LIVE Coverage - Great American Bash

Play by Play
Great American Bash - 24th Jul 2006
Location - Indianapolis, Indiana
Announcers - Michael Cole and John Bradshaw Layfield

CAPS from the show can be found HERE!

The Great American Bash opened up with a video welcoming us to the Great American Bash. They plugged the Punjabi Prison Match between the Undertaker and the Great Khali, billed as the Undertaker’s greatest challenge yet. They also plugged the World Title match between Rey Mysterio and King Booker. The fireworks then went off in the arena as Michael Cole and John Bradshaw Layfield welcomed us to the show!

WWE Tag Team Championship Match
The Pitbulls vs Paul London and Brian Kendrick (c)
Referee: Charles Robinson

The WWE Tag Team Champions made their way to the ring in some weird masks and they are set to defend their gold against Kid Kash and Jamie Noble, the Pitbulls.

The start:
Kash and London started out and Kash shoved London and then the two brawled around the mat before breaking it up. They locked up again and Kash grabbed a side headlock. London sent him to the ropes but Kash came back with a shoulder block. They locked up again and Kasha again grabbed a side headlock. London sent him off and Kash again nailed a shoulder. Kash nailed some right hands on London and then hit some headbutts. Kash with a hip toss but London landed on his feet and hit a right hand. London sent to the apron and then hit a springboard headscissors takedown.

Mid-match notes:
Kendrick tagged in and hit a cross body from the top for two. Kendrick with a pair of arm drags and then grabbed a wrist lock. Kash fought out and tagged in Noble. Noble stomped at the mid section of Kendrick and then slammed him head first into the corner. Noble followed up with a chop and then a tilt a whirl but Kendrick countered for two. Kendrick nailed an arm drag and then tagged in London. London with the Mushroom Stomp from the top for a two count. Kendrick back in with an elbow to the shoulder. Another quick tag to London who hit a double axe handle to the shoulder of Noble. London with a wrist lock but Noble tossed him into the middle buckle. Noble stomped at London but London made a blind tag and they hit a double arm drag on Noble and a double dropkick on Kash to clear the ring. Kendrick and London with suicide dives to both men on the outside. London with a slam on Noble in the ring and Kendrick went up top but Kash grabbed his ankle and then Noble slammed him down into the ring and covered for two.

Noble kicked at the back of Kendrick and then tagged in Kash. The Pitbulls with a double shoulder block on Kendrick and Kash covered for two. Kash pulled Kendrick hard down to the mat by his hair and then locked in a rear chin lock. Kendrick came back and tagged in London. London with a flying clothesline and then some right hands. London with a belly to belly on Noble and then a takedown on Kash, followed by a nip up. London sent Noble to the ropes but Noble sent London to the apron. Kash pulled London down and London went to skin the cat but Noble dropkicked him in the back while he was upside down and London crashed to the floor. Kendrick helped London up on the outside and got him back into the ring to avoid the count out. Noble stomped at London and then hit an elbow to the back of the head and covered for two. Noble with a rear naked choke but London fought out but ran into a leg lariat from Noble for two. Kash tagged in and stomped at London.

Kash choked London with his boot in the ropes. Kash chopped at London in the corner and then hit some knees to the head. Kash let London get near the tag and then pulled him back and nailed Crossface shots to the head. Noble tagged in and worked over London some more before Kash was tagged again. London tried to fight off both men but Kash tackled him down. London sent Kash into Noble, knocking him off the apron. London goes for the tag but Noble pulled Kendrick off the apron. London with a back drop on Noble and then made the tag. Kendrick with a dropkick to Kash from the top. Kendrick took both men down and then sent Kash to the corner and hit a splash. Kendrick with a superkick on Noble and one for Kash as well. Kendrick covered but Kash got his foot on the rope. Kendrick with a huricanrana on Kash for another two when Noble broke the fall.

The Finish:
Noble with knees to the head of Kendrick and went for the tiger driver but London hit the ring with a spin kick. Kash took London down but then Kendrick sent Kash to the outside. Kendrick hit a crossbody from the top to the floor on Noble. Kash and London are in the ring and Kash went for a suplex but London blocked and Kendrick came off the top with a sunset flip and London hit the dropsault to take him down and Kendrick gets the win! Great match!

Winners: Brian Kendrick and Paul London

Backstage:
Khali is backstage with Daivari. Daivari is saying that he doesn’t want to call the Undertaker out now. Daivari is screaming at him. Khali picked Daivari up and screamed at him.

In the arena:
Theodore Long made his way to the ring. Long says that he has some bad news. Long said during his annual and regular physical examination, Bobby Lashley was found to have elevated enzymes in the liver, and therefore, Lashley will not compete tonight. The music of Bobby Lashley hit in the arena as he made his way down to the ring. Lashley takes the mic. Lashley says with all due respect, he doesn’t think there is a damn thing wrong with him. He said he came all the way down here to get his title back, and he’s ready to fight. Long took the mic back as the fans chanted to let him fight. Long said he wants Lashley to compete tonight, but he owes it to him and all the fans to assure that this administration takes a long term view of his personal health. Long said when he’s medically cleared, he will have the opportunity to become United States Champion again. Lashley looks upset. Lashley leaves the ring and Finlay and Regal make their way out as Lashley is on his way to the back. Long asks why they are out here. Finlay tries to shake Long’s hand and says to give him a break. He says that Lashley has a knot on the back of his head, and a yellow streak down his back, and he’s afraid of the competition. Finlay says he wants to be announced the winner by forfeit. Long takes the mic back. Long asks why he would want to do that. Long says he promised the fans a US Title match tonight, and that’s what is going to happen. He said he knows they might be the best of friends, but tonight, Regal will go one on one with Finlay for the US Title.

United States Championship Match
William Regal vs Finlay (c)
Referee: Nick Patrick

The start:
Regal goes to check under the ring for the Little Bastard before the match. Regal doesn’t see it and gets back in the ring. Regal went to go out again but Finlay rolled him up for two. Regal with a left hand to Finlay before locking up. The two wrestled around the ring and the ringside area, all while in a collar and elbow tie up. Regal got Finlay in the corner back in the ring and then Regal slapped Finlay. Regal with a single leg but Finlay spun out of it. They lock up again and Finlay grabs a side headlock. Regal sent Finlay to the ropes but Finlay came back with a shoulder.

Mid-match notes:
Regal tossed Finlay to the outside, and then put him on the apron and gave him an uppercut but then the Little Bastard grabbed the ankle of Regal. He chased Regal around the ring and then came behind Regal and scared him shitless. Back in the ring and Finlay hit a clothesline for two. Finlay with a nerve hold on Regal and then an elbow to the head. Finlay with an uppercut but then Regal rallied with some uppercuts of his own. The two traded uppercuts and then Finlay with an eye poke and roll up for two. Finlay sent Regal head first to the corner and then hit a knee to the gut. Finlay sent Regal hard to the corner as the fans chanted that they wanted Lashley.

Regal came back with a boot in the corner and then a butterfly suplex for two. Regal went looking under the ring for the Bastard again, and he bit Regal’s finger. Finlay worked the hand of Regal, slamming it into the turnbuckle. Regal came back with a knee to the gut and a drop toe hold before locking in a rear naked choke. Finlay comes back and pulled Regal to the apron, and slams him down chest first. Back in the ring and Finlay with a snapmare into another rear naked choke and then a side headlock. Regal and Finlay both hit heads and Regal recovered first with stomps. Regal with a knee drop for two and then an uppercut. Regal pulled out a dropkick and covered for another near fall. Regal with an arm trap suplex and then a knee to the face for two.

The Finish:
Regal tossed Finlay to the outside and slammed him head first into the corner. Finlay trapped Regal into the apron and hammered away at him. Finlay continued to beat on Regal while trapped in the apron. The boot of Regal is off for some reason, I think Little Bastard took it while he was trapped in the apron. Finlay stomped on the exposed foot of Regal but then missed a shoulder in the corner. Regal rolled Finlay up for a two count. Regal has the shillelagh and while the referee was getting rid of it, Little Bastard gave Finlay Regal’s boot and Finlay nailed Regal with it for the win!

Winner: Finlay

The Aftermath:
Little Bastard grabbed the US Title and Finlay kicked him back under the ring, and took back his belt.

Backstage:
Rey Mysterio is in the back with Chavo Guerrero. Chavo asks if Rey is ready. Chavo said they are like family, and Chavo said Rey is more or less a Guerrero. Chavo said the fans are proud of Rey, and so are all of Eddie’s fans. Chavo said he is proud of Rey. Chavo said one of Eddie’s last dreams was to regain the World Championship, so in a sense, Rey is living Eddie’s dream. Chavo said tonight, he is here to make sure that dreams do come true. The two hugged.

WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
Matt Hardy vs Gregory Helms(c)
Referee: Chris Kay

The music of Matt Hardy hit in the arena as he made his way down to the ring for action. Gregory Helm’s then made his way to the ring as the Cruiserweight Champion, and we are set to go. Helms is the longest reigning Cruiserweight Champion ever.

The start:
The two locked up and Helms backed Hardy to the corner and broke clean. They locked up again and this time Hardy backed Helms to the corner and again we got a clean break. Hardy with an arm drag and then worked the arm before locking in a headlock. Hardy with a hip toss and then a side headlock takedown. Helms sent Hardy to the ropes, and then Hardy mocked Helms with the old Hurricane pose. Helms got pissed. Hardy with an atomic drop and then sent Helms to the floor. Hardy with a plancha onto Helms on the outside.

Mid-match notes:
Back in the ring and Hardy covered for two. Hardy with another roll up for a two count. Helms is on the apron and hit a hot shot on Helms and then a swinging neckbreaker back in the ring for a two count. Helms choked Hardy in the ropes and then hit another neckbreaker for a two count. Helms locked in a front face lock but Hardy escaped with a jawbreaker but then ran into a clothesline for two. Helms locked in a rear chin lock as the fans got behind Hardy. Hardy with an arm drag but then ran into a boot in the corner. Helms to the middle rope and mocked Hardy and dived off but Hardy with a shot to the mid section and then a Russian leg sweep for two. Helms with a knee to the gut but Hardy went for the side effect but Helms countered into a roll up for two. Helms went up top but Hardy caught him with a shot to the gut.

Hardy climbed up and went for a superplex but Helms crotched him. Helms with right hands and then hit a sick swinging neckbreaker from the top rope. Helms crawled into a cover but Hardy got his foot on the rope. Helms pulled him to the middle of the ring and covered again but Hardy kicked up. Helms with a snapmare and then an elbow to the jaw before locking in a rear chin lock. Hardy drove Helms to the corner and then ran into an uppercut. The two traded right hands with Hardy coming out on top. Hardy with a back elbow and then the side effect for a near fall. Hardy sent Helms to the corner and hit a running clothesline and then a bulldog for two. Helms went for the eye of the hurricane but Hardy blocked and went for the Twist of Fate but then Helms came back with an impact move for two.

The Finish:
Helms went for the Shining Wizard but Hardy ducked. Helms came back and nailed the Wizard for a near fall. Helms perched Hardy up top but Hardy elbowed him down and then came off with a moonsault onto the standing Helms for another near fall. Hardy went to the middle rope and hit a diving elbow to the head for two. Hardy nailed right hands in the corner but Helms dropped him face first on the corner and then rolled Hardy up with a handful of tights for the win.

Winner: Gregory Helms

Backstage:
Khali is backstage with Daivari. Khali is screaming stuff and Daivari is trying to stop him. Undertaker grabs Daivari and tosses him but then Big Show comes from nowhere and ambushes the Undertaker, stomping at him. A bunch of referees come to break it up. Khali gets a boot to the head in on Taker.

Backstage:
Show and Khali are walking backstage with Daivari. Long comes up and says that in his Punjabi Prison Match, there is only going to be one man to meet the Undertaker, and that will be Big Show! Big Show argues and Khali screams at Long. Long tells Show to get to stepping and that match is next.

Punjabi Prison Match
The Big Show vs The Undertaker

ome Asian music played in the arena as the Prison lowered around the ring. It’s one bamboo cage around the ring, with a bigger bamboo cell around the ringside area. There are spikes on top of both structures to stop people climbing over. Michael Cola gets on the mic and gives us the rules. The first structure has four doors, each with a referee. The door will remind open when called by a competitor and will remain open for 60 seconds. The only way to win is by escaping both structures. The Big Show then made his way down to the ring as the ECW Heavyweight Champion, and he looks scared to death. The Undertaker then made his way down and we are set to go.

The start:
Show attacked Taker as he entered the inner cage. Show stomped away at Taker in the corner and then hammered away with right hands and then an elbow to the back of the neck. The fans chanted for the Undertaker as he came back with right hands of his own. Taker nailed repeated shots to the body and head of the Big Show and then went to slam him head first to the corner but Show blocked and nailed Taker. Show hit a back elbow to the head of Show, against the cage. Show stood on the throat of the Undertaker in the ropes. Show nailed a big headbutt and then sent him hard to the corner but ate boot on the charge.

Mid-match notes:
Taker with kicks to the leg and then a chop block to take Show down, followed by a boot to the jaw. Taker with kicks and stomps to Show and then he started to climb the cage but then he meets the spikes which slow him down. Show grabs Taker by the ankle and then gives him a low blow. Show climbs up and nailed some headbutts to Taker. There are leather straps to each corner of the structure, and Show is choking Taker with one of them. Show drove Taker into the corner and then kicked him down to the mat. Show with a clothesline and then an elbow drop. Show followed up with a kick to the ribs but Taker came back with right hands. Taker with a kick in the corner, and then some big right hooks to the body. Taker slammed the back of Show’s head into the cage and ran at him with repeated back splashes against the cage. Show comes back and goes for the chokeslam but Taker countered into a DDT.

Taker asked for the door to be opened, and it is. Taker starts to crawl out and a timer comes up counting down a minute before the door is closed for good in this match. Each door can only be opened once. Show stopped Taker from escaping and then grabbed the strap from the corner of the cage as the door closes for good. Show whipped Taker with the strap and then choked him in the corner with it. Show ripped off the turnbuckle pad but then walking into right hands and then some jabs by the Undertaker. Taker with a body press on Show to take him down and then followed up with old school but Show blocked it, pulling Taker down to the canvas. Show asks for a door to open and makes his way towards it but Taker stops him with a kick to the head. Taker tried to dive through but Show dragged him back in. Taker nailed right hands on Show but then Show comes back with a chokeslam and dives for the door but it closes for good just as he was about to get out.

Show with a knee to the head, repeatedly. Show sends Taker head first into the exposed turnbuckle and Taker is busted open. Show nailed some headbutts as the fans chanted that Big Show sucks. Show hammered some right hands into the open wound of the Undertaker. Show started to climb the cage but Taker gave him a low blow. Taker climbs up there and nails Show with some shots and then goes for a superplex from the top, and scored with it. Taker called for the third door to be opened, and Taker is on the outside of the ring into the second structure. There are no doors on this cage, you have to climb out. There’s also a table with weapons on it. The third door closes shut but he then comes out of the fourth door. Taker is climbing the cage but Show meets him with elbows, knocking him down to the floor. Show leans the table against the side of the cage and crashes the Undertaker through it. Show then put Undertaker back into the middle cage and the door shuts behind him, and there’s no more doors that can be opened. Taker is caged inside. Show starts climbing the outside structure and Undertaker climbs the middle one. Taker climbed out and jumped from the middle structure to the outside one, above Show.

The Finish:
Show tried to pull him down but Taker hung from a rope and swung himself into Show to knock him down. Show hit a running leg drop onto Show through another table. Taker nailed right hands to the newly busted open Big Show. Taker slammed Show head first into the cage and then started to climb the middle cage as Khali made his way down to ringside with Daivari. Taker went for a crossbody on Show but Show caught him and they both flew out of the structure, breaking it in the process, but Taker hit first. Khali and Daivari are stuck climbing the cage.

Winner: The Undertaker

Backstage:
King Booker is backstage with Sharmell. Sharmell said that many great men have tried to rule the world. Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Julius Cesar. They all failed in the end, but Booker will not fail. When he beats Rey Mysterio he will become King of the World. Booker kept saying “king of the world” like he was having an orgasm.

Four Way Bra and Panties Match
Kristal Marshall vs. Michelle McCool vs. Ashley vs. Jillian Hall
Referee: Chris Kay

Kristal Marshall made her way to the ring for the bra and panties match. Michelle McCool was out next in her school teacher garb. Out next was Jillian Hall, followed by Ashley, who has new generic music.

The start:
Ashley and Jillian tackle Kristal and Michelle respectively. Ashley nails some shots on Kristal but Kristal comes back with a boot. Michelle and Jillian are fighting on the outside. Kristal is stomping away at Ashley in the ring and then ripped off her top. Kristal celebrated and Ashley took her down from behind, sending her outside. Michelle has Ashley now but Jillian comes in with a spear on Michelle and they rolled around the ring. Michelle went for a slam but Jillian reversed and hit a knee to the back. Jillian hit a slam. Jillian gets caught in the tree of woe by Michelle. Michelle takes off Jillian’s top. Kristal and Ashley are still brawling on the outside.

The Finish:
Kristal and Ashley are back in the ring now. Ashley and Jillian whip Kristal and Michelle into each other. Jillian takes off Michelle’s skirt and Ashley does the same to Kristal. Michelle has another skirt on underneath. Kristal then spears Michelle and they brawl around and Ashley and Jillian just watch. Jillian dropkicks Michelle to the outside. Jillian shoves Kristal into her breasts and holds her while Ashley takes off Kristal’s top. Ashley is the winner. Jillian is sort of pissed, and goes to leave. Ashley pulls Jillian back and whispers something to her. Jillian goes to the top rope and Ashley pulls down her pants. Jillian does the same to Ashley.

Winner: Ashley

Backstage:
Miz is backstage with Kennedy. Kennedy said it takes a lot of guts for Batista to step in the ring with Kennedy. Kennedy said he will defeat Batista in the center of the ring tonight. Mark Henry may have not been able to beat Batista, but he will. When it’s said and done; Kennedy will be announced the winner of the match.

Batista vs Mr. Kennedy

The music of Batista hit in the arena as he made his way down to the ring to a huge reaction from the crowd in attendance as he is set to face Mr. Kennedy. This was supposed to be Batista vs. Mark Henry, but Henry was injured last week, putting him out of action for eight months. Kennedy went to do his announcing schtick, but Batista attacked him.

The start:
Batista tossed Kennedy to the corner but Kennedy comes back with a thumb to the eye. Batista came back with right hands and then sent Kennedy hard to the corner, and Kennedy bailed to the outside. Batista followed out, sending Kennedy head first into the barricade, and then back first into the apron. Batista sent Kennedy back into the ring but Kennedy met him with shots to the back and then right hands to the head. Kennedy has been busted open.

Mid-match notes:
Batista with right hands and then choked Kennedy in the corner with his boot. Kennedy rolled to the outside again and Kennedy is covered in blood, looks to be hardway. Kennedy said he doesn’t have to take this and see you later. Kennedy went to leave but then tried to sneak attack Batista but Batista nailed the spinebuster. Kennedy came back sending Batista to the apron and charged at him, but Batista side stepped sending Kennedy to the floor again. Kennedy raked the eyes of Batista on the outside and then got back into the ring. Kennedy pulled the referee in front of him, and then worked Batista over. Kennedy choked Batista and then nailed a short arm clothesline, before hammering away at the Animal. Kennedy nailed right hands in the corner and then hit a running knee to the head. Kennedy wrapped Batista’s arm around the ring post and then kicked Batista to the outside. Kennedy sent Batista shoulder first into the ring steps and then wiped the blood off his head and slapped it over the chest of Batista.

The Finish:
Back in the ring and Kennedy locked in a rear chin lock. Kennedy went into a key lock on Batista and yelled at the referee to ask Batista if he gives up. Batista fought out and Kennedy slapped him. Batista drove Kennedy to the corner and nailed a series of shoulders. Battista threw Kennedy shoulder first to the ring post. Batista again threw Kennedy into the ring post. Batista stomped away at Kennedy in the corner and then choked him with his boot. Batista went insane and wouldn’t break it and elbowed the referee away. The referee called for the bell.

Winner: By disqualification, Mr. Kennedy

The Aftermath:
Batista is pissed and grabs Kennedy, and nails him with a spinebuster. Batista nails him with another spinebuster and chases the referee out of the ring. Batista nailed a third spinebuster and he is out of control. Batista nailed the Batista Bomb. Batista has demolished Kennedy.

World Heavyweight Championship Match
King Booker vs. Rey Mysterio (c)
Referee: Nick Patrick

The music of King Booker hit in the arena as he made his way down towards the ring set for his shot at the World Heavyweight Championship and Rey Mysterio. Booker came out in a car with a stage on it, and he was sitting on his throne alongside Sharmell. Fireworks went off behind him. Rey Mysterio then made his way down as the World Champion, and we are set to go.

The start:
Booker got in Rey’s face and shouted out that Eddie can’t help him. Booker backed Rey to the corner and broke clean. They locked up again and Booker went for a right hand in the corner but Rey ducked and moved. Booker with a knee to the gut and then stomps to Mysterio, followed by a chop in the corner. Rey comes back with forearms to the face and then a snapmare and a quick legdrop for one. The fans chanted “Eddie” as we get another lock up. Booker with knees to the gut and then a slam, followed by a back elbow knockdown and then an arm hold.

Mid-match notes:
Rey fought back with some elbows to the face and then flipped Booker down to the canvas and hit a low dropkick to the face for two. Rey with a tilt a whirl headscissors but Booker came back with a thumb to the eye. Booker with right hands and shoulders in the corner and then went for a running shoulder but Rey moved and Booker went shoulder first into the ring post. Booker rolled to the outside and Rey came from the top with a seated senton onto Booker on the floor. Back in the ring and Rey hit a springboard splash for a two count. Rey went for a springboard moonsault but Booker moved and Rey landed on his feet, but then Booker took him down with a superkick. Booker followed up with a clothesline and then choked Rey over the bottom rope. Booker distracted the referee and Sharmell raked the at the face of Mysterio. Booker with a standing sidekick on Rey followed by a cover for a two count. Booker locked in an arm bar on Rey as the fans got behind the World Champion. Rey went to flip out of it but Booker slammed him down to the canvas.

Booker hit the three amigos on Rey and then mocked Eddie, getting into Rey’s head, before covering for two. Booker went for the Scissors Kick but Rey moved and hit a series of kicks and then a drop toe hold and went for the 619 but Booker moved. Rey hit a kick to the head for two. Rey hit a dropkick sending Booker into the ropes, and went for the 619 but Sharmell tripped him. The referee ejected Sharmell. Booker took Rey down and covered for two. Booker went to the middle rope and dived off, but ate boot from Mysterio. Rey nailed a dropkick to the knee. Rey nailed right hands and then a huricanrana. Rey nailed a springboard crossbody for a near fall. Rey followed up with a tornado DDT for another near fall. Rey went for a headscissors but Booker tossed him off and Rey bumped the referee to the outside of the ring. Booker worked Rey over in the corner but ate boot on the charge.

The Finish:
Rey hit a seated senton and then dropkick sending Booker to the ropes. Rey nailed the 619 and then headed up top and came off with the frog splash. Rey covers but the referee is still dead. Booker comes back with a low blow and then the Book End. Booker rolled to the outside and grabbed a steel chair. Booker went to nail Rey but Rey ducked and dropkicked the chair into the face of Booker. Chavo Guerrero hit the ring and got the chair and nailed Rey with it! Booker can’t believe it. Booker covered and the referee is back in the ring and we have a new World Heavyweight Champion!

Winner: New World Heavyweight Champion, Booker T

The Aftermath:
Booker can’t believe it. He hugs the title belt as Sharmell comes back out and does the “All Hail King Booker” bit. Booker T is King of the World and he is almost in tears as we fade to black.

Thankyou for joining us for our Play by Play, please joi n us for next months WWE & TNA PPV play by Play.

CAPS from the show can be found HERE!

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