The WWE encourages fans to be emotionally invested in its storylines, but one spectator took it too far by attacking one of its biggest stars during Monday Night Raw.
After Seth Rollins defeated Finn Balor in their match at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, he exited the ring and was making his way backstage, he was ambushed out of nowhere.
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A fan jumped over the barricade and made a beeline for Rollins, taking him completely by surprise and tackling him to the ground.
The assailant clearly packed a punch, as the multiple NXT and WWE champion was pinned to the ground for several moments.
With the help of WWE officials and referees, Rollins eventually wriggled free from the fan’s grasp.
A furious Rollins then got to his feet and began screaming at his attacker.
WWE is renowned for its manufactured drama but onlookers quickly realised this was no joke and the huge crowd in attendance gasped at the sight of Rollins being knocked down.
The fan was escorted out of the arena, arrested and taken in to police custody.
The New York Police Department later identified the attacker as 24-year-old Elisah Spencer.
Soon after the incident the WWE issued a strongly-worded statement, declaring Rollins’ attacker will feel the full force of the law.
“WWE takes the safety of its performers very seriously,” it said.
“The individual who attacked Seth Rollins has been turned over to the NYPD and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Reporter Ariel Helwani reacted to news of the arrest by tweeting: “Good. Disgusting actions. Security went easy on him.”
Viewers were shocked by the blatant ambush of Rollins and condemned the man for violently intruding on the WWE star’s workplace.
“Performers like Seth Rollins already put their body on the line wrestling and entertaining us regularly,” wrestling writer Scott Fishman tweeted.
“They shouldn’t have to look over their shoulder and worry about idiots going after them.”
Fans praised Rollins for not retaliating and having the composure to return later in the show to complete the filming of his outro.
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