Squared Circle Comes to FirstEnergy Park

Sunday, June 29th the talented performers of TNA Impact Wrestling are slated to invade Lakewood's FirstEnergy Park for the venue's first ever BaseBrawl event.

For one night, the ballpark that's been the home to Phillies stars like Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz on their way to the major leagues, will host some of the world's best professional wrestlers.  The evening's card, that has a bell time of 6 PM, will feature World Heavyweight champion Bobby Lashley defending against former champ "Showtime" Eric Young.  Bully Ray will take on Ethan Carter III while Angelina Love and Velvet Sky will team up to face Gail Kim and Madison Rayne.  Additionally, Olympic gold medalist and former World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle will make an appearance.

Gunner, a rising star in Impact Wrestling, recently appeared on the PhoulBallz Podcast to discuss the upcoming event at the home of the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws, and says fans in attendance will get two-and-a-half to three hours of terrific wrestling action.

"The fans are definitely  gonna get their money's worth," Gunner said.  "We go out there and they have six or seven matches and...we (give) 110%.  They're gonna get a chance to do a meet and greet and take pictures with some of their favorite superstars, ask us questions.  I've always enjoyed meeting the people, meeting the kids.  That's what it's about for me."

An Iraqi War veteran and former United States Marine, "Gunner" will often kick off the BaseBrawl events by leading the pledge of allegiance.

The North Carolina native grew up attending Hickory Crawdads baseball games with his family.  The Crawdads are division rivals of the BlueClaws.

Ticket prices for the show start at $20.  Fans that purchase a $50 ticket will have the opportunity to meet select Impact Wrestling superstar at an early-entry autograph session beginning at 4 PM.

Tickets to the TNA Impact Wrestling 2014 World Tour event in Lakewood can be purchased at the BlueClaws box office, at BlueClaws.com or by dialing 732-901-7000 option 2.

Jay Floyd created and writes the website PhoulBallz.com about area minor league clubs, like the Lakewood BlueClaws, from the inside. In the autumn of 2010 Jay began writing in a freelance capacity and joined PhilliesNation.com as a minor league contributor and is also a correspondent and panelist on the show of the same name.