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Of Stars & Stripes and bumps & bruises
"The Reaction Zone" Written by: Jacob Gilbert on 7/21/2007

This year's edition of the Great American Bash might not figure to be a clasic in relation to past Bashes, both in WWE & WCW, but there actually may be something for everyone. Here's the card:

Raw:

WWE title: John Cena vs. Bobby Lashley. People might think Lashley is turning heel to face Cena for the title, but no. Had that been the plan, Lashley might've gotten a manager by now. In truth, fans are split on both champion & challenger. As Mick Foley pointed out on Monday, Cena has to lose sometime, his luck can't hold out forever. Cena's 3rd reign as WWE champ is now at 10 months and counting, surpassing his first run (April '05-January '06). If anyone was to turn heel out of this, Cena would be a more likely candidate, IMPO, but because of the merchandising revenue generated by the youth demographic, that's not happening, either. I honestly can't see a clean finish, as there is going to be some sort of angle to set something up for Summerslam. I'm going to pick Cena here, believing that he won't hold the title too much longer.

Intercontinental title: Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy. Recall that it was Hardy whom Umaga beat to win the IC title the first time. Umaga, however, is 0-4 in singles on PPV, having lost to Cena, Lashley, and Santino Marella. While it might make sense for Hardy to get a win back here, now isn't the time. Pick-Umaga.

Women's title: Candice Michelle vs. Melina. Last month, at Vengeance, Candice ended the poser princess' 4 month run at the top. It's too soon to switch the title back, but there is the daunting prospect of Beth Phoenix, just back from OVW, being an x-factor in this match. WWE has done well to whittle the screwjobs down to near-non-existence of late, and would be well served to keep it that way here. Pick-Candice.

Texas Bullrope match: Dusty Rhodes vs. Randy Orton. You've read how Orton is being groomed for another title run. Taking down another legend such as Rhodes is a step in that direction, and also sets up a house show run vs. Dusty's youngest son, Cody, leading up to Summerslam. Not only that, but I think Mr. Orton is going to have to wear economy size carrying shoes for this match. Pick-Orton.

ECW:

ECW World title: John Morrison vs. CM Punk. You know that it would be untrue. You know that I would be a liar, if I was to say to you that Punk could come out of this with the title. No, not just yet. Morrison instead will check Punk into his namesake hotel and set the FM dial to Texas Radio & the Big Beat(down), while the house band plays "Roadhouse Blues". As with the other title matches, now isn't the time for a change. As this match ends, Morrison will board the "Crystal Ship" and pick up his "LA Woman" on the way. Pick-Morrison.

Smackdown:

WWE World title: Great Khali (w/Runjin Singh) vs. Kane vs. Batista. Does anyone here really think Khali was told he would have a long title reign? I don't think the McMahons want to tempt fate a 3rd time. Undertaker & Edge were both told they would have long runs, but both are now on the DL, not due back until November at the earliest. Khali, unlike those others, is the most one dimensional champion in company history. A World title win here would be a nice gift for Kane, given rumors that he plans to hang 'em up soon. If there's going to be a title switch on this card, this is it. I'm going to pick Kane, and figure on a fatal 4-way at Summerslam with these three and Mark Henry.

US title: Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Matt Hardy. MVP's act is getting stale. He thinks he's better than you & me. He's not. It would be a nice story if Hardy, who's been pushed to the moon as a single, based on commentary alone, the last few months, won the title here, but again, now isn't the time. Look for Porter to take a shortcut to retain this time, but he won't last much longer. Pick-MVP.

Note, too, that there are no tag matches on the card, and the only title not being defended this time is the cruiserweight title, unless that match is added to replace the Kane-Edge match originally scheduled. The tag & cruiserweight titles figure to be defended instead on "free TV" in the coming days, and we might see some title changes before Summerslam. We'll see how this all plays.



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