Tha O Show's Great American Bash Preview

Nope, it’s not WrestleMania, but Andrew Gray, Christopher Casur and D.J.B. are still coming together to triple-team The Great American Bash. Headlined by the “dream match” of Triple H vs. Edge, and supported by a strong (if unoriginal) mid-card of John Cena vs. JBL in a NYC Parking Lot Brawl and Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho, this pay-per-view boasts a pretty solid line-up, even if the build hasn’t been so strong.

Will Edge be able to re-capture the WWE Championship? Will CM Punk prove to be more than a transitional champion? How will things shake down heading toward SummerSlam, one of the biggest pay-per-views of the year? Click on the link below to see what Tha O Show thinks will go down ths Sunday. And make sure to check out “Extras” for highlights from past editions of The Bash (in both WCW and WWE).

WWE Championship: Triple H vs. Edge

Andrew Gray says: The match itself has been overshadowed by all of the Edge-Vickie drama, but Trips finally got in on the action Friday by giving the couple their wedding “gift.” Even without the heat, though, I’m sure two of the best Superstars in the business will be able to get the crowd involved.

Call me gullible, but I think this recent rift between Vickie and Edge is permanent. I see Triple H going over Sunday. Then, Vickie will bring back Undertaker on “SmackDown!” next week to exact revenge on her former beau, leading to a Edge-Undertaker rematch at SummerSlam.

Winner: Triple H

Christopher Casur says: Triple H was moved to "SmackDown!" for the purpose of garnering ratings for the move to a new network in October. Consequently, I can't see him not having the title going into that stretch. Trips goes over in the main event.

Winner: Triple H

D.J.B. says: As much as I’d like to see the twist at the end of Vickie still screwing Triple H, now for ruining her wedding day, and giving Edge the WWE Championship and one woman for each arm. That doesn’t happen enough in wrestling and that could be something new and something fresh on “SmackDown!”

I doubt that’ll happen though, and I’m calling Triple H retains in some way shape or form. I’ll be so bold as to guess that the sledgehammer plays a role in the finish and Triple H still hits a Pedigree for the 3 count. Sad but true.

Winner: Triple H

World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Batista

Andrew Gray says: CM Punk’s segments on “Raw” since he’s been World Champ have been the highest-rated on the show. His match with Kane this past week drew a 3.59 - only the overrun drew a higher rating. In addition, the segments before and after CM Punk’s match did a 3.1, so clearly there’s interest in Punk as the champ.

For a company so interested in the quarter-hour ratings, you’d think these developments would give the decision-makers (i.e. Vince McMahon and Triple H) second-thoughts on taking the title off Punk so quickly. But I still think Batista will win the gold, and possibly face John Cena at SummerSlam. Come on, do you really think Vince will let a skinny little Punk beat a jacked-up monster like Batista?

As for the match itself, I don’t think Punk has what it takes to carry Batista to a strong match. But it’s not all his fault - Batista just sucks. And I think the clash of styles will work against them too. They could prove me wrong, though, by keeping it simple, with the bigger Batista (heel) working over Punk (babyface) for much of the match, leading to a Punk comeback. Either that, or they could do a 2-minute squash like they did after “Raw” went off the air.

Winner: Batista

Christopher Casur says: Batista went a long way in getting rid of his staleness upon arriving on "Raw". Maybe he's happier now and isn't mailing it in so much now, who knows. Either way, Punk needs a big pay-per-view win to make him look legit, and even though WWE has missed the boat in doing that thus far, there's no possible way they could mess this one up unless they really are all idiots who are just giving each other piggyback rides backstage.

Winner: CM Punk

D.J.B. says: In a match that will most likely go on way too early I think we’ll be treated to a good match. Batista has proved time and time again that he can be carried to a good match. Punk is no doubt capable of carrying Batista to a good match, and I think this Sunday’s Great American Bash will be a huge stepping stone for Punk.

I think that in order to prolong an actual feud for the World Championship, which “Raw” wasn’t really able to establish, Punk will need to go over in this one prolonging Batista’s chase for the belt. With the outside shot of Punk losing on a Batista heel turn. Which would then turn into a Punk title chase, but I feel Punk coming through on this one.

Winner: CM Punk

NYC Parking Lot Brawl: John Cena vs. JBL

Andrew Gray says: Thank God Cena was only “grazed” by JBL’s vehicle on “Raw”; otherwise, we could have missed John Cena-JBL on pay per view for the 151st time. Still, the parking lot gimmick is a good way to hide Cena’s in-ring weaknesses, and should lead to a least a few exciting spots.

Is Cena going over for the millionth time or will JBL be set up to challenge Punk or Batista for the World Title? I’m going with the former. Cena’s always a safe bet to get the W. And to be a douche.

Winner: John Cena

Christopher Casur says: The last time John Cena was in a Parking Lot Brawl, he lost thanks to interference from Chavo Guerrero. I'm hoping for that to repeat itself at The Bash. Maybe Chavo comes in and runs him over with a golf cart, perhaps? Unless that happens, John Cena will go over...again. This is getting old.

Winner: John Cena

D.J.B. says: I really hope this match jerks the curtain, but it’ll probably go on after Punk and Batista. Though Cena gave his best promo in years Monday night due to this feud, this feud doesn’t have much more in it, so this had better be planned as the blow off. I really don’t think they can give this much time, because what is there to do?

I don’t know the rules to the match and I really don’t care, I just know that it needs to be short. Cena will almost positively go over because he’s John Cena and this could be the last match in the feud. Now the real challenge lies in finding him something to do after this feud . . . not involving the World Heavyweight Championship.

Winner: John Cena

Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho

Andrew Gray says: This match will challenge Edge-Triple H for match of the night. Shawn Michaels is arguably the best worker of all-time, and Jericho is world-class too. The whole match is based on that premise actually. Jericho knows he’s a world-class athlete, but he also knows that he’ll never be at the level of the Heartbreak Kid.

If I weren’t a cheap bastard, I’d be tempted to order the pay-pre-view based on this match alone. And the build has been great too, from Jericho’s gradual heel turn, to the in-ring promos (particularly from HBK’s end). If WWE can get another month out of this feud, they should do it. I predict Jericho will come up with some underhanded way to get the victory, leading to a rematch at SummerSlam.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Christopher Casur says: This match will be somewhere on the undercard or midcard and could very well steal the show. Michaels and Jericho have put on great matches in the past, and I expect this one to be no exception. Jericho goes over and the feud culminates at SummerSlam.

Winner: Chris Jericho

D.J.B. says: I think this match is quite intriguing. Largely because, and I can't believe I'm going to say this, Lance Cade's character and involvement have my attention. He hasn't done an awful lot and I do believe he can have a huge effect on the outcome of the match, for either Michaels or Jericho depending on the way the book is written.

He could easily turn on Jericho, because like Michaels, he'd be turning on yet another partner. Murdoch was the first, Jericho could be second and he could be brought up in the image of Shawn Michaels. He could also establish himself as a legitimate heel with a beat down of Michaels allowing Jericho to steal a victory, which seems more likely.

Winner: Chris Jericho

ECW Championship: Mark Henry vs. Tommy Dreamer

Andrew Gray says: If this match lasts more than 2 minutes, I’ll be shocked. Miraculously, ratings for “ECW” have gone up since the Draft, so you have to think some of the increased interest is due to this feud. However, I know the fed doesn’t consider Dreamer a championship contender of any kind, and he’s merely being used to build up the new champ on “ECW.”

Winner: Mark Henry

Christopher Casur says: Tommy Dreamer is simply in this role to be a credible guy for Henry to beat. Henry wins and WWE will continue The Black Parade on their programming.

Winner: Mark Henry

D.J.B. says: I don’t mind seeing Tommy Dreamer in the ECW main event, I don’t mind seeing Mark Henry in the ECW main event, but I probably won’t pay too much attention to this match, mainly because in the time it takes me to get up and grab another Mountain Dew out of the fridge this one will probably be over.

Tony Atlas will again call Mark Henry the “Worlds Strongest Champ-ee-uh,” and people all over North America will drop their heads in shame at the butchering of the English language. Tony’s butchering of the English language will probably only be slightly worse than Mark Henry’s squash of Tommy Dreamer.

Winner: Mark Henry

WWE Tag Team Championship Fatal Four Way

Andrew Gray says: Miz and Morrison have been a major part of “SmackDown!” for awhile now, and their internet show, “The Dirt Sheet” is put over routinely on Friday nights as well. And believe me, just like it is for Mick Foley, it’s hard for me to be complimentary of Miz. But at the same time, it’s hard to name a better WWE tag team over the past 2-3 years than Miz and Morrison (even if they don’t have much competition for that honour).

Multi-person matches always present an oppourtunity to protect the champion(s), while still allowing new champions to be crowned. However, I don’t think it’s quite the right time to take the gold off the champs just yet. I do see the Biscuits and Gravy boys getting a run with the straps in the near future, but it won’t start on Sunday.

Winners: Miz and Morrison

Christopher Casur says: It's strange. This is really the second high profile defense of these titles, even though they won the fucking titles back in October! I'd like to see Jesse and Festus walk out with the gold, but Miz and Morrison have defended those belts so little that their run still has legs.

Winners: John Morrison and The Miz

D.J.B. says: I wanted there to be a story when MnM lost their WWE Tag Team Championships but it just looks like the story will be four teams going for the gold and the numbers being too much. I don’t see Miz or Morrison scoring a pinfall in this one, and this is actually a hard match to call, but I see Jesse & Festus walking away with the straps.

Winners: Jesse and Festus

WWE United States Championship: Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin

Andrew Gray says: If there was logic involved, I would guess Benjamin was going over in order to bring the U.S. title back home to “SmackDown!” But since Hardy has appeared on “SmackDown!” every week since being drafted to “ECW,” you can throw logic out the window.

Still, I’m going out on a limb with my prediction for this match. Because Matt Hardy and Finlay are the only viable challengers to Mark Henry’s ECW Championship (unless someone from another brand challenges the World’s Strongest Man), I see Shelton walking out of The Bash as the new U.S. champ. Hardy’s had a pretty lackluster reign up to this point, anways.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin

Christopher Casur says: Shelton Benjamin can also be a stronghold for the "SmackDown!" midcard, much like Matt Hardy. The difference is, Shelton Benjamin has not been well exposed or well utilized in the past year. He could use a rub from the gold, and I believe he gets one here.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin

D.J.B. says: The seed for this match was planted a few weeks ago when Shelton Benjamin went over on Matt Hardy cleanly on “SmackDown!” Matt Hardy got his run with the United States Championship and I’m glad he did, but I think it’s about time he drops this one and moves into the hunt for the ECW Championship, so I’m calling Shelton taking the US Strap because, quite frankly, there ain't no stopping him now.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin

Divas Championship: Michelle McCool vs Natalya

Andrew Gray says: As long as the two can get over the awkward lock-up to start the match, they should be OK. But in all seriousness, the two should put on a decent match, leading to the crowning of the first-ever Divas Champion.

If Undertaker had his way (and he usually does), McCool would be the new champ. But I don’t think it’s a coincidence that “SmackDown!” is introducing the new title just after Natalya’s debut. Nope, the Divas Championship (in all of its ugly glory) was made for Natalya.

Winner: Natalya

Christopher Casur says: Make no mistake about it, the entire reason that belt was even created was because of Nattie Neidhart being on "SmackDown!" She goes over Michelle McCallaway and hopefully will have an Awesome Kong-like run with the belt.

Winner: Natalya

D.J.B. says: The Undertaker’s lady and Nattie apparently have some heat because Michelle thought she’d try and teach Nattie how to wrestle the E’s style. I don’t know if that’ll translate over to the ring, but the match should be pretty good, but another one I won’t spend a lot of time watching. Bathroom breaks, hand-washing and nachos will trump the match to determine the new holder of the really ugly butterfly belt.

Winner: Natalya

O-sters, we want to hear from you! What are your predictions for The Great American Bash?

Extras

1. Terry Funk vs. Ric Flair for the NWA Championship in 1989.

2. Lex Luger defeats Barry Windham in a Steel Cage match to win the vacant WCW Championship in 1991. You can hear a smattering (yes, I said smattering) of “We Want Ric” chants (Part 1; Part 2).

3. Big Van Vader vs. Sting for the WCW Heavyweight title in 1992.

4. Eric Bischoff gets powerbombed by Kevin Nash through the stage in 1996, a month before the nWo was formed.

5. Real-life enemies, Chris Benoit and Kevin Sullivan, battle it out in their infamous Falls Count Anywhere Match in 1996.

6. “Macho Man” Randy Savage fights Diamond Dallas Page in 1997, in another Falls Count Anywhere Match.

7. In the main event of the first WWE version of the event, Undertaker takes on The Dudley Boys, causing Paul Bearer to be encased in cement.

8. The late, great Eddie Guerrero vs. JBL for the WWE Championship from the same year (2004).

9. The first-ever Punjabi Prison Match between Undertaker and Big Show in 2006. Proceed with caution.

10. Rey Mysterio’s only reign as Heavyweight Champ comes to an end as King Booker becomes 6-time, 6-time, 6-time, 6-time, 6-time, 6-time World Heavyweight Champion!

11. MVP vs. Matt Hardy for the United States Championship in 2007.

12. John Cena and Bobby Lashley in the main event of last year’s Bash (Part 1; Part 2).

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