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**Wrestling World Still Grapples with Chris Benoit Tragedy; Former Stars Share Conflicting Views**

The shadow of Chris Benoit’s actions in 2007 continues to loom large over the professional wrestling community. While his in-ring career was once celebrated, his name is now synonymous with the tragic deaths of his wife and son, an event that remains a source of debate and pain within the industry.

Recently, former WWE star Jimmy Wang Yang offered a stark assessment of Benoit on the “Cheap Heat Productions” podcast, stating he has zero interest in Benoit’s wrestling accomplishments anymore because of his actions. He recalled the day WWE announced Benoit’s death, stating that his immediate thought was that Benoit snapped, based on a previous experience with him. Yang also described the discomfort he felt when WWE initially planned a tribute show to Benoit and his decision to no-show SmackDown due to a “bad feeling.”

“I just didn’t feel comfortable,” Yang said. “I had a bad feeling about what happened…I just didn’t want to be part of it.”

However, opinions on Benoit remain complex. On the “Insight” podcast, AEW’s MVP shared a different perspective, focusing on the kindness and support he received from Benoit early in his career. MVP told Chris Van Vliet that Benoit offered him $1,000 to buy suits. MVP added, “It’s my favorite match because Chris Benoit was my favorite wrestler. I had the chance to wrestle my favorite wrestler at WrestleMania for the United States Championship. After that match at WrestleMania, we got to the back and Stephanie McMahon walks up and she goes: ‘Wow, what a match! Who knew you could do that?’ Chris, in his deadpan way, steps up and goes ‘I did’!”

MVP’s statement acknowledges that Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) played a factor. He said “My friend that I knew, that took care of me and was so good to me, didn’t do that. The CTE that destroyed his brain caused him to do that.”

The differing viewpoints highlight the enduring struggle within the wrestling world to reconcile Benoit’s undeniable talent with the horrific nature of his final acts.

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