World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was hit with yet another tragedy yesterday when one of its Superstars, Chris Benoit, was found dead in his new Georgia home - along with his wife Nancy and 7-year old son, Daniel. Details are still sketchy on how and why this gruesome tragedy took place as investigations are still underway, but Police believe Benoit murdered his wife and son over the weekend and then committed suicide sometime on Monday. On Sunday night Benoit was supposed to take part in a WWE Pay-Per-View event, but he cancelled due to a "family emergency". The next day their bodies were found in separate rooms.
Only last week the WWE lost another Superstar, Sherri Martel, who was found dead in her mother's home under suspicious circumstances (Police believe her death was "un-natural").
Are you ready for the kicker? WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon, has been "pretending" to be dead in recent weeks as part of a new storyline to garner higher ratings for his shows - complete with a realistic death-scene in which McMahon's white limo blows up as soon as he enters it. Firefighters were then shown trying to extinguish the blazing inferno.
A mock press conference was also shown where a WWE Representative announced the death of "Mr. McMahon" and that a "Federal investigation" was underway. WWE even went as far as to show a mock memorial with McMahon's picture, letters and signs from "WWE fans". One touching sign in particular read "You will always be our champion". WWE's official website also posted this story as breaking news. Another mock press conference was aired later on depicting a Federal Investigator giving an update on the case.
We're not done yet folks - McMahon's own daughter, Stephanie, took to the wrestling ring to give a tearful tribute to her beloved father! At the beginning of one of the shows, bells were rung in McMahon's memory and Ring Announcers were choked up by McMahon's "death".
You can well imagine what viewers thought when they tuned in to this elaborate plot.
WWE assaulted its fans with this utterly over-the-top, fake story about Vince McMahon being killed and left many scrambling to check news stations and websites. Many fans, needless to say, have been outraged by this. It's one thing to suggest a "character" in a show has been killed, but quite another when you suggest the same about a real person (WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon). Unfortunately, McMahon cannot pass the blame on to someone else for this highly un-tasteful publicity stunt as he is directly involved in it.
In the ultimate ironic twist, last night's "WWE Raw" was supposed to be a 3-hour tribute to "Mr. McMahon", but instead was devoted to the real tragedy that took place earlier - the death of Chris Benoit and his family. McMahon was forced to reveal that he is in fact alive as he opened the 3-hour tribute to remember Benoit and his career.
It would appear the WWE wanted to create a cloud of controversy, mystery, publicity and ratings - it received all that plus one extra thing it didn't bank on - a dark cloud over its head and now Sherri Martel, Chris Benoit, his wife and his son are all dead in a matter of weeks since the announcement of McMahon's "death". Coincidence?
This is all very similar to faking you have a serious illness - never a good idea. You can bring evil to your doorstep.
Only last week the WWE lost another Superstar, Sherri Martel, who was found dead in her mother's home under suspicious circumstances (Police believe her death was "un-natural").
Are you ready for the kicker? WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon, has been "pretending" to be dead in recent weeks as part of a new storyline to garner higher ratings for his shows - complete with a realistic death-scene in which McMahon's white limo blows up as soon as he enters it. Firefighters were then shown trying to extinguish the blazing inferno.
A mock press conference was also shown where a WWE Representative announced the death of "Mr. McMahon" and that a "Federal investigation" was underway. WWE even went as far as to show a mock memorial with McMahon's picture, letters and signs from "WWE fans". One touching sign in particular read "You will always be our champion". WWE's official website also posted this story as breaking news. Another mock press conference was aired later on depicting a Federal Investigator giving an update on the case.
We're not done yet folks - McMahon's own daughter, Stephanie, took to the wrestling ring to give a tearful tribute to her beloved father! At the beginning of one of the shows, bells were rung in McMahon's memory and Ring Announcers were choked up by McMahon's "death".
You can well imagine what viewers thought when they tuned in to this elaborate plot.
WWE assaulted its fans with this utterly over-the-top, fake story about Vince McMahon being killed and left many scrambling to check news stations and websites. Many fans, needless to say, have been outraged by this. It's one thing to suggest a "character" in a show has been killed, but quite another when you suggest the same about a real person (WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon). Unfortunately, McMahon cannot pass the blame on to someone else for this highly un-tasteful publicity stunt as he is directly involved in it.
In the ultimate ironic twist, last night's "WWE Raw" was supposed to be a 3-hour tribute to "Mr. McMahon", but instead was devoted to the real tragedy that took place earlier - the death of Chris Benoit and his family. McMahon was forced to reveal that he is in fact alive as he opened the 3-hour tribute to remember Benoit and his career.
It would appear the WWE wanted to create a cloud of controversy, mystery, publicity and ratings - it received all that plus one extra thing it didn't bank on - a dark cloud over its head and now Sherri Martel, Chris Benoit, his wife and his son are all dead in a matter of weeks since the announcement of McMahon's "death". Coincidence?
This is all very similar to faking you have a serious illness - never a good idea. You can bring evil to your doorstep.
