This week Raw is live from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Due to the shocking news that is just breaking about Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and their young son, Daniel, tonight's show will pay tribute to one of WWE's most respected wrestlers.

The news coming out of Atlanta today was devastating. Surely it couldn't be true. But sadly, it was. Most viewers tonight are probably numb. Many are in tears.

And the viewers who are just learning the horrible news probably feel like they've been kicked in the stomach. Not Benoit! Not his family! How could it be? At this early stage, we're all looking for answers, and we're all clinging together in our grief.

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The show began with a moment of silence in memory of Chris Benoit.

The arena was empty and silent. Vince McMahon, abandoning his own questionable storyline, was in the ring, his voice hoarse. He announced the shattering news and said WWE offered its condolences to the extended family of Chris Benoit. Tonight would feature some of the most memorable moments in Benoit's life--it would be a 3-hour tribute to one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time.

Pictures of Benoit's early years were set to music.

(Commercial Break)

A clip from one of WWE's old magazine shows presented interviews with Benoit's mother, father, and sister about his years growing up in Canada.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were overcome with emotion as they spoke of Benoit and his wife and son.

A picture of the Benoit family was shown at the bottom of the screen, including his adorable little boy. It's incomprehensible that they are all gone.

The first match shown was from the Royal Rumble of 2004. It had come down to Big Show and Benoit. By that time, Benoit had been in the ring for nearly a hour. Show attempted a choke, but Benoit turned it into a Crippler Crossface. Despite the differences in their sizes, the Rabid Wolverine prevailed. He was on his way to his boyhood dream at WrestleMania 20.

Steve Austin said that Benoit was one of the most talented individuals he'd ever seen, someone who gave 110% every night. One of his favorite matches was with Benoit in Canada. He was polite and generous with his time and his knowledge. Austin had nothing but total respect for Chris Benoit. "I love you, Chris," he added.

Another portion of the previously-mentioned magazine show aired, with Benoit explaining how he'd become interested in wrestling.

Michael Cole and JBL shared their thoughts about the Benoit family and recalled how respectful the Benoit children were. JBL choked back tears and said he wished he'd have another chance to call a Benoit match.

John Cena said this was the most difficult thing he'd ever had to do, but his first instinct was the celebrate the life of Chris Benoit. He was a good man who truly lived for the business. He respected everything about it. Cena hoped viewers would appreciate everything Chris Benoit had done, because "he busted his ass" for the fans. He said Benoit was like John Wayne Cena had never had the chance to tell Chris he loved him, so he said it tonight, hoping Benoit was somewhere watching.

In a taped interview, Benoit discussed his opportunity with ECW and Paul E. A classic match with Too Cold Scorpio aired.

Tazz and Joey Styles remembered Benoit with great emotion. Tazz recalled that once you got in the ring with him, "ya better up your game." They were both pleased that Benoit had been sent to ECW in the recent draft and they would be able to call Benoit matches.

Last week's ECW match--Benoit's last--aired, with Benoit fighting Elijah Burke for a chance at a title shot at "Vengeance: Night of Champions." Burke had tapped to the Sharpshooter, and Benoit advanced to the ECW title match at "Night of Champions."

CM Punk had been disappointed last night that he hadn't been able to fight Benoit at the PPV, and now he felt bad about that. Benoit was his hero and his friend. He'd taught him a lot and Punk wanted to always be the best he could be and keep the next generation of wrestlers alive in memory of Chris Benoit. "I hope I'll never let you down, Chris. I'll miss you," said Punk through his tears.

(Commercial break)

Earlier, Vince McMahon acknowledged that tonight the arena was to have been full and the storyline was to have been the fake funeral of Mister McMahon. Instead, McMahon said that tonight would be a tribute to the late superstar, Chris Benoit.

J.R. told Benoit's older children that their father was a great man who had great integrity for the business.

The next match was Benoit vs. his friend, Dean Malenko, from WCW's "Hog Wild" at Sturgis on August, 10, 1996. At ringside were Woman (later to become Mrs. Benoit) and Miss Elizabeth. All of them looked so full of life.

(Commercial break)

Dean Malenko said Benoit was one of the people who'd enriched his life. Both had worked for New Japan, and it had been the beginning of a 15-year friendship. Very few people got to know Chris, since he was a very private person. Benoit had meant so much to him as a friend and an opponent. Malenko noted how ironic it was to have lost two of his best friends in a two-year time span. Together, Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and Malenko had been the Three Amigos. Malenko had given Benoit Crippler Crossface move--lent it to him, actually. Malenko said his two closest friends were now together. He would never forget him.

(Commercial break)

Benoit's taped words related how much wrestling meant to him.

Michael Cole and JBL had always felt it was a privilege to call a Benoit match; whether he won or lost, he always got a show of respect from the fans.

One of the matches JBL was most proud of was in a cage with Chris Benoit for the U.S. Championship. Most of that match was shown.

Stephanie McMahon said Benoit had been an amazing wrestler, passionate, both about wrestling and family. Benoit had been one of the only people who'd thought it was "so cool" that Stephanie had married Triple H. He thought family was the best. She knew how much he loved his children; when they'd come to the arena they worshiped their Dad. She would always know him as her friend. Tonight, her tears heartfelt and real.

(Commercial break)

Chavo Guerrero said that Benoit was his friend and a member of the Guerrero family. The morning he'd found Eddie, the first person he'd called was Chris Benoit. When Benoit learned the news, he'd wailed and sobbed, because Eddie was his best friend. Chavo said it had been a gift to be able to spend Eddie's last day with him. Last week Chavo had spent the night at Benoit's house. Benoit didn't let many people "in," but he'd invited Chavo in. It was hard, Chavo said, to go through this again. He and Benoit always left with a hug and a kiss. The last time they'd spoken on the phone, Benoit ended the conversation with an "I love you, Chavo." He knew Benoit's heart and loved him.

Joey Styles recapped the little that was known about the Benoit family and their deaths.

Tazz recalled Benoit's days in Japan as The Pegasus Kid. A classic match with Jushin Thunder Liger was shown.

William Regal said the Chris Benoit was undoubtedly the hardest working man in professional wrestling. "He was the absolute best."

(Commercial break)

Vince McMahon's earlier message aired once again.

J.R. and Jerry Lawler talked about Benoit's childhood heroes, one of whom was the Dynamite Kid. Benoit said he'd tried to pattern himself after Dynamite.

J.R. said Benoit and Chris Jericho were great friends, and their ladder match at the Royal Rumble in 2001 was shown.

(Commercial break)

J.R. said Chris Jericho had been very upset upon learning of the death of his good friend.

Edge had been crying and said he had three people in the industry that he could go to and talk to. Two of them are gone now. Edge recalled watching Stampede Wrestling when he was a teenage and saw an 18-year-old named Chris Benoit start his career. Edge said he'd had the privilege to get in the ring with him, which he likened to two Canadians fighting over the last beer. When Edge had personal issues in his own life, he'd gone to Benoit, who cared. Everybody in the locker room loved him and you couldn't find one person to say a bad thing about him. When Edge had had his neck surgery, Benoit was the guy he called for advice and Benoit had always been there. Two weeks ago in Dothan, Alabama, his son Daniel had been there, wearing a tie doing warm-up exercises with his Dad. Edge thought how lucky he was. It was truly confusing; Edge said he couldn't understand things like this. He said Benoit would be upset that Edge was crying, but he "loved the guy."

(Commercial break)

JBL shared a story that Benoit had thrown some wrest;ers out of the locker room in perpetuity because they didn't show respect.

A taped piece aired of Benoit walking down a hallway into a bright light. A series of remembrances was set to music.

Triple H said that one of the things Benoit stood for was respect. He demanded it, he received it. A few years ago there was a young wrestler who'd disrespected Shawn Michaels in the locker room. Chris made the young wrestler do a 1,000 squats. The next day, Chris made him do 500 more. One of the favorite moments of his career was the image of WM20, Madison Square Garden, and seeing Chris with the World title. Triple H was pretty sure that everybody that Chris ever met respected him. Triple H said there was no one in the world that he respected more than Benoit, and it was because he earned it. Triple H said he loved him and would see him down the road.

Lawler said that everyone on the roster respected Benoit.

The last match was from WrestleMania 20--Chris Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels. It was one of the most exciting main events in WM history. At the end of the day, Benoit--against all odds--had won the World Heavyweight Title.

Lawler commented on Benoit's wife, Nancy, and his son, Daniel, who would never be able to follow in his father's footsteps. Lawler said he was anxious to get home and tell his family he loved them.

They returned to the conclusion of the WM20 match. With his trademark Crippler Crossface, Triple H tapped out and Benoit won the World Heavyweight Championship. Benoit's 18-year odyssey saw him living his dream. He held the title belt proudly as he stood on the ropes. When he turned around, Eddie Guerrero was standing in the ring with him. Both were crying and hugging as the confetti showered down on them.

The last scene of the show was a tribute in itself--Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero, each with a title belt and living their dream in the ring at Madison Square Garden. That was such a happy moment. Both are gone now, but we won't forget either one of them.

Goodbye, Chris Benoit! You'll be missed.

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WWE can be pretty crass at times. But at times like these, nobody does tributes better. Considering the short timeframe for putting this show together, WWE did an extraordinary job.

This was an enormously emotional show, both for the fans watching and for the superstars sharing their thoughts and their tears. As fans, we were still trying to comprehend the tragic news and wanting to be with other people who could understand what we were feeling. This show was certainly the equivalent of a big, comforting hug.

Thank you, WWE, for letting us remember--and grieve for--Chris Benoit. We loved him, too.

May the Benoit Family rest in peace.