One thing that I don't feel has ever been really looked at is that the anecdotes about Benoit (particularly Nancy's sister and Jericho on his podcast) suggest that he was on the autism spectrum. Obsessive behavior. Inability to understand irony/sarcasm. Socially uncoordinated.
This, and the fact that his autopsy revealed his brain was of the condition of an 85-year-old Alzheimer patient were game changers for me.
From an in-ring performer perspective, Benoit and RVD are my all-time favorite wrestlers. So when the news hit of his and his family's passings hit the news I was enraged... they had to be murdered.
Then the news hit it was Benoit that killed his wife, kid, and then himself... I had typical denial, shock, and massive mood swings for a week. (I was still in my early 20s)
I HATED Benoit for a time, while the national media was on the story, much like
@HereticBD. After the media moved on additional details came out about the autopsy, brain trauma, and possible autism... they were game changers.
Benoit was one of the most intense pro-wrestler for two decades during the most intense eras of the business. He took massive chair shots, flying headbutts, and whatever trauma to the head there was. He didn't have a first, second, third, or forth gear. He ONLY had a 5th gear. All of that contributed to his brain's condition near his passing.
As for what happened that day at his home... no one knows what flipped the switch to turn him into a murdering psychopath of his own family. No one.
Does his brain condition, trauma, and probable autism excuse what he did? No. Absolutely not. But it does give context to the situation that it wasn't regular clear minded wrestler who was one of the most respected performers in the business.... who went home and randomly murders his family.
Thankfully, pro-wrestling has now taken steps to avoid brain trauma, and even the NFL are making attempts to do the same (as much as they can).
Chris Benoit is a tragic figure, or rather that's now I choose to remember him, as a fan.
