WWF Byte This! Report with Chris Benoit: 11/30 Submitted by Kevin Gregg on Friday, November 30, 2001 at 5:48 PM EST
WWF Byte This! Report with Chris Benoit: 11/30
Friday, November 30, 2001 Hosts: Kevin Kelly and Howard Finkel Guests: Chris Benoit Report by: Kevin Gregg of PowerWrestling.com
OMG, EDDIE GUERRERO'S MUSIC PLAYED ON BYTE THIS! SIGNS OF A RETURN, CLICK HERE! Okay, maybe not. I just had to take the opportunity to poke fun at just about every Internet Reporter on the Internet. I am hilarious. Funny, even. Kevin Kelly and Howard Finkel kicked off the show in the studio, and Kevin said that they have a very special guest with them today. He's going to be joining them live. Chris Benoit. He's going to be talking about his neck surgery, and everything he has done in his career, and what we can look forward to when he returns. Perhaps they can get a target date for Chris, as to when we can expect to see him back. Howard said that they'll get to pick Chris Benoit's brain a bit, and he's anxious to see what's going on with him. Kevin said that he has to wonder what Chris thinks of the Vince McMahon Kiss My Ass Club. Kevin asked Howard what he thinks, and Howard said being around for a long time, Mr. McMahon is Mr. McMahon. He is who he is, and he gets his way a lot of the time. This is his way to make a mark. Kevin said that figuratively, they all kiss the boss' ass.
Droz joined the show, and Kevin brought up the Vince McMahon Kiss My Ass Club. Droz asked, hasn't that club always been there? Now, they're getting out there and getting naked with it, but the club has always been there! Kevin said that we have Vengeance right around the corner. Four Superstars, and there are two titles. One will walk out as the Undisputed Champion. Droz said that they talked about the Unification thing in the past, but to have something like this where there will be an Ultimate Showdown for the Unification of the belts. It's something that's never been done before. This past week, the crowd was unbelievable. They are looking forward to this. Kevin brought up another match at Vengeance, and that's Matt Hardy against Jeff Hardy. Droz said that he thinks we've all seen it coming for a while. It's finally going to happen. Droz is surprised that they've made it this far without killing each other. The people are in for a treat when they watch this one. It's going to be a great match to see.
Kevin said that the Hardys could be imploding from within, and Howard Finkel is hoping to land Lita! Kevin joked about Howard and Lita being an item, and Howard said that's all it is. An item. Kevin Kelly, Howard Finkel and Droz talked about this past week's wrestling events and they gave their thoughts on it. A chat room question asked Droz what he thinks about his former partner tagging with Scotty 2 Hotty. Droz said that it's great to see him out there with that big old smile on his whale head. Somebody in the back actually called him the new Triple H. The Hip Hop Hippo! Droz was very entertained to hear that. It's great to see him and Scotty together. They work very well together. There's such a size difference, and it's great. Droz leaves the show.
This week's poll is:
Wrestlemania: Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle RAW - May 21, 2001: Benoit/Jericho vs. Austin/Triple H Smackdown: TLC III Smackdown!: Stone Cold vs. Chris Benoit
This week's show will end with that classic clip.
It's time for Out Think the Fink. The fans have an opportunity to win the brand new Triple H magazine. The winner gets a collectable CD with the magazine. About 2 years ago or so, there was a very special promo that ran in the WWF involving some of the great legends of yesterday in a very dark and old time arena. The old school. Clips of that promo aired at the beginning of the Survivor Series and RAW. He's looking for the names of the five legends who were a part of that video. Tazz joined the show, and he's back in the Hook. Tazz talked about his match with the Undertaker, and it was rough. He never wrestled the Undertaker in a one on one match, but it was an honor to get in there and work with him. Like all of the guys in the back, he respects the hell out of the guy, and he gets along with him real good. He was very easy to work with. A true pro. Very unselfish. It was great to work with him the night after he turned heel. Also getting to interact with Ric Flair was cool. They talked about Ric Flair's impact in the WWF, and Tazz said that he's a great on camera character. Everyone loves Flair.
Tazz never met the man until he came in. Tazz trained at his gym in Charlotte, but he never met him. It was cool to meet him, and after Smackdown! the other night, himself and Brock Lesnar sat down with Ric Flair, and they ended up talking to him for about a half hour, listening to him tell stories. A chat room question asked about Tazz's ECW friends losing their jobs, and is he putting a good word in for them? Tazz said that it's a tough business. It's a dog eat dog world in the wrestling business, and he's just trying to keep himself on Television. There are a lot of guys that are out of work that are phenomenal talents, and he hopes that they'll return. Kevin mentioned the return of Jerry Lawler, and he asked Tazz his thoughts. Tazz said that he loved Jerry as a commentator and a worker. He learned from Jerry Lawler. He's always been a big fan of his work, and the King knows that. Tazz was happy. He didn't know that night on Smackdown! if Lawler was doing the show or Tazz was doing it. Then he found out that he was doing stuff with The Big Show.
Howard pointed out that Tazz is going to be back at WWF New York. Tazz hasn't been there in months to do Heat, and he's pumped up about it. He hopes that he gets a big pop. Howard said excuse the pun, but he hopes that it's a clear night, and no Snow. Tazz didn't get it at first, but then he took some shots at Al Snow. Tazz doesn't know if and when he's going to Smackdown!. He shows up at work, and he doesn't know what he's doing when he gets to work, but he knows he's doing something. He tries to make the most of what he does, and that's the way he is.
Tazz leaves the show after more discussion of this week's wrestling, Chris Benoit and other minor things.
After the My Sacrifice video played, Chris Benoit joined Kevin Kelly and Howard Finkel in the studio. Kevin asked him how everything is going, and Chris said it's going real good. Since he had the surgery, he's doing a lot of cardio and working out. It's very controlled. He hasn't been able to run or anything like that, but at the end of December, he'll be able to get in the ring and roll around. Kevin asked Chris if everything is fine? Will his neck be 100%? Chris said that Dr. Youngblood took X-Rays and everything is good. Chris asked him what it will be like when he goes back, and the Doctor said that if he continues to heal the way he's healing, there will be no restrictions. Kevin asked Chris how sitting out has effected him? Chris said that since he's had the surgery, it's been more of a mental battle than a physical battle. He feels great right now, and he looks back and thinks "Man, I can't believe I put up with that." Chris said that he doesn't miss the travel, but he misses the in ring time.
That's been his biggest battle, and he's got a passion for it. Howard said that passion almost became obliterated. When he was working in the former WCW, it was a roller coaster that wasn't going up. Chris said that when he first signed up with WCW, it was in 1996. He was approached by Ric Flair and Arn Anderson and they recruited him into the Horsemen. It was an honor and a privilege, and it gave him a stepping stone in the states. It was a constant battle in WCW, and he was fed up with it. He wasn't enjoying himself in the ring. He lost his passion. Kevin said that at Vengeance, they're going to crown an Undisputed World Champion. The WWF and World Titles will be up for grabs, and the winners will meet. Chris has been in the World Championship position before. The night that he captured that title, he would imagine that there was a lot of mixed feelings within himself. Chris said he did, and they went back to talking about the Undisputed Championship. It's going to answer a lot of questions, like who's better? Chris used Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan as an example.
Kevin mentioned the Invasion, and he asked him his thoughts, sitting back and watching the product. How tough is that? Chris said that you look at it differently. He had a real hard time watching it. He felt like he shoulda been there. It's hard to explain. It's like there's a big glass house, and you're on the outside knocking, and there's no door. Howard talked about Chris Jericho, and he's evolved into what he is now quicker than what he's seen in a long time. Howard voted for Chris as the Superstar of the Year on the WWF.com poll. Chris Jericho's attitude adjustment has propelled him into the lime lite. Benoit has teamed with Jericho, and what are his thoughts on that? Chris said that he's proud to see where Chris Jericho is at. In WCW, Benoit remembers Jericho going out there and being one of the best heels in the company, but never getting that opportunity. Benoit is glad to see Jericho up here with the opportunities that he deserves, and he's able to capitalize on them.
Kevin asked Chris if he has seen the improvement within Chris Jericho since he's been here? Chris said definitely. When you step into the ring with the best in the WWF, you're going to get better. Guys starting out in this business don't realize that in order to better yourself, you have to be in the ring with someone who's better than you. Kevin took a look at the poll, and 54% of the fans want to see TLC III. That was the first and only time that Chris Benoit was in a match like that. Kevin asked him his thoughts on that. It was tremendous. Chris said that when he steps into the ring, he's very confident in everything that he does. He was a little intimidated going in there. When you climb a ladder and it wobbles, if it gets kicked out from underneath you, you don't know where it's going to land. Chris was very proud with the way that match came off, and how it was put together. Howard talked about the Radicalz, and that group made an immediate impact on the WWF. As time went on, everybody seemed to go in their own direction. Thoughts?
Chris said that he thinks that they've all done great in their own way. Unfortunately, Eddie has had some personal problems that he's had to deal with. Chris believes that Eddie has hit rock bottom. Steven Regal went through that, and look at Regal now. He's stronger than ever. Chris is confident that Eddie can fight back. Some people have to hit rock bottom before they can make that comeback. Chris believes that Eddie is on his way back. Kevin asked Chris how he avoided falling into those traps? Chris said that he believes they are all different people, and they all make different decisions based on beliefs. That's what separates us all. Kevin talked about this past May when they were in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The fans were well behind him. What was that like to experience that? Chris said it was a great feeling. Hands down, it had to have been one of the exhilarating moments in the ring. He never had that opportunity unless he worked with the WWF. Howard talked about the wrestlers who are on the shelf and are coming back. Has Chris had any contact with the guys that are on the shelf?
Chris said that he's talked to Triple H and Rhyno, and it seems like there's these stages that you go through when you first get injured. Triple H was telling him what to expect and what emotions that you're going to go through. When he talked to Rhyno, he passed on the information that Triple H gave him. They go to a caller, and the caller asked Chris what his favorite storyline is right now? Chris said that he enjoys watching all of it, and watching Ric Flair come out there was great, and the possibilities are endless. He's going to bring a lot of insight and a lot of vision. Kevin asked Chris where he thinks the line is with the Vince stuff. Some people say it's too much and some people think it's funny. Are those segments too much? Chris said that he loved it when they did it with Regal. It gave him new life. Steve can be a comical guy, and he can be serious. It gave him new life, and Chris was disappointed when they kept up with the Kiss My Ass Club. It was a great moment with Regal, and it was something that you can't duplicate. They went to another caller, and the caller asked Chris why he thinks that it took so long for Chris Benoit's style of wrestling to catch on in the United States?
And what does he think of Kurt Angle stealing the Triple German Suplex thing? Chris said that the wrestling business evolves. It evolved in Japan, and it's evolving in America. It's constantly going to change. In terms of Kurt Angle stealing the move, he didn't have a trademark on the move. He didn't own it, and it's a wrestling move, and anyone can use it. Who is he to tell Kurt Angle not to use a belly to back suplex on anyone? Kevin talked about the match with Matt Hardy against Jeff. They are two high flying wrestlers, and they brought a lot to the table. If Chris Benoit could put that match together, what would he have them do? Chris said that he's a big fan of the Hardys. He loves watching what they do. The fact of the matter is that they need to tell a story when they go out there. He thinks that the both of them can do it. With the high flying stuff that they can do, it should be a hell of a match. They go to another caller, and the caller put Benoit over as one of the best workers he's ever seen.
When he gets back into the ring, eventually, he's going to want to get the big title, but right when he gets back, is there something that he wants to get settled? Chris said that he has a lot to prove to himself when he comes back. Chris said that when he first had the surgery, he wanted to come back and look like he hasn't missed a step. He's got a lot to prove to himself and to the fans. Kevin asked Chris for his thoughts on the Hart Family. They mean a lot to him. Chris said that since day one, the first time he ever went to the house, Helen Hart made him feel as if he was a part of the family, and as if he had known her for his whole life. They've always been good to him, and he'd rather stay out of anything that involves Diana. It's a damn shame to watch all the turmoil unfold. It's heart breaking, if you're close to them and you know them. Kevin said that the pressure on being a top performer has to be tremendous that when you go out. They talked with Kane a couple of weeks ago on the show, and they asked him about butterflies.
Does Chris ever get any? Chris said that he always gets butterflies. There's been a few times that he hasn't gotten them, but since he's been in the WWF, he's always wound up and he gets them. Right before leaving WCW, there were times that he was calm, as if he was sitting at home on the couch. He was really concerned. Howard asked Chris what went through his mind when he first saw that he was booked in the WWF in Madison Square Garden? Did he ever have a dream to work at MSG? Chris said that he was watching when he was about 14 years old, and Jimmy Snuka came off the top of the cage, and he thought that was the place to wrestle. Once he's been able to say that he has performed at the Garden, that's a hell of an accolade. There's so much history in all aspect of sports there. They talked about how guys competed in Japan and Mexico to pay their dues, but now wrestlers are wrestling in the developmentals to get into the business. Chris said that it's a shame. He toured the world, and you can't do that anymore. There are so many different styles, and it was a hell of an experience. The young guys are struggling, and it's a shame that you can't do that anymore.
Kevin said that when he thinks of the new generation wrestlers like Test. He had the look, was trained to wrestle and he popped out on WWF TV. What experiences did Andrew Martin not get? Does it hinder him? Chris said that he doesn't think that it hinders him. The business is evolving, and there's a different way of coming in. Ten to fifteen years from now, Test will be talking about different obstacles that guys are avoiding then. Kevin asked Chris what he thinks of backyard wrestling? Chris said that you hear so much about it, but he did it himself. They weren't smashing through tables or anything. It was more technical wrestling like hammer locks and arm bars. The stuff that kids do now, they don't realize how much training goes into wrestling. Chris spent 6 months training in Stu Hart, and then he went to Japan. It's hard to explain to these kids just how much training and preparation goes into it. There is an art to landing, and an art to taking a bump. When they watch the TV and see the guys go on there making it look easy, it's because they are that damn good.
Howard asked Chris what made him want to become a wrestler? And Chris Benoit in his prime right now. If he were to go back into the era when he first started watching wrestling, who would he like to go one on one with? Chris said the Dynamite Kid to both of them. The first time he saw the Dynamite Kid was in the old Pavilion in Edmonton. There was over 1000 people there. He looked at the Dynamite Kid and wanted to be like him. He followed his career, and he modeled his style after him. He followed his career in Japan. He'd love to go back and wrestle him. Kevin asked Chris where he thinks Bret stands in terms of WWF Champions? Chris said that he's up there. Kevin asked if the way he left will taint the history? Chris said that he doesn't think it will. Bret did great business in the WWF with Vince. That's a fact. It's unfortunate the way he left, but no one will ever be able to take away the fact that he was a great Champion. They go to a caller, and the caller talked about Dynamite Kid's career ending in a terrible injury, and what does Chris do to avoid that?
Chris said that things are a lot different in the locker room now than they were then. They have trainers now. The surgery that he had now, if he had that injury 15-20 years ago, he would have been done. The surgery that he had done is probably about 10 years old. X-Pac was probably one of the first ones to have that surgery going into the front. If the Dynamite Kid was in this day in age, they'd probably be able to do something for him. Kevin asked Chris about Tough Enough, and Chris said that he liked the show a lot. It's hard to put on a reality based show, because that's as close to reality as you're going to get. When he started out, it was a lot different. It's a great opportunity for them, and it's a great reality based show. They went to another caller, and the caller asked Chris about how he's going to work himself back into the ring. Chris said that he truly won't know until he gets there. His biggest concern is being able to be satisfied with what he's able to do in the ring.
He's always been very intense and passionate about what he does, and he believes that if he has to go in there and half step it, it will show, and he'll have to evaluate it from there. He'll have to cross that bridge when he gets to it. Kevin asked Chris Benoit if there's any chance of being active and ready to go by Wrestlemania? Chris said that he sure as hell hopes so. By the end of December, he'll be starting light impact. He'll have a better gauge of how his body is doing. He'll know a lot more come the beginning of January. They wrap up Chris Benoit's segment on Byte This!, and they took a break, and Chris Benoit left the show. Dr. Tom Prichard joined the show for the Developmental Update. The three talked about kissing Vince's ass, and Kevin said that he would have Vince up at his house, and he would kiss Vince's ass in front of his wife and kids. Tom asked Kevin how Chris is doing, and Kevin said that he's looking great. He looks like he's ready to go. Tom is high atop Mt. Saint Davis in Louisville, Kentucky. Kevin will be making his way to Louisville this weekend.
Tom said that the TV was great this past Wednesday. The future of the WWF is in Louisville as well as Cincinnati. He's seeing some improvement in a lot of guys, including John Heinright (?) He's a former football player, and Kevin said that Leviathan achieved a milestone in his career. Tom said that everyone was excited for him. The fans were behind him all the way. They knew something was going to happen, but they didn't know how. It was a great match. You've got to see it. All of the guys down there are working and training hard. Another guy who is looking real good is Prototype. None of these guys are slacking off. They did interviews today, and everybody is working really hard and trying to stay in there. Howard mentioned Ric Flair's coming to the WWF. Ric Flair's son David is trying to hone his craft there. What are Tom's thoughts on him? Tom said that David is one of those guys that you have to fire up. You have to light a fire under him every time he goes out to the ring and does a promo.
Once he gets his confidence, there's never going to be stopping him. Right now, he's still a little bit shy and hesitant. David still isn't ready to go out on his own. He needs a lot more, and he needs someone to build up his confidence and get him ready. Some of the developmental guys have worked dark matches and house shows. How has that working environment, being on the road with the WWF been? Tom said that Randy Orton hurt his shoulder, and they are talking about being on the road, and they are finding out that it's not as easy. You have to be backstage 6 hours before the show a lot of the times, and they are really learning. Reports on Rico, Waterman, Orton and Brock Lesnar have all been positive. They are getting a chance to be in front of different crowds, and all of them have the potential to be stars. Tom made mention that he will be co hosting Byte This! next week with Kevin Kelly. Howard will be on his way to San Jose. They are going to have a live event a week from tomorrow. They booked him on that. Howard will call in.
Howard asked for an update on Mark Henry, and Tom said that he has never looked better in his life, and he's training for the World's Strongest Man contest. He's improving on his talking as well as getting in ring shape. He's moving a lot better than he's ever seen him. Tom said that coming down here was good for him. It motivated him enough to lose some of the weight he needed to lose, and he's getting a little more polished. When Mark is ready to come back to the WWF, he's going to do so, and people will notice him. Howard asked Tom if they get any kind of vibes about the guys in the developmental areas get frustrated and determined? Tom said that they get more determined, and the only time frustration sets in is when they get to the point that they feel that they aren't going any farther. They can't look outside the box. You can sit there and say that you've been there so long, and they have to understand that timing is everything in this business. Kevin said that it's good that you give everybody a taste of it. They wrap up Tom's Developmental segment on Byte This! and Tom left the show.
Howard said that they have a winner in the Out Think the Fink contest. It didn't take long. Earnie Ladd, Killer Kowalski, Pat Patterson, Gorilla Monsoon and Freddie Blassie were the five legends in the video. Howard plugged the upcoming WWF Shows. They took a look at the poll, and the TLC III match will wrap up the show. Kevin said that in honor of next week's guest, in honor of the announcer training, they bring Seth Mates on the show. Seth said that Ric Flair will be next week's guest, and Big Country arranged that one. In honor of Ric Flair, please let forth with your best Ric Flair whooo. Seth did a Whooo and Kevin said that sucked. Howard said they probably won't have a legends segment next week, and Kevin suggests the Berzerker, and Howard suggests that they get Damien Demento. They go on and on with the suggestions for the Legends Segment to wrap up the show.
