[Warning: The following content includes a video which may feature strong language and acts of very real violence. If you do not wish to view the content we have censored and paraphrased the transcript.]

It is not hard to rile up wrestling fans, for fun they (myself included) watch grown humans hit each other. There is also some sense that they will be quick to spout vulgar abuse, or that may just be those of the “Attitude Era” being the vocal majority. So when a supposed fan jumps a barrier and attacks a beloved wrestler in an arena full of wrestling fans; verbal abuse will commence.

This past Saturday night, during WWE’s annual Hall of Fame ceremony, beloved wrestler, cancer survivor, and stroke victim Bret “The Hitman” Hart was attacked by an attendee of the event. The person in question has been named by authorities as Zachary Madsen, and was taken into custody by police soon after the event. Madsen entered the ring, which was the stage of the Hall of Fame speeches this year, then proceeded to tackle “The Hitman,” and subsequently also hit his niece Natalya, the daughter of the fellow inductee Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart who had recently passed.

The transmission of the event was promptly cut for those at home on the WWE Network, though many in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, caught the incident on camera. Through several angles of varying quality, it appears as if several wrestlers and friends/family of the company jump on Madsen before security could get their hands on him.

Those who are easily visible include: Shane McMahon and Travis Browne (Former UFC fighter and husband of Ronda Rousey) who hit the ring first and beat Madsen off of the Hart/Neidhart family. Those also included are Dash Wilder (who lays in a few punches), Titus O’Neil, Heath Slater, Brawn Strowman, Victor, Kofi Kingston, Adam “Edge” Copeland, The Big Show, Curtis Axel, Kalisto, Scott Dawson, Jimmy Hart (of no relation), Xavier Woods, and several others either attacking (or subduing) the man or coming to the Hart Family’s aid.

Literally on the verge of tears. Some horrible bastard fan just rushed the the ring and rugby tackled poor Bret Hart. #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/DPGUVrmmpK

— Gorilla Position (@WWEGP) April 7, 2019

As the fellow wrestlers were taking the man out of the view of the waiting cameras, and as police officers strolled onto the scene (as seen in some of the videos), the crowd showed their support for the Hart/Neidhart family. Some booed Madsen, others cheered as Wilder sucker punched him to the ground, some asked “Are you [expletive] kidding me!” in shock of the moment, and others started chanting “Beat his [expletive]!” while Madsen was being apprehended by the wrestlers. When being escorted out of the arena towards the aforementioned slow police response many erupted into a chant of: “[expletive] him up! [expletive] him up!”

Once the image on the WWE Network came back it was focused on the crowd as they looked on in shock, disgust, and empathy for the Hart/Neidhart family (Hart family Dynasty). This was followed by some shots of the stage and then the Hart/Neidhart family being consoled by several members of the WWE staff including “Edge,” Beth Phoenix (Edge‘s wife and Natalya’s friend), Kofi Kingston, and Ronda Rousey (Natalya’s friend).

Meanwhile, one could only assume as one of presenters for the night’s occasion, Renee Young, rushed to the family which I assume was to relay information from producers and those working backstage (Vince McMahon) of what to do. This is when Drake Maverick assured those in the arena (who were chanting expletives at Madsen) and those at home, “Pay no attention to that man: Pay no attention to that man, and let’s keep going.” This was followed by an eruption of cheers.

Madsen, 26, said earlier in the week on Twitter that he had driven over five-thousand miles from his home in Nebraska to the New York/New Jersey area. This comment by Madsen also seemed to threaten CEO Vince McMahon with, “It might be easier to book me a flight @VinceMcMahon[,] YOU have 24-30 hrs[.]“. According to the LA Times, Madsen will face charges on two counts of assault, one count of trespassing, and one misdemeanor charge for violating local law.

Please keep in mind that my check engine light is on, I've driven well over 5000 miles without an oil change and I don't have a GPS. Additionally, the only bigger joke than my car, is my sense of direction.

It might be easier to book me a flight @VinceMcMahon YOU have 24-30 hrs

— Zach Madsen (@iAmMad______sen) April 4, 2019

WWE has since made a statement on the matter: “An over-exuberant fan surpassed our security at ringside and made his way briefly into the ring. The individual has been turned over to the proper authorities.”

Others who were inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday included The Honky Tonk Man, Torrie Wilson, and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake individually. Teams and factions inducted consisted of Harlem Heat, D-Generation X, and The Hart Foundation (of course). The Warrior Award was given to Sue Aitchison, an advocate for many charitable ventures within WWE. Finally, the legacy inductions included Bruiser Brody, Wahoo McDaniel, Luna Vachon, S.D. Jones, Professor Toru Tanaka, Primo Carnera, Joseph Cohen, Hisashi Shinma, Buddy Rose, and Jim Barnett.

The following night at WrestleMania, after the introduction of the Hall of Fame inductees to the capacity crowd, Natalya was in a match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Natalya and Beth Phoenix were accompanied by Bret “The Hitman” Hart, however, sadly the team could not win the titles.

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