http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_SchultsAssault on John Stossel
On December 28, 1984, Schults' encounter with Stossel happened while Stossel was backstage at Madison Square Garden doing a story about professional wrestling's secrets. During an interview Stossel told Schults that he thought pro wrestling was fake and Schults' response was to slap Stossel twice, knocking him to the floor each time. The attack, which attracted a large amount of media coverage, was later aired on national television (as well as appearing on websites such as YouTube and Break.com during the early 2000s) including ABC News which reported that the network had received more than 1,000 calls from viewers inquiring about Mr. Stossel's health.
Marvin Kohn, a deputy commissioner at the New York State Athletic Commission, had been present at the arena during the incident and immediately suspended Schultz for his actions. Although called by Commissioner Jose Torres to come to a hearing before the Commission, Kohn later reported that Schultz had written letter to the commission admitting "that he had acted improperly and apologized both to the commission and to Mr. Stossel" and further stated "I intend the commission to know that I did not intend to hurt John Stossel. I apologize to the commission and to John Stossel."
Stossel later claimed he was unaware of Schultz apology and would pursue his action in court although commented he would be "less likely to sue" if the aftereffects of his injury disappeared. [7] However, Stossel eventually filed a lawsuit against the World Wrestling Federation, and settled out of court for $400,000.
Although he has consistently maintained that World Wrestling Federation officials told him to hit Stossel, Schultz was fired. Many industry insiders believe, it was not because of his actions against Stossel, rather, Schults was fired for challenging Mr. T to a fight backstage at a WWF show at Madison Square Garden. [8]
[edit] Later career and retirement
He wrestled for a time after this, returning to Memphis and competed internationally in Japan and Canada but this was short lived and he retired from professional wrestling soon after.
Moving to Connecticut, he opened a successful bail bond business and made a career as a professional bounty hunter. Pursuing criminals as far as Egypt and Puerto Rico, he has arrested around 1,700 fugitives and worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency and various police departments for over 15 years. Schultz eventually became engaged to Carole Rubinstein, who he went on and married. [9]Schults briefly reappeared in the spotlight in the early 1990s when Vince McMahon was accused of illegally distributing anabolic steroids. Although Hulk Hogan was considered to be the prosecution's major witness, Schults was one of several former WWF wrestlers called to testify against McMahon at the trial although McMahon would eventually be acquitted of all charges against him. [10]
[edit] Recent years
During the early 2000s, Schultz began becoming involved in wrestling discussing the possibility of his being inducted into Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in November 2003 [11] and, the following month, attended the Fan Slam Convention in Totowa, New Jersey on December 6, 2003. [12] During the event he participated in a Q&A panel which included Ted DiBiase, Virgil, Gary Michael Capetta, Chief Jay Strongbow and The Missing Link. [13]
In October 2006, Schultz was honored along with J.J. Dillon and Missy Hyatt at a dinner banquet hosted by the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and attended by former WWF wrestlers from the 1970s and 80s. [14] During the event, he would participate on a Q&A panel discussing the PWHOF and taking questions from audience members as well as conducted a "shoot interview" with RF Video. As part of their agreement, RF Video donated $500 in his name to the PWHF Building Fund and later presenting a check to PWHF President Tony Vellano. [15]
