Ex-World Champion’s Drunken Meltdown Mars Enfield Wrestling Show

ENFIELD, CT — A former professional wrestling world champion who recently completed a substance abuse program with the assistance of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) caused a major disruption at an independent show in Enfield Friday night, an incident which has already yielded more than 64,000 views on YouTube. (CAUTION: the video contains some strong language that may not be suitable for all ages).

PJ Polaco, who under the ring name Justin Credible won the Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) world heavyweight championship in 2000 sandwiched between a pair of successful runs with the WWE (formerly the World Wrestling Federation), was scheduled to make a non-wrestling appearance, meeting fans and signing autographs at Blitzkrieg! Pro Wrestling’s “Roots Radical” show at the Old Country Banquet Hall on Alden Avenue.

Show promoters had originally planned to have Polaco address the crowd briefly as part of the evening’s lineup; however, he arrived at the venue extremely intoxicated, prompting officials to scrap his in-ring appearance.

At the conclusion of the opening match of the show, an outstanding three-way tag team attraction featuring the Closers, Massage NV and the Breakfast Club, BPW commissioner Tim Jensen went to the ring to make a special announcement about an upcoming rematch between the three teams at the promotion’s next show on Feb. 24. In the middle of Jensen’s announcement, Polaco unexpectedly rolled into the ring carrying a kendo stick, staggered around the mat and began demanding a microphone.

Assistant promoter Joey Eastman asked Polaco on two occasions, “Please get out of the ring.” Polaco refused, however, and began incorporating vulgarity into his comments, despite the presence of numerous kids, until promoter Jeremy Leary told him in no uncertain terms to leave.

As Polaco slurred, “I love this business,” Leary shouted from ringside, “Then don’t show up drunk. Get the hell out of our show. You were my hero, I swear to God, but you are a freakin’ disgrace now.”

Polaco said, “Who are you?” to which Leary replied, “I’m the guy that has you here, who’s paying you tonight and asked you not to come out here because you reek like booze and you tell everybody you’re sober. You’re not, and all these people paid to see you and you’re in there glossed over, stumbling everywhere. Get out!”

More than a dozen performers left the locker room and surrounded the ringside area, but none laid a hand on Polaco, 44, who finally left several minutes later with his wife, who also appeared to be under the influence. The disruption created a delay in the show of nearly 25 minutes.

Blitzkrieg! Pro officials released a statement on Saturday, explaining in detail the circumstances of what occurred in the 45 minutes prior to the in-ring incident.

“We believe in giving second chances, and judging by the things being said very recently on his Twitter it seemed like Credible had turned things around. He had tweeted that he was even looking to have a comeback in 2018. So, when our friends with Captains Corner & Connor Promotions asked us if they could bring Justin Credible to our Roots Radical event, we told them absolutely. He was to sign autographs from 6:30-8:30.

When Credible arrived, he was very clearly under the influence. He was unable to walk straight, was slurring his words, and smelled of alcohol. He came to the back multiple times asking if he could cut a promo as well as asking for a “special blade” to cut himself while he did said promo. Meanwhile, the venue was voicing their displeasure as his wife was smoking in the bathroom after being asked not to.

We immediately spoke to said sponsors, who agreed that they would be on their way once the show got under way. However, those who have dealt with intoxicated people know that it can be quite difficult.

We’ve seen and heard the tales of what happens when you allow intoxicated wrestlers in the ring. We knew that we couldn’t let that happen, and we knew that we had to police our own show. We thought he would be gone by then, so this was a huge surprise and didn’t have a plan. Very tough situation for everybody.

We try to make sure our shows are a fun and safe environment for all of our fans, staff, and performers. This was very unfair to our fans that came to see him as well as the parents that brought their children. We cannot apologize enough.

We very sincerely wish Justin Credible well, and hope he’s able to find the help that he needs. It was heartbreaking to see somebody you once idolized in that state.

In an attempt to turn a negative into a positive, we are looking into local non-profit organizations that deal with substance abuse, and when we return to Enfield on February 24th, we will be attempting to raise money for whichever organization pans out.”

On Sunday, Polaco posted a video on YouTube, saying he was embarrassed by his actions Friday and apologizing to the fans and the Blitzkrieg! Pro performers and staff. In his message, he said he has been in contact with WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page, who has been credited with helping turn around the lives of several other troubled former wrestlers, including Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Scott Hall.

“I don’t expect anyone to feel sorry for me, or to forgive me, all I’m saying is I’m about to take a journey,” Polaco said. “I talked to Dallas today, just a couple of minutes ago, and he told me to make a video and we’re gonna track every little thing.”

To view Polaco’s video, click here.

Video credit: DBTV via YouTube