Here are some afternoon notes on some wrestling personalities that have commented on the Chris, Nancy and Daniel Benoit situation:
– Houston’s KHOU interviewed Booker T here. Some excerpts include Booker saying that “We’re all tired at certain points, we work a lot of hours, but I never saw this side of Chris. I’ve never seen Chris mad. I’ve never seen Chris angry. He was always the guy with a lot of positive energy, always pushing the guys … The media is going to put a spin on it, you know. We know that. WWE knows that. Did the guy last week who murders his wife and kid last week have any form of roid rage? He was a cop. This happens in any form of life. I feel like the human life is a delicate piece of equipment and everyone has their breaking point. We don’t know what his breaking point was. You don’t know what my point is, I don’t know what your point is. We’re all human. I just think it was a huge malfunction and whatever it was, we may never know. It’s not for us to know. It’s out of our hands and with God now.”
– Here is a transcript of Del “The Patriot” Wilkes on CNN.
– Steve Blackman was interviewed by PennLive.com.
– On his MySpace blog, Gregory Helms wrote the following:
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 — Chris Benoit
I wrote a blog on the passing of Chris Benoit and his family as soon as I heard the news. As details of the tragedy emerged I removed that blog, and I did so simply because I was tired of reading about it. It was just too hard. I maintain this page myself so I am the one who reads all the messages. And this is still a hurtful loss for me. However, with that being said, I do regret taking it down because I now understand a lot of my fans and friends were using this blog simply as a forum to vent their feelings, their thoughts, or their frustrations out. And I think that is good thing. I encourage it and I’m sorry I took it down. I’ve now added this blog for anyone feeling the need to express themselves concerning this tragedy. At this moment, it’s the only thing I can do to help YOU, my fans and friends in this, OUR time of hurt.
Once again, my thoughts and prayers go out to the remaining members of Chris, Nancy, and Daniel’s family.
– On her MySpace blog, Victoria wrote the following:
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 — June 26th Blog
Hey All.
I had planned on starting off talking about a recent trip to an arena football game, but I would be remiss not to address the Chris Benoit situation. Everyone who knew anything about wrestling knew of his in-ring contributions. I truly don’t know what I can say and not get in trouble with the WWE. Anyone who reads my blogs regularly knows how much I love wrestling, and being part of the WWE. But I think what I have to say is more important. His son, Daniel, came to many shows. We bonded. He a was a cute little boy. What Chris did was selfish and hurtful. I fear that him being a superstar in some way glamorizes the situation. That’s not what suicide is. It is selfish and hurtful. As long as you have a breath to breathe, you can make change to improve your life. You can talk to family, or friends, or clergy. And if you’re not comfortable with any of them, here are two phone numbers for a Suicide and Crisis Hotline. 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE) or 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). They take calls 24/7. You always have options. Maybe someday I’ll be able to forgive Chris, but not today.
God Bless Us All, Lisa Marie
– On her MySpace blog, Jillian Hall wrote the following (which has since been removed):
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 — Time to speak
Well, by now the whole world knows of the horrible news that took place this week. With all of the comments and messages from people saying how sorry they are for our loss, I figured I would speak in general. I am 100% in agreeance with WWE and Mr. Mcmahon on completely erasing all tributes to Chris Benoit. While he had always been nice and polite to me and most of the WWE talent, what he did is completely disgusting and unforgiveable! This man who could have been a legend has demolished his reputation. My heart goes out to Nancy and the adorable Daniel and the family and friends they left behind!
– On her official Web site, Trish Stratus said the following (on Monday, before all of the details came out):
Chris was an incredible person, wrestler and friend. To the wrestling business he is the epitome of excellence, an example of dedication and passion, someone who lived their dreams. I shared many moments with Chris, I had the privilage of being his tag partner, we shared a Canadian heritage, we even shared a gap tooth, something that we laughed about years ago. Nancy was a beautiful person inside and out, it was always a pleasure to share a conversation with her, her smile lighting up a room. Their son Daniel rounded out a beautiful family.
My thoughts are with the family, friends, as well as others whose lives Chris and his family touched. What an amazing life. I am deeply saddened by Chris’ passing, and humbled by all that he was able to accomplish.
– Brian “Grandmaster Sexay” Lawler was on Anderson Cooper, and the clip was posted on YouTube:
– For a transcript of Johnnie Stewart on The O’Reilly Factor, click here.
– Lex Luger comments here.
– Several wrestling personalities will be on TV and radio tonight as the discussion continues. Here are a few: Bret Hart and columnist Alex Marvez are slated for tonight’s Nancy Grace show on CNN at 8pm ET… Author Irv Muchnick will be on O’Reilly tonight on FNC at 8 and 11… “Nightmare†Ken Wayne is scheduled to be on MSNBC… Reporter Dr. Keith Lipinski will be on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show at 10 tonight at www.mondaynightmayhem.com with Scott Hudson and Jim Molineaux. If you see or hear of any more mainstream news coverage, you can send to me by clicking the feedback button below.
(Credit to Dr. Keith and Alex Marvez for several of the above links.)
