WWE star Randy Orton was apparently attacked on Tuesday by a fan during a live WWE show. The fan entered the ring and punched the unsuspecting wrestler in the genitals, Fox Sports reports.
Orton stood on the turnbuckle, facing the crowd. A fan suddenly slid into the ring, approached Orton from behind and punched him between the legs. Orton, taken by surprise, collapsed onto the mat.
The fan was quickly grabbed by security as Orton stood up and started toward him. The video shows the wrestler trying to kick the fan, but it's uncertain if his boot connected.
Another fan in the audience captured the attack on camera and posted it to YouTube. The event, which took place in South Africa, was part of the "SmackDown" world tour. The fan was apparently taken to jail.
The video has the feel of theatricality, but the WWE is insisting the attack wasn't staged.
WWE released the following statement (via Fox Sports):
"WWE.com has learned that Randy Orton was violently attacked by an audience member during a SmackDown World Tour Live Event in Cape Town, South Africa, this evening. Footage of the attack was captured by a WWE fan and posted to YouTube, and shows the perpetrator striking Orton from behind. The matter is currently under investigation by the local authorities, and the South African fan is being held in jail pending criminal charges. The extent of Orton's injuries are unknown at this time."
It's uncertain whether it was an actual assault, but the coming days should tell - either charges are pressed on the fan or someone on the Internet blows the whistle on it.
