Anonymous wrote: In the early 70s, wrestling matches were held about every three weeks at the Scranton CYC. It was always a big draw – but – for several years it was constant sell-outs (approx 6,000?). Chief Jay Strongbow was a phenomenal draw in Scranton during his peak. He, Pedro Morales, and Bruno Sammartino, among other babyfaces always prevailed in the "ultimate showdown" (cage, death, strap – whatever type decisive match). Such was not the case with George "The Animal" Steele and Haystacks Calhoun. The match was at least the second (if not the third) main event between them. Joe Louis was the referee. Steele pulled out his knife, cut Calhoun pretty good (blood everywhere), and knocked him out of the ring. Joe Louis counted Calhoun out and declared Steele the winner. The arena went wild!!!

The CYC was primarily a basketball arena. The wrestlers came from each of two locker rooms – one for the heels and one for the baby faces. Along the back wall heading to the Heels dressing room were a series of double doors exiting to the alley behind the CYC. Before getting there, the wrestlers walked through the ringside seats and alongside a section of the bleachers. The CYC was totally filled – SRO. As Steele walked past the bleachers, a young boy (10-12?) jumped on his back. With a single one-armed motion, Steel grabbed the boy and tossed him back into the bleachers. (At this point, I should add that Scranton was still pretty much a coal miner town with a coal miner's mentality.) THE ENTIRE SECTION OF THE BLEACHERS came after Steele, chased him through the double doors, into the alley and down the street. Steele was literally running for his life. The other "heels" all ran from the dressing into the alley, formed a circle around Steele, and eventually wedged their way back into the arena and dressing room. The "focal point" of the circle was Iron Mike McCord (later, I believe, Austin Idol). Steele and the other wrestlers ran "away" from the crowd with Steele in the middle. McCord "faced" the crowd, taking slow and deliberate steps backwards while basically pounding to the ground anybody trying to get trough him to Steele.

McCord was quite a sight – I believe he saved Steele from real harm that night. I'm surprised I was never able to find mention of this in any internet site that discusses wrestling. I've seen the card identified by sites that chronologically list wrestling cards for each year. However, you would think such an event would gather a little more discussion.

George Steele responsed: That is not what happened Brad. I never went in the ally and ran. The locker room door was next to the exits. There was two doors at each end of the locker rooms and the fans came in both doors. The way cleared by police and the wrestlers. The Police did walk me to our car. There was no real problem. I did not cut Stacks with a knife. God Bless.

Anonymous wrote again: I didn't really mean cut with a "real" knife. Other than that, I think George's recollection is a bit off. The police may have walked him to the car after the "show." However, after the "match," he most certainly was chased into the alley, the wrestlers circled him, and McCord was the "point man." The "doors" he is talking about were next to the locker room entrance, but were not exits/entrances for fans at wrestling and boxing matches. These were the doors in back of the arena, emergency only. It was an emergency!!! LOL