Randy Orton was attacked by a fan at an event in South Africa. The incident was not part of the promotion, according to reports.
Orton, a superstar with WWE, was attacked by a fan who jumped over the barrier separating the crowd and the performers during Tuesday night’s show at the Grand West Casino. Orton was facing Big E. Langston. He got up into the ring, attacked, and backed off when he saw Orton and security go after him.
According to South Africa’s Eyewitness News, security immediately jumped in and grabbed the man before taking him out of the arena.
Orton, who was attempting to perform his signature RKO maneuver, was hit between the legs in his groin during the incident, according to the publication.
Orton was on the turnbuckle during the incident. When he was hit in the legs, the wrestler immediately collapsed on the ground but sprung up quickly.
“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, this evening. Footage of the attack was captured by a WWE fan and posted to YouTube, and shows the perpetrator striking Orton from behind,” WWE said in a statement on its website.
The organization’s statement suggests that it was not part of the act.
“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,” it reads.
