No doubt about it, Benoit was an outstanding talent for that particular business. He was quite well respected for his dedication to the industry. A favourite among the hardcore fans all around the world. He was also the winner of the 2004 Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania 20 three years ago. He was scheduled to win the championship belt at the PPV this Sunday, he no-showed, the one who replaced him won the title instead. Unfortunately, as a person, I guess no one really knew him. This is going to turn into a huge controversy about performance enhancement drugs, both legal and illegal; and I honestly do hope this is invesitgated. There is a lot being reported on him now.
Here is a timeline of Chris Benoit and WWE; I can confirm that Chavo Guerrero (The nephew of the late Eddie Guerrero, who was more like a brother to Chavo. Eddie was also Chris Benoit's best friend; he died a year and a half ago of a heart attack) is Co-Worker #1, this is due to comments which he stated in his memory of Chris Benoit posted on WWE.com before all tributes of Benoit were pulled. The second Co-worker I can only guess would be Dean Malenko.
Below is a detailed WWE/Chris Benoit timeline from Saturday to Monday:
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Chris Benoit was scheduled to appear at the WWE Smackdown/ ECW live event in Beaumont, Texas
3:30pm A co-worker received a voice message from Benoit. The message from Benoit stated he missed his flight and over slept and would be late to the WWE Live Event. The co-worker called Benoit back, Benoit confirmed everything he said in his voice message and sounded tired and groggy. Benoit then stated, “I love you”. The co-worker stated that it was “out of context.”
3:42pm The same co-worker was concerned with Benoit’s tone and demeanor and called Benoit for a second time. Benoit did not answer the call and the co-worker left a message stating “just call me back.”
3:44pm Benoit called the co-worker back stating he didn’t answer the call because he was on the phone with Delta changing his flight. Benoit stated he had a real stressful day due to Nancy and Daniel being sick with food poisoning. They discussed travel plans for the WWE Tour of Texas with Benoit still sounding groggy at this point according to the co-worker.
4:30pm A co-worker who consistently travels with Benoit, called Benoit from outside Houston airport and Benoit answered. Benoit told the co-worker that Nancy was throwing up blood and that Daniel was also throwing up. Benoit thought they had food poisoning. Benoit stated he changed his flight and he would be arriving into Houston at 6:30pm. Benoit told the co-worker to drive onto the WWE event.
5:35pm Benoit called WWE Talent Relations stating that his son was throwing up and that he and Nancy were in the hospital with their son, and that Benoit would be taking a later flight into Houston, landing late, but would make the WWE live event in Beaumont.
6:10pm A representative of Talent Relations called Benoit. The representative from Talent Relations asked Benoit what time Benoit was getting into Beaumont. Benoit responded he was leaving Atlanta at 9:20pm Eastern time arriving into Houston at 9:24pm Central time. The representative from Talent Relations advised Benoit that it would be too late to make the WWE live event in Beaumont. Benoit apologized citing he had a family emergency. The representative from Talent Relations suggested to Benoit that instead of going to the WWE live event in Beaumont, Benoit should take the flight to Houston, rest up and be ready for the Vengeance Pay-Per-View event.
6:13pm The representative from Talent Relations called Benoit to reconfirm the travel plans with no answer from Benoit. The representative from Talent Relations left a voice message to take the flight and rest up.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Text messages sent to co-workers from Chris Benoit and Nancy Benoit’s cell phones:
Text Message 1 Sent to: Two Co-Workers (the same who had verbal correspondence with Benoit the day before) From: Benoit’s cell phone When: 6/24 at 3:53am from Message: C, S. My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215
Text Message 2 Sent to: Two Co-Workers (the same who had verbal correspondence with Benoit the day before) From: Benoit’s cell phone When: 6/24 at 3:53am Message: The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open
Text Message 3 Sent to: Two Co-Workers (the same who had verbal correspondence with Benoit the day before) From: Nancy Benoit’s cell phone When: 6/24 at 3:54am Message: C, S. My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215
Text Message 4 Sent to: Two Co-Workers (the same who had verbal correspondence with Benoit the day before) From: Nancy Benoit’s cell phone When: 6/24 at 3:55am Message: C, S. My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215
Text Message 5 Sent to: A Co-Worker who consistently traveled with Benoit From: Nancy Benoit’s cell phone When: 6/24 at 3:58am Message: My address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215
WWE made several attempts to contact Benoit via phone and text messages, as well as, the local hospitals in the Atlanta area. As of 11:00 pm Sunday night there was no contact made with Benoit.
Monday, June 25, 2007
12:30pm WWE was notified of text messages sent to the two co-workers.
12:45pm WWE contacted the Fayetteville County Sheriff’s office and requested them to go to Benoit’s residence
4:00pm WWE received a call from the Fayetteville County Sheriff’s office, advising that they entered the house of Benoit and found 3 deceased bodies (a male, a female and a child). The Fayetteville Sheriff’s office has secured the house as a “major crime scene” and that the Fayetteville County Sheriff’s Office had no further information.
