Former World Heavyweight wrestling champion, Chris Benoit, his wife, and seven-year-old son were found dead in the family's Atlanta home, according to AP Sports. Police believe it was a murder-suicide.
Benoit's wife managed several wrestlers and went by the stage name "Woman." They met when her then-husband drew up a script that had them involved in a relationship as part of an ongoing story line on World Championship Wrestling. Did Benoit's wife have an affair with one of the wrestlers that sent Benoit into a jealous rage?
I don't know. But World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) canceled its live "Monday Night RAW" card in Corpus Christi, TX, and USA Network aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled wrestling telecast.
None of this seems to be hurting its stock much -- WWE is down a mere 12 cents.
Peter Cohan is president of Peter S. Cohan & Associates, a management consulting and venture capital firm. He also teaches management at Babson College and edits The Cohan Letter. He has no financial interest in WWE.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-27-2007 @ 1:38PM
Greg P. said...
You can speculate the theories behind Benoit's motives...but to say that he killed his wife one day, then son the next, because he was in a jealous rage...just doesnt seem correct....but I'm glad you didnt use the ever so popular "roid rage" theory. With the WWE....i'm an avid fan. I can tell you're not a fan because, quite frankly, you're stooped into the outside's criticism that Vince McMahon shouldn't have aired the tribute to Chris Benoit. The way the WWE works is this...when you have an active wrestler, beloved by the fans and the WWE, you hold a tribute for that person...thats how it was done for Eddie Guerrero and Ownen Hart (look it up). Before this tragedy happened, Chris was loved by many...and when the death of his family was reported Monday afternoon, with only a few hours before the start of the show (WWE Raw airs live at 6pm)...Vince thought it was only appropriate to celebrate his legacy in the ring, keep in mind, no one knew it was a double murder-suicide at the time...and for those who "acutally" saw the show, would be able to validate, that the company truly, indeed, never speculated that he killed his own family...on tuesday, Vince annouced on ECW (another WWE brand), that because of the reported details on the case, Chris Benoit will no longer be tributed. In terms of stocks...look at it this way...just like the WWE, the fans didnt know the details of the case until after his tribute aired Monday....and looking back at it...we don't blame the WWE for that, because that's what they've always done and it was appropriate at the time. After knowing the details....the fans still don't blame the WWE for monday's show, but we do expect that the Tributes stop...which, indeed, did happen. It's outsider's like you that come to the analysis that it was a terrible blow to the company....your wrong...if they didnt do the tribute....it would have been a worse blow..because people loved Benoit and if Vince continued his storyline (look that up too-Death of Vince) and aired it's original programing, Monday, the fans would definately not be please. Fans are not share holders....the stock dropping was not a result of loosing fans, decrease of market sales, decrease of tv ratings...it dropped... because of the critiscm from the media crucifying McMahon for airing his tribute.
6-28-2007 @ 8:52PM
Phil said...
I think it is a shame to right away blame the steroids for the murders. I have used steroids when I was younger and if you snapped you would rip someone apart, not take the time to tie her up and strangle her. Don't get me wrong IF they played a part in all of this, it would be more likely due to depression from lack of natural testosterone, not a RAGE. I think the media grabs bits and pieces to sell a story and alot of the time they are clueless as to what the actual facts are!
God Bless That family for their loss!
6-28-2007 @ 5:27PM
tamara said...
im sorry that you all feel this way about it all but i personly do not feel that or believe that benoit had anything to do with the murders for one he was killed as well.
sincerly,
from an enraged fan of benoit
6-29-2007 @ 2:14AM
superman said...
Tht police must put togather the math..sherri martel died 1 week before the Benoit family this is for sure..however these 4 dead people had one thing in common and when they have something in common it at least should be looked at...ya think? duh- Kevin Sullivan who was sherri martels lol friend and booking agent..and just happens to be Nancy Benoits ex husband who hated chris and nancy and their life togather,Chris Benoit took sullivans wife and had a child which drove him crazy.maybe the police should at least find out where Kevin Sullivan was when these murders happened..by the way sherri martel did not die of natural causes and she was with sullivan..please just check him out..you may find the truth and then this wont be so hard to understand......im just sayin....