Smackdown, Benoit, Harts, Italy, Angle Jun 29 - 11:13 pm EDT

Daily Rapp Up by Bryan Rapp

Quick Smackdown Results: Ric Flair over Carlito, Matt Hardy over Lance Cade, Chavo Guerrero Jr. over Jamie Noble, Deuce n' Domino over Cryme Tyme, Kane over MVP, Mickie James over Victoria, and Batista over Edge.

The apparent editor of Chris Benoit's Wikipedia entry, who noted Nancy Benoit's death before police discovered her body, confessed early this morning, calling it a terrible coincidence. Investigators seized the computer of the mystery Wikipedia editor, calling the situation an "unbelievable hindrance" as they now need to prove or disprove any involvement or knowledge. The Fayette County district attorney says the case is still being treated as a murder-suicide based on the medical examiner's report and other evidence. While most believe the edit was an unfortunate coincidence, some believe there may be more to it such as an indirect WWE connection. Although the editor's identity is still unknown, it may be a University of Connecticut college student.

Authorities raided the home of Chris Benoit's doctor's mother as part of a now completely separate investigation in to Dr. Phil Astin. A drunken Chris Benoit fan was arrested for allegedly throwing rocks at one of his neighbors. WWE wrestlers are reportedly under a three week media ban. Head trauma researchers have taken up Christopher Nowinski's request for permission to examine Chris Benoit's brain to determine whether head trauma could have been responsible in some way.

Nancy Benoit's parents' lawyer Richard Decker commented on the family's reaction to the tragedy saying they're grieving and trying to keep a low-profile, but reminding people that while Chris and Nancy Benoit ledd public lives, Daniel did not. Atlanta, GA's WSB-TV interviewed Chris Benoit's father Michael who says Chris was fine when they spoke on father's day, and that they're praying for Nancy Benoit's family. Chris Benoit's father is hoping toxcology tests may explain why things happened. WWE lawyer Jerry McDevitt says Benoit's time off last year was due in part to Benoit feeling depressed. Chris Benoit's ex-wife Martina Benoit said he was the most loving person anyone could imagine.

Chris Jericho appeared on Nancy Grace's show last night discussing Chris Benoit, his move to ECW, and Daniel Benoit. Billy Graham also appeared on FOX News' Hannity and Colmes last night discussing steroids, roid rage, and spousal abuse. Geraldo Rivera continued make inaccurate remarks about the Benoit situation.

In an interview with SLAM, former Chris Benoit trainer Bruce Hart calls him a delusional juice freak, and also says he was in rough shape mentally the last time he saw him. Bret Hart disagreed with his brother Bruce saying Benoit was level-headed, and that he doesn't think steroids had the impact some in the media are claiming. The UK's Sun spoke to former Benoit trainer Frank Cullen about the dangers of steroids. Joe Zajko, an early trainer of Chris Benoit, says he told Chris Benoit not to take steroids and that he was always good with him. The CanWest News Service spoke to manager Milad "Abu Wizal" Elzein about his memories of working with Chris Benoit 20 years ago and the high death rate among wrestlers.

Debra Marshall says some of her friends in wrestling are mad at her for her recent comments about the business and people in it. Debbie Farnandez, the widow of Ray "Hercules" Fernandez, criticized Vince McMahon and the wrestling industry for their treatment of the steroids issue. Former female wrestler Kathy "KC Houston" Stockton says female wrestlers are being victimized by today's industry.

Phil Mushnick's latest column for the New York Times explores the Benoit tragedy waking up the media. Macleans.ca interviewed Irvin Muchnick about the Benoit situation, media, his book and more. MTV.com has an article on fan reaction to the Benoit tragedy. The Associated Press' Jim Litke's latest opinion piece discusses Vince McMahon, steroids and problems in the wrestling industry.

Italy's Italia 1 broadcast TV cancelled their weekly Smackdown airing because of the Benoit situation, however other WWE programming will continue on other networks. The RAW crew is in Baton Rouge, LA tomorrow night, while the Smackdown and ECW crews are in Abilene, TX. The RAW crew will be in Tijuana, Mexico on the Fourth of July. Ohio Valley Wrestling has a new division called Dirby City Wrestling featuring students from OVW's school.

TNA may be in talks with FOX Network for a possible multi-network TV deal. Kurt Angle defeated Brock Lesnar in Japan to win Lesnar's IWGP title, which isn't recognized by New Japan Pro Wrestling. TNA posted photos of Angle's victory. Wrestling Weekly interviewed Doug Basham about OVW, JBL, and Chris Benoit.

That's it for today. Thanks for reading.

Today's News Headlines

Daily Rapp Up Archives

 May June 2007 Jul 
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
Get Firefox