View source for ECW Arena fire (lost footage of post-hardcore professional wrestling match brawl; 1995)

{{NSFL}}
{{InfoboxLost
|title=The ECW Fire Incident</center>
|image=Ecwfireincident1.png
|imagecaption=Cactus Jack holding the flaming chair.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
}}
On 28th October 1995, Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) was holding an event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia. The event gained infamy, when following the main event between Cactus Jack and Tommy Dreamer, a stunt involving a chair wrapped in a towel that was set on fire '''ended up engulfing Terry Funk and a fan, and caused major panic among those in attendance that led to a stampede'''.

==Background==
Cactus Jack vs Tommy Dreamer was the final match of the show, with Dreamer winning after pinning Jack following a DDT. Post-match, a brawl occurred also featuring Raven, who DDT'd Dreamer, and Terry Funk, who attempted to save Dreamer by attacking the others with a flaming branding iron. At some point, Jack and Raven apprehended Funk, where Jack was then given a chair that was wrapped with a towel given by Bill Alfonso.<ref name="mike">[https://pwinsider.com/article/52198/this-day-in-history-the-first-halloween-havoc-and-the-infamous-ecw-fire-incident.html?p=1 ''PWInsider'' where Mike Johnson detailed the ECW Fire Incident.] Retrieved 22nd Dec '21</ref> 

==The ECW Fire Incident==
Jack and Raven poured lighter fluid onto the towel, before igniting it with a branding iron. Jack tried to hit Funk with it, but Dreamer stopped him. This caused Jack to hit Dreamer instead, causing Dreamer to catch fire. According to ''PWInsider'''s Dave Scherer, the crowd was stunned, with growing tension caused by the fact Jack was struggling to pick up the chair, which was burning uncontrollably with pieces of burning towel falling off it. Jack again tried to hit Funk, only for the latter to roll out of the ring.<ref name="dave">[https://pwinsider.com/article/97477/1028-this-day-in-history-firstever-halloween-havoc-ppv-punk-vs-ryback-in-hell-in-a-cell-les-thatcher-is-born-ecw-fire-incident-and-more.html?p=1 ''PWInsider'' where Dave Scherer detailed the ECW Fire Incident.] Retrieved 22nd Dec '21</ref> 

According to ''PWInsider'''s Mike Johnson, this stunt was supposed to have the chair rebound onto Jack. In actuality, the burning towel fell off the chair and landed on Funk's back, which immediately engulfed him. As Funk ran around ringside in clear distress, some fans attempted to put him out with others began to panic. Eventually, some ECW employees with fire extinguishers ran in. But instead of simply focusing on areas where burning pieces of towel were situated at, they merely shot their extinguishers through the ring, causing more chaos with Funk still burning and with fans beginning to choke and cough from the extinguishers.<ref name="mike"/><ref name="observer">[https://reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/65wfk4/wrestling_observer_rewind_nov_6_1995/ Reddit post with the 6th November 1995 edition of the ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' detailing the Fire Incident and its aftermath.] Retrieved 22nd Dec '21</ref>

Suddenly, the lights for the arena were turned off, as this was meant for a crucifixion angle. This further panicked the crowd, with the majority stampeding for the doors. This caused some injuries, including a man breaking his nose, and another breaking his leg. Some were also burned, with one fan attempting to sue ECW following the incident, claiming he suffered burnt hands and other medical issues after trying to put out the fire,<ref>[https://thesportster.com/wrestling/ecw-most-violent-moments/ ''The Sportster'' noting a fan tried to sue ECW after he burnt his hands.] Retrieved 22nd Dec '21</ref> but this case was dismissed.<ref name="mike"/> The incident was finally resolved when ECW owner Paul Heyman ordered the lights be turned back on, which when combined with the fires finally being put out, helped to fully calm matters.<ref>[http://wrestlingclassics.com/.ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=136080;p=1 ''Wrestling Classics'' where a fan discusses the incident and how it was resolved.] Retrieved 22nd Dec '21</ref>

==Post-Incident==
Funk and Dreamer suffered injuries following the match and brawl. Dreamer broke his nose and suffered burns to his back. Meanwhile, Funk was hospitalised after suffering second-degree burns on his right arm.<ref name="dave"/> Prior to leaving, Funk was angered by what transpired, throwing chairs and being especially furious with an apologetic Jack. Nevertheless, upon returning from the hospital, Funk returned to good spirits and even apologised to Jack for his outburst, with him also requesting to compete in the next show to help placate fans following the incident.<ref name="observer"/> According to Heyman, the chair stunt was Funk and Jack's idea, as they had replicated the stunt several times while wrestling in Japan.<ref name="riseandfall">[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JrGwTebNiUIC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=cactus+jack+fire+incident&source=bl&ots=vrlltj75nR&sig=ACfU3U3fBJNAYi3bRBwpzZiOxLVZERFASA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjpr4HNnPf0AhXoQUEAHW0SAhoQ6AF6BAgbEAM#v=onepage&q=cactus%20jack%20fire%20incident&f=false ''The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling'' detailing the incident, its aftermath and how the company placated fans.] Retrieved 22nd Dec '21</ref> 

The incident nevertheless caused ECW to suffer a loss of goodwill from its fans, believing the stunt jeopardised their safety and with some vowing not to attend another ECW show.<ref name="observer"/> Heyman was able to placate the fans for ECW's ''November to Remember'' show however, by apologising for the incident and bringing back fan favourite Sabu. Heyman also vowed that there would be no more use of fire in future ECW shows,<ref name="riseandfall"/><ref name="observer"/> although this ultimately turned out to be false, as multiple future ECW matches would feature fire-related stunts.<ref>[https://thesportster.com/wrestling/top-20-death-defying-ecw-stunts/ ''The Sportster'' detailing other ECW matches that utilised fire.] Retrieved 22nd Dec '21</ref>

==Availability==
No footage of the incident has ever been publicly released, with ECW claiming during a litigation case involving the injured fan that the tape was accidentally erased the following week. However, some questioned this, as footage of a crucifix angle coming from the same event appeared on the following week's ECW television program.<ref>[https://ign.com/articles/2000/04/28/jury-selection-to-begin-today-for-fan-burned-at-ecw-show ''IGN'' reporting on the litigation case where ECW claimed the tape was accidentally erased.] Retrieved 22nd Dec '21</ref> If it still exists, it is likely within WWE's tape library, as WWE purchased ECW's assets and its tape library in January 2003.<ref>[https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/ecw-wwe-relaunch/ ''Pro Wrestling Stories'' noting WWE purchased ECW's tape library in January 2003.] Retrieved 22nd Dec '21</ref> However, given the context of the incident, it is highly unlikely that it will end up on the WWE Network. Nevertheless, a few photos of the incident, including Jack holding the flaming chair, have publicly resurfaced.

==Gallery==
{{Video|perrow  =3
  |service1     =youtube
  |id1          =w7h4sb5ZH44
  |description1 =Photos of the ECW Fire Incident.
  |service2     =youtube
  |id2          =Vk4imYzxbUw
  |description2 =''Cultaholic'' detailing the ECW Fire Incident.
  |service3     =youtube
  |id3          =OrmMNdPDv0A
  |description3 =''The Steve Austin Show'' where Austin and Funk discussed the ECW Fire Incident (2:49-4:25)
}}

==See Also==
*[[AJ Styles vs Kenny Omega (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2006)]]
*[[Alberto Del Rio vs CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Swagger vs John Cena (partially found master tape footage of untelevised Hell in a Cell match; 2011)]]
*[[Awesome Kong vs Melissa Anderson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2009)]]
*[[Bill Longson vs Whipper Billy Watson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1947)]]
*[[Blood Circus (partially found Santo Gold film; 1985)]]
*[[Braden Walker's "Knock Knock" promo (lost original pre-tapes of WWE backstage segment; 2008)]]
*[[Bradshaw vs Christian (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2001)]]
*[[Bret Hart-Hulk Hogan photoshoot (lost professional wrestling promotional photos; 1993)]]
*[[Bret Hart vs Tom Magee (found untelevised professional wrestling match; 1986)]]
*[[Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)]]
*[[Celebrity Wrestling (partially found ITV professional wrestling reality show; 2005)]]
*[[Chowdaheads (partially found unaired professional wrestling cartoon show; 1999)]]
*[[Collision in Korea (found professional wrestling event in North Korea; 1995)]]
*[[Collision in Korea wrestler sketches (lost North Korean pencil sketch portraits of professional wrestlers; 1995)]]
*[[Cultaholic (found debut video of professional wrestling YouTube channel; 2017)]]
*[[Droz vs. D'Lo Brown (partially found unreleased footage of WWF wrestling match; 1999)]]
*[[ECW Anarchy Rulz (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64 port of professional wrestling game; existence unconfirmed; 2000)]]
*[[ECW at E3 2000 (partially found footage of professional wrestling at gaming trade event; 2000)]]
*[[ECW Hardcore TV final episodes (lost episodes of Professional Wrestling Show; 2001)]]
*[[FMW at E3 2000 (partially found footage of professional wrestling at gaming trade event; 2000)]]
*[[The Game (partially found Disturbed cover of professional wrestling theme song; mid 2000s)]]
*[[GFW Amped (partially found unaired professional wrestling show; 2015)]]
*[[The Giant's moonsault (lost footage of professional wrestling move; existence unconfirmed; 1990s)]]
*[[Girls Gone Wild: Live from Spring Break (found WWE/Girls Gone Wild crossover special; 2003)]]
*[[GLOW (lost unfinished final season of Netflix comedy-drama series; 2019-2020)]]
*[[Goldberg's pre-television debut matches (lost footage of professional wrestling dark matches; 1997)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1908)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1911)]]
*[[Jake "The Snake" Roberts DDTs Hulk Hogan (lost Snake Pit segment; 1986)]]
*[[Johnny Gargano vs Velveteen Dream (lost footage of alternate finish to professional wrestling match; 2019)]]
*[[Kerry Von Erich vs Colonel DeBeers (lost footage of professional wrestling match; existence unconfirmed; 1988)]]
*[[Kurt Angle vs Owen Hart (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1999)]]
*[[The Last Battle of Atlanta (found untelevised professional wrestling steel cage match; 1983)]]
*[[Lita's training matches (partially found training videos of professional wrestler; late 1990s-2000)]]
*[[Low Ki & Mercury vs Ric Blade & TCK (partially lost footage of hardcore wrestling tag team match; 2000)]]
*[[Mark Jindrak in Evolution (partially found unaired vignettes of professional wrestling stable; 2003)]]
*[[Mitsuharu Misawa (partially lost death footage of professional wrestler; 2009)]]
*[[Owen Hart (lost death footage of professional wrestler; 1999)]]
*[[Pat Tanaka vs Rocco Rock (lost footage of "Body Count" professional wrestling match; 1993)]]
*[["Plane Ride From Hell" (lost photographs of drunk wrestler incidents; 2002)]]
*[[Radio WWF (lost professional wrestling radio show; 1993-1994; late 1990s-2000)]]
*[[Screwed: The Bret Hart Story (lost unfinished wrestling documentary film; 2005)]]
*[[Sex University (lost WWE webshow; 2006)]]
*[[Shin Nihon Pro Wrestling Gekitou Densetsu (lost build of unreleased Virtual Boy wrestling game; 1995)]]
*[[Strange Kentucky People (lost recording of Chris Jericho "tribute"; 1994)]]
*[[TNA Impact! 2 (lost build of unfinished professional wrestling game; 2009)]]
*[[WCW 2000 (lost work on unfinished PlayStation 2 game; 2000)]]
*[[WCW All Nighter (partially lost professional wrestling compilation show; 1994-1995)]]
*[[WCW Classics (partially found professional wrestling compilation show; 2000-2001)]]
*[[WCW Internet-only Special Events and PPVs (lost audio streams; 1997-1998)]]
*[[WCW/nWo Live (lost build of cancelled PlayStation professional wrestling game; 1998)]]
*[[WWE 24x7 (lost professional wrestling compilation show; 2007)]]
*[[WWE Brawl (lost build of cancelled fighting game based on professional wrestling; 2012)]]
*[[WWE Crush Hour (lost build of cancelled Xbox port of vehicular combat game; 2002)]]
*[[WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online (lost build of cancelled online professional wrestling PC game; 2010-2011)]]
*[[WWE Wrestlemania 36 (lost footage of alternate finishes to professional wrestling matches; 2020)]]
*[[WWF Attitude (lost professional wrestling recap show; 2001-2002)]]
*[[WWF Backlash (non-existent unfinished Nintendo 64 professional wrestling game; 2001)]]
*[[WWF Excess (partially found professional wrestling talk show; 2001-2002)]]
*[[WWF In Your House 8: Beware Of Dog (partially found untelevised professional wrestling matches; 1996)]]
*[[WWF Livewire (partially found professional wrestling recap and talk show; 1996-2001)]]
*[[WWF No Mercy (lost Game Boy Color games based on Nintendo 64 wrestling game; 2000)]]
*[[WWF Shotgun (partially found July to December season of syndicated wrestling show; 1997)]]
*[[WWF Xperience (found pay-per-view event footage; 1996)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:NSFL]]
[[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]
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