By Chris Walters on April 1, 2006 at 2:13 PM EST

From Peoria Journal Star:

Chris Benoit is a veteran World Wrestling Entertainment superstar whose serious look and intense attitude has earned him such monikers as "The Crippler" and "Rabid Wolverine."
But wrestling fans will have to excuse Benoit if he becomes emotional during this weekend's WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, where he will induct the late Eddie "Latino Heat" Guerrero, a man to whom he refers as a "brother I never had."

"I'm sure there will be some tears; it's something that will be hard to predict," Benoit said about his induction speech at the Hall of Fame ceremony, which will be broadcast at 10 p.m. Saturday on the USA Network. "Just last week I was talking to several other wrestlers in the locker room about how difficult it will be. It's such a heavy loss."

There will be precious little time to grieve, though, before the top WWE superstars step back into the ring. Benoit, WWE's current United States Champion who turns 39 next month, is scheduled to defend his title against John Bradshaw Layfield at Wrestlemania XXII Sunday in Chicago. The show is broadcast live on pay per view.

Just two years ago, Benoit and Guerrero were world champions who celebrated their successes together in the ring at the conclusion of Wrestlemania XX. The two were very close, having joined WWE together in 2000 following long tenures in the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling.

"I got my acquaintances and friendships and bonds formed in the (WWE) locker room, but my friendship with Eddie went way beyond that," Benoit said.

"Before he passed away, he was trying to mentor guys and trying to educate guys who were on a downward spiral about the abuses of alcohol and prescription pills or whatever the case may be," Benoit said. "Eddie was inspiring that way. He actually hit rock bottom and then bettered himself as a human being."

Also this weekend, Benoit will watch with pleasure as former WWE great Bret "The Hitman" Hart is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Hart is scheduled to be inducted by former rival "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

PART TWO: Benoit Speaks On Bret Hart Leaving WWE, Future Hall Of Fame Induction, Reveals Upcoming SmackDown! Card + Get **LIVE IMAGES** Of WrestleMania 22 On A Popup-Free Site (>>)