From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Great American Bash (1988)
The Great American Bash (1988)
The Great American Bash (1988) Wrestling–Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP)’s television pro-
grams. Wrestlers portrayed a hero, villain or a tweener
Tagline(s)
Tagline(s) The Price of Freedom[1] as they followed a series of events that built tension, and
Information culminated in a wrestling match or a series of matches.
The main rivalry heading into the event was between
Promotion National Wrestling Alliance
Ric Flair and Lex Luger for the NWA World Heavyweight
Date July 10, 1988 Championship. Luger was a member of Flair’s group Four
Horsemen since 1987 but left the group in 1988 after he
Attendance 13,000
thought that he was being held back. Luger became the
Venue Baltimore Arena top fan favorite of the company and Horsemen’s top ri-
City Baltimore, Maryland val.[4][5] On the inaugural edition of Clash of the Cham-
pions on March 27, Luger and Barry Windham defeated
Pay-per-view chronology Horsemen members Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard
to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship.[6][7] On
Bunkhouse The Great American Starrcade
Stampede (1988) Bash (1988) (1988)
April 23 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Luger
and Windham lost the title to Anderson and Blanchard
The Great American Bash chronology when Windham turned on Luger and joined Horsemen.[5]
Luger continued his rivalry with the Horsemen, resulting
The Great The Great The Great in Luger becoming the #1 contender for the NWA World
American Bash American Bash American Bash Heavyweight Championship held by Flair.[5]
(1987) (1988) (1989)
The main tag team rivalry heading into the event
was between The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy
The Great American Bash (1988) was the fourth annual Rogers) and Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan
Great American Bash professional wrestling event pro- Lane) for the NWA United States Tag Team Champion-
duced by Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) under the Na- ship. On the inaugural edition of Clash of the Champions on
tional Wrestling Alliance banner and the first to be pro- March 27, Midnight Express defended the NWA United
duced as a pay-per-view event. It took place on July 10, States Tag Team Championship against Fantastics. Fan-
1988 at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. tastics initially won the titles but the decision was re-
The main event was a standard wrestling match for versed as Fulton had threw the referee before the pinfall,
the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Ric Flair de- resulting in Eaton and Lane retaining the titles.[6][7] On
feated Lex Luger to retain the title when the match was May 14 edition of World Wide Wrestling, Fantastics defeat-
stopped due to Luger’s excessive bleeding.[2] ed Midnight Express to win the titles.[5] On June 11 edi-
Featured matches on the undercard were Barry tion of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced
Windham versus Dusty Rhodes for the NWA United that Fantastics would defend the title against Midnight
States Heavyweight Championship, Road Warriors (Hawk Express at The Great American Bash.[5]
and Animal), Steve Williams, Jimmy Garvin and Ron A secondary rivalry heading into the event was be-
Garvin versus Kevin Sullivan, Mike Rotunda, Al Perez, tween Barry Windham and Dusty Rhodes for the NWA
Russian Assassin and Ivan Koloff in a Tower of Doom United States Heavyweight Championship. On April 15,
match, The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) Rhodes was stripped of the NWA United States Heavy-
versus Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) for weight Championship and suspended for 120 days due to
the NWA United States Tag Team Championship and Arn attacking promoter Jim Crockett.[5] On May 13, a tour-
Anderson and Tully Blanchard versus Sting and Nikita nament occurred for the vacated title. Barry Windham
Koloff for the NWA World Tag Team Championship.[3] defeated Nikita Koloff in the finals of the tournament to
win the title.[5] On June 8 edition of Clash of the Champi-
Background ons called Miami Mayhem, Rhodes and Sting competed
against Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard for the NWA
The Great American Bash featured four professional World Tag Team Championship. The match resulted in a
wrestling matches that involved wrestlers from pre-ex- double disqualification after the referee was attacked and
isting rivalries, plots and storylines that were played out Ric Flair and Windham interfered in the match. Windham
on World Wide Wrestling, Pro and World Championship
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Great American Bash (1988)
attacked Rhodes outside the ring.[8][9] On June 11 edition a steel cage and fastened in a straight jacket. The match
of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that stipulated that if Fantastics won, they would get the op-
Rhodes would challenge Windham for the United States portunity to whip Cornette ten times with a belt. Cor-
Championship at The Great American Bash.[5] nette tried to involve himself into the match on several
Another secondary rivalry heading into the event occasions but failed. The match went back and forth with
was between Jimmy Garvin and Kevin Sullivan. On March the challengers double teaming Fulton. Rogers was
27 edition of Clash of the Champions, Sullivan’s Varsity Club tagged in and he battled Eaton and Lane. Lane handed Ea-
teammate Mike Rotunda defeated Garvin in a College ton a steel chain and Eaton wrapped it around his fist.
Rules match to retain the NWA World Television Cham- Fulton was unaware of it which allowed Eaton to attack
pionship.[6][7] At the 3rd Annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memo- Fulton with the chain and pin him to win the titles.[1][2][3]
rial Cup Tag Team Tournament, Garvin defeated Sullivan The third match of the event was a Tower of Doom
in a Prince of Darkness match.[10][11] On June 8 edition match pitting Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal), Steve
of Clash of the Champions called Miami Mayhem, Garvin Williams, Jimmy Garvin and Ron Garvin against Kevin
and his brother Ronnie Garvin defeated Rick Steiner and Sullivan, Mike Rotunda, Al Perez, Russian Assassin and
Rotunda in a tag team match. After the match, Sullivan, Ivan Koloff. Two wrestlers started the match out on top
Steiner and Rotunda attacked the Garvins, resulting in of the cage for a two minute period. After that period,
Steve Williams making the save for Garvins.[8][9] Williams a trap door in both the top-tier cages opened for fifteen
became an ally of the Garvins against Sullivan and Ro- seconds which allowed a locked wrestler to get down into
tunda. On the other side, Road Warriors were scheduled the cage below with all the other wrestlers. The object of
to compete against Powers of Pain in a series of Scaffold the match was to unlock the door and escape out to the
matches but Powers of Pain left the company and were floor. Jimmy Garvin’s valet Precious held the key to the
replaced by Ivan Koloff and Russian Assassin. On June door. Ron Garvin and Ivan Koloff started the match. The
11 edition of World Championship Wrestling, a Tower of match went back and forth with both teams exchang-
Doom match was announced to take place between a ing blows. In the end of the match, Jimmy Garvin and
team of Jimmy Garvin and a team of Sullivan.[5] Road Kevin Sullivan were in the ring. Sullivan grabbed Pre-
Warriors were added to Garvin’s team and Koloff and As- cious but Garvin rescued her by attacking him and per-
sassin were added to Sullivan’s team. formed a Brainbuster, which he called Bombs Away, on
Sullivan. Sullivan eventually shoved Garvin out of the
Event cage. As a result, Garvin’s team won. However, Sullivan
locked the cage door to lock himself with Precious. Hawk
Before the event aired live on pay-per-view (PPV), Rick made the rescue by performing a Flying Clothesline on
Steiner and Dick Murdoch defeated Tim Horner and Ken- Sullivan.[1][2][3]
dall Windham in a non-televised tag team match.[1]
Main event matches
Preliminary matches The final match on the undercard was for the NWA Unit-
As the event concluded, the first match was a tag team ed States Heavyweight Championship. Barry Windham
match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Arn defended the title against Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes domi-
Anderson and Tully Blanchard defended the titles against nated Windham in the beginning by performing a Shoul-
Sting and Nikita Koloff. Sting and Koloff dominated the der Block. Rhodes continued to perform several moves
earlier action against Anderson and Blanchard. Sting and on Windham until the action spilled to the outside of
Koloff double-teamed Anderson and Blanchard for most the ring where Windham tried to perform a Piledriver
of the match until Blanchard took the control of the on Rhodes but Rhodes countered it with a Clothesline.
match in his side by injuring Koloff and tagging in An- The action returned to the ring where Rhodes fought
derson. Anderson and Blanchard controlled the match Windham until Windham’s manager JJ Dillon distracted
briefly until Sting and Koloff regained their momentum. Rhodes, allowing Windham to take advantage and attack
Sting dominated Anderson and Blanchard throughout Rhodes. Windham applied a Clawhold on Rhodes and
the end of the match and Sting applied a Scorpion started getting near-falls. Rhodes eventually fought out
Deathlock on Blanchard but Blanchard held the ropes un- of the Clawhold and tried to apply a Figure Four Leglock
til the 20–minute time limit expired. As a result, Ander- but Windham countered and applied another Clawhold.
son and Blanchard retained the titles.[1][2][3] Rhodes eventually climbed the corner to prevent Wind-
The next match was for the NWA United States Tag ham for getting the leverage and tried to perform a Su-
Team Championship. The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and perplex but Rhodes pushed him into the referee. Rhodes
Tommy Rogers) defended the titles against Midnight Ex- performed a Bionic Elbow on Windham and attempted to
press (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane). Midnight Express’s pin him but the referee was knocked out. Ron Garvin in-
manager Jim Cornette was locked and suspended high in terfered in the match and attacked Rhodes with a Punch.
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Great American Bash (1988)
Dillon woke up the referee and Windham pinned Rhodes Championship.[5] Rhodes formed a tag team with Sting
to retain the title.[1][2][3] and they became the #1 contenders for the World Tag
The main event was between Ric Flair and Lex Luger Team title. They received an opportunity against Road
for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Luger Warriors at Starrcade, but the champions retained the ti-
dominated Flair for much of the earlier part of the match tle by disqualification.[12]
by overpowering him by performing powerful moves. Bam Bam Bigelow entered WCW in late 1988 and
Flair eventually gained momentum by chasing Luger out- earned an opportunity for the NWA United States Heavy-
side the ring where he smashed his head with the guard weight Championship against Barry Windham at Star-
rail several times. The two returned to the ring where rcade. Windham retained the title by count-out. Mean-
Flair started attacking Luger’s ribs until Luger regained while, two villainous wrestlers turned into fan favorites.
momentum. However, Flair took the control of the match Ivan Koloff was the first one who left Paul Jones’ Army
on his side by attacking Luger’s legs. Flair applied a Fig- and formed a tag team with Junkyard Dog to feud with
ure Four Leglock on Luger until Luger reversed the hold. Russian Assassins and competed against them in a losing
Luger then performed a Clothesline on Flair, which sent effort at Starrcade. The second was Rick Steiner, who left
Flair outside the ring. The two continued to battle out- Varsity Club and began feuding with his stablemate Mike
side the ring until the action returned to the ring. Flair Rotunda for the NWA World Television Championship. At
tried to use a steel chair but the referee prevented Flair Starrcade, Steiner defeated Rotunda for the TV title.[12]
from using the chair. Luger took advantage of the sit-
uation by performing a Powerslam and applied a Back-
breaker Rack, which he called Torture Rack, on Flair to win
Results
the title. However, it was announced that the match was
stopped due to Luger’s excessive bleeding, citing Mary- References
land State Athletic Commission guidelines. As a result,
[1] ^ "The Great American Bash 1988 results". Wrestling
Flair retained the title.[1][2][3]
Supercards and Tournaments. July 10, 1988.
http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/
Aftermath usa/wcw/gabash.html#88. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
Main articles: World Championship Wrestling and Star- [2] ^ "The Great American Bash 1988 results". Online
rcade (1988) World of Wrestling. July 10, 1988.
Jim Crockett Promotions was suffering a downfall and http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/
was losing the competition against World Wrestling Fed- wcwppv/greatamericanbash88.html. Retrieved
eration (WWF). In November 1988, the promotion was 2011-08-10.
sold to media mogul Ted Turner and was replaced with a [3] ^ "The Great American Bash 1988 Review". The
new promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW). History of WWE. http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/
Ric Flair and Lex Luger continued their rivalry for the bash88review.htm. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Luger received [4] "JCP Ring Results 1987". The History of WWE.
a rematch for the title at Starrcade, when Flair defeated http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/jcp87.htm.
Luger again to retain the title.[12] Retrieved 2011-07-28.
After defeating The Fantastics for the NWA United [5] ^ "JCP Ring Results 1988". The History of WWE.
States Tag Team Championship at The Great American http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/jcp88.htm.
Bash, Midnight Express became the #1 contenders for the Retrieved 2011-07-28.
NWA World Tag Team Championship. On September 10, [6] ^ "Clash of the Champions I Review". The History
Midnight Express defeated Arn Anderson and Tully Blan- of WWE. http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/
chard to win the World Tag Team title.[5] As a result, they clash1review.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
vacated the US Tag Team title. The US Tag Team title was [7] ^ "Clash of the Champions I results". Wrestling
decided in a tournament, with the finals taking place be- Supercards and Tournaments. March 27, 1988.
tween Fantastics and the team of Ron Simmons and Ed- http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/
die Gilbert on the December 7 edition of Clash of the Cham- usa/wcw/clash.html#I. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
pions.[13][14] Fantastics won the title for a second time. [8] ^ "Clash of the Champions II: Miami Mayhem
At Starrcade, Kevin Sullivan and Steve Williams defeated Review". The History of WWE.
Fantastics to win the title.[12] http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/
While in the tag team division, Road Warriors turned clash2review.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
on their NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship [9] ^ "Clash of the Champions II: Miami Mayhem
partner Dusty Rhodes in October, resulting in the titles results". Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments. June
being vacated. On October 29, Road Warriors defeated 8, 1988. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/
Midnight Express to win the NWA World Tag Team
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Great American Bash (1988)
# Results Stipulations Times
Dark Rick Steiner and Dick Murdoch defeated Tim Horner and Kendall Wind- Tag team match N/A
ham[1]
1 Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (c) (with James J. Dillon) fought Sting Tag team match for the 20:00
and Nikita Koloff to a time-limit draw[1][2][3] NWA World Tag Team
Championship
2 Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) (with Jim Cornette) defeated Tag team match for the 16:23
The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) (c)[1][2][3] NWA United States Tag
Team Championship
3 Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal), Steve Williams, Jimmy Garvin and Ron Tower of Doom match 19:55
Garvin (with Precious) defeated Kevin Sullivan, Mike Rotunda, Al Perez,
Russian Assassin and Ivan Koloff (with Gary Hart)[1][2][3]
4 Barry Windham (c) (with James J. Dillon) defeated Dusty Rhodes[1][2][3] Singles match for the 15:55
NWA United States
Heavyweight Champion-
ship
5 Ric Flair (c) (with James J. Dillon) defeated Lex Luger[1][2][3] Singles match for the 23:13
NWA World Heavyweight
Championship
supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#II. Retrieved [13] "Clash of the Champions IV: Season’s Beatings
2011-07-28. Review". The History of WWE.
[10] "3rd Annual Crockett Cup Review". The History of http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/
WWE. http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/ clash4review.htm. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
crockettcup88review.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-28. [14] "Clash of the Champions IV: Season’s Beatings
[11] "3rd Annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Tag Team results". Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments.
Tournament Cup results". Wrestling Supercards and December 7, 1988.
Tournaments. April 22–23, 1988. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/
http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/ usa/wcw/clash.html#IV. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
usa/wcw/cup.html#3rd. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
[12] ^ "Starrcade 1988 results". Wrestling Supercards and
Tournaments. December 26, 1988.
External links
http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/ • Pro Wrestling History
usa/wcw/starrcad.html#88. Retrieved 2011-08-10. • Online World of Wrestling
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_American_Bash_(1988)&oldid=468334949"
Categories:
• 1988 in professional wrestling
• The Great American Bash
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