Tonight's Special Episode Of 'WWE RAW' Is In The Books
- An emotional Vince McMahon stood in the ring (at Corpus Christi, Texas' vacant American Bank Center) and addressed the "alleged" demise of his character (Mr. McMahon), separating that from the very real demise of Chris Benoit and his family. McMahon went on to offer his condolences, and introduce a tribute to the life and career of Benoit. This segment again aired at each of the remaining hours.
- Most of the footage came courtesy of 'Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story,' including that used in a video tribute (to the tune of Finger Eleven's 'One Thing'), so in many cases, I won't go into specifics.
- Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, sitting in their usual spots, spoke about how difficult tonight's show was for them, then introduced footage from 2004's 'Royal Rumble,' where Benoit earned a spot in the 'WrestleMania' main event.
- Steve Austin pit over Benoit's work ethic, saying no matter how big or small the crowd, he'd work to the fullest extent of his ability. Austin closed by speaking of his love for Benoit.
- Michael Cole and JBL, sitting in their usual spots, spoke about Benoit's love for his family. JBL, in particular, appeared to be hit hard by the loss, speaking about how he and Chris had recently spoke about turning back the clock.
- John Cena (fighting tears) said this was probably the most-difficult thing he's ever had to do, and he wasn't sure how to react. Cena believed it was best to celebrate Benoit's life, as he was a good man and he lived for the sport. Cena hoped, as he has learned to do, appreciate everything Benoit had done. He regrets not telling Chris how much he loved him.
- Joey Styles and Tazz, sitting in their usual spots, spoke about how excited they were to hear about Benoit coming to ECW in 1994, and after the recent draft. They introduced last Tuesday's bout, the last of Benoit's televised bouts, where Benoit faced Elijah Burke (to earn his ECW title match at 'Vengeance,' which he ended up missing, as he hadn't returned from Atlanta or updated the company on his status, getting us to today's discovery of the bodies).
- A crying CM Punk spoke of his disappointment (because he didn't get to wrestle Benoit at the pay-per-view) and guilt (after learning of his death), saying he hoped to please Benoit, whom he considered a hero of his.
- Ross and Lawler spoke about Benoit's passion to have good matches, and one of his favorite opponents (and good friends) was Dean Malenko. They then introduced a match between Benoit and Malenko, which took place at 1996's 'Hog Wild.' If you recall, Nancy was at ringside for this bout, which was acknowledged by Ross and Lawler.
- Malenko was next to speak on Benoit, saying Benoit enriched his life, and he'll miss the support Benoit provided him in fifteen-years of friendship. People often thought Benoit was arrogant, but Malenko said he was just a very private and quiet individual. Malenko said Benoit was unselfish and one of the best he's met in the ring. Malenko also talked how it was to lose two (Benoit and Eddie Guerrero) of his best friends, as he called them, "The real three amigos," in reference to the triple suplexes. It was Malenko's idea for Benoit to use the 'Cripple Crossface.' Malenko said Benoit and Guerrero were back together and probably arguing.
- Cole and JBL spoke about the high level of respect Benoit had earned from his peers and the audiences, and what a privilege it was to call Benoit's matches. JBL said Benoit wasn't a great talker, but he was a great talker, and he was so happy to face his friend in April 2006, where the US title was up for grabs on 'SmackDown.'
- Stephanie McMahon (choking back tears) said Benoit was an amazing wrestler, and was passionate about the sport and his family. Benoit was genuinely happy for her, when she married Triple H, and for the couple, when they later had a child. Steph considered Benoit to be her friend.
- Chavo Guerrero (also fighting tears) spoke about how close Benoit was to him and his family. Benoit was the first person Chavo called in the wake of Eddie Guerrero's death. Chavo thought it was almost as difficult to tell Benoit, as it was to hear the news, because of how hard it was for Benoit to hear what happened. Just before Eddie's death, Chavo was lucky to be with him, and just a few days ago, Chavo was lucky to be with Benoit and hid family in Atlanta. Chavo also loved working with Benoit, crediting and thanking Benoit for teaching so much. Chavo doesn't say this to many, but he loves Benoit.
- Styles and Tazz spoke about Benoit's reputation in Japan, especially in matches against Jushin Liger, then introduced footage of Pegasus Kid (Benoit) beating Liger for the IWGP Junior-Heavyweight title (which took place in 1990).
- William Regal said, for now, he just wanted to say Benoit worked harder than anyone in pro wrestling and was the absolute best.
- Ross and Lawler spoke about another of Benoit's great rivalries (this one, with Chris Jericho), and Benoit's idolization of Dynamite Kid, then introduced Benoit's ladder match (for the Intercontinental title) against Jericho, which took place at 2001's 'Royal Rumble.' After the bout, Ross spoke about how upset Jericho was to learn of Benoit's death. Lawler spoke about how Benoit didn't wrestle for the money, and how intense he could be in the squarde circle. Soon, we would receive a look at Benoit's winning of the World title (at 2004's 'WrestleMania').
- Styles introduced Edge's thoughts on Benoit's death. Fighting back tears, Edge said he'd now lost two of the three people he could turn to in pro wrestling (Eddie and Benoit?). Edge said he remember seeing Benoit in Stampede Wrestling, and was happy to later work with him. When Edge had personal issues of his own, he was able to go to Benoit for comfort. Edge couldn't think of one person with a bad word to say about Benoit. When they last wrestled (a couple of weeks ago on 'SmackDown'), Benoit smiled while coming through the curtain. Edge recently saw Daniel in Dothan, Alabama, and Edge thought Benoit was lucky. Edge doesn't understand these type of things, and knows Benoit would be upset at him for crying, but he misses him.
- Cole and JBL spoke about how emotional Benoit could be about his work, and how Benoit had once ejected those without that same respect, then introduced more another music video (which may not have come from the 'Hard Knocks' DVD), although I didn't recognize the tune.
- A teary HHH spoke about how difficult to sum up Benoit's life in a few minutes. In his opinion, Benoit was all about respect in all aspects of his life. HHH recalled a story, where Benoit made a young wrestler do one-thousand squats, because he had some unkind words for Shawn Michaels. Benoit did the squats with the wrestler, then, the next day, made him do five-hundred more. HHH felt everyone respected Benoit, including himself, more than anyone else, and they'd meet again.
- Ross and Lawler seconded HHH's thoughts about respect, then closed the program by introducing Benoit's World-title defeat of HHH and Michaels (at 'WrestleMania 20'). Lawler said he'd remembered Chris as a great competitor, mentioned how tragic the loss of the entire family was, and said everyone should tell their family how important they are to them. Ross said he'd remember Benoit's passion and ability, and talked about how important the finish of the match was.
PS: Because I know I did not do the best job of recapping the program, I've provided links for the testimonials and 'Finger Eleven' video. I'm sure wwe.com will soon have even more from the show.
- Most of the footage came courtesy of 'Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story,' including that used in a video tribute (to the tune of Finger Eleven's 'One Thing'), so in many cases, I won't go into specifics.
- Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, sitting in their usual spots, spoke about how difficult tonight's show was for them, then introduced footage from 2004's 'Royal Rumble,' where Benoit earned a spot in the 'WrestleMania' main event.
- Steve Austin pit over Benoit's work ethic, saying no matter how big or small the crowd, he'd work to the fullest extent of his ability. Austin closed by speaking of his love for Benoit.
- Michael Cole and JBL, sitting in their usual spots, spoke about Benoit's love for his family. JBL, in particular, appeared to be hit hard by the loss, speaking about how he and Chris had recently spoke about turning back the clock.
- John Cena (fighting tears) said this was probably the most-difficult thing he's ever had to do, and he wasn't sure how to react. Cena believed it was best to celebrate Benoit's life, as he was a good man and he lived for the sport. Cena hoped, as he has learned to do, appreciate everything Benoit had done. He regrets not telling Chris how much he loved him.
- Joey Styles and Tazz, sitting in their usual spots, spoke about how excited they were to hear about Benoit coming to ECW in 1994, and after the recent draft. They introduced last Tuesday's bout, the last of Benoit's televised bouts, where Benoit faced Elijah Burke (to earn his ECW title match at 'Vengeance,' which he ended up missing, as he hadn't returned from Atlanta or updated the company on his status, getting us to today's discovery of the bodies).
- A crying CM Punk spoke of his disappointment (because he didn't get to wrestle Benoit at the pay-per-view) and guilt (after learning of his death), saying he hoped to please Benoit, whom he considered a hero of his.
- Ross and Lawler spoke about Benoit's passion to have good matches, and one of his favorite opponents (and good friends) was Dean Malenko. They then introduced a match between Benoit and Malenko, which took place at 1996's 'Hog Wild.' If you recall, Nancy was at ringside for this bout, which was acknowledged by Ross and Lawler.
- Malenko was next to speak on Benoit, saying Benoit enriched his life, and he'll miss the support Benoit provided him in fifteen-years of friendship. People often thought Benoit was arrogant, but Malenko said he was just a very private and quiet individual. Malenko said Benoit was unselfish and one of the best he's met in the ring. Malenko also talked how it was to lose two (Benoit and Eddie Guerrero) of his best friends, as he called them, "The real three amigos," in reference to the triple suplexes. It was Malenko's idea for Benoit to use the 'Cripple Crossface.' Malenko said Benoit and Guerrero were back together and probably arguing.
- Cole and JBL spoke about the high level of respect Benoit had earned from his peers and the audiences, and what a privilege it was to call Benoit's matches. JBL said Benoit wasn't a great talker, but he was a great talker, and he was so happy to face his friend in April 2006, where the US title was up for grabs on 'SmackDown.'
- Stephanie McMahon (choking back tears) said Benoit was an amazing wrestler, and was passionate about the sport and his family. Benoit was genuinely happy for her, when she married Triple H, and for the couple, when they later had a child. Steph considered Benoit to be her friend.
- Chavo Guerrero (also fighting tears) spoke about how close Benoit was to him and his family. Benoit was the first person Chavo called in the wake of Eddie Guerrero's death. Chavo thought it was almost as difficult to tell Benoit, as it was to hear the news, because of how hard it was for Benoit to hear what happened. Just before Eddie's death, Chavo was lucky to be with him, and just a few days ago, Chavo was lucky to be with Benoit and hid family in Atlanta. Chavo also loved working with Benoit, crediting and thanking Benoit for teaching so much. Chavo doesn't say this to many, but he loves Benoit.
- Styles and Tazz spoke about Benoit's reputation in Japan, especially in matches against Jushin Liger, then introduced footage of Pegasus Kid (Benoit) beating Liger for the IWGP Junior-Heavyweight title (which took place in 1990).
- William Regal said, for now, he just wanted to say Benoit worked harder than anyone in pro wrestling and was the absolute best.
- Ross and Lawler spoke about another of Benoit's great rivalries (this one, with Chris Jericho), and Benoit's idolization of Dynamite Kid, then introduced Benoit's ladder match (for the Intercontinental title) against Jericho, which took place at 2001's 'Royal Rumble.' After the bout, Ross spoke about how upset Jericho was to learn of Benoit's death. Lawler spoke about how Benoit didn't wrestle for the money, and how intense he could be in the squarde circle. Soon, we would receive a look at Benoit's winning of the World title (at 2004's 'WrestleMania').
- Styles introduced Edge's thoughts on Benoit's death. Fighting back tears, Edge said he'd now lost two of the three people he could turn to in pro wrestling (Eddie and Benoit?). Edge said he remember seeing Benoit in Stampede Wrestling, and was happy to later work with him. When Edge had personal issues of his own, he was able to go to Benoit for comfort. Edge couldn't think of one person with a bad word to say about Benoit. When they last wrestled (a couple of weeks ago on 'SmackDown'), Benoit smiled while coming through the curtain. Edge recently saw Daniel in Dothan, Alabama, and Edge thought Benoit was lucky. Edge doesn't understand these type of things, and knows Benoit would be upset at him for crying, but he misses him.
- Cole and JBL spoke about how emotional Benoit could be about his work, and how Benoit had once ejected those without that same respect, then introduced more another music video (which may not have come from the 'Hard Knocks' DVD), although I didn't recognize the tune.
- A teary HHH spoke about how difficult to sum up Benoit's life in a few minutes. In his opinion, Benoit was all about respect in all aspects of his life. HHH recalled a story, where Benoit made a young wrestler do one-thousand squats, because he had some unkind words for Shawn Michaels. Benoit did the squats with the wrestler, then, the next day, made him do five-hundred more. HHH felt everyone respected Benoit, including himself, more than anyone else, and they'd meet again.
- Ross and Lawler seconded HHH's thoughts about respect, then closed the program by introducing Benoit's World-title defeat of HHH and Michaels (at 'WrestleMania 20'). Lawler said he'd remembered Chris as a great competitor, mentioned how tragic the loss of the entire family was, and said everyone should tell their family how important they are to them. Ross said he'd remember Benoit's passion and ability, and talked about how important the finish of the match was.
PS: Because I know I did not do the best job of recapping the program, I've provided links for the testimonials and 'Finger Eleven' video. I'm sure wwe.com will soon have even more from the show.
Labels: Benoit Family Tragety, Chris Benoit, OCC Television Coverage, Raw, Ric's Commentary, WWE
posted by Ric Gillespie at 6/25/2007 10:10:00 PM
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