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Post by CrazySting on Dec 19, 2007 10:26:21 GMT -5
from f4w...
I think it's unfair of the lawyer to claim WWE showed little interest in Benoit's welfare: from what I understand he was always treated well, and was given time off when he asked for it.
That said, I don't think this would have happened if Benoit had been a plumber or a office worker or something like that. Obviously it's a high pressure job, where you are forced to protect your spot on the roster all the time because of backstabbing and politics.
And I find it amazing that WWE dont have any records of him suffering from concussions when he's had more than a few over the years...
I'm leaning towards the fact that WWE shouldn't be held accountable, but I wouldn't be totally shocked if the Benoit family did get millions from them for this.
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Post by acressl on Dec 19, 2007 10:30:08 GMT -5
People snap. Why should their employers be liable? I'm sure if Chris' demeanor was altered someone would have noticed. At least I'd like to believe that. Also, I share your lack of surprise if this suit comes to pass and money changes hands.
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Post by Loki on Dec 19, 2007 10:33:52 GMT -5
WWE didn't force Benoit to take steroids, painkillers or to kill his own family.
WWE may be somewhat held accountable for "imposing" a not-so-healthy lifestyle to the wrestlers, but that has been the nature of the business since it has become international/worldwide.
A lighter schedule would help immensely, but on the other hand, nobody enters the business expecting it to be a walk in the park...
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Post by CrazySting on Dec 19, 2007 10:34:44 GMT -5
The thing was though, after it happened Meltzer revealed that Benoit was convinced someone was following him. Which is pretty scary behaviour in itself. Who told Meltzer this? Did that person go to Vince and share their fears?
Some of his closest freinds knew he was having problems, I don't know if management did though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2007 10:42:39 GMT -5
No.
If Chris Benoit had a history of mental illness, I would disagree. But he didn't. So when he murdered his family and committed suicide, it was the first time that WWE (or the fans, for that matter) had ever heard of Benoit's mental defects. How are WWE supposed to be blamed for that? They didn't see it coming, like the rest of us didn't.
WWE introduced a Wellness Policy for it's performers in February 2006. Now, I'm unsure if they test for anything else apart from drugs, but surely someone would've noticed if Benoit was abusing something? Obviously, I can't confirm the results of any of Benoit's tests, but if there was a problem, I'm sure WWE would've helped him deal with it. Remember, they gave him time off in mid-2006 to spend time with his family and recover from being on the road.
Contrary to popular belief, Vince McMahon is not a 'monster' - I'm sure that if Benoit knew he had a problem, McMahon would've helped him out. Just like he's done for other wrestlers in the past.
This is why I don't think WWE should be blamed for anything - these were the actions of one man, not a company (or anyone else).
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Post by seano on Dec 19, 2007 10:46:42 GMT -5
No matter what the true cause of Benoit's death is and if *all* the facts are every disclosed to the public, the media and lawyers will scream "STEROIDS!" and thus the 'E will always appear to be a guilty party of some sort.
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Post by Red Impact on Dec 19, 2007 10:58:51 GMT -5
People involved always want to blame others in some way. In some aspects, there may be some reason to blame others, and I think his work likely had something to do with his mental instability.
Do I think they should be held accountable? No. As much as the family wants to try to pawn off responsibility to make htem look better, it's the life he chose and his actions.
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Push R Truth
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Post by Push R Truth on Dec 19, 2007 11:08:46 GMT -5
It's easy to blame others when those others have huge pocketbooks.
In other words, they are grasping at straws hoping for some money.
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Agent P
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Post by Agent P on Dec 19, 2007 11:32:17 GMT -5
I find the idea that WWE should be accountable for that ridiculous. If one of us did the same exact thing, our employers or school wouldn't (and shouldn't) be held accountable.
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Post by krazysane on Dec 19, 2007 11:36:18 GMT -5
Speaking of stupid questions regarding former 4horsemen members. If Ric Flair loses on my tv screen on wwe 24/7 or a vhs tape or a dvd, does that mean he has to retire?
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Post by acressl on Dec 19, 2007 11:38:33 GMT -5
Speaking of stupid questions regarding former 4horsemen members. If Ric Flair loses on my tv screen on wwe 24/7 or a vhs tape or a dvd, does that mean he has to retire? yes. However WWE films has taken the liberty of altering both television and your personal video library so as to not spoil their pay-off. Try it out.
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Post by BayleyTiffyCodyCenaJudyHopps on Dec 19, 2007 11:41:30 GMT -5
Speaking of stupid questions regarding former 4horsemen members. If Ric Flair loses on my tv screen on wwe 24/7 or a vhs tape or a dvd, does that mean he has to retire? I dunno. I was watching the On-Demand service last night and Flair got owned badly by Bret Hart on a Prime Time episode. I think the angle's ruined now. ;D On a serious note, the Benoit murders were a multitude of factors coming together in the worst way possible. The only thing the WWE could have done was be stricter with the wrestlers as far as keeping their health up was concerned. That might not have prevented what happened.
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Post by macdaddysquid on Dec 19, 2007 11:50:46 GMT -5
no
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Post by "Hollywood" Cactus Matt on Dec 19, 2007 12:08:32 GMT -5
I find the idea that WWE should be accountable for that ridiculous. If one of us did the same exact thing, our employers or school wouldn't (and shouldn't) be held accountable. Exactly. I recently quit one of my jobs because they were working me to death, and I could feel that something was going haywire in my brain because of exhaustion, stress (both personal and job-related) and things of that nature. I would never and could never kill anyone - especially people I'm supposed to love, like a wife and young child - but if I had gone bats*** insane a la Benoit, I would hope my family would know better than to try to blame anyone but me. Personal accountability covers a lot of territory. Chris Benoit is no exception.
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Post by EvilMasterBetty, Esq. on Dec 19, 2007 12:14:09 GMT -5
I'll try to explain this from a law perspective.
There's enough to get this to discovery. The Benoit's can state a claim for which relief can be granted (FRCP 12(b)(6) if you are so inclined). For those who don't know, discovery is where both sides have take depositions, interview, find evidence, etc. While we, the public, have heard statements, that is neither currently evidence (none of it was said under oath) nor the totality of evidence. There could be more out there. We just don't know.
Now, the real issue is whether they could find enough to avoid summary judgment (the judge will just rule in favor of one side i.e. WWE) because no jury could find for Benoit based on the evidence. At this point, anyone would be speculating because we just do not have all the facts.
So, in my opinion, based on what has been said, I just don't know if there's going to be enough to get it to trial. They need to discover some facts that would be in actual dispute to get it to a jury, and I honestly don't know if they exist. The only benefit to the Benoits is they pretty much have free reign to sue WWE in any of the 48 states. So they will almost definitely find a law beneficial.
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Post by CrazySting on Dec 19, 2007 12:31:49 GMT -5
Do his kids even need WWE's $2 million dollars?
From what it looks like they'll be getting most of his estate (1-3 million dollars) so they will be taken care of.
I can understand why Michael Benoit is acting the way he is though. You can say 'well, if I did something like that, it would be my fault' but what if it wasn't you, and it was your son or daughter that had done it? Would you just accept they were an evil, horrible person or would you look for someone else to blame? Most people won't accept that about their own child and look for someone else.
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Post by dh03grad on Dec 19, 2007 13:03:46 GMT -5
Zero undiagnosed concussions? Given Benoit and many other wrestlers high impact style, did the WWE ever check anyone out for concussions? Did they care? Or did they just want the wrestler to shake it off and make it to the next town? Oh wait, PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY~1. Please. Michael Benoit has enough to make it to trial based on the concussion thing alone. Why did the WWE let Chris continue to do flying headbutts and other wreckless moves for years?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2007 13:18:38 GMT -5
I don't see how a family member being a murderer equate to you winning the lottery.
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Dec 19, 2007 13:20:23 GMT -5
Nope.
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Post by Randy Barber 4-Life on Dec 19, 2007 13:45:30 GMT -5
I'm going to ask a stupid question about the estate battle itself. Can't they just agree to split the estate? I would fully expect Nancy's family to be angry about what happened, but the Benoits had nothing to do with it. At the same time, even though the Benoits aren't to blame, surely Nancy's family is owed something for what happened? I don't know, this whole thing is just very ugly.
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