Vince McMahon rejects the idea that Chris Benoit was suffering from “steroid rage” or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he killed his wife, 7-year-old son and himself in a murder-suicide in 2007.
In a new Netflix documentary, the embattled 79-year-old wrestling promoter was asked about Benoit, who authorities say strangled his wife Nancy and son Daniel in their Georgia home before hanging himself.
Although no precise explanation has been found, two compelling theories emerged in 2009: Benoit was either suffering from drug and alcohol problems or dealing with CTE, a neurodegenerative disease related to repeated head trauma.
McMahon, who promoted Benoit in WWE, dismissed both theories in the new Netflix documentary, Mr. McMahon.
“There’s no correlation between taking steroids and what happened to Chris Benoit,” the former WWE CEO told Netflix. “Human beings are flawed. Chris went crazy. It happens in all life forms and everything, so that’s the only thing I can take away from this.”
McMahon (right) rejects the idea that Benoit (left) was battling chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) or steroid rage in 2007.
Steroids were found in Benoit’s home after the tragedy, but authorities dismissed suggestions that “steroid rage” played a role in the murder-suicide.
McMahon found the CTE argument even less convincing.
“This doctor came up with this ridiculous statement: ‘Well, here’s why Chris Benoit did this,'” McMahon said. “There was some kind of head trauma and they showed footage of Chris diving off the rope and hitting someone with his head.”
As McMahon claimed in wrestling parlance, Benoit did not actually suffer any head injuries from jumping off the top rope.
“It’s a complete job,” McMahon said. “It looks like there’s damage and there isn’t. We know what we’re doing, we’re not hurting ourselves.”
A makeshift shrine adorns the fence of professional wrestler Chris Benoit’s home July 1, 2007
And McMahon wasn’t the only whistleblower to rule out CTE as a possible culprit.
WWE legend Steve Austin doesn’t believe the disease is affecting wrestling.
“I worked out for a long time,” Austin said in the Netflix documentary. “I once fell on my head and got a concussion. But other than that, I don’t remember having too many concussions in the pro wrestling business. And my opinion on that has always been that if you were just wrestling and you got a bunch of concussions, you’re probably doing something wrong.
“I’m not a supporter of CTE,” he said. “I just don’t believe in it.”
However, in 2009, researchers working with Benoit’s family revealed that his brain was so severely damaged that it resembled that of an 85-year-old.
Also in 2009, Benoit’s doctor, Phil Astin, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for illegally distributing prescription drugs to patients.
Janel Grant (pictured) filed a sex trafficking lawsuit against McMahon earlier this year.
McMahon is currently facing a lawsuit over sex trafficking allegations from a former employee.
The lawyer for the former WWE employee who is suing Vince McMahon for sex trafficking has called him “delusional” after he condemned Netflix’s upcoming documentary series about his career and scandals.
Janel Grant, who filed the lawsuit against McMahon earlier this year, accused the 79-year-old billionaire of sexual assault, emotional abuse and human trafficking during her time working for his wrestling promotion.
Ahead of its release, the wrestling mogul spoke out against the producers who worked on the documentary, accusing them of misleading viewers with “editing tricks” that do not offer an accurate representation of his career.
In addition to Grant’s sex trafficking lawsuit, which was dropped in May at the request of the Justice Department, McMahon also faced other allegations of sexual misconduct and hush money totaling nearly $15 million, leading to his initial departure from WWE in 2022.
Netflix to release its sensational docuseries, ‘Mr. McMahon’, later this week
A year later, McMahon returned to the table when the UFC partnered with WWE to form TKO, becoming a combat sports and entertainment giant. He assumed the role of WWE’s executive chairman.
However, in January 2024, McMahon resigned from that position after reports of an alleged sex trafficking scheme first emerged.
Netflix announced its docuseries in late August alongside an official poster, writing that it “chronicles the rise and fall of the controversial WWE founder.”
The show is said to feature interviews with “McMahon prior to his resignation, his family and some of the most iconic names in wrestling history, as well as the journalists who uncovered the allegations against McMahon.”
“I have no regrets about participating in this Netflix documentary,” McMahon began his statement.
Grant’s sex trafficking allegations against former WWE boss to be addressed
‘The producers had the opportunity to tell an objective story about my life and the incredible business I built, which was equally filled with emotion, drama, fun and a fair amount of controversy and life lessons.
‘Unfortunately, based on an early partial cut I’ve seen, this documentary falls short and takes the predictable route of conflating the ‘Mr. McMahon’ character with my true self, Vince. The title and promos alone give that away.
“Much has been misinterpreted or omitted entirely in an intentional effort to confuse viewers. Producers use typical editing tricks with out-of-context images and dated audio clips, etc. to distort viewers’ perception and support a misleading narrative.”
She concluded her statement by saying, “I hope the viewer keeps an open mind and remembers that there are two sides to every story.”