Stephanie McMahon explains why Chris Benoit didn’t win ECW Title

Here is an excerpt from a U.S. Government interview with Stephanie McMahon. Click here (PDF) to read the complete interview.

Q: I just want to clarify, when you were talking about your current champions a little while ago, you mentioned CM Punk and his image being a clean wrestler and somebody who doesn’t do drugs, doesn’t drink alcohol. When was CM Punk made a champion?

A: I’m really not sure. I would say within the last year. It was recent.

Q: Was it following the death of Mr. Benoit?

A: Yes, it was. Ironically, Mr. Benoit was supposed to become ECW champion that night, and he didn’t show up at the pay‐per‐view because he was dead.

Interview conducted December 14, 2007

Other highlights of Stephanie McMahon’s inquiry include:

• Shawn Michaels not wanting to switch brands in the company draft due to Tuesday being his day of worship
• WWE giving Chris Benoit four months off after he claimed to be having personal issues prior to his death
• Disagrees with the statement that today’s wrestlers are more “muscular” than in the past
• Wrestlers who main event a pay-per-view can make between $150,000 to $200,000
• Wrestlers who main event WrestleMania can make up to $1,000,000