Five years ago today, on June 24, 2007, Chris Benoit murdered his 43 year old wife Nancy, then their 7 year old son Daniel, before hanging himself in the gym.
The story of his death sent shockwaves throughout the world of professional wrestling, a story which to this day some still hard it find to believe that the former WCW and World Heavyweight champion was capable of doing such a horrible act.
The next day on Monday Night RAW, WWE dedicated a three hour broadcast to the life of Chris Benoit. WWE Superstars, Divas, and officials wept on national television as they recounted stories involving Benoit. That night, an emotional Vince McMahon opened the show in an empty arena addressing television viewers of the tragedy involving the Benoit family
The day after RAW, Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard and Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department revealed during a press conference that it was Chris Benoit who killed his family, strangling his wife with an electric cord and then smothered his son with a bag. Nancy was found in the living room while Daniel was found in his bedroom and Chris was found hung from the pulley of a weight machine in the basement.
Chris Benoit has been practically erased from WWE history. His matches on newly released DVD’s are nowhere to be seen and his photos and stories are non existent. Only his title reigns are listed on WWE.COM and the link to his wins lead only to an empty page.
For all his accomplishments, title wins, great matches, and everything else, Chris Benoit seems like he never existed as WWE did their best to distant themselves from the horrible massacre that he created.
For his friends, fellow wrestlers, and family, it’s just a nightmare that will probably never go away.
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