7 Times Wrestlers Lost Real-Life Fights With Non-Wrestlers

4. Elderly Man Jumps Ole Anderson In Knife Attack

Shawn Michaels The Marine Miz
WWE/PWI

For most wrestlers, losing a fight with a civilian only really results in a loss of face (and not in the same way as a civilian losing a fight with Haku). For Ole Anderson, it very nearly resulted in a loss of life.

Perhaps 'fight' is stretching the definition somewhat; it was really more of an assault. Anderson raised the heckles of the Greenville, South Carolina crowd during a show in May 1976 to such an extent that, upon exiting the ring, he was jumped upon by a knife-wielding pensioner. The man, reported to be in his early 80s, stabbed Ole in the chest and arm with a hawkbill blade, causing severe injuries which required four hours of surgery to help repair.

Once more proving wrestlers simply aren't human, Anderson was back in the ring just 48 hours later in Raleigh, North Carolina. "Nothing is going to slow Ole down," noted announcer Bob Caudle. Heck, he didn't want people to think he was a wuss.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.