CHARLOTTE — Two people are dead and at least 27 others were injured Friday night after a professional wrestling event at the Bojangles Coliseum spiraled into a violent riot that spilled into the surrounding downtown streets. The event, promoted by the upstart wrestling organization known as CBWL (Celebrity Bitches Wrestling League), featured a mix of celebrity performers and storylines that had drawn significant attention in recent weeks. The promotion, which has gained a following for its over-the-top and often controversial angles, had been building toward a pay-per-view event scheduled for Sunday in Atlanta. However, the night took a sharp turn during the final segment when a scripted attack involving performer Emma Watson escalated into a real disturbance inside the building.
According to witnesses and video footage circulating online, the situation deteriorated rapidly after Watson’s in-ring angle concluded. Fans, already agitated by the nature of the segment, began pushing toward the barricades and attempting to access restricted backstage areas. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers in riot gear were called to the scene and eventually deployed tear gas inside portions of the coliseum in an effort to regain control.
Multiple people were treated for injuries related to the crush near the lower seating sections and the concourse. At least six individuals were transported to local hospitals, though officials have not yet released the severity of those injuries. Several fans reported being trampled or caught in the chaos as people attempted to exit the building.
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, the situation escalated rapidly during the final segment of the show. Fans began pushing against barricades and attempting to breach restricted areas in an apparent attempt to reach Watson. Police in riot gear were deployed inside the venue and eventually used tear gas in an effort to regain control of the building.
Two fatalities have been confirmed. One man, identified as 34-year-old Marcus Ellison of Concord, died after being trampled during a crush near the lower concourse. A second victim, 29-year-old Kayla Rivera of Charlotte, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering a medical emergency amid the chaos. Officials said both deaths are still under investigation.
In addition to the fatalities, 27 people were treated for injuries ranging from trampling and blunt force trauma to respiratory issues caused by tear gas exposure. Eight of those injuries were described as serious, with three individuals still hospitalized as of Saturday morning. Police also reported 41 arrests on charges including disorderly conduct, assault on an officer, vandalism, and looting.
The violence was not contained to the arena. As thousands of fans poured into the surrounding streets, clashes continued into the early morning hours. Multiple businesses in the downtown core reported smashed windows and looting. At least four vehicles were set on fire, and several others were damaged. Police described the scene as one of the most chaotic public disturbances the city has seen in years.
Some fans inside the building expressed fury over Watson’s actions during the show’s final segment, which involved an attack on an elderly performer and another female wrestler.
“They should’ve let us get to her,” said attendee Derek Holloway, 28, who was among a group of fans attempting to push past security toward the backstage area. “What she did was fucked up. You don’t do that shit to an old man like that. People were trying to get back there and handle it themselves. Security wasn’t doing shit.”
Another fan, 24-year-old Jasmine Ruiz, echoed the sentiment while speaking to reporters outside the venue.
“We paid to see a show, not to watch somebody try to murder people,” Ruiz said. “When she threw that girl down the stairs, that was it. People lost it. We were trying to get to her. If security wasn’t holding us back, we would’ve got her.”
While some fans expressed rage toward Watson, others described being caught in the middle of the violence with no way to escape.
“We just came for a fun night out,” said Rachel Patel, who attended the event with her husband and two young children. “The second the alarms started going off and people started pushing, it was terrifying. My husband had to carry our youngest while I held onto our daughter. We got separated from a lot of people. I’ve never been that scared in my life.”
Another attendee, Marcus Delgado, was at the show with his teenage son.
“We were just trying to get out,” Delgado said. “People were screaming, shoving, and you could smell the gas. My son got knocked down at one point. I had to pull him up before he got stepped on. This wasn’t a wrestling show anymore. It felt like we were in the middle of a riot.”
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings addressed the media early Saturday morning.
“This was a dangerous and unacceptable situation,” Jennings said. “While we understand emotions were high, the behavior of some individuals crossed the line into criminal activity. We will be reviewing all available footage and will pursue charges against anyone who assaulted officers, damaged property, or put others in danger.”
The Bojangles Coliseum sustained significant damage to seating areas, barricades, and portions of the concourse. Officials said it is unclear when the venue will be able to reopen to the public.
The wrestling promotion has not yet released an official statement. It remains unknown whether Sunday’s scheduled pay-per-view will proceed as planned.
As of Saturday morning, police continue to investigate the deaths and injuries, and additional arrests are expected in the coming days.
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