Besides being a referee for NJPW, Mar was in charge of booking foreign talent for the promotion. He had ties with CMLL - his cousin is the current booker, and they were close - and I'm guessing he knew as much about what was going on in the entire world of wrestling as anyone.
Originally posted by flairforthegold13Vince was on the Today show. He managed to not yell at her, so kudos to him.
Meredith didn't press him on the transparent drug policy or really get to snippy.
It looks like the defensive press release the E sent out is really back-firing on them, though. It makes them look way guilty. I mean, they can't come out and admit that the locker room is on a ton of steroids and pills but to point out that Chris passed the last drug test when he's probably going to come out sky high for steroids makes them look incompetent.
ATLANTA -- Federal drug agents and sheriff's officials raided the office of pro wrestler Chris Benoit's personal physician in search of records and other items, an official said Thursday.
The raid at Dr. Phil Astin's office in Carrollton, Ga. began Wednesday night and concluded early Thursday, said agent Chuvalo Truesdell, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration in Atlanta.
Over the weekend, Benoit killed his wife and son and then killed himself at their home in Fayetteville.
A search warrant obtained by the Fayette County Sheriff's Department in connection with the Benoit investigation was executed there, he said.
No arrests were made and Truesdell was unable to say what was seized. He said records were among the items being sought, but he could not be more specific.
Astin did not return repeated calls to his cell phone from The Associated Press on Thursday.
Benoit had been under the care of Astin, a longtime friend, for treatment of low testosterone levels. Astin said Wednesday the condition likely originated from previous steroid use.
Astin prescribed testosterone for Benoit in the past but would not say what, if any, medications he prescribed when Benoit visited his office Friday.
Steroids were found in Benoit's home, leading officials to wonder whether the drugs played a role in the slayings. Some experts believe steroids cause paranoia, depression and violent outbursts known as "roid rage."
Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard said in a statement Thursday that he could not immediately comment on the raid.
Also Thursday, Ballard told the AP that 10 empty beer cans were found in a trash can in the Benoit home. An empty wine bottle was found a few feet from where Benoit hanged himself, Ballard said.
It could take several weeks for toxicology tests to be completed on Benoit to see what medications, if any, were in his system.
Earlier Thursday, World Wrestling Entertainment owner Vince McMahon on Thursday urged people not to assume that steroids played a role in the murder-suicide of Benoit, his wife Nancy and 7-year-old son Daniel.
McMahon, speaking on NBC's "Today" show, said toxicology results were needed to answer questions surrounding the death of Benoit, who hanged himself on the cable of a weight-machine in his home. Authorities said he strangled his wife and smothered son during the weekend and placed Bibles next to their bodies.
"There's no way, quite frankly, that we, or the media -- it's all speculation until the toxicology reports come back," McMahon said. "It's all speculation."
Toxicology test results may not be available for weeks or even months, District Attorney Scott Ballard has said.
The WWE, based in Stamford, Conn., was quick to dismiss the idea, issuing a news release Tuesday saying steroids "were not and could not be related to the cause of death" and that the findings indicate "deliberation, not rage." Benoit tested negative April 10, the last time he was tested for drugs, the WWE said.
No motive has been offered for the killings.
The couple argued in the days before the slayings over whether he should stay home more to take care of their mentally retarded son, said Jerry McDevitt, an attorney for the league.
McDevitt said the wrestling organization learned from the couple's friends and relatives that the Benoits were struggling with where to send the boy to school since he had recently finished kindergarten.
He also said Benoit's wife didn't want him to quit wrestling, but she "wanted him to be at home more to care for the kid. She'd say she can't take care of him by herself when he was on the road."
The child suffered from a rare medical condition called Fragile X Syndrome, an inherited form of mental retardation often accompanied by autism, McDevitt said.
Meanwhile, authorities in Georgia were investigating a link between Benoit and a Florida business that may have supplied him with steroids.
Prosecutors in upstate New York who have been investigating the company's drug sales said Benoit received deliveries from Signature Pharmacy and MedXLife.com, which sold steroids, human growth hormone and testosterone on the Internet.
Six people, including two of the pharmacy's owners, have pleaded guilty in the investigation, and 20 more have been arrested, including doctors and pharmacists.
Terence Kindlon, lawyer for MedXLife co-owner Dr. Gary Brandwein, denied the allegations that his client's company sold steroids to Benoit. Brandwein has pleaded not guilty to six counts in New York state court related to the criminal sale of a controlled substance. He was accused of signing and sending prescriptions without ever seeing patients.
McDevitt said the drugs found in Benoit's house were legitimately prescribed. "There's no question, none of these drugs are out there, none of these drugs came from Internet pharmacies," he said.
In addition to causing paranoia and explosive outbursts, steroids can also contribute to deep depression, according to experts.
"Just as you have the extreme high of when you're on steroids, you can get the opposite," said Dr. Todd Schlifstein, a clinical assistant professor at the New York University School of Medicine. "You can have a dramatic difference in mood swings. You can feel there's no hope, there's no future."
Kind of makes you wonder if benoit visited the Dr. on Friday and then home and killed his wife if he perscribed some type of drug that caused hm snap or something. I guess we won't know for sure for weeks, if ever.
(edited by Ffej on 28.6.07 1344) Ffej- The 2005 NCAA "W" Tourney Pick 'Em Champion modernmythpress.com
I thought the Vince "Today" interview went well. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now. I don't know if it's the haircut, but he looks really old now.
Chyna was just on Jim Rome sounding awful. That poor woman could barely put together a complete sentence. She made the late Anna Nicle sound scholarly. I don't know who would think Chyna would be a good radio interview based on her past appearances.
So my hazy recollection is that people are still depressed when they first get antidepressants, but are just motivated enough with certain kinds of drugs that have a stimulant effect that they kill themselves. These are people who were suicidal but too depressed to act on it, if that makes sense. Also, as the people who succeed are hard to interview, its speculation.
Anyway, if he did just start psychiatric meds and was drinking heavily as well as just starting them out, that could have been a bad combination.
//edit: I would also point out that the investigators need to ask if he started any medication - this is in no way an indication that he did. It would be extraordinarily premature to start speculating that this was an antidepressant induced psychosis.
Earlier Thursday, World Wrestling Entertainment owner Vince McMahon on Thursday urged people not to assume that steroids played a role in the murder-suicide of Benoit, his wife Nancy and 7-year-old son Daniel.
McMahon, speaking on NBC's "Today" show, said toxicology results were needed to answer questions surrounding the death of Benoit, who hanged himself on the cable of a weight-machine in his home. Authorities said he strangled his wife and smothered son during the weekend and placed Bibles next to their bodies.
"There's no way, quite frankly, that we, or the media -- it's all speculation until the toxicology reports come back," McMahon said. "It's all speculation."
Toxicology test results may not be available for weeks or even months, District Attorney Scott Ballard has said.
The WWE, based in Stamford, Conn., was quick to dismiss the idea, issuing a news release Tuesday saying steroids "were not and could not be related to the cause of death" and that the findings indicate "deliberation, not rage." Benoit tested negative April 10, the last time he was tested for drugs, the WWE said.
No motive has been offered for the killings.
Tuesday, the company line is you can't blame the steroids. Thursday, the company liine is you must wait until the toxicology reports come back in a few months (when the media has lost all interest in the story). Could they please at least have a consistent story? With the feds now getting involved, when does it become: RAW is Wherever There is no Extradiction Treaty?
'Ric Flair wishes he was Paul Roma.' Congratulations Paul on winning the Idiotic Comment of the Decade Award.
You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"Yep....and was it really necessary having the woman keep glancing down at his penis?" (Kevintripod)
Blanket statement that should cover just about every TV pundit discussing this story:
Gee, what a total shocker, they completely miss the point.
The whole O'Reilly thing doesn't shock me because that's his job: to bloviate. As much as I like Olbermann, I'd imagine he'd miss the mark in another direction. We still don't have all the pieces in the same place, and we may never. The toxicology results should probably help explain things as well.
That said, I didn't expect Pardon the Interruption to lead with Benoit yesterday, and they brought up a pretty relevant point: will this case lead to government regulation of wrestling? They compared it to baseball (acknowledging that they're vastly different, as well as wrestling not being on the radar) but if it leads to lighter schedules, less usage of steroids, etc., I'm for it.
I was under the impression that the government wasn't able to regulate sports entertainment, at least not effectivly.
Even if they try, doesn't vince then just change his business model so that the new laws no longer apply? I mean, they can't enact a law to regulate "any business associated with vince mcmahon" can they?
Originally posted by redsoxnationTuesday, the company line is you can't blame the steroids. Thursday, the company liine is you must wait until the toxicology reports come back in a few months (when the media has lost all interest in the story). Could they please at least have a consistent story?
I think the story all along has been "don't blame the steroids until the toxicology results come back and we find out if he was even on them."
Which, of course, he was, but that's not the point.
Having said that, I find it so very odd that WWE would announce that Benoit had tested negative for steroids. To most people, that will sound like WWE is saying "there were no steroids in his system," and not "the steroids in his system fell within the allowable limit, and he had a prescription for them." If it turns out he was on them - and like I said, I'm sure it will - it sure shines a spotlight on all the loopholes in WWE's Wellness Program.
Also, you'd think WWE, like everyone else, would be looking for some sort of reason as to how this all could have happened. If he WAS on steroids, and they WERE the cause, wouldn't WWE want to know?
You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"Yep....and was it really necessary having the woman keep glancing down at his penis?" (Kevintripod)
Originally posted by SkarecrowEven if they try, doesn't vince then just change his business model so that the new laws no longer apply? I mean, they can't enact a law to regulate "any business associated with vince mcmahon" can they?
Well, no, that'd be a... dammit, I can't think of (or find) the name for that kind of law, but it's unconstitutional. That said, if Vince is smart, he wouldn't get involved in that protracted of a fight.
Originally posted by drjayphdThat said, I didn't expect Pardon the Interruption to lead with Benoit yesterday, and they brought up a pretty relevant point: will this case lead to government regulation of wrestling? They compared it to baseball (acknowledging that they're vastly different, as well as wrestling not being on the radar) but if it leads to lighter schedules, less usage of steroids, etc., I'm for it.
I just can't see the Government being able to justify spending money on a program to regulate what is in effect a one and one quarter company operation. That said, if it gets enough press and/or outrage, there's every reason to believe that WWE could become a subject of interest of the Justice Dept/DEA. I believe such a directive would have to come from the administration.
(There could even be some career guys there wanting another crack at McMahon after he beat them in the 90's trial?)
And by the way... for a guy who said he couldn't comment further so not to hinder an ongoing investigation, am I the only one seeing that it's local DA Ballard who is managing to leak out additional tidbits on a daily basis?
And suicide isn't "cowardly". A coward commits a crime and hires lawyers to get him off the hook. For some, suicide is the only control we really have. We are taught that suicide is evil, because parents don't want to have to bear the resposibility of having a child die. Same way we fear God - because we are taught to. Suicide, especially when dealing with a criminal, makes it easier on everyone looking at it from the outside. No Courts. Or Lawyers. And if anyone wants to go out, on their own terms, so be it. Beats dying of a heart attack after 52 years of living good
But you lie there and moan Where to hide, suicide is the only way out Don’t you know what it’s really about
Ozzy said that and got sued. Now Ozzy is a circus clown. Think he made the right choice?
FLEA
(edited by RYDER FAKIN on 27.6.07 2225)
Do I think that Ozzy made the right choice by continuing to be available to his family, friends, and fans rather than killing himself? Are you serious? I'd much rather be happy and successful and put up with being laughed at than be dead, and more importantly I'd much rather have someone I love be that way.
Ozzy made some bad choices in terms of taking drugs, and probably other things, but I can't imagine how anyone would think that he would be better off dead--let alone that Sharon or his kids would be better off.
I'm not saying that there are never people for whom suicide is the right choice--I can certainly see it for people with chronic and debilitating illnesses. Heck, I've wanted to do it at times--but I didn't (at the time) have a partner who loved me and I don't have kids.
Sorry if this seems like jumping back in the thread but I think it's worth saying.
Originally posted by majikxWhen asked about the 60 deaths, Vince replied that only 5 were under his employ when they died, and after Owen and Benoit, the other 3 were enlarged hearts.
I remember, back when I was a fan, that the usual pattern went something like this: Wrestler starts making mistakes. Then he misses some shows, then he's on leave to deal with his "demons", then he's fired.
Once he leaves the company, he has at least a fifty percent chance of dying in the next six to twelve months, especially if he's between 40 and 50 years old. I haven't actually done the math, nor can I come up with a list off the top of my head any more, though three years ago that would have been child's play. But that was my impression, over and over: Vince fires you BEFORE you die. He doesn't want it to happen on his watch -- and apparently, he's downright proud of his ability to get rid of you in time.
Originally posted by SkarecrowEven if they try, doesn't vince then just change his business model so that the new laws no longer apply? I mean, they can't enact a law to regulate "any business associated with vince mcmahon" can they?
Well, no, that'd be a... dammit, I can't think of (or find) the name for that kind of law, but it's unconstitutional.
Originally posted by majikxWhen asked about the 60 deaths, Vince replied that only 5 were under his employ when they died, and after Owen and Benoit, the other 3 were enlarged hearts.
I remember, back when I was a fan, that the usual pattern went something like this: Wrestler starts making mistakes. Then he misses some shows, then he's on leave to deal with his "demons", then he's fired.
Once he leaves the company, he has at least a fifty percent chance of dying in the next six to twelve months, especially if he's between 40 and 50 years old. I haven't actually done the math, nor can I come up with a list off the top of my head any more, though three years ago that would have been child's play. But that was my impression, over and over: Vince fires you BEFORE you die. He doesn't want it to happen on his watch -- and apparently, he's downright proud of his ability to get rid of you in time.
MM
It might seem that way, but I can think of two examples off the top of my head (Angle and Jeff Hardy) where the only reason they were finaly fired was due to the wrestler's complete and utter stubborness in refusing to seek treatment. Granted, they lived past the 6 to 12, but at the time I wouldn't have said they were any more likely than, say, Curt Hennig was.
when i frist heard of this - my friend told me threw a text on my cell phone on this past monday night - he was a good wrestler though.before he had died i got to see chris wrestle at ovw at six flags about 3 or so weeks ago.
Man, this is really getting nuts. Now it is being reported that Wikipedia had someone from Stamford, CT edit the Chris Benoit page late Sunday night--mentioning Nancy's death--over half a day before the police found the bodies.
Article snippet: An anonymous user operating a computer traced to Stamford, Conn. — home to World Wrestling Entertainment — posted an entry to pro wrestler Chris Benoit's biography on Wikipedia.org announcing the death of his wife Nancy at least 13 hours before police in suburban Atlanta said they found her body along with her husband's and that of their 7-year-old son, FOXNews.com has learned.
Employees at Wikipedia.org said the posting went live on their site on Monday at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Police, however, said they found the bodies Monday at 2:30 p.m. EDT.
The posting reads: “Chris Benoit was replaced by [[Johnny Nitro]] for the ECW Championship match at Vengeance, as Benoit was not there due to personal issues, stemming from the death of his wife Nancy.” According to a Wikipedia.org report published after FOXNews.com made inquiries, the edit was reversed just under one hour later with the comment:
"Need a reliable source. Saying that his wife died is a pretty big statement, you need to back it up with something."
Originally posted by Triple Preperation HMan, this is really getting nuts. Now it is being reported that Wikipedia had someone from Stamford, CT edit the Chris Benoit page late Sunday night--mentioning Nancy's death--over half a day before the police found the bodies.
Article snippet: An anonymous user operating a computer traced to Stamford, Conn. — home to World Wrestling Entertainment — posted an entry to pro wrestler Chris Benoit's biography on Wikipedia.org announcing the death of his wife Nancy at least 13 hours before police in suburban Atlanta said they found her body along with her husband's and that of their 7-year-old son, FOXNews.com has learned.
Employees at Wikipedia.org said the posting went live on their site on Monday at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Police, however, said they found the bodies Monday at 2:30 p.m. EDT.
The posting reads: “Chris Benoit was replaced by [[Johnny Nitro]] for the ECW Championship match at Vengeance, as Benoit was not there due to personal issues, stemming from the death of his wife Nancy.” According to a Wikipedia.org report published after FOXNews.com made inquiries, the edit was reversed just under one hour later with the comment:
"Need a reliable source. Saying that his wife died is a pretty big statement, you need to back it up with something."
(edited by Triple Preperation H on 28.6.07 1718)
This is getting asinine...maybe Vince was prescient with his stupid "Death" storyline? That same story is making connections with Sherri Martel's death, because she has "ties" to Kevin Sullivan. Do they think that because it's professional wrestling, normal reporting standards don't apply?
Originally posted by Triple Preperation HMan, this is really getting nuts. Now it is being reported that Wikipedia had someone from Stamford, CT edit the Chris Benoit page late Sunday night--mentioning Nancy's death--over half a day before the police found the bodies.
Well you gotta think, the guy left due to a 'family emergancy', one would guess that there was a death, so they decided to post...whoever did it in Stamford though, makes it sound eerie.
I know it's hard to tell because it's such a long thread, but the wikipedia thing was already mentioned in this thread (page 9 for me).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/69.120.111.23 shows the list of wikipedia contributions by the user in question. Because of dynamic IP addresses, these all might not be by the same user. But if they are, all the vandalism makes it looks like a stupid middle-schooler getting jokes by editing wikipedia.
And if it does turn out that someone knew something, I'm sure we'll hear about it. But it's not a WWE.com IP or anything.
I gotta say I don't get the "good for him" sentiment and I'm glad to see that not everyone is doing that. It's one thing to walk out when you have no money. It's another thing to make a ton of cash and then walk out.