Wrestling star Randy Orton was attacked by a fan who jumped into the ring during a WWE event in South Africa Tuesday, but fans are wondering if the assault was staged.
In a video of the exchange, a fan can be seen punching Orton in the groin. The wrestler doubles over in pain as security pulls the attacker away.
"WWE.com has learned that Randy Orton was violently attacked by an audience member during a SmackDown World Tour Live Event in Cape Town, South Africa," the company said in a statement on its website. "Footage of the attack was captured by a WWE fan and posted to YouTube, and shows the perpetrator striking Orton from behind. The matter is currently under investigation by the local authorities, and the South African fan is being held in jail pending criminal charges. The extent of Orton's injuries are unknown at this time."
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Orton seemed to recover quickly, and he took a kick at the fan's head as he was being detained.
Though the WWE said the attack was "not part of the show," some argued that the uppercut punch seemed exaggerated and fake, and criticized security's slow response time.
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