CHRIS BENOIT
The Crippler

Height/Weight: 5' 11"/220 pounds
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Finisher: Crippler Crossface
SCW Highlights: World Champion, Tag Team Champion, Television Champion

Feared by his nickname alone, Chris Benoit is one of the most tenacious, determined, and technically-sound wrestlers in history. In November of 1998, Benoit joined SCW. It didn't take long before he caught the Perfect Team's attention, and he was the only person during the infamous fake Perfect Team split to remain with the group. It was then that he would begin having a plethora of success, capturing the SCW Television Championship twice and winning the Tag Team titles with Chris Jericho on two occasions, as well. Benoit, however, was convinced that SCW owner James Ace was holding him back and giving him title shots he didn't want, which led to him forfeiting the Television Championship -- twice -- and his Tag Team Championship to Booker T. Frustration set in, and Benoit began to venture out on his own. SCW had a work-stoppage before anything could happen for the Crippler.

When Supreme Championship Wrestling returned in May 2000, so did Chris Benoit. His antipathy for James Ace remained, but he was fortunate enough to be given a shot to win the SCW World Championship on May 5 -- at Aftershock -- against, amongst others, Mr. Perfect and Taz. Mr. Perfect had retired earlier in the night, removing himself from the contest and giving control of the PT to Benoit. May 5 turned out to be a momentous day for the Crippler, because not only did he gain control of the Perfect Team, but he won the World Championship for the first time in his career. When Booker T was shot in June, Benoit lost the title to Excellence and left to help out with the investigation. When Benoit returned to SCW, he found himself at odds with the new Perfect Team -- Excellence, Mr. Perfect, and Chris Jericho -- which would eventually lead to a rematch with Excellence at Road Rage. Benoit failed to win the title back, but he realigned himself with Fire & Ice to form the "Real Deal." The biggest war SCW had ever seen was set to take place, but the company folded for the last time immediately after Road Rage.

Chris Benoit: a man once waving the Perfect Team flag turned into the PT's most-hated rival. His name is still brought up in the wrestling business to this day. On Jul. 21, 2005, Benoit even invaded an edition of PWF Thursday Thrillzone to attack the Perfect Team, but was arrested before he could make it to the ring. On Sept. 7, The Crippler would once again make his presence felt, appearing at Fall Battle Fields, costing Mr. Perfect the Battle Field by throwing a timely distraction.

Chris Benoit made a name for himself in Supreme Championship Wrestling, and was set to fight back against the group he once called home. Should the company have continued to flourish past the year 2000, there's no telling what other tales could have been added to his legacy. "The Crippler" ... "The Rabid Wolverine" ... "The Animal of SCW" -- call Chris Benoit whatever you like. One thing has to be recognized: in the ring, he IS the "real deal."