This was the power of the independent wrestling circuit in the 1970s, the so-called wrestling territories, that preceded the popular dominance of World Wrestling Entertainment, more commonly known as WWE. They weren't fighting for fun, they fought for Ernie Ladd. But the riot after Johnny Powers' heel turn showed off the fervor of sports fanatics that night. That event perhaps proved more about the power of alcohol than the power of sports devotion. Many are familiar with the famous June 4, 1974, riot at Municipal Stadium on "Ten Cent Beer Night" at a Cleveland Indians game. “Ox has still got the 14-inch scar on top of his head from taking a chair," said Powers in the same interview. The fake, albeit convincing, beating of Ladd sent the thousands-strong Cleveland audience into hysterics, and they rushed the ring, forcing police to get involved and Powers to flee the arena. My local security left the building, and even the riot police would not come in.” “They called it the worst riot of all time. “I had the match with Ladd, and I had Ox Baker run in, and I did a turn on Ernie,” said Powers, in a 2013 interview with The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina. Bob Palmer Johnny Powers on his TV show, "Championship Wrestling with Johnny Powers," the consummate promoter and star.
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