TRIBUTES have been paid to a former wrestler who was involved in one of Blackburn's most bizarre encounters.

Wrestling pundits have remembered Sid Eudy - known professionally as Sid Vicious, Sid Justice and Sycho Sid - after his death aged 63 following a long battle with cancer.

But when he toured East Lancashire more than 30 years ago, for a World Championship Wrestling (WCW) show at Blackburn Arena, he made headlines for a different reason.

He became embroiled in a scissors-led confrontation with fellow grappler Arn Anderson at the town's Moat House Hotel which left both needing treatment at the former Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Other wrestlers and hotel staff had to intervene, with both suffering wounds to the chest and abdomen.

The Lancashire Telegraph reported at the time how ambulance staff had arrived at the scene and found one of them "was in a bad way".

Anderson reportedly received 20 stab wounds and Sid, who stood at six-feet nine, endured four in the scuffle. Moat House managers were in the dark over how the fracas began following a 2am check-in.

Infirmary doctors later confirmed their conditions had stabilised. The arena show proceeded without incident and no criminal charges were ever filed over the hotel incident.

Promotion bosses later fired Sid, who grew up in West Memphis, Arkansas, over the incident.

His former bosses at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where he was crowned a world champion, said they were "saddened" by his death and passed on their condolences to family, friends and fans.

His death was confirmed by his son Gunnar Eudy who described him as "a man of strength, kindness, and love”.

Fellow WCW star Sting said Sid was "one of the most believable big men ever. I loved working with Sid and will miss him."