Lance Storm Comments on Benoit

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Lance Storm has finally posted a commentary on the Benoit tragedy. I’m pulling this out from the big update post because, frankly, Storm’s commentaries have always been insightful and on point (from my perspective, anyway), and he was not only close with Chris Benoit but also has always been outspoken about drugs in wrestling…

Here is an excerpt:

Over the past week I have thought and talked about nothing else and I think I have come to terms with the events as best I can. I doubt I will ever fully understand what happened but I have at least managed to accept the facts for what they are, inexplicable horrifying facts.

The Chris Benoit that I knew some how ceased to exist sometime before Friday June 22, because the Chris Benoit that I knew, could not have done what is now painfully clear he did do. I can offer no explanation or excuse for his actions and will not attempt to defend him. There is no acceptable defense for what he did. I have kids and I cannot even comprehend this act. I either never new the real Chris Benoit or something horrific happened inside of him prior to the 22nd. Many people are blaming drugs. I don’t accept that, and consider drugs an easy scapegoat. If drugs were a factor, then that blame must also fall on Chris Benoit, because from all accounts, he knowingly and willingly took those drugs.

I think one thing is clear, regardless of the role drugs played in Chris’ state of mind; the Pro-Wrestling industry has some serious drug issues that are going to have to be dealt with very soon. I have been very out spoken in the past and will continue to be in the future. We have seen deaths in this industry due to drug overdoses, drug related heart attacks, suicides due to possible drug related depression, and now perhaps even drug related murder. Something needs to be done and it needs to be done now!

I’m not sure what else can be said. This is the single most disturbing event I have ever had a connection too. As hard as this has been for me to deal with, I cannot even imagine how hard this must be for the families of Chris and Nancy Benoit. My heart goes out to their parents, and most importantly to Chris’s two surviving children. My condolences and deepest sympathies go out to them.

He signs the commentary “Lance Evers” (which is quite rare with him), and for the entire thing, click here).

Lance Storm has also put all of his past tribute commentaries on one page and, along with some others, he has recently been added to WWE’s Alumni Superstars page.

Matthew Michaels is editor emeritus of Pulse Wrestling, and has been since the site launched.