Post by jesuspj on Jun 26, 2007 17:48:37 GMT -5
I haven't watched wrestling in a long LONG time but I can honestly say that this was shocking and sad.
Story and source below:
www.edmontonsun.com/News/World/2007/06/25/4289665.html
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Canadian pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife and son were found dead Monday and police said they were investigating the deaths as a homicide.
Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department in suburban Atlanta said the three were found at their home about 2:30 p.m., but refused to release details.
Pope said results of autopsies on Benoit, his wife Nancy, and seven-year-old son Daniel were expected Tuesday.
The WWE cancelled its live “Raw” wrestling card Monday night in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Canadian television network The Score aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled telecast.
“I am deeply saddened over the loss of Chris Benoit,” WWE Canada president Carl DeMarco said on the WWE website. “My heartfelt thoughts and sympathy go out to his parents and family. My relationship with Chris has extended many years and I consider him a great friend. Chris was always first-class — warm, friendly, caring and professional . . . one of the best in our business.”
The Montreal-born Benoit, 40, who moved to Edmonton when he was 12 years old, lived in Sherwood Park as recently as May 2000.
He began his career in 1985 after training with Stu Hart and family in Calgary.
He competed for Hart’s Stampede Wrestling promotion and later wrestled in Japan and for the National Wrestling Alliance, WCW and Extreme Championship Wrestling. He joined WWE in 2000.
He maintained a home in the Atlanta area from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling.
He was scheduled to wrestle at the Vengeance pay-per-view Sunday night in Houston, but was replaced at the last minute because of what announcer Jim Ross called “personal reasons.”
Benoit, a five-foot-11, 220-pounder, was often described as a rabid wolverine in the ring.
“The Canadian Crippler” had a chiselled physique and was known for his superior technical skills.
The “Crippler Crossface” was one of his signature moves, along with a flying headbutt from the top rope and triple German suplex.
“Chris was beloved among his fellow superstars, and was a favourite among WWE fans for his unbelievable athleticism and wrestling ability,” the WWE said on its website.
“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.”
Benoit held several titles over his career but realized his dream at Wrestlemania 20 in 2004, defeating Shawn Michaels and champion Triple H in a triple threat match at Madison Square Garden to win the WWE world heavyweight championship for the first time.
“He was a man of few words, but his passion for the sports-entertainment business was almost unrivaled,” the WWE said.
“Whether loved or hated, Benoit was always well-respected by our fans and his peers for his in-ring ability, his trademark toothless grin and his no-nonsense attitude.
“The sports-entertainment world has truly suffered a loss with his passing, as one of the all-time greats was taken well before his time.”
Story and source below:
www.edmontonsun.com/News/World/2007/06/25/4289665.html
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Canadian pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife and son were found dead Monday and police said they were investigating the deaths as a homicide.
Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department in suburban Atlanta said the three were found at their home about 2:30 p.m., but refused to release details.
Pope said results of autopsies on Benoit, his wife Nancy, and seven-year-old son Daniel were expected Tuesday.
The WWE cancelled its live “Raw” wrestling card Monday night in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Canadian television network The Score aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled telecast.
“I am deeply saddened over the loss of Chris Benoit,” WWE Canada president Carl DeMarco said on the WWE website. “My heartfelt thoughts and sympathy go out to his parents and family. My relationship with Chris has extended many years and I consider him a great friend. Chris was always first-class — warm, friendly, caring and professional . . . one of the best in our business.”
The Montreal-born Benoit, 40, who moved to Edmonton when he was 12 years old, lived in Sherwood Park as recently as May 2000.
He began his career in 1985 after training with Stu Hart and family in Calgary.
He competed for Hart’s Stampede Wrestling promotion and later wrestled in Japan and for the National Wrestling Alliance, WCW and Extreme Championship Wrestling. He joined WWE in 2000.
He maintained a home in the Atlanta area from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling.
He was scheduled to wrestle at the Vengeance pay-per-view Sunday night in Houston, but was replaced at the last minute because of what announcer Jim Ross called “personal reasons.”
Benoit, a five-foot-11, 220-pounder, was often described as a rabid wolverine in the ring.
“The Canadian Crippler” had a chiselled physique and was known for his superior technical skills.
The “Crippler Crossface” was one of his signature moves, along with a flying headbutt from the top rope and triple German suplex.
“Chris was beloved among his fellow superstars, and was a favourite among WWE fans for his unbelievable athleticism and wrestling ability,” the WWE said on its website.
“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.”
Benoit held several titles over his career but realized his dream at Wrestlemania 20 in 2004, defeating Shawn Michaels and champion Triple H in a triple threat match at Madison Square Garden to win the WWE world heavyweight championship for the first time.
“He was a man of few words, but his passion for the sports-entertainment business was almost unrivaled,” the WWE said.
“Whether loved or hated, Benoit was always well-respected by our fans and his peers for his in-ring ability, his trademark toothless grin and his no-nonsense attitude.
“The sports-entertainment world has truly suffered a loss with his passing, as one of the all-time greats was taken well before his time.”