The Great American Bash
The Great American Bash | |
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![]() Current logo as an NXT-branded event (2020–present) | |
Created by | Dusty Rhodes |
Promotions | National Wrestling Alliance's Jim Crockett Promotions (1985–1988) World Championship Wrestling (1989–1992, 1995-2000) World Wrestling Entertainment (2004–2009, 2012, 2020) |
Brands | Raw (2007–2009) SmackDown (2004–2009) ECW (2007–2009) NXT (2020) |
Other names | The Bash |
First event | The Great American Bash (1985) |
The Great American Bash is a professional wrestling event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was originally produced on pay-per-view (PPV) by the National Wrestling Alliance's (NWA) Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and then by WWE. According to Ric Flair in his autobiography, To Be the Man, Dusty Rhodes invented the concept of The Great American Bash.[1]
The last WCW event was held on June 11, 2000, not to be held again due to the acquisition of WCW by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).[2] After a four-year hiatus, the event was revived by the rechristened WWE in June 2004 and would be exclusive to the SmackDown! brand from 2004 to 2006.[3][4][5] In 2007, to follow the format of WrestleMania, WWE made all its pay per view events promotion-wide, featuring matches with competitors from its three brands, Raw, SmackDown, and ECW.[6] The event was replaced in 2010 by Fatal 4-Way and WWE Money in the Bank.
In July 2012, the event name was used for a special live episode of SmackDown, featuring the Great American Bash Battle Royal.[7] In 2020, the event name was brought back as a two-night event for WWE's NXT brand, airing July 1 and July 8 on USA Network as special episodes of NXT's weekly TV show.
Dates and venues
WCW/nWo co-branded event | SmackDown-branded event | NXT-branded event |
1985
The Great American Bash (1985) | |||
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Promotion | National Wrestling Alliance Jim Crockett Promotions | ||
Date | July 6, 1985 | ||
City | Charlotte, North Carolina | ||
Venue | American Legion Memorial Stadium | ||
Attendance | 27,000 | ||
Event chronology | |||
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The Great American Bash chronology | |||
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The Great American Bash (1985) was the inaugural The Great American Bash professional wrestling closed circuit event produced by Jim Crockett Promotions. It took place on July 6, 1985 at the American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The event included a 1-hour live concert performance by David Allan Coe.[8]
As a result of Dusty Rhodes winning the match, Tully Blanchard's valet, Baby Doll was forced to be Dusty Rhodes' valet for 30 days which sparked her face turn as she became a full-time valet for Rhodes and his then partner, Magnum T.A.
1986
The Great American Bash (1986) | |||
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Promotion | National Wrestling Alliance Jim Crockett Promotions | ||
Date | July–August 1986 | ||
City | various cities | ||
Venue | various venues | ||
Attendance | N/A | ||
Tagline(s) | Ringmasters | ||
Event chronology | |||
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The Great American Bash chronology | |||
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The Great American Bash (1986) was the second The Great American Bash event series produced by Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP).
JCP used "The Great American Bash" as the name for a tour that had several pay-per-view caliber shows around the country. In 1986, there were 13 Great American Bashes and NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair defended his title at each one against Ricky Morton, Road Warrior Hawk, Ron Garvin, Nikita Koloff, Robert Gibson, Road Warrior Animal, Magnum T.A., Wahoo McDaniel and Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes defeated him for the title at the July 26 Bash. Flair challenged for it on the last Bash on August 2. Nikita Koloff and Magnum T.A. were involved in a best of seven title match series throughout the Bash for the U.S. Title. The cities toured in 1986 were in order as follows: July 1 in Philadelphia, July 3 in Washington, D.C., July 4 in Memphis, Tennessee, July 5 in Charlotte, North Carolina, July 8 in Charleston, WV, July 9 in Cincinnati, July 10 in Roanoke, Virginia, July 12 in Jacksonville, Florida, July 18 in Richmond, Virginia, July 21 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, July 23 in Johnson City, Tennessee, July 25 in Norfolk, Virginia, July 26 in Greensboro, North Carolina and August 2 in Atlanta.
In July 2019, the July 5 and July 26 editions were uploaded as hidden gems on the WWE Network.[12]
July 5, 1986 in Charlotte, North Carolina (Memorial Stadium)
No. | Results[9][13] | Stipulations | ||
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1 | Denny Brown (c) fought Steve Regal to a draw | Singles match for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship | ||
2 | Robert Gibson defeated Black Bart | Singles match | ||
3 | The Minnesota Wrecking Crew (Ole Anderson and Arn Anderson) defeated Sam Houston and Nelson Royal | Tag team match | ||
4 | Manny Fernandez defeated Baron von Raschke (with Paul Jones) | Bunkhouse match | ||
5 | Wahoo McDaniel defeated Jimmy Garvin (with Precious) | Indian Strap match | ||
6 | Ron Garvin defeated Tully Blanchard (with James J. Dillon) | Taped Fist match | ||
7 | The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) (with Paul Ellering) defeated The Russian Team (Ivan Koloff and Nikita Koloff) | Russian Chain match | ||
8 | Jimmy Valiant defeated Shaska Whatley (with Paul Jones) | Hair vs. Hair match | ||
9 | Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A. and Baby Doll defeated The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey) and Jim Cornette | Steel cage match | ||
10 | Ric Flair (c) defeated Ricky Morton | Steel Cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | ||
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July 26, 1986 in Greensboro, North Carolina (Greensboro Coliseum)
No. | Results[9][13][14] | Stipulations | ||
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1 | Steve Regal defeated Sam Houston | Singles match | ||
2 | Black Bart and Konga the Barbarian defeated Denny Brown and Italian Stallion | Tag team match | ||
3 | Manny Fernandez defeated Baron von Raschke (with Paul Jones) | Loaded Glove on a Pole match | ||
4 | Wahoo McDaniel defeated Jimmy Garvin (with Precious) | Indian Strap match | ||
5 | Tully Blanchard (with James J. Dillon) defeated Ron Garvin | Taped Fist match | ||
6 | The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) fought The Minnesota Wrecking Crew (Ole Anderson and Arn Anderson) to a draw | Tag team match | ||
7 | Paul Jones (with Shaska Whatley) defeated Jimmy Valiant | Hair vs. Hair match | ||
8 | Magnum T.A. defeated Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) | Best of 7 series for the NWA United States Championship (3-1) | ||
9 | The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) and Baby Doll (with Paul Ellering) defeated The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey) and Jim Cornette | Steel Cage match | ||
10 | Dusty Rhodes defeated Ric Flair (c) | Steel Cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | ||
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1987
The Great American Bash (1987) | |||
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Promotion | National Wrestling Alliance Jim Crockett Promotions | ||
Date | July 4, 1987[15] July 18, 1987[16] July 31, 1987 | ||
City | Atlanta[15] Charlotte, North Carolina[16] Miami | ||
Venue | The Omni[15] Memorial Stadium[16] Orange Bowl | ||
Event chronology | |||
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The Great American Bash chronology | |||
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The Great American Bash (1987) was the third The Great American Bash event series produced by Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP).
This was the first use of the WarGames: The Match Beyond match conceived by Dusty Rhodes.
Rhodes was on the winning side in both events along with The Road Warriors, Nikita Koloff and Paul Ellering. Koloff, Rhodes and J.J. Dillon sustained serious injuries in the first encounter. The Bash series took place in numerous venues all July long, starting in Lakeland, Florida at the Lakeland Civic Center Arena on July 1. This was also the final wrestling event of the National Wrestling Alliance's JCP to be aired live on closed-circuit television, as Jim Crockett Promotions began airing their wrestling events live on pay-per-view, starting with Starrcade in November 1987.
July 4, 1987 in Atlanta, Georgia (The Omni)
No. | Results[9][15][17][18] | Stipulations | ||
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1 | Kendall Windham defeated Gladiator #1 | Singles match | ||
2 | Sting defeated Thunderfoot #1 | Singles match | ||
3 | LazerTron defeated MOD Squad Spike | Singles match | ||
4 | Jimmy Valiant defeated MOD Squad Basher | Singles match | ||
5 | Barry Windham (c) defeated Rick Steiner | Singles match for the NWA Western States Heritage Championship | ||
6 | Ron Garvin and Jimmy Garvin (with Precious) defeated Vladimir Petrov and The Barbarian (with Paul Jones) | Tag team match | ||
7 | The Lightning Express (Tim Horner and Brad Armstrong) (c) defeated The Angel of Death and Big Bubba Rogers (with Skandor Akbar) | Tag team match for the UWF World Tag Team Championship | ||
8 | Chris Adams defeated Black Bart (with Skandor Akbar) by disqualification | Singles match | ||
9 | The Fabulous Freebirds (Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy) defeated Ivan Koloff, Manny Fernandez and Paul Jones | Six-man tag team match | ||
10 | The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) (c) defeated The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) (with Jim Cornette) by disqualification | Tag team match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship | ||
11 | Steve Williams (with Magnum T.A.) defeated Dick Murdoch (with Eddie Gilbert) | Texas Death Match | ||
12 | The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk), Nikita Koloff, Dusty Rhodes and Paul Ellering defeated The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Lex Luger, Tully Blanchard and J.J. Dillon) (with Dark Journey) | WarGames match | ||
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July 18, 1987 in Charlotte, North Carolina (Memorial Stadium)
No. | Results[9][17][16] | Stipulations | ||
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1 | Kendall Windham, Jimmy Valiant and LazerTron defeated Sean Royal, Gladiator #1 and Gladiator #2 | Six-man tag team match | ||
2 | Chris Adams defeated Black Bart (with Skandor Akbar) | Singles match | ||
3 | Barry Windham (c) defeated Big Bubba Rogers (with Skandor Akbar) | Singles match for the NWA Western States Heritage Championship | ||
4 | "Dr. Death" Steve Williams and Terry Gordy defeated Eddie Gilbert and Dick Murdoch | Bunkhouse match | ||
5 | The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts) defeated The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) (c) (with Jim Cornette) by disqualification. | Tag team match for the NWA United States Tag Team Champions | ||
6 | The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) (c) defeated The MOD Squad (Spike and Basher) | Tag team match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship | ||
7 | Road Warrior Animal (with Paul Ellering) defeated Arn Anderson (with James J. Dillon) | Taped Fist match | ||
8 | Lex Luger (with James J. Dillon) defeated Nikita Koloff (c) | Steel cage match for the NWA United States Championship | ||
9 | Ric Flair (c) (with James J. Dillon) defeated Road Warrior Hawk (with Paul Ellering) by disqualification | Singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | ||
10 | Dusty Rhodes (with Barry Windham) defeated Tully Blanchard (with James J. Dillon and Dark Journey) | "Lights-out" Barbed Wire Ladder match for $100,000. | ||
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July 31, 1987 in Miami, Florida (Orange Bowl)
No. | Results[9][17] | Stipulations | ||
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1 | Manny Fernandez and The Barbarian (with Paul Jones) defeated The Mulkey Brothers (Randy Mulkey and Bill Mulkey) | Tag team match | ||
2 | Barry Windham (c) defeated Incubus | Singles match for the NWA Western States Heritage Championship | ||
3 | The Sheepherders (Luke Williams and Butch Miller) (c) fought Jimmy Garvin and Ron Garvin (with Precious) to a double disqualification | Tag team match for the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship | ||
4 | Mike Rotunda (c) defeated Ivan Koloff | Singles match for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship | ||
5 | Kevin Sullivan defeated Dory Funk Jr. | Texas Death Match | ||
6 | The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) (c) defeated The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) (with Jim Cornette) | Tag team match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship | ||
7 | The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk), Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff and Paul Ellering defeated The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Lex Luger and Tully Blanchard) and The War Machine (with J.J. Dillon and Dark Journey) | WarGames match | ||
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2012
On July 3 2012, the Great American Bash title was revived for a special SuperSmackDown Live episode of WWE SmackDown from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Unlike previous editions of The Great American Bash, it was the first to air as a special episode of a regular WWE television program, as opposed to a pay-per-view event.[7]
No. | Results | Stipulations | Times |
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1 | The Great Khali and Layla defeated Antonio Cesaro and Aksana[19] | Mixed tag team match | 1:56 |
2 | Cody Rhodes defeated Christian[20] | World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank qualifying match | 12:50 |
3 | Dolph Ziggler defeated Alex Riley[21] | World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank qualifying match | 4:26 |
4 | Jim Duggan, Santino Marella and Sgt. Slaughter defeated Camacho, Drew McIntyre and Hunico[22] | Six-man tag team match | 7:25 |
5 | Ryback defeated Curt Hawkins (with Tyler Reks)[23] | Singles match | 3:10 |
6 | Zack Ryder won by last eliminating Kane[Note 2][24] | The Great American Bash 20-Man Battle Royal to determine the guest General Manager for next week's SmackDown | 10:48 |
Battle Royal
Elimination | Wrestler | Eliminated by | Time[25] | ||
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1 | Justin Gabriel | Big Show | 0:16 | ||
2 | Brodus Clay | Big Show | 0:33 | ||
3 | Ezekiel Jackson | Tensai | 1:03 | ||
4 | The Great Khali | Del Rio, Swagger & Tensai | 1:38 | ||
5 | Damien Sandow | Zack Ryder | 1:58 | ||
6 | Santino Marella | Cody Rhodes | 2:15 | ||
7 | Cody Rhodes | Big Show | 2:46 | ||
8 | Kofi Kingston | Big Show | 2:57 | ||
9 | Heath Slater | Big Show | 5:33*1 | ||
10 | Jack Swagger | John Cena | 5:55*2 | ||
11 | CM Punk | Daniel Bryan | 6:16 | ||
12 | Daniel Bryan | CM Punk | 6:16 | ||
13 | Alberto Del Rio | John Cena | 8:10 | ||
14 | Tensai | John Cena | 8:39 | ||
15 | John Cena | Big Show | 8:44 | ||
16 | Christian | Big Show | 9:06 | ||
17 | Dolph Ziggler | Kane | 9:20 | ||
18 | Big Show | Kane | 9:20 | ||
19 | Kane | Zack Ryder | 10:48 | ||
Winner: | Zack Ryder |
- Notes
2020
On June 24, 2020, WWE announced that the eighth Great American Bash under the WWE banner would take place as a special two-week event during the July 1 and July 8 episodes of NXT. Both episodes were taped on July 1.[26] One scheduled match for July 8 was a champion vs. champion match between Adam Cole and Keith Lee for the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship. The Bash went head to head against AEW's Fyter Fest, which was held on the same nights.[27]
- Night 1 (July 1)
No. | Results | Stipulations | Times[28] |
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1 | Tegan Nox defeated Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, and Mia Yim | Fatal four-way elimination match to determine the #1 contender for the NXT Women's Championship | 20:37 |
2 | Timothy Thatcher defeated Oney Lorcan by submission | Singles match | 11:32 |
3 | Rhea Ripley defeated Aliyah and Robert Stone by submission | Handicap match Had Ripley lost, she would have joined the Robert Stone Brand. | 10:03 |
4 | Dexter Lumis defeated Roderick Strong | Strap match | 16:00 |
5 | Io Shirai defeated Sasha Banks (with Bayley) | Singles match | 14:01 |
- Night 2 (July 8)
No. Results[29][30] Stipulations Times[31] 1 Tony Nese defeated Leon Ruff Singles match — 2 Candice LeRae defeated Mia Yim Street Fight 15:51 3 Bronson Reed defeated Tony Nese Singles match 5:18 4 Johnny Gargano defeated Isaiah "Swerve" Scott Singles match 14:18 5 Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, and Raul Mendoza) defeated Drake Maverick and Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) Six-man tag team match 10:38 6 Mercedes Martinez defeated Santana Garrett Singles match 2:39 7 Keith Lee (North American) defeated Adam Cole (NXT) Winner Takes All singles match for the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship 19:55
Notes
- ^ The event was taped on July 1 and aired on July 1 & 8.
- ^ The other participants were: Alberto Del Rio, Big Show, Brodus Clay, Christian, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Ezekiel Jackson, The Great Khali, Heath Slater, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Justin Gabriel, Kofi Kingston, Santino Marella and Tensai.
References
- ^ "The Great American Bash". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ^ "Great American Bash 2000 results". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ^ "Great American Bash 2004". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ^ "Great American Bash 2005". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ^ "Great American Bash 2006". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ^ Keller, Wade (2007-05-20). "Keller's PPV Blog: Ongoing thoughts on WWE Judgment Day PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ^ a b "WWE.com: SuperSmackDown LIVE: The Great American Bash Five-Point Preview – July 03, 2012". WWE. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
- ^ a b http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/2015/07/the-first-great-american-bash-1985.html
- ^ a b c d e f Cawthon, Graham (2013). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 3:Jim Crockett and the NWA World Title 1983-1989. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 149480347X.
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts: Great American Bash 1985". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 129.
- ^ http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/jcp85.htm
- ^ Coulson, Steve (2019-07-05). "Full List of WWE Network Additions (07/04/2019): Two Great American Bash Shows in Hidden Gems, Smackdown Live". WWE Network News. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- ^ a b "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts: Great American Bash 1986". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 130.
- ^ "Great American Bash 1986". Pro Wrestling History. July 26, 1986. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Meltzer, Dave (July 13, 1987). "Top Story". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (07.13.87).
- ^ a b c d Meltzer, Dave (July 13, 1987). "Top Story". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (07.20.87).
- ^ a b c "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts: Great American Bash 1987". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 131.
- ^ "Great American Bash 1987". Pro Wrestling History. July 4, 1987. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ Michael Burdick. "The Great Khali & Divas Champion Layla def. Antonio Cesaro & Aksana in a Mixed Tag Team Match". WWE. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ Michael Burdick. "Cody Rhodes def. Intercontinental Champion Christian to qualify for Money in the Bank". WWE. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ Michael Burdick. "Dolph Ziggler def. Alex Riley to qualify for Money in the Bank". WWE. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ Michael Burdick. "United States Champion Santino Marella, Sgt. Slaughter & "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan def. Drew McIntyre, Hunico & Camacho". WWE. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ Michael Burdick. "Ryback def. Curt Hawkins". WWE. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ Michael Burdick. "Zack Ryder won The Great American Bash 20-Man Battle Royal". WWE. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ Parks, Greg. "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 7/3: Complete "virtual time" coverage of the live Great American Bash special, including 20-man Battle Royal; winner acts as GM for Smackdown next week". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ https://www.pwinsider.com/article/137540/wwe-taping-tv-this-week-at-performance-center.html?p=1
- ^ "Great American Bash returning for next two weeks of NXT". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
- ^ Moore, John (July 1, 2020). "7/1 NXT TV results: Moore's review of the Great American Bash night one with Io Shirai vs. Sasha Banks in a non-title match, Dexter Lumis vs. Roderick Strong in a strap match, Dakota Kai vs. Candice LeRae vs. Tegan Nox vs. Mia Yim to become No. 1 contender to the NXT Women's Championship, Timothy Thatcher vs. Oney Lorcan". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2020/07/08/nxt-lee-beats-cole-to-become-double-champion-at-great-american-bash/
- ^ https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-nxt-results/161258-wwe-nxt-results-july-8-2020/
- ^ Moore, John (July 8, 2020). "7/8 NXT TV results: Moore's review of the Great American Bash night two with NXT Champion Adam Cole vs. NXT North American Champion Keith Lee for both titles, Mia Yim vs. Candice LeRae in a Street Fight, Legado Del Fantasma vs. Drake Maverick, Tyler Breeze, and Fandango, Johnny Gargano vs. Isaiah Scott". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 9, 2020.