Former WWE Intercontinental Champion, two-time WWE World Tag Team Champion, one-time WWE Tag Team Champion member, and 2015 WWE Hall-of-Famer, Rikishi will appear at Pfitzner Stadium on Friday, Aug. 19 for a special meet-and-greet with Potomac Nationals’ fans.
Rikishi will sign autographs and pose for photos with P-Nats fans while the WWE legend is also scheduled to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the Nationals’ 7:05pm tilt against the Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles).
A longtime veteran of the WWE, Rikishi spent more than 10 years working for the world’s premier professional wrestling conglomerate between 1992 and 2004 while the WWE staple has continued to return to the ring for action on various occasions starting in 2012 and continuing even today.
Gates to Pfitzner Stadium will open for this special WWE professional wrestling celebrity appearance at 6:00pm, and Rikishi will be available for autographs and pictures with fans from 6:15pm-6:45pm and then again during a second autograph and photo session from 7:15pm to 8:45pm after Rikishi throws out his first pitch.
Part of the famed Anoa’i wrestling family, which has produced stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jimmy and Jey Uso, the Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika Anoa’i), Roman Reigns, and many more, Rikishi debuted in the WWE in 1992 as part of “The Headshrinkers,” where he won the WWE World Tag Team Championship in April of 1994.
After a brief break from the WWE, Rikishi returned in 1999 and joined the stable “Too Cool.” A deviation from his look and character as part of “The Headshrinkers,” Rikishi came back with bleached blond hair and sunglasses.
Joining up with Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty, the trio highlighted the “Attitude Era” with their over-the top-dances and signature moves. During his time with “Too Cool,” Rikishi earned a reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion in 2000 and WWE Tag Team Champion in 2004.
Rikishi left the WWE in 2004, but returned in 2012 to induct his cousin Yokozuna into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Rikishi has returned to in-ring action on numerous occasions since, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame prior to WrestleMania 31 on May 28th, 2015.
The P-Nats have previously hosted WWE Hall of Fame Inductees Ted DiBiase, “The Million Dollar Man,” and Sgt. Slaughter during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, respectively.
Rikishi’s appearance will complement another Pokémon Night at The Pfitz featuring miniature Pokemon figurines giveaway to the first 500 fans through the gates into The Pfitz in addition to a Potomac Nationals’ Second-Half Team Photo giveaway presented by Printing Images.