ROCKINGHAM — A different type of hard-hitting entertainment will replace the usual zinging of line drives and popping of fastballs for the Richmond Senior High School baseball program next weekend.
World Class Elite Wrestling will set up inside Richmond’s gymnasium Saturday, May 11, for the “Raiders Grand Slam,” a benefit event to raise money for the school’s baseball team.
Eric Brown, who is in his first season coaching the Raiders, said he was approached by WCEW this spring about the fundraiser and said he “loved” the idea of putting a new spin on raising money.
“Growing up, I was a huge wrestling fan and Ric Flair is a wrestler that I quote often with our players — ‘To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man,’” Brown shared.
“Fundraising is hard, it’s always a challenge to find new and fun ways to try to raise money instead of doing online fundraisers or selling doughnuts or discount cards. I hope it’s a successful event and maybe something that we can continue to do.”
Regional wrestlers will face off inside “two rings surrounded by steel” as part of the War Games spectacular.
WCEW promises an “action-packed night of family-friendly entertainment that will help raise money for a good cause.”
The organization held a similar event in December at Hamlet Middle School to raise money for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Shop with a Deputy program.
Announced March 9 by special guest general manager and World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer Teddy Long, Team WCEW will throw down against Team Pitbull.
Team WCEW will be led by The New Breed, Aaron CK and Big Von, along with special guest Charlie Dreamer.
Representing Team Pitbull will be Baron Bullard, Tre G, Johnny Smooth and George South, accompanied by special guest BabyDoll, who is an “NWA legend.”
A “special stipulation” of the Raiders Grand Slam matches is if Team WCEW wins, Team Pitbull must disband. In the event of the other outcome, Team Pitbull will get control of Team WCEW for 60 days.
Event organizers also announced that Jak Tatum has lost the title of WCEW New Class champion. At the Raiders Grand Slam, “a six-man scramble will determine a brand new New Class champion.”
In trying to maintain the tradition and success of the Raider baseball program, the team he played for in the early 2000s, Brown hopes the fundraiser will help breathe a little bit of life into Richmond’s facilities.
“I tell everyone I talk to that we have a great set up for baseball at Richmond,” Brown commented. “To me, it’s the best venue in the state to watch high school baseball. With that being said, Raider Field and other surrounding facilities have aged over the years so we need to update quite a few things.
“The focus will be updating and upgrading our practice equipment — things such as new L screens, protective fields screen, turf mats and field protectors. This would be for equipment that we’ll use on a daily basis at practice.”
Thinking long term, Brown hopes to continue to use fundraising to purchase a new on-field portable batting cage and make field playing surface upgrades.
Tickets are currently on sale with three different packages available — VIP front or second row ($20 per ticket), VIP third or fourth row ($15 per ticket) and general admission ($10 per ticket).
For $5, general admission seating is available to local students with school ID and children under the age of five (with paying adult).
To purchase tickets in advance, all 910-544-6839. All proceeds will go to the Raider baseball program.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for VIP ticket holders, which includes a meet-and-greet with Long, BabyDoll and several other WCEW wrestlers.
General admission tickets will be allowed entry at 6:30 p.m. with the first bell going off at 7 p.m.
“I hope the fans show up in a big way and just have fun,” Brown shared. “It’s something a little different, so I hope people will step out of their comfort zones to come out and experience the event. It will benefit everyone involved.
“Any and all connections that we can make through this are a plus. I love talking about our baseball program to people to show them what we are doing, talk about our vision and see if there is a way they would be able to support the boys.”
