On December 20, 1950, Al Williams faced the popular Sam Menacker in a 2.3 fall match at the Sports Arena in Tucson, drawing over 1,000 which at the time was considered a huge house. Things did not go as planned.
With the falls split evenly, the decisive third fall was well underway, with Williams punching and kicking to gain the upper hand. Suddenly, as Menacker reversed the situation and gained the upper hand, the hated villain slipped through the ropes to catch a breather on the arena floor. Preoccupied with the referee's count, he did not notice an irate fan folding a chair behind him. When he prepared to re-enter the ring, he was caught on the head by this contraption, which the infuriated spectator swung like a club.
History does not record whatever happened to the fan. He might have been arrested, might have gotten away or might have been evicted, for in the initial moments of what happened, everyone was caught by surprise.
Williams was the most surprised of all. Not wanting to show himself injured or reflect the fact a mere fan could do such damage to him, even though a makeshift weapon had been used, the badly bleeding grappler climbed back into the ring. He was obviously dazed and in no condition to continue, in spite of the bravado he showed.
A quick thinking referee ruled the match a no contest, as Williams was clearly not able to continue, but felt the victory should not go to Menacker because this turn of events had been caused by an overzealous fan. While this seemed like the most logical thing to do, it caused the rest of the fans to jeer, throw things and come close to rioting. In the process, Williams made it to the locker room and most likely, the hospital.
December 20, 1950 just wasn't his night.
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