Vince McMahon always says that, “Anything can happen in the world of professional wrestling.” And after the events of this week – he could not have been more correct.

On the afternoon of Monday, June 25, 2007, the bodies of WWE Superstar Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy and their seven-year-old son Daniel were found dead in their home in Fayetteville, Georgia. At first, WWE officials, authorities and fans around the world thought they either died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning – or had fallen victim to foul play. Later that evening, thinking that Chris Benoit and his family were innocent victims of tragedy, the WWE cancelled their scheduled show Monday Night RAW for the first time in history and held a three-hour tribute remembering the career and life of “The Rabid Wolverine” Chris Benoit. At the beginning of the tribute, a tearful Vince McMahon, standing in an empty arena, “came out” and revealed that the ongoing storyline of his “death” was in fact, fake, and that instead, they would focus on the real demise of Benoit. Then, for three hours, WWE fans were treated to some of Benoit’s greatest matches – and heard heartfelt tributes to Chris form some of the WWE’s biggest superstars…

…then, the next morning – everyone learned what really happened.

Following a press conference that was held on Tuesday afternoon, everyone was shocked to discover that on Friday, Chris Benoit tied up his wife Nancy and strangled her. Then, early Saturday morning, Chris did the unthinkable – by smothering his seven-year-old son Daniel. On Sunday morning, following the two murders, Chris went downstairs to his weight room and hung himself. At this time, authorities are ruling the three deaths as a double-murder suicide. Although autopsies were performed, they are still waiting for the toxicology reports to see if any type of drugs, alcohol or steroids played a part in this tragedy.

On June 23, 2001, “Brain” and I interviewed Chris Benoit for Ring Fever. After the interview, “Brain” and I were elated that we met and interviewed such a legend in the wrestling industry. All our lives, we watched his matches, celebrated his victories – and applauded his defeats. We both bought tickets to WWE events at Madison Square Garden specifically to see him – and both “Brain” and I were ecstatic the day Chris Benoit made Triple H tap out at Wrestlemania 20 at Madison Square Garden to become the World Heavyweight Champion…

…but of all the things associated with Chris Benoit that “Brain” and I ever thought we would do – we never thought it would be sitting here writing a column about the fact that he killed his wife and son – and then himself.

As we watched the news footage unfold over the last few days, a surreal feeling overcame us as we realized that someone who we have idolized and respected for over fifteen years is, in fact, a monster. If I went back in time to June 23, 2001 and told “Brain” that in six years, the wrestler he just met and adores would kill his wife and son and then himself – “Brain” would never believe me. In fact, “Brain” was at work when the news broke of the death of Chris and his family. So when he returned my urgent phone call and I told him – he was in utter shock and disbelief – so much so, that he thought I was lying. Remember, Chris Benoit was adored by millions of fans all over the world – many who have met him and have his picture and autograph preserved for posterity. That said, no one would have ever thought that someone of Chris Benoit’s stature would ever do something like this. According to his peers and colleagues, he loved his wife and adored his son. He was a devoted family man and someone who – ironically – would give his life to save them…

…but instead – he murdered them in cold blood.

Personally, “Brain” and I feel hurt, used and betrayed. It is almost as if the decade-and-a-half of admiration we have given to Chris Benoit was a waste of our time. Even Vince McMahon, who on Monday night, emptied and entire arena which cost him millions of dollars, cancelled a storyline that took months to plan – and devoted three hours of very expensive airtime to honor Chris’ career – was betrayed, because it was all for nothing.

And the most horrific part of this atrocity? What about the fact that the last thing poor little innocent Daniel ever saw on this Earth was the image of his own father putting a pillow over his face? How about the fact that Nancy, who in WCW, was a manager by the name of “Woman,” left her ex-husband, wrestler Kevin Sullivan, to be with Benoit – only to have him murder her? And worst of all – what are Benoit’s two older children, David and Megan going to do now that they lost their mother and baby brother at the hands of their own deceased father?

Our hearts go out to the remaining members of the Benoit family, the employees of World Wrestling Entertainment – and the friends and fans of Chris Benoit who are all riddled by this horrific tragedy. It will take quite some time for all of us to recover from what Chris did and the effect it has had on all of our lives. Truth be told, we will never really know why he did what he did, or what circumstances could have possibly driven him to commit such a heinous act. But what we do know is that Chris Benoit was certainly a legend in the sport of professional wrestling and was definitely bound for the WWE Hall of Fame and immortal status as one of the true greats of the game – and in one swift and terrible act – he threw it all away.

Eerily, “Brain” reminded me yesterday that when I interviewed Chris Benoit on June 23, 2001, I asked him, “Of all the great things you have accomplished in your career, what are you the most proud of?” Chillingly, his answer was, “The day I married my wife Nancy and the day my son Daniel was born.”

Rest in peace Nancy and Daniel – and only Nancy and Daniel.