Ex-Wrestling Star 2 Cold Scorpio arrested for violent stabbing, claims self-defense

According to court documents obtained by TMZ SportsThe bloody incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. at a Love's Travel Stop in Kansas City, Missouri.

Authorities say 2 Cold Scorpio – aka Charles Scaggs – told them he was working as a security guard at the store… when he saw a man who had lit a cigarette inside the establishment.

The victim says TMZ Sports it did NOT light up inside the store – he says he thought the dart had been extinguished before entering the building, but it may not have been completely extinguished.

Scaggs said he told the guy he couldn't smoke inside, but then claimed the man became upset … and said, “What the fuck are you going to do ?

Scaggs said the man then threatened him … and when the two men finally exited the store, he claimed the guy tried to wrestle with him.

During the fight, Scaggs told authorities he pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed the man in self-defense. The wrestler said the altercation lasted for several more moments — and that during the quarrel, he also received a few more blows.

Cops say when they arrived on scene, they found the man who had been stabbed lying on the ground… bleeding from his head, chest, buttocks, legs and abdomen. They added that he was transported to a local hospital… when he lost consciousness several times.

According to doctors, however, investigators were able to contact him at the medical center later that day … where they say he told them that Scaggs was the aggressor in the situation.

Scaggs was eventually thrown behind bars…and hit with two criminal charges: one count of first-degree assault and one count of armed criminal action.

Court records show that after his release, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is due back in court for a hearing in the case next month.

Scaggs broke into the world of professional wrestling in 1985…and he went on to compete for several promotions, including WWE.