5 Superstars WWE tried to erase from the history books

#1 WWE tried to erase Chris Benoit

Chris Benoit is a former WWE Champion

Chris Benoit’s legacy became a topic of conversation again in 2020 after a television series covering controversial moments in wrestling – Viceland’s Dark Side of the Ring – produced two episodes on the former WWE Superstar’s 2007 double-murder and suicide.

Speaking in a 2009 interview with WWE Magazine, Vince McMahon made it clear where he stands on whether his company should acknowledge Benoit.

"It's not right to pretend he didn't exist. It's one thing to include him as part of a historical perspective, which I believe is okay, and it's another thing to promote him, which is not okay. The situation is very similar to that of O.J. Simpson—despite his controversy, O.J. was still a part of the NFL scene. You can't deny that he existed."

Since McMahon made those comments, hundreds of Benoit matches have been made available to watch on the WWE Network. But, as you can see below, they are not accessible via the search tool at the top of the page.

Chris Benoit's name has no search results on the WWE Network

Chris Benoit defeated Triple H and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XX

The picture above shows that Benoit’s name is also not included on WWE Network content. Unlike other match listings, which make it clear to viewers who is competing in which match (Kane vs. Undertaker, in this case), Benoit’s matches are worded differently to avoid his name being used.