On the exclusive Vice TV series ‘Dark Side of the Ring’, a two-part episode involving the story of former wrestler Chris Benoit reveals what he said to others before he killed his family before committing suicide.
Former & current wrestlers, as well as commentators, talk through their experiences of that tragic time, and show an insight to fans around the world of what went down that fateful night and the days/weeks/months afterwards.
Among those was former WWE superstar Chavo Guerrero Jr., who had arranged to travel to an event that weekend with Benoit, agreeing to pick him up from the airport in Texas.
On the series, he describes the interaction he had with Benoit on the weekend where he killed his wife, son and then himself in his home in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
First of all, Chavo had a conversation over the phone with Benoit, where he said he ‘wouldn’t be able to make it’ to the event. His reasoning was that his wife and son had food poisoning, and that he ‘was just trying to take care of them’.
Guerrero then has a brief discussion with Benoit to double check he is okay, before they both hang up.
The next morning, the day of the pay-per-view, Chavo receives the first text.
“About 5.30 in the morning, I get a text and it was from Chris’ phone. It said ‘The dogs are in the enclosed pool area and the back door is open,’” Guerrero reveals.
He then reveals: “30 seconds later, I get another text from Nancy’s phone and it says the exact same thing."
Chavo explained further: “I get another text right afterwards, he tells me his address."
Chavo discussed the texts that morning with WWE referee Scott Armstrong. He confirmed that he had exactly the same text from Benoit’s phone.
After revealing these texts to the head of talent relations, WWE chairman Vince McMahon sent a ‘wellness check’ to the house of Benoit, which unfortunately revealed the scene of his home.
Later that day, Mr. McMahon arranged an emergency meeting with the employees at WWE, where he announced the tragic news that Benoit, his wife and his son had passed away.
Upon finding out details on the tragic story, WWE have since separated themselves with Benoit’s name due to the harrowing nature of the story.