WWE star CM Punk apologizes for hitting fan in stands at event

October 10, 2012|By Houston Mitchell

<p>OK, sure, pro wrestling is scripted, but try to tell that to one unlucky fan in Sacramento who was hit by WWE superstar CM Punk.</p><p>During this week's edition of "Monday Night Raw," Punk entered the stands near the conclusion of the show to escape the clutches of Ryback. While he stood on the stairs midway up the first level of seats, he suddenly turned around and backhanded then punched a fan he thought had hit him in the back of the head.</p></div></div><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-ctr-lt-in-top" class="mod-latarticlesadcpc mod-adcpc with-fourth-cpc"><script type="text/javascript"> var adSkipCounter = 0; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "cm punk security measures front-row seats event";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; google_ad_output="js"; google_ad_channel="5212128158,6138855783,8321278795,8261105409"; google_ad_type="text"; google_image_size="300x250"; google_safe="high"; google_feedback="on"; google_max_num_ads="2"; google_skip="" + adSkipCounter + ""; google_adtest="off"; google_page_url=document.URL; function google_ad_request_done(ads) { if (ads.length == 0) { return; } // If no ads are returned then dont build the ad block if (ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { adSkipCounter += ads.length; } // Increment ad skip counter when cpc google_ad_request_done_internal(ads, "", "", "true", "medium_rectangle", "", "", "pgtp=article&pi=34&ci=34366925&cat=arts+%26+entertainment&pe_id=34366925&tv=ap-LA12-G02&rna=pub-0227802054925200&rn=g&rnrci=5212128158&rnrcn=CMI-A-002&rncci=6138855783&rnccn=CMI-A-009&rnpci=&rnpcn=&rntci=&rntcn=&rnlci=8261105409&rnlcn=8261105409&rnp=c&rt=cpc&paidClick=1&placement_id=ctr-lt-in-top", "", "", "", "", "", "ap-LA12-G02", "Los Angeles Times Articles"); } //]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/google_ad_request.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para" class="mod-latarticlesarticletextwithadcpc mod-latarticlesarticletext mod-articletext"><p>Problem: He hit the wrong fan.</p><p>WWE released a statement on the incident Tuesday:</p><p>“During last night’s 'Raw' televised event, WWE superstar CM Punk exited the ring into the stands as part of the show. WWE security was unfortunately not in the appropriate place at the time. Given CM Punk’s persona as a ‘bad guy,’ fans were naturally heckling him, but unfortunately a few fans began shoving him and one struck him in the kidney and on the back. WWE regrets that proper security measures were not in place, and CM Punk apologizes for reacting in the heat of the moment. Other than this isolated incident, WWE always provides proper security to ensure the safety of our fans and our performers.”</p><p>Punk followed up with a statement of his own Tuesday night.</p><p>It’s an unfortunate and isolated incident," Punk said. "I was up in the stands, surrounded.</p><p>“Somebody said, ‘Let’s push him down the stairs.’ I got hit in the ribs three times. I was getting shoved and I was getting punched .…Then I started getting tagged in the back of the head. Unfortunately, I lashed out in the heat of the moment and I apologize. I’m really just glad nobody was hurt."</p><p>Watching the video above it's not a surprise Punk reacted the way he did, even if he hit the wrong fan. It looks as if security, which usually accompanies WWE superstars when they enter the stands, was slow in arriving.</p><p>Here's guessing the fan who was struck gets some nice "We're sorry" gifts from the WWE, and probably front-row seats the next time they come to town.</p><p><strong>ALSO:</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-usain-bolt-soccer-20121010,0,7510310.story">Usain Bolt might try soccer after track</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-coco-crisp-20121010,0,3481511.story">Watch Coco Crisp's home run-saving catch</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-phil-ivey-london-casino-refuses-to-pay-20121010,0,6445151.story">Phil Ivey wins $11.5 million, casino refuses to pay</a></p></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para-ad-cpc" class="mod-adcpc"> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "cm punk security measures front-row seats event";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; 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