UPDATED 04/07/19 11:05 a.m. ET: The individual responsible for attacking Hart has been identified, as WWE confirmed in a statement. "An over-exuberant fan surpassed our security at ringside and made his way briefly into the ring," the statement reads. "The individual has been turned over to the proper authorities."
Fightful reports that the attacker was 26-year-old amateur MMA fighter Zach Madsen, who was previously arrested last year for violating a protective order.
See the original story below.
Bret Hart, the retired WWE wrestler, was in the ring making an introductory speech during the Hart Foundation’s WWE Hall of Fame induction when a fan literally jumped into the ring and tackled him.
After the unidentified man, who was wearing a rasta beanie, grabbed Hart, security immediately tackled the perpetrator, with the help of fellow wrestlers. The security team then dog piled the attacker and likely took him into custody. According to TMZ, Dash Wilder a WWE tag team wrestler, punched the man in the face as he was being ushered away.
The broadcast feed cut out after Hart was taken to the ground, however many bystanders in the audience recorded the entire exchange.
The Hall of Famers being inducted include The Hart Foundation—the tag team of Bret “Hit Man” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart who were wrestling personalities during the '80's and early '90's.
In addition to Hart, Nattie Neidhart who is the daughter of late WWE champion Jim Neidhart was also on stage. From what it looks like in the video footage, Neidhart was also taken down during the incident.
