Scott Norton Remembers Thinking He Was Going To Be Killed By The North Korean Military

Legendary wrestling star Scott Norton opened up about a harrowing experience with North Korean authorities during the historic Collision in Korea wrestling event.

In April 1995, WCW and NJPW co-hosted a groundbreaking two-night event in Pyongyang, a first for an American wrestling promotion in the secretive nation. Scott Norton, a prominent participant, recalled a chilling incident during an interview with Wrestling Shoot Interviews. The trouble began with what seemed to be a routine phone call to his wife. Norton, who had just gotten married, struggled for days to connect with her. When he finally succeeded, the conversation quickly took an alarming turn.

“Finally, they let me call home. I talk to my wife, and she goes, ‘Where have you been? Why haven’t you called?’ I said, ‘Tammy, I’ve been trying to call you for three days.’ She thought I was partying and having fun. I said, ‘You don’t understand the kind of situation I am in here.’”

The call abruptly ended, leaving Norton frustrated and unaware of the consequences. Moments later, North Korean officials appeared at his door.

“There’s a dude in a suit with four military guys with weapons; they took me out of the room. I honestly thought they were just gonna kill me.”

Interrogated and accused of insulting the country, Norton endured intense scrutiny.

“Certain people would come in, military people, and the looks they were giving me… they were disgusted with me. It was unbelievable.”

Despite the terrifying ordeal, Norton returned unharmed. His story serves as a chilling testament to the strict control and tension surrounding the event, which remains one of wrestling’s most unique historical moments.

Which NJPW Star Did Scott Norton Make “Bounce A Foot Off The Mat” With A Powerbomb?

Scott Norton remembered hitting former NJPW star Manabu Nakanishi with one of his signature powerbombs and made him “bounce a foot off the mat” during a match the pair had at the famous Tokyo Dome. Norton went on to explain that Japanese audiences expect performers to be stiffer with their moves than American audiences, which is why he laid his moves in more than other wrestlers.

H/t to ITRWrestling.com