|
Short URL for this page:
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NYProWrestling.com or its related websites.
"Fans Riot, Wrestlers Really Battle in Garden Free-for-All" Professional wrestlers fought “for real'' and several hundred fans joined in last night in an after-the-match riot at Madison Square Garden. Two wrestlers and two policemen were injured and several hundred chairs were broken with bottles - one on a policeman’s head – and a glass case for fire hose. The ringside area was left in a shambles. Julius Helfand, chairman of the State Athletic Commission, said he would conduct an investigation as soon as he receives a report from a deputy. Details of 33 policemen had to be called to aid the regular Garden force of 30 special in quieting the rioters. Three men were arrested. The police then had difficulty getting the 13,000 spectators to leave the arena. When wrestlers Antonio Rocca (sic) and Eduardo Carpentier were given the decision by the referee David Hartfield in the evening’s featured match, their opponents, Dr. Jerry Graham and Dick Afflis, showed a desire to continue. Rocca, already bleeding from blows suffered in the bout and angry over the conduct of the match, rammed Graham’s head against one of the brass ring posts. Both Graham and Rocca had to be treated later for cuts and bruises. Fans near the ring had begun to brawl in efforts to get to ring in support of their favorites. Chairs were broken to make clubs or used wholly as weapons. Fruit and bottles were thrown at the ring from the balconies. One of the bottles hit Patrolman Stuart Katzman and his would required five stitches. As the battle continued, three fans succeeded in getting in the ring and melee. About six more got to the apron. All were eventually hustled back into the crowd. Sgt. Charles Goodenough, who tried to hold back a balcony mob, suffered chest and back injured and was removed to St. Clare’s Hospital. Luis Casstro Gonzalez, 21, and Julio Rivera, 18, both of New York, were arrested along with a 15-ycar-old boy. Gonzalez and Rivera were booked on disorderly conduct charges. The boy was turned over to his parents. 
11/21/1957 "Wrestlers Fined Heavily For Riot In New York Ring" Antonino Rocca and three other wrestlers were fined by the New York State Athletic Commission today for causing a riot at a wrestling: match in Madison Square Garden last Tuesday. The commission also cancelled a match at the garden which was scheduled for Nov. 30, and Chairman Julius Helfand warned that wrestling rules were not obeyed, the commission might take action that would "endanger the future of wrestling" in the state. Rocca, of Argentina, Dr. Jerry Graham. o[ Hollywood, William (Dick the Bruiser) Afflis, of Chicago, and Eduardo Carpentier, of France, were the principals in a tag-team match which led lo the riot. Rocca and Graham were fined $1,000 each, Afflis was fined $500 and Carpentier, $100. Rocca and Carpentier were pitted against Graham and Afflis. The former were given the decision for best of three falls on a disqualification against Graham and Afflis for rough tactics. In his report to the commission, deputy commissioner Joseph Tepper, who was in charge of the show, said that after the match Rocca and Graham started fighting on the ring apron. Spectators joined in the impromptu battle, smashing chairs and fighting among themselves as they stormed the ring in an attempt to reach the wrestlers. Two of the rioters conduct charges after police restored order. Helfand, in meting out the fines. said that the altercation on the ring apron violated rules ordering wrestlers to restrict their competition to areas inside the ropes and specifically forbidding any “Anti-climaxes" outside the ring. 11/22/1957 01/24/1958 |
|
