Bill Apter made the following statement regarding the incident last night at the comedy roast:
“First of all I want to thank the people who put this very first “Ring Roast” together. It was handled in a totally professional manner.
With a dias full of wrestlers and comedians there to poke fun at and honor the Iron Sheik, all hell broke loose when comedian “Round Boy” Jimmy Graham made a joke about Owen Hart (and you just do not do that)! Graham is a longtime wrestling fan and I was really shocked at his tasteless remark.
Just a few moments before Graham’s set, Scott Hall had come into the banquet room and was being — Scott Hall — diverting attention and just acting “NWO” cool. When Hall heard the remark about Owen the light attitude was no longer there. He lunged at Graham and pushed him. Amazingly Graham thought Hall must have been “acting” as he appeared to be nearly laughing.
Security was able to calm Hall down and have him leave the room — and everyone at the event was now angered as well by Graham’s crude joke.
Because this was Iron Sheik’s night and it was quickly going down the tubes, Kevin Sullivan, who was a guest,took the microphone and calmed the crowd and told them to please let the program continue.
Hall came back several times but the festivities proceeded.
Another incident took place when Brian Blair offered Sheik his hand and apologized for anything in their past that Sheik found offensive. Sheik went on to tell Blair he accepts the apology but is still better than Blair and then smacked Blair in the face (and none of us were sure it was a “work” or “shoot!”)
Despite these two incidents the fans left (many told me afterwards) very happy with the initial “Ring Roast.” Tomorrow the “Ring Roast” crew hosts the “Legends of the Ring” convention. Check it out at www.legendsofthering.com. I hope to see you there!”
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