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Benoit finally gets respect he deserves
Anyone who's followed Benoit's career knows he doesn't need any more professional adulation. He's easily one of the finest wrestlers to ever compete, whether it be in WCW, Japan or WWE.
Benoit's athleticism is often overlooked because he's not the most charismatic superstar. His no-nonsense, straightforward personality mirrors the character he plays on television. He doesn't have a fancy ring entrance, a marketable look or catch phrase in the same vein as The Rock or Steve Austin.
Benoit's also been saddled with criticism that he wrestles "in a box," which means he doesn't interact with fans, thus hindering his effectiveness as either a heel or a babyface. The traditional good- or bad-guy character has to initiate either positive or negative response in accordance with his character.
Benoit really doesn't incorporate that ideology when he wrestles. His crisp movement and textbook repertoire sell themselves, but that doesn't always translate into monetary success.
"The Crippler" can have 10 or 100 great matches, but that doesn't guarantee a top spot with WWE. Sometimes, success is measured in T-shirt sales and ratings, instead of in-ring credibility.
To WWE's credit, it took Benoit's shortcomings and transformed them into positives heading into his title match at the "Royal Rumble." The former WCW champion was featured in several sit-down, surreal interviews that addressed just how important the WWE title is to him both professionally and personally, given the sacrifices he made to become a professional wrestler.
Benoit talked candidly about his family and how he's somewhat ignored it for the sake of chasing down his dream of becoming a world heavyweight champion with WWE.
Benoit got that chance last Sunday when he tangled with WWE Champion Kurt Angle in a back-and-forth showdown that captivated the live crowd in Boston and saved what otherwise was a rudimentary pay-per-view.
Benoit struggled throughout the entire match to make Angle submit to his "Crippler Crossface" to no avail, while Angle attempted to do same thing via his ankle-lock submission. Neither man would budge, until Benoit had no choice but to tap out after Angle persistently went back to his signature hold.
Benoit made up for his lack of wrestler-to-fan charisma by telling a story with his moves, instead of his mouth. He and Angle won over the audience because they made every person in attendance believe that what was going on inside the ring was real. That's the kind of unwritten drama WWE overlooks in favor of more tangible aspects of sports entertainment such as lingerie or "Kennel-from-Hell" matches.
What WWE can't overlook is its fans and their unbridled appreciation for Benoit, a superstar who many in the company probably gave up on because he doesn't fit the mold of an entertainer in the traditional sense of the word.
Benoit was awarded with a standing ovation, perhaps the most important moment in his 16-year career as a professional wrestler.
Finally, the crowd at the Fleet Center conveyed what many of us already knew: Benoit's a tremendous competitor who fans really do care about.
That brief show of gratitude may afford Benoit a run as world champion because Vince McMahon actually has hard, substantial evidence that proves Benoit deserves at least an opportunity to be the company's No. 1 superstar.
