Irvin Muchnick, Phil Mushnick (Foreword)
ECW Press, 2009
Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook
This review was written in 2011. Minor edits were made for this posting.
Journalist Irvin Muchnick's 2009 book Chris and Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling's Cocktail of Death is an interesting marriage of pro-wrestling and true crime. Muchnick, a prolific author whose work has appeared in publications such as People and Sports Illustrated, is an unapologetic critic of the shortcomings of the professional wrestling industry. His wrestling related work frequently deals with premature deaths, drug use and abuse within the industry and the generally dangerous life choices made by many of the industry's practitioners. Muchnick's other works include: Wrestling Babylon, Concussion Inc, and Justice Denied: The Untold Story of Nancy Argentino's Death in Jimmy Superfly Snuka's Hotel Room. He is nephew of late Kansas City promoter and former N.W.A. President Sam Muchnick.
Due to the subject matter, Muchnick's Chris and Nancy is an extremely difficult read. Muchnick spares little detail regarding the events surrounding the Benoit murder-suicide. While much of this information was circulated during the days and weeks following the event, absorbing it all during a condensed time frame may be hard for some readers. It could be extra difficult on those who were fans of either Chris or Nancy Benoit. As is the case with many true crime books, specific details may be hard for readers to digest. The subject matter, along with Muchnick's unabashed criticism of the wrestling industry may be enough for the book to be panned by die-hard wrestling fans.
Muchnick's work is a well written and researched piece that raises a number of questions about the possible causes of the Benoit tragedy and the WWE's reaction (and lack of immediate action) to it. While it is not one that alters the specifics of the murder-suicide, Muchnick uncovers some interesting contradictions in two time lines released by the WWE regarding the company's knowledge of significant events and the management of the events surrounding the aftermath by the promotion, law enforcement agencies and news media outlets. At times his criticism of certain individuals/groups related to the crime may come across as unreasonably harsh, however, Muchnick's outrage pertaining to the epidemic of pre-mature deaths in the industry seems to be very genuine.
The degree to which wrestling fans will enjoy this book depends greatly on a few factors. Firstly, whether or not a reader is convinced/willing to accept Muchnick's notion that the WWE covered up knowledge of the tragedy earlier than it was later willing to admit and both the severity and implications such a cover up implies about those involved. Secondly, whether or not a reader agrees with Muchnick's argument regarding drug abuse vs. brain injury as the primary factor affecting Benoit's actions.
Though well written and researched, Chris and Nancy is not your standard wrestling fare in that it is a piece that chronicles the darkest moments of, with regards to the plethora of pre-mature deaths in the industry, the darkest period of pro wrestling that does not celebrate any element of the professional wrestling industry. The book is highly recommended to fans who are interested in the case and/or are looking for some heavier reading that asks some hard questions. Readers looking for light and entertaining pieces may want to pass on this.
Due to the subject matter, Muchnick's Chris and Nancy is an extremely difficult read. Muchnick spares little detail regarding the events surrounding the Benoit murder-suicide. While much of this information was circulated during the days and weeks following the event, absorbing it all during a condensed time frame may be hard for some readers. It could be extra difficult on those who were fans of either Chris or Nancy Benoit. As is the case with many true crime books, specific details may be hard for readers to digest. The subject matter, along with Muchnick's unabashed criticism of the wrestling industry may be enough for the book to be panned by die-hard wrestling fans.
Muchnick's work is a well written and researched piece that raises a number of questions about the possible causes of the Benoit tragedy and the WWE's reaction (and lack of immediate action) to it. While it is not one that alters the specifics of the murder-suicide, Muchnick uncovers some interesting contradictions in two time lines released by the WWE regarding the company's knowledge of significant events and the management of the events surrounding the aftermath by the promotion, law enforcement agencies and news media outlets. At times his criticism of certain individuals/groups related to the crime may come across as unreasonably harsh, however, Muchnick's outrage pertaining to the epidemic of pre-mature deaths in the industry seems to be very genuine.
The degree to which wrestling fans will enjoy this book depends greatly on a few factors. Firstly, whether or not a reader is convinced/willing to accept Muchnick's notion that the WWE covered up knowledge of the tragedy earlier than it was later willing to admit and both the severity and implications such a cover up implies about those involved. Secondly, whether or not a reader agrees with Muchnick's argument regarding drug abuse vs. brain injury as the primary factor affecting Benoit's actions.
Though well written and researched, Chris and Nancy is not your standard wrestling fare in that it is a piece that chronicles the darkest moments of, with regards to the plethora of pre-mature deaths in the industry, the darkest period of pro wrestling that does not celebrate any element of the professional wrestling industry. The book is highly recommended to fans who are interested in the case and/or are looking for some heavier reading that asks some hard questions. Readers looking for light and entertaining pieces may want to pass on this.
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