Life Imitates Art: USA Network airs memorial show for WWE wrestler
Ben Grossman -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/25/2007 5:07:00 PM
World Wrestling Entertainment’s Monday Night Raw program on USA Network Monday night was supposed to feature a fictional memorial service for the character of WWE chief Vince McMahon.
The show did end up featuring a memorial service, however it was for three very real people: WWE wrestler Chris Benoit and his wife and son, all of whom were found dead in their suburban Atlanta home earlier on Monday.
The show opened with McMahon standing in an empty ring in Corpus Christi, Texas, where the Raw show was supposed to feature a memorial for McMahon’s “Mr. McMahon” character, who was blown up in a car, according to the show’s storyline.
“Tonights storyline was to have been the alleged demise of my character, Mr. McMahon,” said a sullen McMahon, wearing jeans instead of his customary tailored suits. “However in reality, WWE superstar Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy and their son Daniel are dead.”
The remainder of the show was a three-hour tribute to Benoit.
ABC News was reporting Monday night that the incident was being investigated as a “possible suicide and double homicide.”
The premature deaths of its stars continue to plague professional wrestling, the most recent major star to pass away being 38-year-old Eddie Guerrero less than two years ago.
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First of all, it is not the USA networks fault, so not watching shows on that network is pointless. Also, the 3 hour tribute was aired before anyone even knew that it was a murder-suicide. A tribute to someone's life doesn't mean that their actions are okay, but some people go wrong. How about we criticize someone who deserves it more like that slob Rosie Odonnell and the pictures of her "daughter" with fake ammo and fatigues on?
Unknown - 6/26/2007 5:52:00 PM EDT -
I just learned of this wrestler and what he did to his family...and was absolutely disgusted to learn that a tribute was aired in his memory on the USA network. What is wrong with our society??!!! How could they glorify a man who took the life of two people and then his own...although it is up to God to judge him, I am very upset that this was aired. I will no longer watch the USA network...I am not interested in taking part in a network that would support such nonsense...
Asil Smith - 6/26/2007 3:40:00 PM EDT -
So he murders his wife and child and gets a 3hr tribute on USA??? Am I
missing something?
Parker Pennings - 6/26/2007 3:27:00 PM EDT -
As a person who formerly watched wrestling, I remember Chris Benoit as one of the best in his profession. He excelled successfully at what he did. It's truly a sad day for wrestling fans everywhere.
Terence - 6/26/2007 1:24:00 PM EDT
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