Goodbye Chris

Today I was shocked to read that WWE Wrestler Chris Benoit died. At first I thought that it was a joke or storyline (despite the fact that I read it on CNN.com). Chris was a great entertainer who I've seen on tv many times. I relate to his death because I met him in person once. Phil and I went to Niagara Falls back in 2003 and while we were on the Canadian side at the WWE Store, one of the employees told us that Chris was making an unscheduled and unannounced appearance at the Store. We waited in line for about 40 minutes (which is pretty damn long for an autograph signing no one is supposed to know about!) and when Phil and I met Chris, I asked him why this was a secret appearance. He told me that he was on vacation in the area because he had enjoyed it so much the last time he had come. He decided to do an autograph signing just because he was there. He was very very nice and very friendly, posing for a picture with Phil and me and never rushing us and taking the time to talk to us with real sincerity. Even though he was on vacation he took the time out of his extremely busy schedule to thank his fans for being there for him. I read yesterday he had to fly home due to a family emergency and then it was revealed that his wife and son were dead too. I pray that if there was pain in his family & his life that he finds peace in his eternal slumber.

Goodbye Chris, Heaven will be a better place with the Crippler.