Bret Hart Attacked At WWE Hall Of Fame

As professional wrestler Bret “The Hitman” Hart gave a speech at the WWE Hall of Fame in New York City on Saturday night, a crazed audience member tackled him.

The wrestling duo Hart formed in the 1980s with his brother-in-law, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, was being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame that night. Hart was on stage with Neidhart’s daughter, his niece, when 26-year-old Zachary Madsen jumped into the ring and attacked Hart—causing the live broadcast to cut out.

Luckily, several professional wrestling legends were in the audience that night. They were able to restrain Madsen until NYPD officers arrive. Madsen has been charged with third-degree assault and trespassing.

At the time of the attack, Hart was giving a tribute to Neidhart, who died last year. After Madsen was removed from the Hall of Fame by police, Hart continued with his speech.

After the event, Neidhart’s daughter and Hart’s niece, Natalya Neidhardt, thanked her uncle on Twitter.

“I’m so proud of my uncle @BretHart tonight during our HOF ceremony,” Natalya wrote. “Bret is a cancer survivor, a stroke survivor and one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. He didn’t deserve to be attacked or have his moment or my dad’s diminished. We got it back on track. Thank you, guys.”