WWE pays tribute to Benoit
2007-06-26 14:00
California - The WWE has paid tribute to wrestler Chris Benoit and his family who were found dead at their Atlanta home.
According to the Post Chronicle website, a visibly shaken Vince McMahon, chairperson of the WWE, announced that instead of going forward with the planned programming the reality was that Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy and seven-year-old son Daniel had been found dead in their suburban Atlanta home.
In saying that, McMahon announced that the scheduled "Raw" programme would pay tribute to the WWE superstar, his wife and child, calling Benoit, "one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time".
McMahon extended the WWE's sincere condolences and prayers to the Benoit family and loved ones in this time of tragedy.
Chris was beloved among his fellow superstars, and was a favorite among WWE fans for his unbelievable athleticism and wrestling ability. He always took great pride in his performance, and always showed respect for the business he loved, for his peers and towards his fans. This is a terrible tragedy and an unbearable loss, reported the WWE.
Superstars on hand included John Cena, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, Triple H, Chavo Guerrero, Edge, Dean Malenko and CM Punk and announcers Taz, JBL, Jerry 'The King' Lawler, JR and Joey Styles.
As each held back tears trying to speak about their relationship with Benoit, there were common threads that came through... that he was respected by all, known to be one of the hardest working men in the business that he loved, a family man and a man they all loved.
Benoit was a trainee of the legendary Stu Hart and began his career in Calgary in 1985.
It was in Japan that his career truly took off.
Originally he was known as the masked Pegasus Kid and had numerous matches with Japanese legends such as Shinjiro Ohtani and Jushin 'Thunder' Liger.
It was in New Japan Pro Wrestling where he also met a man who would become one of his closest friends, Eddie Guerrero, who passed away on November 13, 2005.
In 1994 Benoit began his career in the United States.
During his time in Philadelphia, Benoit became known as the 'Canadian Crippler', as it was during a match with Benoit where Sabu suffered a broken neck.
According to WAGA, a FOX-owned and operated television station in Atlanta, investigators believe Benoit killed his wife and son over the weekend, then himself on Monday.
The three bodies have been received by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's crime lab where autopsies will be performed later on Tuesday.
Toxicology reports are not expected to be available for at least two weeks.
Benoit's death comes just days after the news of the passing of another former WWE wrestler "Sensational" Sherri Martel on June 15.