| Chris Benoit Profile Con't: Benoit's next feud was with the Television Champion, Booker T. The two great wrestlers had some very scientific battles in March and April '98, most of which ended in draws. They fought at Spring Stampede, with Booker T winning in the end to keep his title. But this was nowhere near the end of the feud. At the end of April '98, Benoit finally tasted gold in WCW, defeating Booker T at a house show to take the TV Title. The reign lasted approximately one day before Booker T regained the belt at the next show. The day after that, Benoit once again won the Television Championship, at another house show. Then, for the fourth show in a row, the TV Title changed hands, with Booker T getting it back. In 1998, Benoit, along with Malenko and Steve "Mongo" McMichael, began an effort to reform the Horsemen, pleading with the retired Arn Anderson to bring them back together. During this time, Benoit injured his arm, staying out of action for the next few months and only appearing to try and change Anderson's mind. In September '98, it all paid off, as Benoit, Malenko, and McMichael were joined by a returning Ric Flair, renewing the IV Horsemen. Benoit would return to action the next month, but the elbow still bothered him, keeping him from any long-term feuds. He did battle against Bret Hart, Raven, Kanyon, and a few others during the rest of '98, but mainly stayed with the Horsemen against the nWo. A few weeks into June '99, Benoit and Dean Malenko surprised many, leaving the Horsemen and Ric Flair and teaming instead with the Youth Movement. Benoit began wrestling Flair and his allies, fighting against the toughest opponents around. Since Diamond Dallas Page and Bam-Bam Bigelow were with Flair, Benoit teamed with Saturn to win the tag-team titles. Unfortunately, they only held the belts for a few days before losing them to DDP and Kanyon at the Great American Bash. Going into Road Wild '99, Benoit and DDP had a match that took on new meaning with the US Title belt involved. After a furious match that later included the other members of the Triad, Benoit retained the US belt with the Diving Headbutt. Benoit and the Revolution then began a major feud with Sid Vicious and Rick Steiner. This was not Benoit's only concern, though, as at an August Nitro, he competed in a Battle Royal to decide a Heavyweight contender. Benoit and Malenko were the last in the ring, but it was broken up by Vicious, who was scheduled to face Benoit that Sunday at Fall Brawl '99. On October 4th, at a Monday Nitro, Benoit had a historic match with Bret "Hitman" Hart. The two men dedicated their bout to Owen Hart, Bret's brother, who had been killed in a tragic wrestling accident earlier in the year. Benoit and Hart both put on their best moves, with the fans behind both stars. In the end, Hart won the match, but both men were winners that night, as they shook each other's hand afterwards. The emotion in both wrestlers was very obvious to see. It was a very moving time. In December, Benoit was supposed to face Jarrett for the US Title at Souled Out, but better things for scheduled for Benoit. It was announced that Bret Hart, due to injury, would be vacating the World Title. This time, Benoit did not waste his chance. He defeated his old friend/foe Sid Vicious at Souled Out '00, winning his first WCW World Championship. Even with being given the top belt in the field, though, Benoit wasn't satisfied. He left WCW the next day, and headed for the WWE. The decision at Souled Out was reversed, making Benoit a one-day WCW World Champion. |
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