When you think about tragedies in pro-wrestling, none are larger than the Benoit murder-suicide. Much has been learned about the effects severe concussions can have on the human brain.
When you read or hear quotes from those closest to Benoit, it’s clear he changed throughout the years and we’ll probably never know exactly how much the brain injuries effected him. However, his last in-ring opponent has revealed what Benoit said to him in preparation for their match.
Elijah Burke, also known as The Pope DeAngelo Dinero, was Benoit’s last opponent in WWE and discussed what Benoit said to him.
“One thing Chris was big on, and hindsight is 20/20 on this if I could say, ‘oh, that kind of makes sense’, is just the fact that he said, ‘talk to me out there. I might forget.’ So, after everything that happened, when it came back that he had like the brain of an 80 year old with Alzheimer’s. That was like, ‘hmm, that is interesting’. In this business, I was always taught that we should communicate in rings. So, I didn’t think anything of it. That could have been a sign. Chris Benoit asking me to talk to him?”
In my opinion, Burke probably shouldn’t feel guilty for not connecting the dots between a bad memory and the awful attacks Benoit committed later. However, it certainly is a sign that maybe something was off with Benoit prior to the crimes.
Burke works with The NWA, but the promotion has not put on any actual shows during the pandemic. However, we could see NWA Powerrr returning soon.
Thanks to TalkSport for transcription of the quote.
