5 times WWE Superstars got physical with fans

Before WWE went national, fans viewed professional wrestling as more of a sport than a scripted form of entertainment. Babyfaces such as Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales were revered in the same manner as the Giants and Yankees while the heels were reviled.

An act of villainy would put a superstar's safety in jeopardy, and they would have to be protected from the fans by the police. While modern-day audiences also like to get involved in the show, they prefer to do so with snarky chants and beachballs. Physically assaulting a wrestler is rightfully abhorred.

On the most recent episode of WWE RAW, an unintelligent fan committed a despicable act when he jumped over the railing and attacked Seth Rollins. He had to be physically restrained and handed over to the NYPD to be fully prosecuted.

Rollins suffered a swollen lip but the episode could've ended in a far more traumatic manner. Let's take a look at five other instances when WWE Superstars had to get physical with the fans.

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#5 Former WWE Champion CM Punk

CM Punk - then in the midst of his legendary 434-day run as WWE Champion - faced Vince McMahon in the main event of the October 08, 2012, episode of Monday Night RAW. True to his heel character, The Straight Edge Superstar nailed McMahon with a low blow.

Punk attempted to escape the wrath of everyone involved, but John Cena shoved him back into the ring. The Chicago native, however, managed to slip away yet again and retreated into the audience.

Punk had to listen as McMahon cut a scathing promo, but a few members of the audience got too close for comfort. Feeling insecure, he lashed out and nailed one of the fans with a combination. Thankfully, nobody was hurt too badly and charges weren't pressed.

#4 Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart

In 2019, Bret Hart was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for the second time as part of The Hart Foundation alongside the late Jim Neidhart, the father of Natalya. However, as The Hitman was delivering his speech, a miscreant ran onto the stage and assaulted him.

The broadcast was forced to cut away as Hart stood next to Natalya. A number of WWE Superstars had to get involved and lend a hand before the offender was escorted away.

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#3 Six-time WWE Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin

WWE went on a European tour in 1998 shortly after Stone Cold Steve Austin won the WWE Championship from Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 14. The Texas Rattlesnake had experienced a meteoric ascent to the top of the ladder and was as popular as anybody in the company's history had been.

However, at a show in Berlin, Germany, a fan attempted to attack Austin. Thankfully, Triple H - his opponent for the night - stepped in and helped subdue the assailant until security intervened.

#2 WWE Hall of Famers The nWo

WWE Hall of Famers Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Hulk Hogan were involved in one of the greatest angles in professional wrestling history when they formed The nWo at Bash at the Beach 1996. Hogan betrayed WCW and joined the Outsiders, turning heel for the first time since he became the top star in WWE.

Members of the audience were outraged and threw all sorts of garbage at the trio. One particular fan took things even further and tried to slide into the ring. However, Hall and Nash managed to apprehend him before things got worse.

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#1 Former WWE Champion Chris Jericho

In 2009, Chris Jericho was doing the best heel work of his character. He rediscovered his love for professional wrestling after returning to WWE and played a character inspired by Nick Bockwinkel. He cut methodical promos with just the right phrasiology to infuriate the audience.

During one particular occasion, he seemingly did his job too well as a violent mob surrounded his rental car in Victoria, British Columbia. A melee broke out before security was forced to intervene and allow Jericho to leave.