Vince To Address Benoit Death Tonight On ECW
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon will apologize for the three-hour USA Network tribute to pro wrestler Chris Benoit that aired Monday night, sources said.
The WWE and USA Network have received complaints about the tribute, which was hastily produced after Mr. Benoit, his wife and their son were found dead in their Georgia home Monday afternoon.
Authorities said Tuesday that Mr. Benoit strangled his wife and suffocated his son, then took his own life. But WWE and network officials were unaware of the circumstances of Mr. Benoit's death when the tribute was assembled, sources said.
The WWE canceled its regularly scheduled "Monday Night RAW" event on USA Network Monday night and aired the tribute in its place.
Mr. McMahon will address wrestling fans tonight on Sci Fi Channel's live Extreme Championship Wrestling event. He also plans to address speculation that Mr. Benoit's actions were the result of steroid use.
The WWE plans to resume its regular wrestling telecasts, which air on USA Network, Sci Fi Channel and the CW.