WWE The Great American Bash - The Official Thread

[RSP2006]

Hey guys! Whoa, what a show it was this year, I just finished reading the results here. A lot is not known right now, so check back for more (as it reads below). Here are your complete GAB results, enjoy!

Pitbulls Leave Bash With Tails Between Their Legs
By Jen Hunt
July 23rd, 2006

Over the last few weeks, Jamie Noble and Kid Kash have individually beaten WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London & Brian Kendrick. But these wins have been marred with controversy as both men cheated to get their wins. However, at The Great American Bash, Kendrick and London showed that teamwork and their high-risk, out of control style could overcome anything the Pitbulls dished out.

Kendrick and London won their WWE Tag Team Championship at Judgment Day from MNM who they had beaten several times in non-title matches. Now the champions, they had to worry about history repeating itself, since the Pitbulls had recently beaten them in singles matches. The difference this time was that Kendrick and London were able to take advantage of their strongest asset, their teamwork.

It looked as though it could have been over for the WWE Tag Team Champions when Noble dropkicked London off the apron. London hit the ground with a loud smack and, in just one example of their incredible teamwork, Kendrick literally had to throw him back in the ring to keep going. It looked like London couldn’t come back from the fall as he spent the next several minutes taking the brunt of the “ground and pound,” ruthless style of attack from the Pitbulls.

Miraculously, London was finally able to tag in his partner who was cheered on by the raucous Indianapolis crowd as he proceeded to explode on both of the Pitbulls. In the end, teamwork won the match when London hit Kash with a dropsault and in one motion, Kendrick followed up with a sunset flip for the pin. Kendrick and London showed everyone why they are the WWE Tag Team Champions; not only do they use teamwork, but they leave it all in the ring.


An Old-Fashioned Fight
July 23rd, 2006

What should have been Bobby Lashley’s chance at Championship redemption turned into a classic, old-fashioned one-on-one brawl at The Great American Bash. As first reported earlier this week by WWE.com, Lashley was deemed ineligible to compete by WWE physicians after tests revealed an elevated level of enzymes in the former United States Champion’s liver. Despite Lashley’s pleas, the pleas of fans chanting “We Want Lashley", and even later, those by Finlay and William Regal themselves, General Manager Theodore Long upheld the ruling and re-confirmed the new match between Champion Finlay and fellow King’s Court member William Regal.

The contest, which pitted close friends and associates against each other, got off to a slow start. At first, Finlay and Regal were reluctant to lock up, but once reality set in, the grizzled veterans dug in and engaged in hard-nosed, hand-to-hand combat. The competitors used a variety of European mat-wrestling holds and takedowns, performing a clinic in technical wrestling for the Conseco Fieldhouse crowd.

As is the case with many of Finlay’s matches these days, it was only a matter of time before Little Bastard got involved. The pint-sized leprechaun interjected on more than one occasion. Little Bastard grabbed and bit the Englishman, and even removed Regal’s boot, which eventually served as the difference in the match.

Later in the match when the referee's attention was diverted, William Regal went for Finlay’s shillelagh. As he turned around to use it, he was greeted by his own boot, slammed into his face by Finlay who immediately went for the cover. The Champion used the ropes for leverage and recorded the pin. In a battle of Irishman and Englishman, friends and associates, champion and challenger, Finlay, with help from Little Bastard, left Indianapolis with the gold around his waist.


Handful Of Help
By Zack Zeigler
July 23rd, 2006

The longest reigning Cruiserweight Champion in history kept his WWE momentum rolling at The Great American Bash when he defeated Matt Hardy. The Championship was not on the line, but there was something extremely valuable at stake—bragging rights.

Hardy and Helms grew up near one another in North Carolina and used to be close friends at one point. But jealousy and the competitive nature of WWE drove a wedge into their friendship, and in their match at The Bash the two battled with tenacity attempting to prove each had evolved as the superior Superstar. While Helms won the match—by grabbing Hardy’s tights when he rolled him up—neither Superstar was willing to give in to the other.

It was easy to see that this one got personal as Helms and Hardy both took turns mocking one another. First, Hardy made gestures that resembled Helm’s former alter-ego, the Hurricane, and then Helms returning the favor by ridiculing Hardy’s turnbuckle scream.

Both Superstars hit devastating maneuvers on the other. The Champion was caught with a face numbing stiff right hand when he was trying to climb to the top rope, but he was able to regain his composure to nail Hardy with a Shining Wizard, and later, a top-rope swinging neck breaker. Even after suffering those devastating moves, Hardy wouldn’t quit.

The equality of their mat skills was inarguable, with both Superstars getting multiple two-count covers on the other, but it was Hardy’s persistence that frustrated Helms at times, as if the Champion’s opponent proved to be more of a challenge than Helms had originally thought. Unfortunately for Hardy, this time his effort didn’t garner a win.

Helms proved why he is the longest reigning Cruiserweight Champion in WWE history, doing whatever it takes, even grabbing a handful of tights for the win.

The Phenom Is Back
July 23rd, 2006

In a huge turn of events, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long forced Big Show to take The Great Khali's place in the Punjabi Prison Match. In a hellacious match that saw both Undertaker and Big Show bloodied and battered, the Deadman emerged victorious. Check back soon for more details.


It’s Always Ashley, Ashley, Ashley
By Jen Hunt
July 23rd, 2006

Imagine what life for the past year has been like for Kristal. She placed fourth in the 2005 Diva Search – which Ashley won. She had the spotlight as one of Smackdown’s top Divas – until Ashley came over from RAW. And she lost her tag team match on SmackDown Friday Night – to Ashley.

Lately it seems like Kristal is suffering from a bit of Jan Brady Syndrome, because everywhere she turns, it’s always Ashley, Ashley, Ashley! Unfortunately for the overshadowed Diva, The Great American Bash was no different as she was the first Diva to be stripped down to nothing but her frilly white undies courtesy of none other than Ashley.

Kristal immediately pounced on her nemesis when the match began and ripped her top off, just like her top was ripped off Friday on SmackDown. It was clear both sides were working through a lot of pent up aggression. As Michael Cole put it, Kristal and Ashley beat the “holy hell” out of each other throughout the match, while Michelle McCool and Jillian went after each other.

But in the end, when the hair had settled, it was Ashley who, once again, outshined Kristal, adding another bruise to Kristal’s already black and blue ego. Ashley and Jillian celebrated the win by stripping each other down to proudly showoff their titillating skivvies. How much more can Kristal take before she completely snaps on Ashley?


The Animal Unleashed
July 23rd, 2006

Batista left Mr. Kennedy a bloody mess, but in the end, it was the brash Kennedy who picked up the victory via disqualification. After the match, Batista snapped and demolished an already battered Kennedy. Check back soon for more details.


Camelot Comes To SmackDown
July 23rd, 2006

Chavo Guerrero inexplicably turned on Rey Mysterio and leveled him with a steel chair, allowing King Booker to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. Check back soon for more details.