The following is a reprint of the Torch Newsletter ECW Newswire from five years ago this week.

-Jason Powell, Torch assistant editor

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Torch Newsletter Archive
By Wade Keller, Torch editor
ECW Newswire
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #465
Cover dated: November 8, 1997

DOZENS OF COPS BREAK UP BRAWL
Just four days after WCW staged a fan run-in in their PPV main event at Halloween Havoc a group of fans did what appeared to be an imitation of the incident at an ECW show. Thursday, Oct. 30 in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. at the National Guard Armory over 40 police officers from a half dozen area police departments were called in to calm the riot that resulted.

A group of around eight muscular fans in their 20s sat near the aisleway. They were extremely vocal and appeared to be looking to draw attention to themselves during the card. They especially taunted Taz, who brushed them off as he walked past them. The FBI defeated Al Snow & Paul Diamond when heel ref Jeff Jones counted the pinfall during chaos that involved Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney, New Jack & Kronus, and The Dudleys. The next match started right away with New Jack & Kronus defeating Axl & Mahoney three minutes later.

As Axl and Mahoney walked down the aisle to return to the locker room, according to police officers working security at the event the vocal fans began spitting at Mahoney. One fan then took a swing at Mahoney. Axl swung back at them as a warning shot, but he wasn't close enough to hit anyone. The fan then took a full-fledged swing at Axl. Security stepped in and the instigating fans began to struggle with security. At that point the wrestlers stepped in - including most of the five teams involved in the in-ring action. Buh Buh Ray was especially aggressive in trying to stop the group of instigators, including nailing one with a plastic chair while the fan was on his knees. Security eventually restored order and dragged the fans one at a time out of the arena. One of the fans was bleeding. Buh Buh and D-Von had to be held back by Big Dick.

One of the alleged instigators was still in the crowd, apparently mouthing off, so Buh Buh went back after him. When Buh Buh found him, security dragged him away. Because the brawl got so intense, the police who were working security for the show called for help, which included several dozen police officers from six or eight neighboring townships arriving within five minutes. Because around 800 fans were at the show, police feared the brawl could get out of hand and reach riot stages. "It was nice to have those (other officers arrive)," said Det. John Lawrence. "We have five officers against 800 people, but when the other departments showed up, it was a little bit more controlled."

The main criticism regarding ECW's conduct in the incident is that wrestlers went after the fans in the crowd, which put at risk other fans who weren't involved in the altercation. However, Det. Lawrence said the wrestlers were not at fault. "There were chairs spilled all over the place. It looked like a near riot. The wrestlers weren't really fighting. They were trying to protect the other wrestlers."

The police report states that the fight began when Leflar punched Mahoney (real name John Rechner) in the back of the head while he was walking to the locker room. Mahoney was grabbed by the fan who punched him in the face. The police report also says that Chesky punched Rechner and then some of Chesky and Leflar's friends joined in. Rechner suffered facial lacerations during the fight, but nothing major.

The incident received press coverage in several newspapers in and around the area, plus was reported throughout the day on Friday on an all news radio station in Philadelphia. The Nov. 1 Philadelphia Enquirer reported that the Plymouth Township police have issued warrants for the arrest of two men suspected of causing the riot. Richard Scott Leflar, 26, and Mark Chesky, 23, from Conshohocken stand accused of assaulting Balls Mahoney.

Detective Sgt. John Myrsiades described the incident. "A huge melee broke out." He said 100 of the 800 spectators were throwing punches and chairs. Police cleared the Armory within 15 minutes. Sgt. Myrsiades said the suspects were not arrested at the scene "for fear of inciting more of a riot." The melee occurred late in the card, but ECW was allowed to finish the scheduled matches.

The manager of the Armory defended the renting of the building to ECW, saying their events normally don't get out of hand. However, the Plymouth Township Manager, Joan Mower, said ECW did not obtain the required permit to run the event in the township. [Stuart Zonies]

ON THE ROAD
Nov. 1 in Stamford, Conn.: The FBI beat Mikey Whipwreck & Chris Chetti, Paul Diamond (w/Chastity) beat Al Snow (w/his new manager, a mannequin head) after which Snow gave Chastity a powerbomb, Tommy Rogers beat Roadkill (fans chanted "Who are you?" at Rogers), Justin Credible pinned Jerry Lynn (who came out wearing his Mr. J.L. mask, but then ripped it off and said he doesn't need a stupid gimmick; Credible said he would never let a promoter make him wear a stupid mask), Bam Bam Bigelow beat Spike Dudley after a powerbomb, Shane Douglas & Chris Candido (dressed as Dean Douglas & Body Donna Skip) beat up Super Nova & Blue Meanie (who came out to Shawn Michaels's music), Douglas & Candido beat Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon, Sabu fought Taz to a 30 minute time limit draw, Tommy Dreamer beat Rob Van Dam after a DDT (Dreamer proclaimed Stamford "ECW Country"), New Jack & Kronus beat Buh Buh Ray & D-Von Dudley (w/Joel Gertner) and Balls Mahoney & Axl Rotten (who came out to "Badstreet USA") when Gertner accidentally threw salt into Big Dick's eyes followed by a Kronus 450 splash.

ECW NOTEBOOK
On the ECW 900 line plug, Styles plugged that the WWF might be in for an "extreme weekend," in reference to ECW visiting Stamford, Conn. with a house show, although insinuating that ECW would appear on Raw. There is no sign of any ECW-WWF relationship at this time or anywhere in the near future, although with the PPV approaching, ECW may be looking for another plug on Raw. Then again, they may want to test whether they can produce a solid buyrate without the WWF's help...

A five year old fan at the Oct. 25 Revere house show was knocked over when wrestlers brawled in the crowd. He and his father were pacified by Dreamer and Beulah...

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