2008 Great American Bash Predictions

The Great American Bash arrives with 5 of the various WWE titles on the line as well as several recent feuds which have carried over. Since the WWE draft just a few weeks ago, the major WWE titles have shifted shows and in some cases to new title holders. For example, Mark Henry has the ECW title with its former owner, Kane moving to Raw. CM Punk also moved to Raw and quickly cashed in his Money in the Bank title shot to defeat Edge and become World Heavyweight title holder. As for Edge, he's left on Smackdown with a new superstar to take on, Triple H, the WWE title holder. In addition to the ECW, WWE and World Heavyweight titles, the WWE tag team titles as well as a new title, the Diva championship is up for grabs. Here's match by match analysis and predictions for the WWE Pay-Per-View.

JBL vs. John Cena
Parking Lot Brawl

This feud's been going on for quite some time now and it seems about ready for some closure. Last week's episode of Raw saw JBL try to drive a car into John Cena in the arena parking lot area. Luckily, Cena escaped unharmed and will be able to compete. He's won every match against JBL at PPV's, so expect this to be no different. Cryme Tyme may also play a part in this, but the likely conclusion will see Cena deliver the F U to JBL on top of a car hood or roof for a pinfall.

Prediction: John Cena FU's JBL on top of a car to win by pinfall.

Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho

This feud's also been going on for a few months now, ever since Michaels defeated Flair at Wrestlemania, then faked an injury to defeat Batista. Jericho has since made the turn to heel status, turned on the WWE fans and also lost the Intercontinental title, thanks to Shawn Michaels. Michaels has been out for blood, but Jericho also has the ringside assistance of Lance Cade. It seems as if this could be the match of the night, although Edge vs. Triple H could be a classic as well. Michaels should get a clean victory here, barring interference from Cade.

Prediction: Shawn Michaels wins after a Superkick to Y2J.

Tommy Dreamer vs. Mark Henry
ECW title match

Now that Henry has aligned himself with a WWE Hall of Famer, Tony Atlas, it seems as if he's poised to hold onto the ECW title for a good bit of time. It's easy to see the newest addition to the ECW roster, Matt Hardy, eventually becoming ECW champ. For now, Henry will show that he can take out the cream of the crop of the roster, and that starts with ECW original, Tommy Dreamer. Atlas may play a part in helping Henry "earn" the victory here, or it could just become a beatdown DQ.

Prediction: Mark Henry wins via pinfall over Tommy Dreamer.

Michelle McCool vs. Natalya
WWE Diva Championship

There will be at least one new title holder after the Pay Per View, but only because this match is being fought for a brand new title. Vickie Guerrero announced the creation of the Divas Championship weeks ago so that Smackdown would have a women's title, just as Raw does. Now the two top divas, Michelle McCool and Natalya will duke it out. Each diva has her own submission hold, so one of the two is sure to be tapping out here. Natalya has displayed Beth Phoenix type force and steamrolled through competition. She's yet to beat Michelle McCool though, and Michelle's been Smackdown's favorite diva for some time now. Expect the All-American McCool to emerge victorious and be wearing the new belt on Smackdown.

Prediction: Michelle McCool gets Natayla to tap out and wins the new Diva Championship.

WWE Tag Team Title Fatal Fourway

This match features four tag teams: Jesse & Festus vs. Ryder & Hawkins vs. Hornswoggle & Finlay vs. The Miz and Morrison. It's hard to say why Miz and Morrison have held the belts for as long as they have, maybe because WWE seems to lack effective heels right now. This should be the only other title to change hands on the card though, and it seems as if the gimmick of Hornswoggle & Finlay as tag champs is about to begin. Some fans may hate it, others will love it, but it's about time for a title change here.

Prediction: Finlay & Hornswoggle become the new WWE tag team champs.

Batista vs. CM Punk
World Heavyweight title

Over a week ago it would have been easier to say Batista would win the title off Punk. However, after seeing what went down on Raw, you'd have to expect the Big Red Machine, Kane, to play a part in this title match. Kane was doing battle with Punk and went crazy, about to destroy him, until Batista came down to fight Kane off. With that in mind, it makes sense that Kane goes for retribution. Unfortunate for Punk, he's not going to get that clean win over a big star such as Batista. Instead this should end as a win thanks to Kane's distraction of Batista, or a DQ due to Kane's interference.

Prediction: CM Punk retains the title most likely due to Kane's involvement in the match.

Edge vs. Triple H
WWE Title Match

The main event features two of the WWE's brightest superstars battling it out. Edge the recent newlywed who was soon exposed as a cheater by Triple H. With Edge now being denounced by his "wife"? Vickie Guerrero, he would have to be more than just a little rattled. Triple H has played the ultimate mind game here. With Edge and Vickie broken apart, it seems as if Edge can't win here, and he may even be making a move back to Raw, to pursue CM Punk and the title he has. Triple H will retain for now, until Edge realigns himself with the Smackdown GM or a new sidekick/accomplice. We may even see Vickie involve herself in the outcome, making sure Triple H wins. Then again, I don't rule out the idea that Vickie and Edge set the whole "cheating" scenario up to fool Triple H.

Prediction: Triple H wins cleanly due to Edge's recent distractions with Vickie.

It should be another interesting PPV now that rosters are set and titles have been changed around. Expect that at least two titles change over on this PPV, with the new Divas Championship and probably new tag team champs. Otherwise, barring some surprises, the major titles will stay in place.

Check back here at WWE Characters the Blog after 11PM EST Sunday for all the PPV results!