Great American Bash June 27th 2004

[Joe Kerr]

John Bradshaw Layfield has been named the No. 1 contender for the WWE Championship. This means that JBL will challenge Eddie Guerrero for the title on Sunday, June 27 at The Great American Bash in Norfolk, Va. Furthermore, General Manager Kurt Angle took the unprecedented step of letting the challenger, JBL, name his own stipulation! JBL decided that the match will be a Texas Bull Rope Match.

JBL claims that Guerrero intentionally got himself disqualified at Judgment Day but that he won't have that opportunity at The Great American Bash. That's because there's nowhere to run in a Texas Bull Rope Match -- the two opponents are literally connected to each other, tied to opposite ends of the bull rope -- and there's no way to be disqualified because anything goes. To win, you must drag your opponent to all four corners and touch them in succession.

After what these two did to each other at Judgment Day, we can only imagine what will happen at The Great American Bash, now that the tempers are even more heated.



U.S. Championship
On Sunday, June 27, John Cena will face the greatest challenge of his WWE career. Not only does the young United States Champion have to defend his gold, but he must do it against three men in a Fatal Fourway Match. Rob Van Dam, Rene Dupree and Booker T will all be gunning for Cena and his U.S. Championship. Will Cena be able to fend off the challenge and walk out of The Great American Bash with his U.S. Championship? Find out on pay-per-view



Undertaker vs. Dudleys

In what is being called a Concrete Crypt Match at The Great American Bash, Paul Heyman will offer his newest acquisition, the Undertaker, to the bloodthirsty Dudley Boyz. Why? Because "even the big dog needs to be trained," according to Heyman. And if the Phenom doesn't satisfy his new master, Paul Bearer will meet his demise in a crypt of cement. This carefully orchestrated and lopsided contest proves you can't predict the thoughts or actions of Heyman -- a man who will even punish his own if it serves a greater purpose and furthers his devious plans



Cruiserweight Championship
Rey Mysterio Vs. Chavo Guerrero

As far as Chavo Guerrero is concerned, it's time for a little pay-per-view payback. The high-flying Rey Mysterio topped Chavo Classic to take the Cruiserweight Championship, but Chavo believes that gold belongs in the family. In a special SmackDown! 10-man cruiserweight Battle Royal, Chavo outlasted nine other Superstars to earn the right to face Mysterio at The Great American Bash. Chavo displayed the cunning and smarts that's a Guerrero family trait, creatively finishing off his final Battle Royal opponent, Billy Kidman, by modifying a Gory Bomb into a top-rope toss-out. We'll see Sunday if Mysterio's intensity and acrobatics will best Chavo's sly tactics.





Torrie Wilson vs. Sable
In addition to hosting The Great American Bash with the rest of the SmackDown! Divas, these two Playboy cover girls will lock bunny ears at the pay-per-view. Sable has been privately fuming about the amount of TV time Torrie's getting. This past Thursday, Sable couldn't take it any more, attacking Torrie during a wardrobe fitting. Expect fireworks when these two fiery WWE Divas tangle in the ring.




Billy Gunn vs. Kenzo Suzuki
After a hard-fought, back-and-forth match against Kenzo Suzuki Thursday, Bill Gunn had the upper hand. He had just hit the Fameasser and went for a cover near the edge of the ring apron. Suddenly, he was engulfed in a cloud of white powder -- his eyes burning. He staggered blindly around the ring, while unbeknownst to him, Suzuki's wife Hiroko grinned with accomplishment. The next thing Gunn knew, Suzuki had him by the throat. Then came the iron claw, followed by a swift leg sweep. Gunn may have won by disqualification, but Suzuki had the final word. Now, Billy Gunn has a chance at retribution, and he'll have his eyes wide open watching against more interference from the outside.




Hardcore Holly vs. Mordecai
The Pale Rider's one-man crusade continues at The Great American Bash. This time, he plans to make Hardcore Holly pay for his sins. This battle is a contrast of styles and personalities. Holly is a wise, tough, power performer who always has his opponent well scouted. But Mordecai is still very much a mystery, and he is fueled by what he feels is a higher calling. There's no knowing in which direction this matchup will turn.




Charlie Haas vs. Luther Reigns
Charlie Haas continues to show that he's a quality in-ring talent with tools, but often he's overshadowed by tag team partner Rico's outrageous look and celebrity. At The Great American Bash, Haas has a chance to shine with the spotlight solely on him. There's only one problem: the gigantic, fierce, powerful Luther Reigns. In only two matches, Reigns has proved that he can compete with anyone -- crushing Funaki and press slamming WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero before that match was interrupted. Reigns has been content to take his cues from SmackDown! General Manager Kurt Angle. But at the Bash, he'll try to have his way with Charlie Haas.