Me: Wasn’t there a rumor that NWA promoters were going to pay Bruiser Brody to charge the ring at the first Wrestlemania during the main event and attack Hulk Hogan in a shoot fight?

ChatGPT: Yes, there was indeed a rumor about Bruiser Brody potentially getting involved in the first WrestleMania in a controversial way. The rumor suggested that some promoters from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) wanted Brody to disrupt the event by attacking Hulk Hogan during the main event in a shoot (real, non-scripted) fight. This idea was part of the intense rivalry and competition between different wrestling promotions at the time, with each trying to one-up the other. However, it’s worth noting that this plan never materialized, and WrestleMania I proceeded without such an incident.

Me: What would have happened if it actually took place? I know Frank Goodish (Brody) would have faces criminal charges. And I’m sure the NWA promoters who paid Goodish off would have faced conspiracy charges as well as civil liabilities. In that case, would the federal government investigate the NWA and possibly s3ize the assets of not just the NWA but the NWA promotions involved in the conspiracy? Let’s do a full scenario of this as if it actually happened from the initial disruption of Goodish/Brody as well as the criminal and civil liabilities the NWA and the promoters would face.

ChatGPT: If Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish) had indeed charged the ring and attacked Hulk Hogan in a shoot fight during the first WrestleMania, it would have led to a significant chain of events both legally and within the wrestling industry. Here’s how the scenario might have unfolded:

1. Immediate Aftermath

• Event Disruption: The attack would have caused immediate chaos at WrestleMania. Security and law enforcement would likely intervene, and the event might have been halted temporarily or even canceled, depending on the severity of the situation.
• Reputation Damage: WWE (then WWF) would face significant reputational damage. This disruption would affect the audience’s trust and could potentially harm future ticket sales and viewership

2. Criminal Charges

• Against Bruiser Brody: Frank Goodish could face assault charges, and possibly more severe charges depending on the injuries inflicted. If premeditated, charges could also include conspiracy to commit assault.
• Potential Arrest: Immediate arrest and detainment of Goodish would likely occur, with a bail hearing to follow.

3. Investigation

• NWA and Promoters: If evidence suggested that NWA promoters had paid Brody to disrupt the event, a thorough investigation would be launched. This could involve state police and possibly federal agencies like the FBI, especially if interstate commerce was affected (a key area under federal jurisdiction).
• Financial Transactions: Investigators would scrutinize financial records of the involved parties to trace any payments to Goodish, which could lead to conspiracy charges.

4. Civil Liabilities

• Lawsuits Against Goodish and NWA: Hulk Hogan, WWE, and potentially audience members (if any were injured) could file civil suits for damages against Goodish and the NWA promoters involved. These could include claims for bodily harm, emotional distress, and financial losses due to the disruption.
• Insurance Claims: WWE would likely seek compensation through any insurance policies held against such incidents, though insurers might contest claims based on the extraordinary nature of the event.

5. Federal Involvement

• Asset Seizure: If the investigation proves that the conspiracy was broad and involved significant financial transactions intended to harm WWE, asset seizure could be a possibility under laws governing racketeering and criminal enterprises.
• RICO Act Application: If the actions of the NWA promoters could be classified under the activities covered by the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), this could lead to broader charges against individuals and the organization itself.

6. Long-Term Implications

• Impact on NWA: Besides legal troubles, NWA would suffer severe damage to its credibility and business operations. There could be a significant loss of talent, partnerships, and broadcasting deals.
• WWE’s Strategic Response: WWE might tighten security measures, revise participant contracts, and possibly use the incident as a rallying point to unify the wrestling community under its banner, highlighting the need for professionalism and safety.
• Regulatory Scrutiny: The incident could lead to increased scrutiny of professional wrestling by state athletic commissions or other regulatory bodies, possibly resulting in stricter regulations.

7. Wrestling Industry Impact

• Public Perception: The perception of professional wrestling could take a significant hit, with potential fallout regarding the staged nature of the sport versus real violence.
• Relationships Between Promotions: Relationships between different wrestling promotions could either be strained further, or they could lead to a push for more collaborative and respectful interactions to avoid such incidents in the future.