10 Years Ago: Fan Riots at WWF House Shows

[Loss]

I found this while Googling Keller stuff and thought it was a story worth revisiting.

 

LITTLE ROCK ARTICLE

Promoter cites wrestling fans in Barton fray

SETH BLOMELEY

ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

World Wrestling Federation performers and promoters, known for "casket

matches" and body slams, say they're concerned about safety if they

return to Little Rock after a ruckus this week by Arkansas wrestling

fans.

"A little rowdy is one thing, but throwing things and injuring

people is another," spokesman Jay Adronaco said Tuesday from the

wrestling federation home office in Stamford, Conn. "These [wrestlers]

have families to take care of and mortgages to pay and have to work the

next day."

Monday night at Barton Coliseum, the wrestling federation canceled

the final match of an eight-bout event after fans threw beer bottles,

chairs, smoke bombs and wadded-up, ice-filled cups at the ring. One

wrestler, Hunter Hearst-Helmsley, was hit in an eye, which became "very

swelled up," Adronaco said.

Another wrestler, Shawn Michaels, warned fans to stop pelting the

stage or the final match -- a tag team bout between the Nation of

Domination and the Disciples of the Apocalypse -- would be canceled. But

fans ignored him, and the wrestlers retreated to the dressing room.

That infuriated the crowd and worsened the situation, according to

police and others among the 6,000 in attendance.

"It looked like a full-fledged riot was about to break out," said

Adam Duvall, 23, of Little Rock, who took his 14-year-old brother. "One

lady got hit in the back of the head. I didn't see one security guard."

A Jacksonville man who brought his 12-year-old son also complained

about the lack of guards.

Security must be addressed at Barton Coliseum before the wrestling

federation returns, Adronaco said.

Little Rock police provided six officers, and the arena staffed the

event with 25 guards. Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services reported

one injury from a fight.

Police said they arrested about 12 people on misdemeanor alcohol

charges, including four or five juveniles. Officers made one disorderly

conduct arrest.

"We did everything we could do," Officer Terry Hastings said. "But

when you have 5,000 people getting rowdy, I'm not sure we have enough

people in the Police Department."

The wrestling federation also canceled a Sunday night event in

Memphis after fans spit on and threw beer and garbage at wrestlers,

including the hometown hero, Jerry "The King" Lawler, said Wade Keller,

editor of Pro Wrestling Torch, a national newsletter based in Minnesota.

"They felt disrespected," Keller said of the wrestlers.

In 10 years of covering wrestling, Keller said, he's never heard of

cancellations two days in a row. He said wrestling federation officials

may have been unusually cautious in Little Rock because of what happened

in Memphis.

Similarly, Jim Pledger, State Fairgrounds manager, and Claude

Carpenter, secretary of the state Athletics Commission, which monitors

wrestling, judo and tough-man competitions, said they've experienced no

prior problems with wrestling.

Grounds crews arrived at 6 a.m. Tuesday, working feverishly to clean

the arena for graduation ceremonies that evening for the University of

Arkansas at Little Rock.

"It was pitiful," said Ruben Heredie, describing the mess he found

when he came to work.

At noon, about 50 garbage-filled boxes and bags lay by the entrance.

Next to empty beer bottles were signs made by individual wrestlers'

fans, including "Undertaker Fears Kane," "You've been stunned because

Stone Cold says so'' and "Owwww have mercy Dude Love."

The 328-pound Undertaker fought Rocky Maivia in the "Casket Match"

Monday night, before the cancellation.

Organizers are puzzled about what touched off the melee. One person

who attended said several fans arrived drunk.

But don't blame the wrestlers, said Ron Turchi, an Athletics

Commission inspector present for the event.

"Without question the WWF did everything they could to do the

match," Turchi said. "They didn't provoke anybody that I saw."

He compared the flying objects to the Persian Gulf War.

"It was raining in there," Turchi said. "The big insult was when

Danny Hodge, a wrestler from the old days, the '50s and '60s, was being

presented the 'Living Legend' plaque. People were throwing things at

him.

"[Fans] didn't show police or security people any respect. One guy

was clinging to the rails. He wouldn't leave."

Pledger said the wrestling federation hasn't been to Barton since

1989, though a competing wrestling league, World Championship Wrestling,

has visited Little Rock in recent years.

The state Farm and Ranch Club sponsored Monday's event, Carpenter

said.

Although fans complained about the cancellation of the last match,

the wrestling federation has no plans to refund tickets, which cost $12

and $20.

"I highly doubt that will change," Adronaco said.

Any complaints may be sent to the World Wrestling Federation Fan

Service Department at 1241 East Main St., Stamford, Conn. 06902.

[Bix]

I really, really hope the pic of the smoke bomb is still out there somehwere.