Posted on 06/25/2007 3:53:58 PM PDT by HitmanLV
We are still awaiting further details, but PWInsider.com is extremely saddened to report that former WWE and WCW World champion Chris Benoit and his wife, former WCW and ECW personality Nancy "Woman" Benoit were both found dead today in Atlanta, Georgia. Obviously this will be a huge developing story in the days to come but at this point, we'd like to express our deepest condolences to the Benoits' family, friends, and fans at this time.
A meeting is currently ongoing at WWE TV and it is expected that tonight's three hour Raw will now be dedicated to Benoit's memory.
6:09 Update: WWE.com issued the following statement this afternoon:
"WWE is sad to report that Chris Benoit and his family have been found dead in their home. Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Tonight's Raw will be a tribute to Chris and his family."
I met and hung out with Kevin Sullivan and (then) wife Nancy at a pro wrestling convention in NYC area (an airport hotel, I think) in summer 1991, right before Flair arrived in the WWF. Kevin was an awesome guy and she was very nice. Better times - their marriage ended after Nancy & Benoit became romantically involved.
I was at a WCW show at the meadowlands where they had a Wargames and Flair no-showed and Sullivan subbed for him. Sullivan’s crazy violent antics ended up saving the show, who was hostile at not seeing Flair live. I mentioned to Kevin that “you know, I don’t know if you remember, but you single-handedly saved that card in the meadowlands a while back with your work in that Wargames.”
He smiled broadly and said (sincerely) “I know I did! Thank you very much for remembering that.” Nice guy.
Pre-ECW, around January 1992 I think, I attended a wrestling convention in Pennsylvania, where they were in attendance also. That evening had a show headlined by Terry Funk and Eddie Gilbert (RIP, also). I think it was under the older ECW banner, East Coast Wrestling.
Wrestling was cooler back then. Actually, it was the best back in 1970s. :-)
Word is tonight's planned 3-hour memorial for Vince McMahon is now dedicated to Beniot. I hope he nips the 'Vince is dead' angle once and for all, too.
Did we ever find out what killed "Scary Sherri?"
I just got the latest issue of the Observer on Friday and it ran the story, but not many details other than she was found dead at her home. I don't think foul play is involved. He usually has good follow-ups and will run a full obit in about 1-2 weeks, I'd guess. We will know more then.
He wanted the refs to have more credibility and call matches as if they were 'real,' more like UFC refs.
Yes, very strange.
Thanks for the reply.
I am stunned. Wrestling & death seem to have some force that drives them together. I’ve never seen anything like it. They just found Sherri dead. I can’t believe they’re all gone. Prayers up for the family.
Vince better knock that idiotic storyline off.
Either murder, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Are you absolutely sure this is a legit story? I did some Yahoo and Google searching and found nothing—EXCEPT on wrestling websites. I even checked the Atlanta Journal-Constitution website, and there was nothing. WWE has been known to use fake deaths as part of a storyline.
Dave is very reliable. When I heard about Sherri that’s the first place I went.
Thanks so much!
PW Headlines stated that Benoit called in to WWE Sunday and said he would be unable to make it back as his family was ill and they were spitting up blood.
We're waiting on a return call from Fayette County right now. If it's fake, I'll yank it and post an apology. But we were tipped off by NBC who has been bugging us for more info.
True but doing so right after Sherri’s death would be low. Even for Vince.
I'm think CO.
There was a report that he had to fly home for a family emergency and that his family was really sick according to his friend Bill Aptner.
The ‘Vince is Dead’ storyline was always bad, now it’s unfathomably bad. He better end it, tonight.
Benoit family found dead The WWE just told its talent and released on its web site that Chris Benoit was found dead by Atlanta police.
Benoit, wife Nancy aka Woman and son Daniel were all found dead. We have no other details at this moment. It is believed that Chris Benoit's two other children were in Canada.
This is real, sadly.
We’ll know in about 15 minutes. He needs to personally walk out there.
I’ve been an on-again, off-again (mostly on) subscriber to the Observer since around 1986. I would get the newsletter in my college mailbox! Dave is reporting it as real on his website - this is real. :(
First I have heard of that. Take it with a grain of salt for now. We will know more in the coming days. Thanks for sharing it. Sad, sad story, any way it goes.
He better walk out there. Too many wrestlers and deaths to kid about it. Last week was in extremely poor taste, on the heels of Sherri passing, no less.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.