragic Murders and Suicide Emerge

Dana Point, CA (PRWEB) June 29, 2007 -- The murder/suicide perpetrated by WWE wrestler Chris Benoit shocked the world this week. Benoit was a well respected top-level performer for Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was primarily known for his technical wrestling prowess. Many fans of Professional Wrestling are at a complete loss to understand the evil that Benoit perpetuated in the prolonged murder/suicide.

While many in the mainstream media aim to make steroids the scapegoat, many reporters seem to be overlooking the most obvious medical reason for this type of evil behavior. In a recent New York Times article, former WWE wrestler and Harvard graduate Christopher Nowinski became one of the few voices suggesting that repeated concussions may be the reason for this monstrous behaviour.

Another, Jake Shannon, Executive Director of ScientificWrestling.com agrees, "The deliberate nature of the murder/suicide (e.g., the prolonged acts, the placements of bibles next to the bodies, the sending of text messages to colleagues, etc.) do not lend themselves to the 'Roid Rage' arguments. Unfortunately, Benoit was ultimately responsible for these atrocious acts, not anabolic steroids."

Head trauma is coming to light in modern neurological / criminal research as a primary cause of this type of evil behavior. Shannon pointed to the following research to support his assertion on an article posted at his website:

"Head trauma is one of the most common patterns uniting serial killers.title__ (1) (http://www.lamission.edu/sociology/mekelburg/SOC1/Chapter_7_Serial_Killer_handout.pdf)

"A history of head trauma or head injuries is one of the most strongly unifying aspects of serial killers. Henry Lee Lucas, Bobby Joe Long, Carlton Gary, Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Leonard Lake, and John Gacy have all had either severe head injuries, repeated head traumas, or damage that occurred during birth ... Because the primitive brain is the most vulnerable to injuries occurring on the side of the head--because of the thinness of the skull at that point and the lack of internal fluid protection--individuals who have received sustained blows to the side of the head are often at risk. The neurological evidence suggests that the ritualistic patterns of serial murderers are actually mirrors of an abnormal electro-chemical process in the brain caused by head trauma." (Norris, 232)title__ (2) (http://www.mississippireview.com/1999/0199jpjones.htm)

Anabolic steroids may eventually be found to be a contributing factor in Benoit's behavior, however there are many that believe the "head trauma" argument is both persuasive and backed by enough significant research and evidence to warrant investigation.

Shannon concluded by saying, "Chris Benoit made a living in an entertainment field well known for its steel chair shots to the head and flying headbutts (Benoit's finishing move done from the top rope for maximum impact) and his autopsy should include not just toxicology but a CT scan for possible brain damage incurred from 'hardcore'-style wrestling as well."

"When and if we open our new pro-wrestling school, it will be straight-up wrestling (shoot-style professional wrestling, lucha libre, and competitive catch-as-catch-can). No steel chair shots to the head, and no intentional head trauma."

###