Match to determine the NATURAL Heavyweight Championship
 Buffalo, NY (8/9/07) – We are pleased to announce the name of Samoa Joe’s opponent for the NATURAL Heavyweight title at Ballpark Brawl© VIII in Buffalo, NY on Thursday, August 23^rd. We have come to terms with Kishi (formerly Rikishi in the WWE) to face Joe for the first time ever in what is being billed as “The Battle of Samoa.”

“We are extremely excited about this massive confrontation. Samoa Joe is on top of the industry as one of the most powerful and determined talents today. Kishi has a tremendous pedigree and a track record of success at the highest levels of sports entertainment. This should be an epic and potentially once in a lifetime encounter,” said Ballpark Brawl spokesperson Dan Murphy.

Samoa Joe, the current NATURAL Heavyweight title holder, also holds the Total Non Stop Action Wrestling X-Division and Tag Team titles. Joe’s path to the title started at Ballpark Brawl© VII when he defeated Steve Corino in the first round of the NATURAL title tournament. That victory propelled him to the finals where he participated in the first ever “Title on a Foul Pole” match against three of the top talents in the industry today; “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels, Senshi (also known as Low-Ki) and Homicide. His complete bio can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa_Joe

Kishi has wrestled under various names during his diverse career but he is best known as Rikishi in the WWE. During his tenure he captured the WWF Intercontinental Title, WWE Tag-Team Title (with Scotty 2 Hotty) and the World Tag Team Championship twice (once with Samu and once with Rico). His younger brother is currently wrestling in the WWE as Umaga both are nephews of Afa and Sika the Wild Samoans. His complete bio can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solofa_Fatu

The event will take place after the Buffalo Bisons vs. Pawtucket Red Sox baseball game on Thursday August 23^rd. Gates open at noon with the game beginning at 1pm. Limited field seating will be available for $30. Special Reserved tickets for the game and Ballpark Brawl are $10.00, reserved tickets are $9.00. Tickets are on sale now at the Dunn Tire Park box office, all www.Tickets.com and at the Bisons web site, Bisons.com. Field seats are only available by calling the Dunn Tire Park box office at 716.843.4373.

ANNOUNCED MATCHES SO FAR

- NATURAL Heavyweight title match featuring Samoa Joe vs. Kishi (formerly Rikishi)

- Legendary appearances by “The Fabulous Moolah,” Mae Young, Brutus ‘The Barber” Beefcake, and “The Doctor of Style” SLICK!

- 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Joey Matthews “Mercury” (First Time Ever)

- Women's Three-Way: Gail Kim vs. Tracy Brooks vs. TBA (guest referee Jennifer Blake)

- Ruckus vs. “MDogg” Matt Cross

- Tag Team Table Turmoil: Akira Raijin & Brute Issei vs. Brodie Lee & Mystery Partner vs. Detox & Devon Moore vs. TBA & TBA

- Six Man "Futures" Elimination Match: Winner of Young Lyons II vs. Davey Richards vs. John McChesney vs. El Generico vs. Sterling James Keenan vs. TBA

- Triple Threat "Young Lyons II" Match: Jimmy Olsen vs. TBA vs.  Super-Xtremo

More matches to be announced soon.

EVENT INFORMATION
Thursday, August 23^rd

Dunn Tire Park – Buffalo, NY

Ballpark Brawl ™ VIII

Gates will open at noon

Belltime will be 45 minutes after the game

TICKET INFORMATION
All tickets include admission to the Buffalo Bisons play the Pawtucket Red Sox. Wrestling event to take place after the baseball game. Limited field seating will be available for $30. Special Reserved tickets for the game and Ballpark Brawl are $10.00, reserved tickets are $9.00. Tickets are on sale now at the Dunn Tire Park box office, all www.Tickets.com and at the Bisons web site, Bisons.com. Field seats are only available by calling the Dunn Tire Park box office at 716.843.4373.

About the Ballpark Brawls: The Ballpark Brawls are wrestling events at Dunn Tire Park (Buffalo, NY) that feature the top wrestling talent from the past, present and future of professional wrestling. For more information, please contact the Ballpark Brawl official web site www.ballparkbrawl.com.

-Ballpark Brawl

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