Benoit slaps the shit out of The Miz

[Tea & Crumpets]

Feb 24, 2018 16:36:48 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

This reminds me of a story from Matt Striker's shoot interview where he said Benoit would give rookies (like himself) a hard time because that's how it needed to be, but when Striker was getting bullied by Benoit and JBL, William Regal actually spoke up and said he had no problem with Striker and the issues died down right away.

I love Regal. He came up about the toughest way possible on the Northern carnival circuit where they still tried to maintain kayfabe as much as possible, and yet from all accounts has never been a bully, never caused trouble for anyone except himself when he had his demons, and is one of the best talent scouts and mentors to younger guys in the business.

I also think it's important to draw the distinction between hazing/bullying, and toughening up a rookie, just before anybody goes 'But what about New Japan, it's acceptable there'. Wrestling is a physically and mentally demanding job and testing a rookie's toughness to see if they can actually be trusted to handle the grind of a fulltime schedule and the injuries that come with that, is kind of a necessity. Hell it's nowhere near on the same level of professionalism or intensity but I've trained in martial arts for most of my life and whenever I've gone to a new dojo I've usually been roughed up the first few sessions, but it's to see if you're actually worthy of your grade and not some kid who's stuck a belt on and been poorly trained, but are actually as good as you should be, and resilient enough, for the level you'd be training at. And again I'm an amateur. Wrestling is a whole other ball game, and wrestlers work hurt often, or just plain tired and worn out, so as long as no actual injuries are being inflicted I don't think a Suzuki stretching or stiffing a youngster to see if he's still able to bring his A-game when tired and sore, is the same thing as say, Bob Holly stomping the shit out of Matt Cappotelli because why not, or Benoit kicking Miz out the dressing room, or people f***ing with others' belongings or cars or basically any of the shit JBL did.

As for Miz, I have all the respect in the world for him and if anybody would deserve a shot as a fiery underdog face it's him. I find it kind of incredible that, for a guy who was Daniel Bryan's Pro on NXT despite being the less experienced in the business and seen by a lot of fans as a slap in the face to Bryan, Miz has kind of morphed into another Daniel Bryan himself. The smaller guy who succeeded when a lot of the company were set against him and is now a respected talent who always puts in a shift and is married to a fellow WWE star. Dude has made it, and much like Rusev, is a living breathing example of the American dream.

[Mozenrath]

A certain level of discipline comes with mentorship, but you don't just be an asshole, you also actually provide guidance and direction. A rookie with no mentors gets you a Van Hammer. You don't want a Van Hammer. And just being a jackoff to rookies because you can means you're a bullying douche.

In Foley's career, he had Bulldog and Dynamite Kid f***up his jaw just because they could. That didn't really teach him anything except not to be that person when he became a veteran.
Later, he had guys like Stan Hansen, Robert Fuller, and other veterans interacting with him. They, gasp, actually gave him advice, looked out for him, and didn't maim him to feel tough. Even Michael Hayes, who obviously has a bad reputation in some respects, gave him advice on character work, namely to always have a clear motivation as a heel, that they should always believe they're in the right, no matter how twisted the logic. I imagine that did him more good than the Bulldogs did, outside of just gaining respect with people by enduring it.

[schma]

Feb 24, 2018 12:08:33 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Feb 24, 2018 11:38:51 GMT -5 The Dark Order Inferno said:

Cyrus/Jackyl stood up to JBL and it made things worse. Like most bullies, guy is selective about his targets, making sure to go after guys like him and Miz, who couldn't fight him and where no-one had their backs.

Yeah, when Brock started on the main roster, despite him being as much of a rookie as anyone, word is JBL was immediately grovelling and carrying his bags.

It's how a lot of bullies work.  I had a supervisor who was a bully and one day I stood up to him and got in his face.  Nothing physical, I just made it clear that I was out of patience for his needling and he never bothered me again.  I noticed after that, that he only went after people who wouldn't stand up to him.  With JBL it was a bit different though because it was a more physical profession.


Edit: I also want to say that I was a Miz hater when he showed up with that faux hawk.  I didn't know a single person with that hairstyle that wasn't a douche and so I wrote him off immediately.  That was pretty shallow of me.  For as much as it gets crapped on, his WWE title run is when I became a fan.  There were several promos he gave in that period that were fantastic and gave us glimpses of someone who could hang up there with the big guys.  Sadly, the WWE machine was so focused on Rock/Cena that they absolutely refused to acknowledge those moments of brilliance.

Anyways, it's nice to see what a class act the guy is and how he's gone from reality star jerk (I also didn't like him because he was from a reality show >.>) to respected veteran, star and ambassador.  I would love to see a world title around his waist this year with a 'you deserve it' chant.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

Feb 25, 2018 6:19:23 GMT -5 schma said:

Feb 24, 2018 12:08:33 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Yeah, when Brock started on the main roster, despite him being as much of a rookie as anyone, word is JBL was immediately grovelling and carrying his bags.

It's how a lot of bullies work.  I had a supervisor who was a bully and one day I stood up to him and got in his face.  Nothing physical, I just made it clear that I was out of patience for his needling and he never bothered me again.  I noticed after that, that he only went after people who wouldn't stand up to him.  With JBL it was a bit different though because it was a more physical profession.

JBL was a bit different than that.

It wasn't about if you'd stand up to him, some people did and it made him bully them worse.

He'd specifically go after people he knew wouldn't be able to fight back.

[schma]

Feb 25, 2018 6:27:25 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Feb 25, 2018 6:19:23 GMT -5 schma said:

It's how a lot of bullies work.  I had a supervisor who was a bully and one day I stood up to him and got in his face.  Nothing physical, I just made it clear that I was out of patience for his needling and he never bothered me again.  I noticed after that, that he only went after people who wouldn't stand up to him.  With JBL it was a bit different though because it was a more physical profession.

JBL was a bit different than that.

It wasn't about if you'd stand up to him, some people did and it made him bully them worse.

He'd specifically go after people he knew wouldn't be able to fight back.

Yeah, admittedly my bully was a coward because the second anyone stood up to him he backed off.  JBL was on a whole other level and it's sad that he put so much thought into picking his victims and knowing who he could hurt.

[romanstylesiii]

Call it a hunch, but I am starting to think Beniot was not such a nice person

[jp49er80]

It just shows that Benoit, to me, was always f***ed up in some way or another.

If he hadn't done what he did anyway, he'd be viewed as a Bill DeMott type now.

[Herman The Tosser]

Feb 23, 2018 20:38:30 GMT -5 Jedi-El of Tomorrow said:

Miz and Kane are the examples that people should look at for locker room leaders. You haven't heard one single story of them being bullies backstage.

Feb 23, 2018 19:59:59 GMT -5 Dub H said:

What did they do? I ain't looking up a tribute show for Benoit

With Regal, all he did was talk about how Benoit was the most dedicated wrestler. He wasn't crying, he didn't say Benoit was a great guy, on a night where people were crying and giving emotional speeches, Regal was very serious with not much emotion. There's no doubt that Regal knew deep down before it became official.

Wasn't Regal one of the guys Benoit sent that "Dogs are in the enclosed pool area" text message? Him and/or Chavo, so that had to be an alarm bell, right there. I think Chavo confirmed he got that text.

Kinda makes you see how much stuff was glossed over, just because of the culture then, and who he was amonh his fellow collegues.

[Hit Girl]

Troubling signs were there for years about Benoit, but of course nothing that would give anyone any foresight into what was to come.

[Mozenrath]

Brock did get ribbed some, but it wasn't mean spirited. Spike Dudley wrestled him in some either house shows or dark matches, and he teased him by mounting him when they got to the mat and slapping the back of his head a bunch, then scrambling off to get away from him before he could react. Not hard, from the way the story came across, but goofing around as wrestlers are wont to do at house shows. I want to say that Brock took it in good humor but wrangled Spike the next time he tried it, to show how quick he was. That seems perfectly fine.

[The Blue Nova]

Imagine the benoits and JBLS and Hardcore holly trying to do that today to someone like a Cesaro or Braun strowman

[mizerable]

Feb 25, 2018 6:36:21 GMT -5 jp49er80 said:

If he hadn't done what he did anyway, he'd be viewed as a Bill DeMott type now.

That is, if WWE ever decided to make the absolute changes they did.

The double murder suicide was a huge black eye to WWE, one where they had to gain back their public image. Who knows what may have happened had that never taken place.

[Woo]

Feb 23, 2018 13:15:46 GMT -5 The Legendary Ring Troll {BLM} said:

I always liked Benoit back in the day, but the more I hear about stuff like this, the more it makes me realize Benoit was a miserable piece of shit bully. If he hadn’t done what he did, I’d still be hoping he’d be kept out of the Hall of Fame just for his shit headed nature.

What other bullying did he do?

[The Legendary Ring Troll {BLM}]

Feb 25, 2018 13:28:23 GMT -5 Woo said:

Feb 23, 2018 13:15:46 GMT -5 The Legendary Ring Troll {BLM} said:

I always liked Benoit back in the day, but the more I hear about stuff like this, the more it makes me realize Benoit was a miserable piece of shit bully. If he hadn’t done what he did, I’d still be hoping he’d be kept out of the Hall of Fame just for his shit headed nature.

What other bullying did he do?

There was him, Holly and Guerrero beating the hell out of Puder at the Rumble. Benoit kicking Miz out of the locker room for accidentally getting crumbs in his bag. Palmer Cannon leaving a tour suddenly cuz of Benoit and JBL going too far in Wrestlers Court. Sure there’s more I can’t think of right now.

[JCBaggee]

Not going to be an apologist or anything, just going to wonder out loud: if Benoit was still alive today, think he would have come around on The Miz like everyone else has?

[Joe Neglia]

Feb 25, 2018 9:18:12 GMT -5 The Blue Nova said:

Imagine the benoits and JBLS and Hardcore holly trying to do that today to someone like a Cesaro or Braun strowman

Imagine the Benoits and JBLs and Hollys trying to do that back then to someone like a Blackman, Shamrock or even Kurrgan. There were legit guys back then too. Bullies know who to leave alone, no matter what era.

[OVO 40 hunched over like he 80]

Feb 25, 2018 13:38:50 GMT -5 JCBaggee said:

Not going to be an apologist or anything, just going to wonder out loud: if Benoit was still alive today, think he would have come around on The Miz like everyone else has?

Benoit was a weird bully. Miz said that Benoit actually told him that kicking him out of the locker room wasn't personal and he also helped Miz out by giving him feedback after his matches.

Another weird bullying story was Benoit and Justin Roberts, Benoit would haze Justin and stretch him but he was also legit concerned for Justin's father who had cancer at the time. Benoit even used to call Justin's dad and kept tabs on his treatment.

[OVO 40 hunched over like he 80]

Feb 25, 2018 6:27:25 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Feb 25, 2018 6:19:23 GMT -5 schma said:

It's how a lot of bullies work.  I had a supervisor who was a bully and one day I stood up to him and got in his face.  Nothing physical, I just made it clear that I was out of patience for his needling and he never bothered me again.  I noticed after that, that he only went after people who wouldn't stand up to him.  With JBL it was a bit different though because it was a more physical profession.

JBL was a bit different than that.

It wasn't about if you'd stand up to him, some people did and it made him bully them worse.

He'd specifically go after people he knew wouldn't be able to fight back.

Actually if people stood up to him he appreciated it for some sick reason.

Joey Styles and Blackman both straighted him out and then he took them for beers.

He actually tried to get the Blue Meanie a job in the wwe network in recent years.

Ron Simmons in his shoot said that Bradshaw wasn't tough and that he would love you if you beat him up.

[Gummydavidson]

It feels like the major bullying stories seemed to come out after Eddie died.

From what I read and listened to he spent his last days after Eddie dying miserable as hell, drinking heavily, on a lot of pain medication and we all know about his brain issues now.

He was obviously taking out all his pent-up anger on people he felt couldn't defend themselves, classic bullying behaviour.

[Tea & Crumpets]

Feb 25, 2018 14:41:03 GMT -5 Joe Neglia said:

Feb 25, 2018 9:18:12 GMT -5 The Blue Nova said:

Imagine the benoits and JBLS and Hardcore holly trying to do that today to someone like a Cesaro or Braun strowman

Imagine the Benoits and JBLs and Hollys trying to do that back then to someone like a Blackman, Shamrock or even Kurrgan. There were legit guys back then too. Bullies know who to leave alone, no matter what era.

Didn't JBL try something shitty with Blackman at an airport and Blackman just knocked him out with one kick while getting his luggage? I swear I heard a story along those lines. Along with how he took down Big Show while lying on his back in the locker room.

Feb 25, 2018 14:59:27 GMT -5 OVO 40 hunched over like he 80 said:

Feb 25, 2018 13:38:50 GMT -5 JCBaggee said:

Not going to be an apologist or anything, just going to wonder out loud: if Benoit was still alive today, think he would have come around on The Miz like everyone else has?

Benoit was a weird bully. Miz said that Benoit actually told him that kicking him out of the locker room wasn't personal and he also helped Miz out by giving him feedback after his matches.

Another weird bullying story was Benoit and Justin Roberts, Benoit would haze Justin and stretch him but he was also legit concerned for Justin's father who had cancer at the time. Benoit even used to call Justin's dad and kept tabs on his treatment.

The vibe I get from Benoit is that he was trying to be the DIZ BIZNEZ vet who tests and pushes the rookies to make sure they're up to it, but for whatever reason couldn't actually put the pieces together as to how to do that and instead went way too far into full-blown psycho territory. Possibly the drugs, possibly the concussions, possibly just some personality disorder causing the disconnect, possibly all three. But the thing to remember is a lot of the time, people don't mean to do terrible things, or even always realise what they're doing is wrong. Benoit was a weird, troubled, aggressive guy, and I think a combination of a ton of his friends dying in a 5 year span (Eddie is an obvious one, but I heard he was also close to Johnny Grunge of all people, and another friend of his Biff Wellington even died the same weekend as Benoit) and the roids and concussions meant that an already predisposed-to-aggression guy with a real mean streak was just broken into a timebomb waiting to go off.

It's why when people say about Bryan ending up another Benoit I always think- yeah, but Bryan's never had any history of aggressiveness or bullying to anybody as far as I know, the only guy he's been rough with is himself. He's far more another Foley candidate than a Benoit.