WWE to Crack Down on Barricade Hoppers

[Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast]

www.gerweck.net/2015/09/21/wwe-cracking-down-to-prevent-future-incidents-with-fans-hopping-the-barriers/

– We noted last night that WWE issued the following statement in regards to the fan who entered the ring before Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho vs. The Wyatt Family at Night of Champions:

“WWE takes the safety of our performers very seriously and any fan entering the ring area will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Due to the recent string of WWE fan incidents, word is that the company is looking at pursuing the most stringent prosecution possible for all future fan incidents, according to PWInsider.

WWE usually issues lifetime bans to fans who hop the barrier but having them charged criminally will obviously cause a lot of headaches for the fans who breaks the rules.

[StormanReigns]

Probably for the best, but there goes my random laughs.

WWE used to be unpredictable and funny. Now it's very predictable.

[xCompackx]

The thing is, prosecuting these people isn't going to change anything. At worst, it'll just increase their boldness since they've only got one chance to hop the barricade, and now if they start serving time for it? It could get really bad.

[Bo Rida]

Just out of interest what is the legal offence? Trespass? Public Nuisance?

Anyway this should hopefully put an official end to those fan in crowd is becomes wrestler angles like Santino just to ensure they're not seen as encouraging such actions, not that they're very frequent anyway.

Hopefully it won't effect wrestlers and/or celebs sitting in the crowd getting involved but I can see a temporary ban on anything like the Stephen Amelll angle.

[Push R Truth]

Get the Black Scorpion to cast a Circle of Protection around the ring


But in all seriousness, this is more or less the same thing as those dbags that jump on the field and run around stopping the game right? What do they get charged with? At least we haven't gotten wrestling streakers yet. Although I'm sure we have, I'm going to remain ignorant by choice on that one.

[Nickybojelais]

"A lifetime ban from WWE events"

You're supposed to stop guard rail jumpers, not give them a greater incentive to do it!

[Mayonnaise]

Sept 21, 2015 13:51:11 GMT -5 Bo Rida said:

Just out of interest what is the legal offence? Trespass? Public Nuisance?

Anyway this should hopefully put an official end to those fan in crowd is becomes wrestler angles like Santino just to ensure they're not seen as encouraging such actions, not that they're very frequent anyway.

Hopefully it won't effect wrestlers and/or celebs sitting in the crowd getting involved but I can see a temporary ban on anything like the Stephen Amelll angle.

Trespassing, could have assault if he touches someone or resists security, potentially public intoxication, and that ignores any potential laws protecting live sports and theater. Also could have civil penalties as well.

[Deleted]

Sept 21, 2015 13:40:16 GMT -5 Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast said:

www.gerweck.net/2015/09/21/wwe-cracking-down-to-prevent-future-incidents-with-fans-hopping-the-barriers/

–

“WWE takes the safety of our performers very seriously and any fan entering the ring area will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Due to the recent string of WWE fan incidents, word is that the company is looking at pursuing the most stringent prosecution possible for all future fan incidents, according to PWInsider.

This is top notch reporting right here. Glad that PWInsider was able to provide such an amazing analysis and get sourced on this scoop!

[Slanted and Enchanted]

Who was that ringside bouncer they used to have back in the Attitude Era? Bring that dude back.

[MiLB Fan]

Sept 21, 2015 13:53:37 GMT -5 Push R Truth said:

Get the Black Scorpion to cast a Circle of Protection around the ring


But in all seriousness, this is more or less the same thing as those dbags that jump on the field and run around stopping the game right? What do they get charged with? At least we haven't gotten wrestling streakers yet. Although I'm sure we have, I'm going to remain ignorant by choice on that one.

It almost happened at WrestleMania 23!

youtu.be/YkGmVcmUKZ8

[Pushed to the Moon]

I know times have changed now and THEY would be the ones getting in trouble but I'm disappointed Ambrose and Reigns didn't kick the shit out of him.

[Mayonnaise]

Sept 21, 2015 15:01:08 GMT -5 @akeem said:

Sept 21, 2015 13:40:16 GMT -5 Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast said:

www.gerweck.net/2015/09/21/wwe-cracking-down-to-prevent-future-incidents-with-fans-hopping-the-barriers/

This is top notch reporting right here. Glad that PWInsider was able to provide such an amazing analysis and get sourced on this scoop!

I don't say this is crap on Gerweck but more because it kinda bugs me to see people crap on something without coming close to having the actual story. 1 of the 3 reports on this from PWInsider:

WWE TO TAKE HARDLINE STANCE AGAINST ALL FUTURE FAN INCIDENTS & PROSECUTE ALL FANS CROSSING THE LINE
by Mike Johnson @ 11:58 AM on 9/21/2015

As we noted last night, WWE issued a statement noting they would be pursuing prosecution against any fans that hop the rail and get involved with the presentation of their live events. While the company has indeed pursued prosecution in the past when it came to fans crossing a line or physically hopping the rail in the past, after the last several weeks of incidents (most recently last night at the WWE Night of Champions PPV), the word is that WWE intends to pursue the most stringent prosecution possible if and when another incident occurs. There will be no apologies afterwards from fans at this point, as sometimes has happened, just an immediate arrest followed by WWE's legal team pushing for prosecution and jail time for all offenders.

So, while someone might think they are going to get a momentary laugh or thrill out of getting involved in a WWE event, the reality is that because so many fans have "poked the bear" so to speak of late, anyone that attempts this going forward is looking at not just a lifetime ban from WWE events as well as the venue where the incident takes place, but being charged with criminal offenses That means that person is going to have to deal with the financial hardship of hiring a lawyer to defend them as well as dealing with all the stress of going to court as well as the potential of going to jail, being fined, etc.

I don't know this for sure, but wouldn't be shocked to see WWE pursue someone in civil court if they are unable to pursue criminal matters in certain jurisdictions. WWE could make a great case for damages incurred due to having to pay to edit around incidents if they take place at TV shoots, as well as the person responsible putting themselves, the performers, security and other fans at risk, etc.

As I noted a few weeks ago on Elite audio, if I am WWE, I am giving Ronnie Lang and Atlas Security a call. Lang's team dealt with far more dangerous situations in the old days of ECW and always masterfully squashed the situations without harm to any wrestlers. While obviously WWE is a different company and publicly traded, there is obviously something breaking down when it comes to security (and I have no idea if that's in-house or security provided by the venues WWE run) and Lang might be a good outside eye for them to bring on as a consultant to help them fix whatever they might be doing wrong and improve upon what they are doing right.

Speaking of security, Dolph Ziggler noted on his Twitter that WWE Security professional Muriel Howell left the company this weekend. From the wrestlers I've spoken to since it was announced, to a person, she was described as having done an amazing job in her role of protecting talents and will be missed.

[Tiger Millionaire]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX3hnt3rFdY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj6QoYTSPhQ

[Tea & Crumpets]

Jerry McDevitt must be tired of the concussion lawsuit and grown hungry for fresh victims.

[Deleted]

What's the fullest extent of the law going to be? Like...a fine?

It's trespassing, I doubt they even do county jail time.

[Deleted]

Sept 21, 2015 15:01:08 GMT -5 @akeem said:

Sept 21, 2015 13:40:16 GMT -5 Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast said:

www.gerweck.net/2015/09/21/wwe-cracking-down-to-prevent-future-incidents-with-fans-hopping-the-barriers/

This is top notch reporting right here. Glad that PWInsider was able to provide such an amazing analysis and get sourced on this scoop!

I've watched too much Parks and Rec lately, because all of this stating the obvious newz comes through in Perd's voice now.

[Urfarkendarf]

Sept 21, 2015 16:58:37 GMT -5 @bootytime said:

What's the fullest extent of the law going to be? Like...a fine?

It's trespassing, I doubt they even do county jail time.

It depends on the severity of the offense obviously. But no, the penalty wont be incredibly severe.

This "warning" or whatever you want to call it is not going to stop it completely, but it may cause some to think twice which for this type of thing is sometimes all it takes to stop someone from doing it.

And while I agree with a previous poster that WWE's predictability is their biggest problem, rail jumpers or whatever you want to call them don't add to the show whatsoever bar that brief "wtf" moment when you see some dweeb doing it. All it takes is one psycho to hop the rail with a knife or some other object and harm one of the workers and the shitstorm would be unbelievable. Frankly, I find it funny when there's idiots on the field, but this stuff doesnt help the show or storylines.

[SenorCrest]

I hope this makes it so that Roman doesn't come down through the crowd.

[DJ Maniak]

Sept 21, 2015 13:53:37 GMT -5 Push R Truth said:

Get the Black Scorpion to cast a Circle of Protection around the ring


But in all seriousness, this is more or less the same thing as those dbags that jump on the field and run around stopping the game right? What do they get charged with? At least we haven't gotten wrestling streakers yet. Although I'm sure we have, I'm going to remain ignorant by choice on that one.

[DIIV]

Sept 21, 2015 13:47:37 GMT -5 xCompackx said:

The thing is, prosecuting these people isn't going to change anything. At worst, it'll just increase their boldness since they've only got one chance to hop the barricade, and now if they start serving time for it? It could get really bad.

I understand this mind state, but c'mon...I don't think people are willing to be criminally charged for a slim chance of being shown on camera for 0.5 seconds.