A lot of the rumors over the last 4 months have left me scratching my head. When did Benoit become such an ass backstage. It seems every story about fights or mean spirited pranks have involved him lately.

Probably because Benoit is looked at as one of the locker room leaders on SD. Everyone that holds a position like that in the company is always looked at like an ass at one point or another. Ex. Undertaker, JBL, Eddie, Angle, etc.

I'm just surprised is all. He always seemed to be above the petty bullshit that went on backstage. I guess JBL and co. have been a bad influence.

It is too bad that Benoit has stooped to this level if it is indeed true. Hopefully it isn't.

It seems really hard to imagine Benoit participating in some of the crap rumored to go on behind the scenes on Smackdown. The most startling one to me was him participating in the "wrestling court" thing going on, where JBL and co. were putting people like Melina on trial for brushing off the wrong way on the other divas or something stupid like that.

Maybe Benoit is trying to be like one of the boys. Maybe this is his way of dealing with the loss of his friend.

That's a pretty good theory, actually. There weren't reports about Benoit behaving this way before (unless you don't approve of Benoit tossing Striker out of the lockerroom for taking Long's seat).

True. He may have not noticed other people's stupidity because he was more focused on hanging out with Eddie & things of that nature. Now that Eddie's not around, he may notice other people's crap more

I'm always amazed how petty the backstage drama really is. I'd like to think Benoit is responding to other people's assholery, but maybe that's not true.

May be he's a more noticeable backstage leader without Eddie around, and leaders also attacked, no matter where you are.

I think it's too blown out of proportion.I've heard Benoit has always been known to be a ribber, but without Holly to blame for everything, he gets more "heat" in the stories.

His idol is Dynamite Kid after all, so it doesn't surprise me. They're all grown adults, capable of taking care of themselves. As long as there isn't raping, or beatings going on, whatever.

Don't forget - these are people you close to and see almost every day of the year - it's easy to get on each other nerves, and you'll either like each other or hate each other.