CHRONOLOGY: Chris Benoit

Chris Benoit was about thirteen when he became interested in wrestling.

1967

Born in Montreal, Quebec.

1979

Benoit family moves to Edmonton because of his father, Mike's job.

Mike Benoit drives Chris and school friends from Edmonton to Calgary to attend Stampede Wrestling matches.

Chris Benoit begins using weights.

1980

13-year-old Chris Benoit meets his wrestling hero, The Dynamite Kid (Tom Billington).

Chris begins lifting weights to bulk up his small size.

Summer 1985

Chris Benoit makes his first visit to the family mansion known as Hart House, where patriarch Stu Hart presides over a harsh training regime.

Every weekend Chris catches the Greyhound to Calgary where he works out at Stu's "Dungeon" in the basement. During the week he works for his father's air filtration business.

1985

Chris graduates from high school. Mike Benoit tells his son: "You need to get [wrestling] out of your system."

The extended Hart family.

1985

Now 18, Benoit is wrestling full time for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling.

1986

Benoit wins his first title – the Stampede International Tag Team Title – with Ben Bassarab.

Chris Benoit imitated many of the moves of his hero, the Dynamite Kid.

1987

Chris goes to Japan, signs contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling.

1988-1989

Returning for occasional bouts at Stampede Wrestling, Benoit captures Stampede Commonwealth title.

1989

The Dynamite Kid retires and hangs his shoes around Benoit's neck, a sign that Chris' time has arrived.

1991-1994

Wrestles in Mexico as Pegasus Kid.

1994

Benoit joins ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling), now appearing as The Canadian Crippler.

1995

Becomes featured performer at Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Meets future wife, Nancy Sullivan.

May 23, 1999

Owen Hart dies in Kansas City after ill-advised stunt in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later to become World Wrestling Entertainment).

Chris and Nancy Benoit on their wedding day.

2000

Benoit wins WCW world title and next day joins WWF; Nancy marries Chris Benoit after divorcing Kevin Sullivan.

2001

Benoit damages two discs in his neck and is sidelined for most of the year.

2002

Another wrestling friend, Davey Boy Smith dies of a heart attack at the age of 39.

2003

Nancy Benoit files for divorce, alleging domestic abuse.

Chris Benoit celebrates his title win.

2004

Chris Benoit wins WWE world title.

2004

USA Today survey finds 65 pro wrestlers, age 45 or younger, have died since 1997.

2005

Chris' best friend Eddie Guerrero dies. Nancy tells friends Chris is suffering chilling bouts of paranoia.

Chris Benoit became particularily depressed when his closest friend Eddie Guerrero died of a heart attack at 38.

2005 – 2007

The list of deceased colleagues and close friends is growing: Black Cat (Victor Mar-trainer in Japan); Bad News Allen Coage (who gave advice to Benoit and helped him get booked in Japan); Biff Wellington (Shayne Bower) a tag-team partner in Calgary; Shinya Hashimoto (colleague); Bam Bam Bigelow; Johnny Grunge (Michael Durham, wrestler and neighbour in Atlanta).

July 2006

In an e-mail to wrestling journalist Greg Oliver, Benoit writes of stress from life on the road and the toll taken by the number of dead wrestler friends.