We are still awaiting further details, but PWInsider.com is extremely saddened to report that former WWE and WCW World champion Chris Benoit and his wife, former WCW and ECW personality Nancy "Woman" Benoit were both found dead today in Atlanta, Georgia. Obviously this will be a huge developing story in the days to come but at this point, we'd like to express our deepest condolences to the Benoits' family, friends, and fans at this time.

A meeting is currently ongoing at WWE TV and it is expected that tonight's three hour Raw will now be dedicated to Benoit's memory.

6:09 Update: WWE.com issued the following statement this afternoon: "WWE is sad to report that Chris Benoit and his family have been found dead in their home. Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Tonight's Raw will be a tribute to Chris and his family."

I am praying to god that this is not a damn storyline they are trying to do. Everyone within the company felt like it was a bad idea to do a Vince McMahon "death" angle 3 weeks ago. A few days later, legendary female wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer Sheri Martel died. Yet they continued the angle. This week's 3 hour RAW was do be in "memorial" for Vince, however with the passing of Benoit and family, they are not supposed to be doing a tribute to him.

Everyone within the company (i.e. those with damn sense) did not want to continue the angle after the passing of Martel, but if they were to continue it now, it would be in EXTREMELY poor taste. People wondered what would happen if Vince really died during this story, well now something has really happened to his top wrestler. The entire company should be ashamed of themselves for mocking such a real life tragedy when they did. Now something horrible has really happened.

Oh My God!! I am completely shocked. I don't really watch much anymore but I did see some of last week's with the Vince dying angle. But wow, RIP Chris Benoit

I am not an avid watcher. I basically watch because my cousin or friends have it on. I know alot of wrestlers and he always stuck out to me as a true professional and someone with alot of class. May he RIP.

On a side note, the whole Vince thing is one of the most classless, appalling things I have ever seen on TV. Ever.

Update:

As noted earlier, former WWE and WCW World champion Chris Benoit and his wife, former WCW and ECW personality Nancy "Woman" Benoit were both found dead today in Atlanta, Georgia. Benoit's son Daniel was also found dead.

Obviously this will be a huge developing story in the days to come but at this point, we'd like to express our deepest condolences to Benoit's family, friends, and fans at this time.

WWE just told its talent and released on its web site that Chris Benoit was found dead by Atlanta police.

All plans for Raw tonight have been scrapped and they will do a show on the life of Benoit.

This is sad news;

I utterly can't stand Vince or his little 'angles' to pimp his name or whatever little ventures he wants shown...To me the whole 'death' angle is just silly.

I've tried to make a post now five times.. I'm just at a complete loss for words.

Benoit was an incredible performer and I can easily say wrestling will never be the same again.

Update:

In tragic news out of Atlanta, Ga., Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their son Daniel were all found dead in their homes today.

WWE Raw will be a tribute to Benoit. All previous plans for Raw have been scraped.

UPDATE: Daniel was their only child together. He was about seven years old. Says one friend: "Chris and Nancy were known to have a volatile relationship, but their son was the saving grace for both of them."

Benoit has another son from his previous marriage who is in Canada at this time.

UPDATE: Benoit was scheduled to wrestle in Beaumont, Tex., but WWE personnel were told he missed the show due to a family member being sick. He was last seen by WWE personnel at last week's TV tapings.

We will continue to update the story.

Chris was one of my favorite wrestlers since his days in the "Four Horsemen."

RIP Canadian Crippler.

WOW, that is just awful news. I always thought Benoit was such a classy perfomer. RIP.

Oh my God.

I can't believe this. I have tears in my eyes at the moment.

wwe.com is reporting the passing of Chris as well. I checked the major news sources and the some of the Atlanta news stations but it may still be too early.

Wow, what a tragedy. This is so sad. May he rest in peace.

I am praying to god that this is not a damn storyline they are trying to do. Everyone within the company felt like it was a bad idea to do a Vince McMahon "death" angle 3 weeks ago. A few days later, legendary female wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer Sheri Martel died. Yet they continued the angle. This week's 3 hour RAW was do be in "memorial" for Vince, however with the passing of Benoit and family, they are not supposed to be doing a tribute to him.

Everyone within the company (i.e. those with damn sense) did not want to continue the angle after the passing of Martel, but if they were to continue it now, it would be in EXTREMELY poor taste. People wondered what would happen if Vince really died during this story, well now something has really happened to his top wrestler. The entire company should be ashamed of themselves for mocking such a real life tragedy when they did. Now something horrible has really happened.

I hate Vince McMahon so much. I know he's no personally to blame but the mother !@#$%^&*] just mocks everything. I didn't need this right now.

Update:

According to several sources, Chris Benoit's last known contact with World Wrestling Entertainment was this past Saturday, when he informed the company he was flying home from Texas due to an illness in the family.

The wrestling community has begun to post messages of condolences in the passing of Chris Benoit and his family.

TNA Wrestling posted the following message on their website, www.TNAWrestling.com:

TNA MOURNS THE LOSS OF CHRIS BENOIT

Everyone in the TNA family joins the entire wrestling world in mourning the untimely passing of Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy and their son Daniel.

Many TNA staff and stars worked closely with Chris throughout his career and we are all shocked and saddened to lose a friend and legendary competitor. Benoit was considered a consummate professional both in and out of the ring.

As details develop, those who knew and admired Chris are shocked and saddened to hear of he and his family's untimely passing.

Please keep Chris and the Benoit family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of tragedy.

***

WWE star Gregory Helms wrote the following on his blog at http://blog. myspace.com/ gshelms:

Monday, June 25, 2007

To my friend Chris Benoit R.I.P.

I was sitting here at my computer when I got a call informing me of the death of Chris Benoit and his family. Other than saying that my thoughts go out to to his remaining family, I don't know what to say. Chris had just called me on Thursday to check on me as he has every week since my surgery and now days later I find out that he's gone. He was my friend. This hurts! This f**ing sucks!!!! Rest in peace my friend! Love you

My [!@#$%^&*] legs are shaking.

I am so stunned and saddened. I don't even know what to say. Chris Benoit was one of the few wrestlers I knew of. May he and his family rest in peace.

Its just sad when someone so young dies, and then the fact his wife and son were also found dead. How awful!