The "Mass Transit incident" refers to a notorious November 23, 1996, event in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) where a 17-year-old amateur named Erich Kulas ("Mass Transit") lied about his age and experience to get in the ring. During a tag team match against "The Gangstas," wrestler New Jack cut him too deeply, resulting in severe bleeding, a lawsuit, and massive controversy.
Kulas lied to ECW promoter Paul Heyman, claiming he was 21 years old and professionally trained, in order to fill in for an absent wrestler. It's worth mentioning that Erich didn't act alone. His father Stephen helped him.
Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) a defunct American professional wrestling promotion known for its extreme violence.
Details of the incident.
Before the hardcore match, in the backstage, Kulas asked New Jack to blade (cut) him to bleed on camera. New Jack used a surgical scalpel and accidentally cut too deep, severing two arteries in Kulas's forehead, which caused profuse, uncontrolled bleeding.
The aforementioned father of Erich, seeing his son being beaten, screamed: "Ring the fucking bell! He's 17!"
Recording of the match. This fight was never televised, so this is a recording made by fans in the audience.
Violence starts at 3:06
Aftermath.
The event led to a highly publicized trial in which New Jack was charged with assault and battery. He was ultimately acquitted after the court heard Kulas had asked for the cut.
The incident initially threatened ECW's viability, leading to the temporary cancellation of their first-ever pay-per-view. Kulas died years later, in 2001, from complications during gastric bypass surgery.
News report of the incident.
Extra.
New Jack explaining the situation and saying he has no regrets.
Erich had already died by the time of the interview.
Kulas lied to ECW promoter Paul Heyman, claiming he was 21 years old and professionally trained, in order to fill in for an absent wrestler. It's worth mentioning that Erich didn't act alone. His father Stephen helped him.
Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) a defunct American professional wrestling promotion known for its extreme violence.
Details of the incident.
Before the hardcore match, in the backstage, Kulas asked New Jack to blade (cut) him to bleed on camera. New Jack used a surgical scalpel and accidentally cut too deep, severing two arteries in Kulas's forehead, which caused profuse, uncontrolled bleeding.
The aforementioned father of Erich, seeing his son being beaten, screamed: "Ring the fucking bell! He's 17!"
Recording of the match. This fight was never televised, so this is a recording made by fans in the audience.
Violence starts at 3:06
Aftermath.
The event led to a highly publicized trial in which New Jack was charged with assault and battery. He was ultimately acquitted after the court heard Kulas had asked for the cut.
The incident initially threatened ECW's viability, leading to the temporary cancellation of their first-ever pay-per-view. Kulas died years later, in 2001, from complications during gastric bypass surgery.
News report of the incident.
Extra.
New Jack explaining the situation and saying he has no regrets.
Erich had already died by the time of the interview.
