Chris Kanyon is the latest to sound off on the recent study released by the Sports Legacy Institute about finding brain damage related to concussions in Chris Benoit’s brain. Kanyon takes the WWE to task for writing off the findings as speculative and trying to paint Michael Benoit as a “desperate man reaching for straws.” Kanyon talks about two of the matches he had with Chris Benoit where Benoit had a concussion and a bloody nose after each match caused by his diving headbutt. Some can say Kanyon has an “axe to grind” with the WWE, but it’s an interesting view from a wrestler who worked for both WCW and the WWE at the same times as Chris Benoit. Some of you may not agree with him, but I think he makes very valid points and it is worth the read.
I just finished watching NightLine on ABC. The show talked about the Chris Benoit tragedy, specifically the study that the Sports Legacy Institute recently completed about how concussions may have caused brain damage. Former WWE Superstar Chris Nowinski, who retired from wrestling due to concussions, convinced Michael Benoit to donate a portion of Chris’ brain for study. The neuropathological tests demonstrated that Chris Benoit suffered from a type of brain damage called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), which was found in all regions of his brain. And the WWE is writing it all off as speculation and Michael Benoit trying to prove to himself that his son wasn’t a monster.
The Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), which oversaw and coordinated the testing, is an independent medical research organization dedicated to studying the long-term effects of head injuries in sports. SLI President Christopher Nowinski contacted Michael Benoit on June 28th, the Thursday after his son’s death, to obtain permission to study the wrestler’s brain. SLI’s research has indicated there is a connection between the repeated head injuries suffered by many athletes involved in contact sports and an aggregation of abnormal Tau proteins in the brain, causing CTE. CTE’s most common symptoms include depression, cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinsonism and erratic behavior. Experts believe that CTE may have been a cause or contributing factor in the Benoit tragedy.
Continue reading Shame On You World Wrestling Entertainment
NEW YORK, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ — Leading medical experts associated with the Sports Legacy Institute today appeared with Michael Benoit, father of professional wrestler Chris Benoit, to release the results of neuropathological tests that demonstrate his son suffered from a type of brain damage called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), which was found in all regions of his brain. The Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), which oversaw and coordinated the testing, is an independent medical research organization dedicated to studying the long-term effects of head injuries in sports. SLI President Christopher Nowinski contacted Michael Benoit on June 28th, the Thursday after his son’s death, to obtain permission to study the wrestler’s brain. SLI’s research has indicated there is a connection between the repeated head injuries suffered by many athletes involved in contact sports and an aggregation of abnormal Tau proteins in the brain, causing CTE. CTE’s most common symptoms include depression, cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinsonism and erratic behavior. Experts believe that CTE may have been a cause or contributing factor in the Benoit tragedy. While CTE has long been found in boxers, and more recently in NFL football players, the findings of CTE in Benoit suggest that athletes involved in other contact sports may also be at a heightened risk for this type of brain injury.
Continue reading Results Released On Study Of Chris Benoit’s Brain
The recently fired Mike Bucci is looking to move on from professional wrestling altogether after being let go by World Wrestling Entertainment. According to those who have spoken to him, Bucci has stated that everything he had been taking was for a legitimate medical purpose as a retired pro wrestler but he also understands why the company let him go. Bucci has told several that he completely understands the political situation WWE is in but at the same time, also realizes that it’s time for him to move on from the business. Bucci has told those close to him he’s saved his money and is already looking into new career possibilities.
Andrew “Test” Martin was pretty much sent home from his first TV Taping after the Hard Justice PPV where he teamed with Abyss and Sting. PwInsider.com is reporting that Martin won’t be back. He had never officially signed a deal with the company.
PWTorch.com reported last night that Ric Flair has given notice to WWE and has quit the promotion over frustration at the way he has been used. Flair’s departure comes at a time when WWE is reeling from injuries and suspensions to top stars. According to reports at PWTorch.com and WrestlingObserver.com, Flair’s departure is not related to the current steroid investigation or suspensions. The reports say negotiations are underway between Flair and WWE about a possible return. The report also speculates on Flair making a jump to TNA.
A new study suggests that a series of concussions may have caused the rage that led wrestler Chris Benoit to murder his wife, his son and commit suicide. Benoit’s father, Michael Benoit, turned over part of the wrestler’s brain to researchers at West Virginia University and the Sports Legacy Institute.
Dr. Julian Bailes, head of neurosurgery at WVU, said the results of tests on Chris Benoit’s brain were striking. Showing a slide of Benoit’s brain tissue Wednesday morning on ABC’s Good Morning America Bailes pointed out what he called abnormalities. The researcher said Benoit’s brain scan looked similar to those of Alzheimer’s patients. Bailes has done similar research on the brains of former professional football players who committed suicide. He said he found similar brain damage in their cases.
The WWE is putting storylines in motion to remove the 10 suspended wrestlers from television. First at the ECW tapigs, CM Punk defeated John Morrison for the ECW World Title. Now at the Raw tapings, Jeff Hardy defeated Umaga at the RAW taping tonight to capture the Intercontinental Title. The match is set to open the show tomorrow night. Then later in the tapings Umaga was in a 2 on 1 Handicap match with Carlito against Triple H. The match ended with Triple H hitting Umaga with the sledgehammer several times. Umaga is rolled away on a stretcher. William Regal was also mentioned in the steroid report and at the Raw tapings he was layed out by John Cena and taken away by paramedics.
WWE has come to terms on the release of Raw Superstars Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard and Jayson Paul) as of September 2. PwInsider.com is reporting that there was an incident this weekend involving Cryme Time and WWE Tag Team champions Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch that took place on the Raw house show in Terra Haute, Indiana yesterday. The finish of their bout saw an odd countout finish although JTG had made it back to the ring, followed by Cryme Time attacking the referee of the bout and removing his belt for “auction” to the audience. WWE officials made the decision to release the pair at the Raw tapings this afternoon. There was a lot of heat on the team today at TV. Given the timing of the release, I’d say this is likely not a Wellness Policy issue but something stemming from the Indiana incident.
Nick “Eugene” Dinsmore was released by WWE on Saturday. The WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE SmackDown talent Eugene as of September 1. We wish Eugene the best in all future endeavors. Dinsmore was apparently surprised by the release and was at the building for the Smackdown tapings and was in the talent meeting conducted by Stephanie McMahon. Following the meeting, he was informed he was released from the company and led out of the building. Dinsmore was slated to take a more active role in Ohio Valley Wrestling working with some of the greener talent, so the release was said to have been a complete shock to him. Dinsmore was not among the names listed by media as being a customer of Signature Pharmacy, but his release is said to have been due to a Wellness Program violation. Dinsmore had been previously suspended due to a violation of the program.
Chris Cage, a former WWE developmental talent who was released some time ago following a Wellness issue, but has since returned to OVW in an attempt to earn a new deal, was booked to work as an extra on the taping, in some minor role. Numerous sources have told me he was also asked to leave the taping with the belief being the company didn’t want someone who had been released due to Wellness issues being around in the current environment.