Latest WWE SmackDown Episode Featured Accidental Chris Benoit Reference
In 2007, WWE wrestler Chris Benoit murdered his wife Nancy and son Daniel, then killed himself. Before WWE was aware of the specifics surrounding Chris Benoit's death, the company held a tribute show featuring interviews from his colleagues and recapping some of his most memorable moments. But once it became apparent that Benoit was the one who killed his family, WWE scrubbed any mention of him from its programming.
WWE has gone out of its way to avoid referring to Chris Benoit in any capacity, using vague terminology whenever Royal Rumble stats or other accomplishments have to be brought up. It's been this way since 2007, but that changed on the Friday, April 15 episode of WWE SmackDown. It was on that episode that the first Chris Benoit reference in over a decade was uttered, perhaps accidentally, by popular SmackDown commentator Pat McAfee.
Austin Theory Drops First Name On WWE Raw, Goes By 'Theory' Now
On the Friday, April 8 edition of SmackDown, Butch (formerly known as Pete Dunne) attacked his stablemate Ridge Holland. Stable leader Sheamus later referred to Butch as a «wolverine» to describe his temper and tendency to attack whatever's in sight. The April 15 episode of SmackDown included a recap of Butch's attack on Holland, with McAfee referring to Butch as «the rabid wolverine,» which could be taken as a reference to Chris Benoit.
For the uninitiated, Chris Benoit's nickname in WWE was «The Rabid Wolverine,» so McAfee calling Butch the same thing could be a controversial move. Unless WWE gave McAfee the go-ahead to say it for some reason, one would have to think that this was a complete accident on McAfee's part, as the company has gone to great lengths to avoid mentioning Benoit in the years since the tragedy.
It
Read more on gamerant.com
