The Following is a Press Release From WWE:
STAMFORD, Conn. USA/Tokyo, Japan, June 2005 – Former Grand Champion AKEBONO will be returning to the ring as part of the WWE Supershow Tour of Japan in July 2005 which will feature fans’ favourite Superstars from both RAW® and SmackDown!® at the Saitama Super Arena on two consecutive nights, Friday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday July 2 at 6:00 p.m. Come see history in the making, as for the first time ever in Japan, an All-Star lineup of WWE Superstars from RAW and SmackDown! perform together in the same ring, only at Saitama Super Arena.
At WrestleMania® 21 in Los Angeles, AKEBONO opposed Big Show in a Sumo match. These one time opponents will now join forces to take on upstart WWE SmackDown! Superstars Carlito™ and Matt Morgan™. On July 1, Big Show takes on Carlito in singles competition. AKEBONO will be in the 7-foot giant’s corner to ensure no interference from Carlito’s cornerman, Matt Morgan. On July 2, AKEBONO will team with the Big Show in a tag team match against Carlito and Morgan.
That is not the only fantasy match on the card. On Friday, July 1, for the first time anywhere in the world, fans also will see WWE Champion John Cena™ and World Heavyweight Champion Batista™ team up for a tag team match against former champions JBL™ and Triple H®, with Ric Flair. The following night, July 2, both the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship are on the line. Batista will take on Triple H in a Street Fight for the Title and John Cena will face JBL and Orlando Jordan™ in a 2 on 1 Handicap Match for the Title.
And for the first-time ever in Japan, Undertaker® will face off one-on-one with Kurt Angle®, and Shawn Michaels™ and Chris Benoit® will take on Muhammed Hassan™ and Daivari™ in tag team competition.
Also appearing from RAW will be Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin™ and WWE Divas Christy Hemme™ and Stacy Keibler™. SmackDown!Superstars scheduled to appear are Cruiserweight Champion Paul London™, Rey Mysterio™, Eddie Guerrero™, Chavo Guerrero™ and WWE Diva Torrie Wilson®.
