WCW Great American Bash (Sunday August 26th, 2001)
The show starts with a 2 minute hype video focusing on the battles for the World and US Titles.
WCW World Tag Team Title Match: KroniK vs Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak vs The Natural Born Thrillers
In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, KroniK and Jindrak and Stasiak's coalition breaks down when Stasiak tries to roll up Clark for a surprise win but only gets 2. This leads to The Thrillers eventually taking advantage of the situation and Palumbo pinning Stasiak for the 3.
Winners and still WCW World Tag Team Champions: The Natural Born Thrillers in 14:48
Gene Okerlund is backstage with Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett's rubs are taped up and he speculates on a conspiracy to keep him out of tonight's match. He says he'll be out there though and calls his future World Title victory the most heroic win in wrestling history.
Kanyon vs Mike Sanders
Sanders makes his entrance with Kanyon's mom by his side which infuriates Kanyon. Before the match begins, Sanders gets the crowd to start a "Kanyon's daddy" chant which only makes it worse.
In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, after some good back and forth action, Kanyon takes complete control leading Lawler and Schiavonne to wonder if Sanders was really completely healed. As the ref checks on Sanders on one side of the ring, Kanyon goes to the other to taunt his mother. As she gets on the apron, he yells at her to get down before getting slapped. Kanyon looks on in shock as his lip quivers. He turns around as Sanders gets up and hits a 3.0 for the 3 count.
Winner: Mike Sanders in 10:25
Shane Helms and Billy Kidman are interviewed backstage. Kidman tells Konnan he's dedicating their match tonight to Rey.
WCW Cruiserweight Title Match: Shane Helms vs Chavo Guererro
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Helms and Guererro go back and forth in a high-paced affair. The match ends with Guererro locking in an STF but Helms refusing to tap. After a good minute in the hold, the bell rings. Chavo gets up to celebrate as the ref talks to the time keeper and we get the official announcement. The 20 minute time limit has expired.
Winner: Time Limit Draw in 20:00
Guererro grabs the Cruiserweight title as the ref goes to give it to Helms and blasts Helms in the face with it, knocking him out cold before dropping the title and leaving the ring.
Midajah is backstage being interviewed with Buff Bagwell. She warns Luger his plan is going to fall apart tonight when he gets the match he's wanted for so long... and fails.
Buff Bagwell vs Lex Luger
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Bagwell gets the upperhand momentarily but is unable to get a pin after a blockbuster. He goed outside, gets a steel chair and delivers a piledriver on Luger onto it as the ref calls for the bell.
Winner by DQ: Lex Luger in 9:38
Bagwell continues the attack with another couple piledrivers onto the chair. Torrie gets in the ring to protect him only to get attacked by Midajah, leaving her down as well. Midajah raises Bagwells hand as they stand over their foes.
World Champion Booker T is interviewed backstage. Okerlund questions where Booker was when DDP helped Dustin Rhodes on Nitro and why he wasn't there to do the same. Booker takes offense to Gene stirring the pot before telling him he's focused on tonight.
Falls Count Anywhere: The Road Warriors vs Team Canada
In a match that had some good action and average heat, the four men work their way back into the dressing room and out to the back of the arena. Storm ends up being press slamed into a dumpster as The Warriors double team Mike Awesome. Awesome is able to power out of the double team and powerbomb Steiner into the same dumpster Storm was in before Animal comes back on the attack. As the two of them fight, the ref heads over to the dumpster and counts the 1-2-3. The camera runs over to show Storm with his arm over Steiner. Awesome and Animal keep brawling until officials separate them.
Winners: Team Canada in 13:40
Shane Douglas is interviewed backstage and tells Dustin Rhodes he's not scared one bit after what Rhodes did on Nitro because after tonight, he'll be sharing a hospital bed with his daddy.
We get a video recapping the events leading up to Douglas-Rhodes.
WCW United States Title Texas Bullrope Match: Dustin Rhodes vs Shane Douglas
Rhodes makes his entrance and stops to wave someone out. A bandaged up Dusty Rhodes steps out to be in his corner and Douglas yells at the ref in protest.
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Douglas and Rhodes battle back and forth in a violent, stiff encoounter. The match ends with Douglas trying to stop Rhodes from hitting the 4th corner but missing a clothesline. Rhodes uses the rope to pull Douglas in for a lariat of his own but Douglas ducks and Rhodes lets his momentum take him into the 4th corner behind Douglas and win the match!
Winner and NEW WCW United States Champion: Dustin Rhodes
Douglas flips out and goes on the attack after the bell rings. He takes the bullrope off his wrist and chokes Dustin with it until Dusty comes in and hits a series of elbows to send him out of the ring. Dusty and Dustin hug and celebrate with the US Title.
Konnan is interviewed backstage where he counters Kidman's dedication earlier by dedicating the match to Rey himself. He says he still has hope that Rey understands why he had to do what he did and that Kidman will be understanding after the tough love he shows him tonight.
Konnan vs Billy Kidman
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Konnan works on Kidman's back for most of the match. Eventually, Kidman gets the advntage and goes to the top for a shooting star press but jumps off, nursing his back. Konnan immediately gets up, takes Kidman down and locks in Tequila Sunrise. Kidman is showing serious pain and has to tap out.
Winner: Konnan in 14:06
Konnan give a few parting kicks to Kidman's injured back before kneeling down and looking down with a look of sadness before walking out as officials check on Kidman.
Diamond Dallas Page is interviewed backstage where he stands by his promise to take Jarrett out and take the title from Booker himself.
A video recaps the lead up to the upcoming championship match.
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Page takes a big bump outside when Jarrett throws Booker into the ropes and knocks Page off the apron and through the announce table. This distraction allows Jarrett to clip Booker's knee and lock in the figure four. Booker is able to withstand the figure four for a good 2-3 minutes before Page starts to stir and climbs into the ring to break it up. Jarrett turns his attention to a hurt Page as Booker lays in the corner, grabbing his knee. Jarrett pounds away on Page before climbing to the top. Page slowly gets up and then with a sudden burst, pulls Jarrett off the top rope with a diamond cutter out of nowhere! Page slowly gets up and looks down at a motionless Jarrett and then turns to Booker who is still nursing his knee on the ground. Page gives the crowd the signal and stumbles over to pick up Booker but gets rolled up for the 1-2-3!
Winner and still WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Booker T in 24:40
Page puts his head in his hands distraught. He looks at Booker shaking his head as Booker sits staring back in the corner. Booker stands and extends his hand... but Page just walks out. Booker watches as Page walks down the aisle and Jarrett gets up to attack, clipping Booker's knee again and starts stomping. Page turns and stares but doesn't budge. Eventually as the crowd's reaction picks up, Page does the right thing, rushing to the ring to run off Jarrett, take the title and after a short hesitation, hand it to Booker. He raises Booker's hand in victory as the show ends.
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Show rating:
59 (Gained popularity in 8 regions, lost popularity in 2 regions)
Match of the night: Booker T vs Jeff Jarrett vs Diamond Dallas Page
Buyrate: .08