What Difference Would Benoit Have Made?

[THE Brian Kendrick's Biceps]

So, we all know that Chris Benoit would have been ECW Champion, at Night of Champions 2007, had he not done what he did. Instead, we saw the then Johnny Nitro (now John Morrison) become the ECW Champion, in what was quite a shocker. But what difference would Benoit have made to ECW overall, and the superstars on it?

I could see CM Punk maybe being pushed a bit harder by WWE, had Benoit not died. It looked like they were going to have Punk and Benoit going on for awhile, with Punk eventually taking the belt off of him, showing that he had surpassed the veteran. It would have been similar to what they did with Morrison/Nitro, but it would have meant a lot more to Punk and his career, IMO.

John Morrison definitely wouldn’t have gotten the push that he had, at least then. He would have been in the ECW midcard, while Benoit and Punk battled it out. He may have eventually challenged Punk and beaten him, but that wouldn’t have happened for some time. He may still be in the Johnny Nitro character, which makes me doubt that his promos would be what they are today. His character makes his promos better than they used to be.

As an overall product, there wouldn’t have been much of a difference to ECW. The wrestling would have been of a higher standard, but it wouldn’t have developed youngsters (such as Morrison) as well as it did. The ratings wouldn’t have moved from what they were without Benoit, because it was still ECW anyway.

Thoughts?

 

[Airfixx]

As much as many peeps thought he was great (me included) I don't think his absense from the WWE has made much difference... Aside from the things you mentioned regarding Morrison (which you'd assume would have all happened sooner or later).

It's hardly an issue of "what if Dibiase went over at WM4" proportions.

 

[Hardcastle]

Benoit was a great wrestler, one of the greatest on the mat..but he didn't make a lot of money, his only money feud was with HHH/HBK...so that wouldn't have made a difference, but he would have been perfect to make guys like PUnk, Morrison..better. That the was the point of his move to ECW

 

[LAURINAITIS33]

I believe it would have made a big difference. I think Benoit was the last effort to really make something of ECW brand. After the RVD bust, Big Show and Angle injuries then the Benoit incident they couldn't as a company contribute anymore big time stars to the brand as the champ. I think if Benoit would have been champ bigger stars would have came to ECW to face him.

Also Punk and Nitro was hot at the time so pushing them would have been no problem even with Benoit as champ. They could have easily made ECW big time by bringing Flair, Rey, or having Jeff Hardy competing against Benoit for the title. So i think it would have changed things dramatically.

 

[Beer Money Army]

benoit would of killed more people in a worked match...

But we would of maybe had a Benoit/Finlay feud...

I think Benoit would of got drafted from ECW to Smackdown, if he was alive.. As SD lacks Faces...

Pby in a program with Shelton benjamin or The Brian Kendrick....

But benoit Pwns...