Edmonton has long been known as The City of Champions, and Edmontonians lived up to that moniker on Tuesday as World Wrestling Entertainment's Monday Night RAW World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Benoit arrived in his own hometown on Tuesday.
Legions of WWE fans cheered as Benoit walked through the doors of Edmonton International Airport with the belt held high over his head.
The Canadian Crippler signed autographs and stood for pictures, one of many opportunities that fans will have meeting the champ this week.
In addition, Chris will be honoured by the Mayor of Edmonton, His Worship Bill Smith when he declares April 18 as "Chris Benoit Day" at Edmonton City Hall on Thursday April 15 at Noon. WWE fans are welcome to participate the event.
Benoit will be participating in WWEs Pay-Per-View Event, Backlash, which is taking place at Rexall Place on Sunday. At Backlash, he will be defending his Championship in a Final Encounter Triple Threat match against former champs Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Other key matches include: Mick Foley vs. Randy Orton for the Intercontinental Championship, Chris Jericho vs. Christian, and Edge vs. Kane.
Backlash is the first WWE Pay-Per-Event to ever take place in Edmonton and the first to take place in the province of Alberta since In Your House: Canadian Stampede in 1997.
Originally posted by KawshenIn addition, Chris will be honoured by the Mayor of Edmonton, His Worship Bill Smith when he declares April 18 as "Chris Benoit Day" at Edmonton City Hall on Thursday April 15 at Noon.
His Worship? Is that a normal title to bestow upon a mere mayor, or is this guy a cult leader or something?
WOW! Benoit's got his own DAY now!! I bet no other wrestlers have had that honor. (Besides any of the Harts, but I'm just shooting in the dark on that one).
Marco: But we can chew nails and shoot 'em out as bullets, right? Quinn: Nails, chains -- you won't have titanium teeth for nothing. Murphy: Nails are like candy to robots! And we'll eat tires instead of licorice. Debbie: GAH! No we won't!! Murphy: Maybe YOU won't.
Originally posted by KawshenIn addition, Chris will be honoured by the Mayor of Edmonton, His Worship Bill Smith when he declares April 18 as "Chris Benoit Day" at Edmonton City Hall on Thursday April 15 at Noon.
His Worship? Is that a normal title to bestow upon a mere mayor, or is this guy a cult leader or something?
I believe that is the standard style of address given to mayors of cities in Commonwealth countries, or in at least Canada.
So sayeth Randy Stilton, the real Stinky Cheese Man!
(I'm told that, in the UK, my name is actually hilarious.)
These are some pics I took from the city hall ceremony this afternoon. The mayor presented him with a painting of Edmonton and a plaque with the declaration of Chris Benoit day. There was a healthy media presence from all the local media outlets and about 250 or so in attendance.
I kind of think that having a Benoit day is Stupid. Dont get me wrong he is one of best wrestlers today, but what has he really done to deserve a day named after him. And you cant say "He won the title at WM21, thats why." Brock won the title last year did he get a day named after him? I think that this is something set up by WWE just to hype up Backlash. Im sorry if I pissed anyone off, but just think about it? Does anyone know why he had a day named after him in the first place?
Essentially, this was done by the city of Edmonton to honour a person still considered to be an Edmontonian and recognize his accomplishments. At the same time, yeah, it's also set up to hype Backlash, but make no mistake, the city is proud of Benoit, and sports figures (including sports entertainment I guess) from Edmonton are generally honoured by the city.
Realistically giving people an official day seems to have become the equivalent of giving them a key to the city (which I haven't heard of happening in eons). Ric Flair had a day dedicated to him a couple of years ago up in Minneapolis.
Besides Hallmark just needs a reason to sell more greeting cards don't they? :)
It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milkbone undershorts.
Finally, my "Please Support Chris Benoit" campaign paid off!
Also, About that woman in the audience in Pics No. 2 and 3... what's up with that pink hair? I don't think that's proper for an ceremony held by the Mayor...
The 2 girls on stage were there I think as part of some sort of Children with Cancer (I forget the exact name) charity, which was Benoit's chosen charity. They were presented with a donation cheque during the ceremony. Nancy and Benoit's kid, as well as his parents, were sitting in the front row to the right but not seen in the pictures.
Y'know, I love Benoit as much as the next guy, but does he really deserve a day named after him? I mean, all he really does is entertain people, though I don't doubt he works his ass off to do so. There's plenty of people I'm sure in Edmonton who work their asses off too, but they do things like patch people up who were in car accidents and save people's lives. Or who are out there trying to make sure the Canadian youths don't become as stupid as their American counterparts (present company excluded). Yeah, Benoit is famous, but it's not like he's in the business of saving lives or anything. But hey, questions of legimitimacy aside, it's helluva cool for Chris and I congratulate him.
EDIT: Just noticed the bit about his charity works ... open mouth, insert foot. Besides, it didn't really say what he was being honored for ... if it was just for being a sports figure, then I stay with what I just said. If it's for being an all-around class act, then yeah, he deserves it.
(edited by TheCheat on 16.4.04 0019) "I said consummate V's! CONSUMMATE!" - Strong Bad
So is this the day the IWC turns on Benoit? What are you all so upset about? Who gives a flying fuck wether a city decides to have a celebration for one of its 'citizens' or not. It's cool for him, and I doubt it will be celebrated every year.. And I am sure many towns have "granny just turned 100" day all the freakin time..when someone does something that is deemed special (win a title, not dying for a long time) you get honored..simple as that.
On that note, not that I am expecting him to lose but what a fucking horrible day to lose on. Your own day :)
The reason why Chris Benoit had a day named after him is because the people of Edmonton and Canada are extremely proud in what Chris has done and accomplished in his career. Chris is proud to be Canadian and his pissed that he is now "from Atlanta, GA" as the WWE would annouce him. Benoit has worked 18 hard years for this and he deserves this. Hell Im not even a Benoit fan! GO HHH!
That looks like some party, I can't wait for WWE consideres his hometown of Atlanta to do the same... I can see it now, Ted Turner and Jane Fonda putting their differnces aside for one day to honor the hometown man who just happens to live in their city.
It's a PR stunt as much for WWE promotion of backlash along for the Mayor... Kind of amazing all this stuff happens a month AFTER he starts being announced as Non-Canadian.
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