Chris Benoit Fallout: The Role of the Fans

In the wake of Chris Benoit's death, I've been going through a list of the wrestlers we've lost over the last few years.

And the more I think about it, the more I can't help but feel like we, as fans, are part of the problem.

I've seen wrestling change plenty over the last 30 years. Now more than ever, we want our wrestlers to be superhuman. To live up to our expectations, performers are turning increasingly to painkillers and performance-enhancing drugs.

All for us, the fans.

If you ask me, enough is enough. It's time for a change.

I'd gladly go back to the wrestling of yesteryear, with smaller athletes and saner stunts, if it could bring back even one of the greats who've sacrificed their lives to the pursuit of glory: Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Hawk, Sherri Martel, Bam Bam Bigelow, Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig, Big Boss Man, Hercules, Crash Holly, Davey Boy Smith, Miss Elizabeth, Terry Gordy, "Gentleman" Chris Adams, Yokozuna, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Louie Spicolli, Brian Pillman, Eddie Gilbert, Buzz Sawyer, "Quick Draw" Rick McGraw, Gino Hernandez, and much of the Von Erich clan.

As a fan, I say this to today's stars: PLEASE stop risking your lives for me. I love the way you guys and gals fly around the ring, but your lives are more important. Don't think of me; think of the loved ones who will miss you when you're gone before your time.

Unfortunately, it's hard to imagine that anything will change. We as fans will continue to demand that our heroes push the envelope, and more and more of them will die in the name of entertainment.

The WWE needs a stricter drug policy, with more random testing. It also needs to start looking after the wrestlers' mental health.

We fans owe it to our idols, and to ourselves, to accept nothing less.