Chris Benoit Fallout: Defending Vince McMahon

This week, the Bleacher Report's Marty Andrade penned an article titled "How Vince McMahon Ruine Wrestling."

I have a problem with it.

I agree that what Chris Benoit did was monstrous and reprehensible, but it shouldn't be the basis for a critique of Vince McMahon.

McMahon didn't make Benoit do what he did. And Benoit's actions aren't in any way a reflection of the wrestling industry.

As a man, I'll never forgive Benoit for what he did to his family. But as a wrestling fan, I'll continue to watch the the WWE and ECW.

 

I'll take McMahon's advice and move on with my life. And here's why Marty should too:

 

 

Strike One: "Culture of Corruption"

Marty, we live in a culture of corruption that didn't start with Vince McMahon. More to the point, the McMahon family made pro wrestling what it is today.

It was the McMahons who brought you Mad Dog Vachon and Baron Von Raschke, and the McMahons who turned Wrestlemania into the biggest spectacle in Sports Entertainment. In making the WWE profitable, Vince has only been carrying on his family's legacy.

And given who's running this country, I think it's fair to say that there are other "cultures of corruption" that are more worthy of your column space than anything created by Vince McMahon.

Strike one, Marty Boy. Strike one.

Strike Two: Violence and Drugs in Sports? No! Really?!

Marty, you seem to have a problem with Vince McMahon's employing violent drug abusers. My question: Have you been paying attention to the sports world recently?

What about the countless NFL players who have failed drug tests or been arrested on criminal charges in the past few years? What about Jason Giambi, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Barry Bonds?

Here's a word of advice: Be careful who you single out. Not even Vince can be God, and no one can prevent athletes from abusing drugs or acting violently. Love it or hate it, that's real life.

And it's also strike two.

Strike Three: Sabina of Edmonton Is a Hypocrite

Strike three actually belongs to Sabina Romaniuk of Edmonton, Alberta, who in her support of Marty's article proved herself to be off her Canadian rocker. 

Sabina bashes Americans for our violence, drugs, and corruption. Well, I've been to Canada, where I was literally assaulted for drinking American beer in a local bar.

Face it, Sabina: You guys are just as sick, twisted, and sadistic as we are.

Yes, Americans have the WWE—but Stu Hart's Canadian wrestling camp wasn't called "The Dungeon" just because it needed a catchy nickname. Athletes take pain medication all the time, even in Edmonton. Why don't you bash them?

If you're going to criticize others, you've got to be perfect yourself. Marty and Sabina, I'm sorry you two had to learn that lesson the hard way. As it is, though:

Strike three. You're both out. Rest in peace, Nancy and Daniel Benoit...and now can we please start focusing on sports again?