Chris Benoit was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1967 and moved to Edmonton, Alberta with his family some 12 years later. Here he discovered professional wrestling, namely Stampede Wrestling, ran by the legendary Stu Hart.

Benoit was fascinated by the skills and charisma of the Dynamite Kid, who inspired Chris to become a pro. wrestler. He attended many wrestling shows, talked to the wrestlers, and began working with the ring crew, which in the summer of 1985 led to Stu inviting Benoit to train in Calgary.

Benoit made his debut in December 1985 in Calgary, he and Rich Patterson defeated Karl Moffat and Mike Hammer. In 1986 Chris teamed with Ben Bassarab to capture the Stampede Tag Team Championship from Wayne Ferris (Honky Tonk Man) and Ron Starr. The team soon lost the belts, but Benoit became a tag team champion again with Keith Hart.

In the end of 1986, Benoit moved to Japan to enhance his skills, staying for almost nine months. Benoit had his first match in New Japan in January 1987 and returned to Stampede in the autumn.

Chris teamed with Johnny Smith, who later turned on Benoit, and the two feuded over the British Commonwealth mid-heavyweight title. Chris won the title four times between March 1988 and July 1989. He also won the tag team titles with Lance Idol, and later Beef Wellington. Benoit also teamed with Davey Boy Smith to take on his idol Dynamite Kid and Johnny Smith. Then, In December 1989, Stampede folded.

Chris Benoit moved back to New Japan, he marked his return at the Tokyo Dome show on February 10 1990. He became the masked Pegasus Kid, who was a thorn in the side of Jushin 'Thunder' Liger. Before a crowd of more than 60,000 people, Benoit and partner Naoki Sano defeated Jushin Liger and Akira Nogami. Six months later, Benoit defeated Jushin Liger for the IWGP Jr. heavyweight title. In doing so, Benoit became only the second western wrestler to hold the title (Owen Hart was the first). He lost the title back to Liger 3 months later and then, on April 7 1991, Benoit crashed to Liger in a mask vs. mask match. In 1994, Chris came close to winning the title again but fell in a tournament final to Norio Honaga.

In March of 1991, Chris moved to Mexico and the Universal Wrestling Alliance, where he captured the WWF light heavyweight title from Vilano III, in the meantime Benoit and partner David Taylor also won the CWA World Tag Team title from Miles Zrno and Franz Schumann in Bremen, Germany. Vilano III regained the WWF light heavyweight title 18 months later. Benoit decided to return to New Japan, so he and David Tayler had to vacate the CWA World Tag Team title.

Benoit competed in a US-based organisation for the first time on June 16 1992, when he teamed with Beef Wellington in the NWA World tag team tournament, hosted by WCW. Benoit and Wellington were defeated by Jushin Liger and Brian Pillman. WCW signed Benoit to a one year contract following this tournament, but Chris was also still working for New Japan, where his priorities lied.

Between May 25 and June 15 1993, Chris took part in the New Japan Super Junior tournament. In the tournament, wrestlers were divided in two groups, fighting in a round robin format with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Benoit advanced to the semi finals, where he received a bye as his opponent, Jushin Liger, was injured. In the final he took on El Samurai, who couldn't stop Benoit from becoming the winner of the Top of the Super Junior 1993.

The Super J Cup 1994, April 16 from Tokyo's Sumo Hall, a one night knock-out tournament to crown the best light heavyweight wrestler in the world. Chris, competing as the Wild Pegasus defeated the Black Tiger (Eddie Guerrero) to advance to the semi-finals, where he overcame Gedo. In the final, a classic match, Benoit came out victorious over the Great Sasuke. Benoit has said, that this was undoubtedly the hardest, but most rewarding, night of his wrestling career. Thus far in his career, Chris Benoit had wrestled every top light heavyweight around, and proved that he is one of the very best.

For the rest of 1994, Benoit wrestled mostly in the US, he fought a few matches for the WWF and participated in the ECW/NWA Championship tournament on August 27, but crashed to Too Cold Scorpio in the first round. He then wrestled in the indies, before taking up a position with ECW, Chris also wrestled for New Japan during his stint with ECW. Chris' first opponent in ECW was Sabu, the referee stopped the match when Sabu began to cough up blood. Their feud escalated when, on November 19 1994, Sabu suffered a fractured vertebrae and bruising of the spinal chord in a match with Chris. This earned Chris the nickname of 'the Crippler'. Benoit later joined forces with Dean Malenko, and the two went after the ECW tag team titles. On February 25, Benoit and Malenko defeated ECW tag team champions, Sabu and the Tazmaniac (Tazz) for the gold. Benoit formed the triple threat with Dean Malenko and Shane Douglas, which caused havoc in ECW. Benoit/Malenko lost the titles to the Public Enemy in a three way dance also including the Tazmaniac & Rick Steiner, who subbed for Sabu. Soon after Benoit and Malenko left for WCW.

Benoit entered the Best of Super Junior '95. The Wild Pegasus advanced to the semi-finals, where he defeated the Black Tiger. In the final Benoit took on Shinjiro Ohtani, the two fought a great match with Benoit taking the title.

In September Benoit and Malenko joined the WCW, soon after Benoit joined WCW's 4 Horsemen and engaged in a feud with Kevin Sullivan and the Dungeon of Doom including battles at Battlebowl 96 and Bash at the Beach. At Hog Wild, Benoit faced his former partner, Dean Malenko, the match is considered to be one of the most technically brilliant matches in WCW history. They fought to a 30 minute draw, the 5 minutes overtime was also drawn, before Benoit got the win in the second period of overtime. The Dungeon of Doom continued to be a thorn in the side of Benoit, with the Giant beating him at Clash of the Champions.

The angle between Chris and Kevin Sullivan proved that "Art imitates Life". Benoit's valet Woman (Nancy Sullivan) was previously married to Kevin Sullivan and was now seeing Chris Benoit (The two later married). WCW Booker, Sullivan turned this into an on-screen angle and Benoit and Sullivan feuded. Benoit defeated Sullivan again at Clash of Champions and at SuperBrawl VII in a San Francisco Death Match. At Spring Stampede 1997, Benoit and Malenko fought for the US title. Benoit had the upper hand before Sullivan interfered. After a short feud with Dungeon member Meng, Benoit defeated Sullivan in a retirement match at the Bash at the Beach 97.

Benoit engaged in battles with Raven's flock, losing to Perry Saturn at Starrcade and defeating Raven at Souled Out 98. Chris was defeated by DDP in a US Title match at Superbrawl.

After several defeats at the hands of WCW TV Champion Booker T, Benoit finally defeated Booker T to win the WCW TV Title at a house show in Georgia, it was a thrilling bout and Benoit finally got what he deserved, a title in WCW. Unfortunately the reign didn't last long. The following night at a house show in Greenville, Booker T regained the strap. At the Profiles in Pain, pay-per-listen show, Benoit defeated Booker T to win the WCW TV Title for a second time, then at a May 3 house show in Savannah, Booker T won the title back. After costing Booker the TV title, Benoit defeated him to earn a Slamboree title shot. It was his first victory over Booker T on TV. At Slamboree, Booker's distraction aided Fit Finlay's victory over Chris.

Benoit and Booker T embarked on a best of seven series with the winner becoming the No. 1 contender for the TV title. After 3 wins apiece, Benoit was offered a spot in the nWo Hollywood by Bret Hart, but declined. In the final match of the series with Booker T, Benoit was in control when Bret came down and hit Booker with a chair. Benoit refused to pin him, because he didn't want to win that way, so he told the referee what had happened and was disqualified, thereby losing the series. Booker T talked with JJ Dillon as he didn't want to win like that. Dillon then decided to scrap the match and have the final match at the Great American Bash, the winner would then face Finley for the title on the same night. Benoit and Booker T faced off in the last match in the best of seven series, it was the best match of the lot, Booker T eventually came out on top.

Benoit had a few battles with nWo Black and White leader, Stevie Ray, and with nWo Black and Red member Bret Hart, whilst also attempting to reform the Horsemen. Chris unfortunately suffered an elbow injury which kept him out for a while.

On Nitro, September 14, Arn Anderson reformed the 4 Horsemen with Chris Benoit, Steve McMichael, Dean Malenko, and the returning Ric Flair.

In late 1998, Chris Benoit signed a new three year contract with WCW for $450,000 a year, while on screen the Horsemen fought for the next few months against Eric Bischoff and the nWo.

At Nitro on February 1, Benoit, due to the interference of Kevin Nash, lost to Scott Hall for the US title shot at Superbrawl but Benoit and Malenko advanced well in the WCW tag title tournament. It was announced that they would have to defeat Curt Hennig and Barry Windham twice to take the gold, Hennig and Windham had both recently betrayed the Horsemen. They failed. At Uncensored Chris and Malenko took on Hennig and Windham in a long awaited Lumberjack match. Benoit finished the job with a diving headbutt to win the WCW Tag Team Titles.

The champs defended their titles with pride, including a super victory over Raven and Saturn at Spring Stampede. At Slamboree, during a three way dance, Benoit/Malenko v's Raven/Saturn v's Rey Jr/Kidman, which the Horsemen dominated, Arn Anderson nailed Saturn with a spinebuster and Malenko followed it up by trapping him in the Texas Cloverleaf. Meanwhile a man in a Sting mask, Kanyon, tripped Kidman, allowing Raven to nail him with the Evenflow and gain the victory, even though Saturn tapped out at the same time.

In May, Benoit and Malenko left the Horsemen. Benoit battled with Ric Flair but was attacked several times by DDP and Bam Bam Bigelow. Chris and Perry Saturn defeated Bam Bam and DDP for the tag titles but were stripped as Saturn wasn't part of the match. Chris and Perry soon won the titles again but, at the Great American Bash, DDP and Kanyon took the belts back. The Revolution (Benoit, Saturn, Malenko and Shane Douglas) feuded with the Triad for the next couple of months. Benoit had some good bouts with DDP, losing due to Ric Flairs interference.

On Nitro, August 9, Chris Benoit defeated US Champ David Flair. The new Champion then challenged DDP to a no-DQ match at Road Wild. Road Wild 99, before the match DDP started a tirade about Chris Benoit's mother. This only served to rile up Benoit who won despite interference from Kanyon and Bigelow. Come Fall Brawl, Chris clashed with Sid Vicious, who planted Chris with the powerbomb to win the match and the US Title.

The following night Chris won the TV title again from Rick Steiner, but he wanted bigger and better things.

In October Chris and Bret Hart fought on Nitro in a match dedicated to Owen Hart. A sound technical encounter shrouded in emotion, it proved a very fitting tribute.

A fleeting feud with 'The Chosen One' Jeff Jarrett elevated Chris in the WCW ranks and he now stood within the top tier. At the Mayhem PPV, eminating from Canada, Chris participated in the semi-finals of a tournament for the vacant WCW Heavyweight Title where he defeated Jeff Jarrett. In the final, an all Canadian affair, Bret Hart defeated Chris in a stormer. Chris was down but never out. At Starrcade, Chris defeated Jeff Jarrett in a ladder match and, when Bret Hart couldn't defend the WCW Title at Souled Out, Chris and Sid Viscious would fight for the vacant strap. In what should have being the outstanding moment of his WCW career, Chris defeated Sid with the Crippler Crossface.

However, behind the scenes, Vince Russo had being ousted from WCW's head booking position and a new booking team put in place, headed by Kevin Sullivan. Aware that Sullivan had tried to bury his career in the past, Chris along with Malenko, Saturn, and Eddie Guerrero, asked for their releases from the company. In quite possibly the biggest mistake in wrestling history, they were granted unconditional release and a week later they appeared on WWF Raw.

After "earning" contracts, the four men, known as 'the Radicals' turned heel on Mick Foley. Their first PPV outing ended in defeat to Too Cool and Rikishi. At Wrestlemania 2000, Chris pinned Chris Jericho in the first fall of a three way dance, also including Kurt Angle (the double champ), to take the Intercontinental title. He was then pinned by Jericho in the second fall, as 'Y2J' took the European belt. Shortly after, the Radicals disbanded.

Chris traded the Intercontinental strap with Jericho. He then defended the belt against Jericho at Judgement Day, embarking on a strong six week run with the title which was eventually terminated by Rikishi. The title loss and subsequent King of the Ring first round loss, also to Rikishi by DQ, didn't hurt Chris who was being groomed for the main event picture. The 'Wolverine' launched shocking attacks on the Rock, wearing him down with the crossface. Chris was made the No. 1 contender for the WWF Championship. He would fight the Rock at Fully Loaded. The main event match WCW kept from Chris for four years would be his within 5 months of his WWF debut.

Chris, accompanied by Shane McMahon, carried the Rock to one of his best matches in years. Benoit was awarded the title after the referee DQ'd the Rock but the decision was overuled by Mick Foley and the Rock pinned Chris after the restart. Still, it was an impressive performance and one that had let no-one down. After a 'best of three falls' victory over Jericho at Summerslam, Chris was back in the title picture. Along with the Rock, Kane and the Undertaker, he would be part of the four way main event at Unforgiven. Again Chris took the victory but, again, Mick Foley quashed the decision, with the Rock eventually pinning Benoit...again. Chris embarked on a feud with Triple H, who he lost to in a cracker at No Mercy. Chris has since defeated Triple H on Raw and looks to be aiming for Steve Austin and The Rock at the moment. The recently reformed ‘Radicals’ will take on a DX team at the Survivor Series.

Chris Benoit has been a superb addition to the WWF roster. With the top of said roster increasing in talent and depth, Chris may have to wait his turn for glory, but in the mean time, top level bouts with Steve Austin, Kane, Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Jericho and the Rock again, will hone Chris' skills and showcase his undoubted and unmatched wrestling ability. His previously dour interview skills are improving all the time and the unbelievable intensity in Benoit's personality makes up for any lack of charisma. Chris Benoit is without doubt, the best pro-wrestler in America, Canada and arguably the world. He has made giant strides in the Sports Entertainment world and it will surely be only a matter of time before Chris Benoit really is crowned the King of the Wrestling castle.