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The Surprising History of Folding Chairs as Improvised Weapons


The portable and ubiquitous folding chair has a long history of also serving as an improvised weapon in heated moments. Despite its innocent appearance, the folding chair has repeatedly found itself at the center of spontaneous violence across sports, politics, and pop culture for over a century.


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Let's explore some of the most shocking historical instances of the humble folding chair being wielded as an improvised weapon of chaos.


A Brief History of Folding Chairs


Before diving into infamous folding chair violence, let's quickly recap the origins of this multipurpose furniture staple.

It all started in the mid-19th century, when American inventor John B. Cornell produced a wooden chair with a seat and back made of slats that could fold flat for storage. This pioneering "folding chair" offered tremendous space savings compared to bulky conventional chairs.


The collapsible design allowed folding chairs to be easily transported and compactly stacked. Throughout the late 1800s, folding chairs gained popularity for versatile indoor seating from schools to churches.


Over the next century, folding chairs evolved to incorporate new materials like molded plastic and lightweight metals for even greater portability. The chairs became ubiquitous indoors and outdoors thanks to their handy collapsible capabilities.


However, that same compact, weaponizable design also unintentionally lent itself to acts of aggression and violence.



WWE Wrestling Steel Chair Attacks


Professional wrestling promotions like WWE have a long tradition of using folding chairs as props to simulate violence. But things often turn real ugly when metal chairs get involved.


As early as the 1950s, "hardcore" wrestling matches incorporated metal folding chairs as weapons for wrestlers to viciously strike opponents.


WWE wrestling popularized chair shot attacks to excite live crowds.


Who can forget WWE legend Hulk Hogan smashing the legendary Macho Man Randy Savage over the head with a vicious chair shot? This violent chair attack cemented Hogan's reputation as a heel (bad guy persona).


While WWE today discourages unprotected chair shots to the head, metal folding chairs remain a classic symbol of wrestling mayhem. Many shocking folding chair beatdowns live on through WWE?s most extreme moments.



Political Unrest Around the Globe


The chaos of political unrest has led to folding chairs being regularly weaponized by protesters and rioters worldwide.


In 2019, pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong were photographed launching numerous folding chairs at police trying to suppress demonstrations seeking government reforms.


Venezuela's violent anti-government protests also witnessed clashes between protestors and police involving thrown chairs along with rocks and Molotov cocktails.


As far back as the 1930s, folding chairs were used as projectiles during the "Battle of Cable Street" in London, where protestors forced back British Fascist leader Oswald Mosley's attempted march through East London.


When political tensions boil over, the ubiquitous folding chair often becomes an accessible weapon of defiance and disorder.

Infamous Concert Riots and Attacks


The chaotic energy of live concerts has provoked numerous incidents of folding chair violence over the decades.


In 2004, the Vans Warped Tour erupted into a massive chair-hurling riot in Cincinnati, causing extensive venue damage from stolen folding chairs launched through the air.


During a 1993 Public Enemy concert, gunfire caused panic and bedlam, with terrified concertgoers throwing chairs in frenzied desperation to flee.


Legendary punk band The Clash inspired chair-tossing pandemonium during their iconic run at Broadway's Bond International Casino in 1981, cemented in the film "Rude Boy."


While most concerts only feature enthusiastic standing audiences, folding chair riots remain an unpredictable threat when chaos overtakes the music venue.


Referee Assaults Across Sports


Irate fans and players who disagree with referees' calls have made the folding chair an infamous weapon.


In a stunning 1977 college basketball game incident, Minnesota Gophers coach Jim Dutcher attacked Ohio State's coach in a chair-swinging frenzy over a controversial foul call.


At a 2006 tennis tournament, Belgian player Dick Norman furiously launched his courtside folding chair at an umpire's chair after losing a point over a bad line call.


Football fans also partake in referee-aimed folding chair rage. In 2015, an Egyptian soccer match saw Al-Ahly club supporters pelt chairs at the referee who allowed a late goal by opponents Zamalek SC.


Clearly folding chairs give new meaning to being on the sidelines in sports!



WWE Announcers Enduring Vicious Chair Attacks


WWE announcers have disturbingly found themselves on the wrong end of violent surprise chair attacks during live broadcasts.

In a shocking 2009 Raw episode, wrestler Chris Jericho violently struck announcer Jerry Lawler with a folded chair, leaving him bloodied at the commentator's table.


Infamously during the 1997 Kuwait Raw tribute episode, retired wrestler and special guest announcer Ahmed Johnson received a brutal chair attack from a vengeful wrestling faction seeking payback.


Though intended to be safe behind announce tables, WWE commentators have suffered their share of chair-induced violence over the years.

Prison and Jail Chair Rampages


Inside correctional facilities, the common presence of folding chairs has unsurprisingly led to many violent chair-related incidents.


In 2012 San Quentin State Prison, multiple inmates wielding handmade weapons were subdued only after a guard began hurling chairs at the armed prisoners.


At a Virginia jail in 2015, an inmate protest devolved into a full-scale chair-hurling riot, causing chaos until guards deployed chemical agents to immobilize the violent prisoners.


During a 2005 Utah prison riot, inmates menacingly brandished snapped-off chair legs as shanks. In the ensuing mayhem, convicts stole additional chairs to break down barricades.


Clearly mixing folding chairs and agitated inmates creates a combustible environment inside prisons and jails.


Bon Jovi Concerts and NHL Stanley Cup Riots


Rock band Bon Jovi has attracted some notoriously unruly folding chair incidents for over 20 years.


In a bizarre 2004 concert uproar in Montreal, 50 fans went on a chair-smashing rampage over the concert's abrupt last-song cancellation.


Nearly two decades earlier in 1985, a massive fan riot erupted at a Bon Jovi show in New Jersey's Roosevelt Stadium, featuring epic chair-tossing melees.


Speaking of New Jersey, their NHL team the Devils had a unique Stanley Cup Finals tradition emerge in 1995.


Devils fans would hurl chairs onto the ice after each home playoff win, eventually totaling over 100 chairs during their championship run.

Between Bon Jovi and the Devils, the folding chair became an iconic symbol of New Jersey entertainment chaos.


ECW Infamous Chair Throwing Incident


The Unforgettable Era of ECW Wrestling: From Sandman ECW Entrances to Paul Heyman's Creative Genius


ECW's Lasting Legacy

ECW wrestling revolutionized the sport during the 1990s, setting a new standard for hardcore action. Let's delve into the unforgettable moments that defined this iconic brand.


The Legendary ECW Arena


The ECW Arena was more than just a venue; it was the heart of ECW wrestling. Located in South Philadelphia, this gritty establishment became the epicenter for wrestling's counterculture, hosting some of the most memorable ECW PPV events.


Cactus Jack ECW Rivalries: The Feud with Tommy Dreamer


Among the ECW originals, Cactus Jack and Tommy Dreamer's unforgettable rivalry set the bar high. Their intense battles, featuring ECW chair incidents and other hardcore elements, are still discussed among fans today.


Sandman ECW: The King of Entrances


The Sandman's ECW entrances are the stuff of legends. Wielding a Singapore cane and marching through the crowd to Metallica's "Enter Sandman," he knew how to electrify the ECW Arena like no other.


RVD and Rey Mysterio ECW Highlights


Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio showcased their athletic prowess in ECW, pushing the limits of what was possible in the ring. Their high-flying stunts are remembered as some of the most jaw-dropping moments in ECW history.


New Jack ECW's Daredevil


New Jack was another ECW original who captivated audiences with his reckless abandon and willingness to put his body on the line for entertainment.


Paul Heyman: The Mastermind Behind ECW


Paul Heyman's creative genius was instrumental in shaping ECW's unique identity. His booking strategies and storytelling abilities turned ordinary wrestlers into ECW legends.


ECW Women and Their Unmatched Tenacity


The women of ECW also made their mark, showing that they could be just as hardcore as their male counterparts. From ECW strip poker to brutal fights, they were an integral part of the brand's appeal.


ECW Wrestling Lives On


Although its run was relatively brief, the legacy of ECW wrestling is immortal. The promotion's focus on extreme styles and adult-oriented content paved the way for future wrestling innovations.


ECW's Extreme Uses of Chairs


The extreme pro wrestling league ECW raised chair violence to new heights from the 1990s into the 2000s.


Wrestlers like Rob Van Dam and Sabu became renowned for their acrobatic feats smashing opponents with high-flying chair attacks.


ECW's infamous impromptu weapon - a loose steel chair tossed into the ring - added to the renegade league's unprecedented levels of violence.


With ECW's extreme chair stunts, wrestling entered a new era where metal chairs became a routine prop for delivering excruciating pain.




Other Notorious Chair Attacks


Beyond the major incidents covered already, folding chairs have caused many other notorious injuries and scandals:



Clearly anytime folding chairs are present in chaotic, contentious settings, weaponization predictably follows!


Benefits of Folding Chairs On Vacation


Despite its checkered violent history, the ubiquitous folding chair still provides many handy benefits on family vacations and holidays:



Don't let its notoriety as an improvised weapon cloud your judgment - a folding chair can make outdoor excursions and adventures more enjoyable in myriad ways. Just keep it collapsed and safely stowed when not in use!


So next time you pack for a trip, throw in a lightweight collapsible chair. Your back and feet will thank you after a long day of vacation activities.


??????????Just be sure to only use it for good, not improvised violence!