Renamed The Bash in an attempt not to alienate WWE's international audiences, what was formerly The Great American Bash returns in 2009 with a new name and some fresh matches.
WWE Women's Championship Match - Melina (champion) vs Michelle McCool
A match between these two has been as close to a 'dream match' as one gets in the WWE Women's division for some time now - McCool's in-ring development has been rapid in recent years, while Melina remains one of the most accomplished female performers on the roster.
While McCool does not appear to be the favourite to become the first woman ever to hold both the WWE Divas Championship and the WWE Women's Championship, Melina's title belt is certainly under threat. The match is unlikely to pull up too many trees, but could prove surprisingly entertaining.
Verdict: Melina retains, but McCool comes close.
John Cena vs The Miz
This match is a very interesting one. The Miz's attempts to bait Cena into a match over the past few weeks have resulted in some good promos from the former reality TV star, while a match with Cena alone is usually enough to elevate any young talent.
It would be a huge upset if Miz were to pick up a win - however, do not rule out the possibility of a cheeky countout or DQ victory for the 'Chick Magnet', which could rocket him up the card on Raw. Either way, Miz will surely benefit from this opportunity.
Verdict: Cena gets the pinfall, but Miz is the real winner here.
No Disqualification Match - The Great Khali vs Dolph Ziggler
This match serves merely to get Ziggler some much-needed TV time - he should win, and win well.
The match quality will be dubious, as with any Khali match, but that won't be the point. Ziggler is one for the future.
Verdict: Ziggler triumphs, in an 'upset'.
WWE Unified Tag Team Championship Match - The Colóns (champions) vs The Legacy
Carlito and Primo's reign as Unified Tag Team Champions has been somewhat uneventful since the breakup of Miz and Morrison as a competitive tag team - The Legacy, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes, will provide them with their first meaningful opposition in several weeks, barring a three-minute confrontation with the Hart Dynasty on Monday Night Raw.
It would not be a surprise if The Legacy were to triumph in this match to kick-start a feud between the two teams - it would be a half-hearted attempt to cover up the damage done to the duo's reputations by Triple H and Batista in recent weeks, but it might go some way towards putting The Legacy and their leader, Randy Orton, slightly more over.
Verdict: Legacy wins, and for a short while all three members are title holders.
Intercontinental Championship vs Mask Match - Chris Jericho (champion) vs Rey Mysterio
This will be the blow-off to one of WWE's standout feuds in recent times, the superb Jericho-Mysterio feud over the Intercontinental title.
The marketing potential of Mysterio's mask means that he is unlikely to lose it - however, it would be a startlingly memorable end to the two's feud if Mysterio were forced to unmask for the first time on WWE television. While any WCW fan has already seen his true face, the revelation would still prove a stunning one for WWE fans.
Verdict: Mysterio gets back his title, and keeps his mask.
ECW Championship Scramble Match - Tommy Dreamer (champion) vs Christian vs Finlay vs Mark Henry vs Jack Swagger
This match sees the return of the largely successful Scramble Match, used three times at Unforgiven 2008 to good effect.
Any of the five men in the bout could conceivably walk away as champion; however, the most likely scenarios see either Dreamer retaining at the last minute, or Jack Swagger robbing him of his title to begin another feud between the two. Swagger's time could really have arrived by the time he becomes a two-time, two-time ECW Champion.
Verdict: Swagger defeats Dreamer to end his short title reign.
World Heavyweight Championship Match - CM Punk (champion) vs Jeff Hardy
This is a feud many members of the WWE Universe have long been waiting for. With CM Punk's recent heel turn almost complete, the Straightedge Superstar is finally given the chance to shine as best he can against wrestling's most extreme risk-taker, Jeff Hardy.
The match itself should be a classic. A fast-paced style is to be expected, with plenty of high-risk offence from Hardy - Punk, however, will look to use his new-found opportunism and his 'championship advantage' to make the best of any situation, and should retain, at least for now.
Verdict: Punk retains, but the feud continues.
Three Stages Of Hell Match For The WWE Championship - Randy Orton (champion) vs Triple H
With Triple H and Randy Orton's Last Man Standing Match on Monday Night Raw ending in a draw, the feud between these men will now be taken to another level. The first fall in the match will be a regular wrestling match; the second will be a Falls Count Anywhere Match; the third will be a Stretcher Match.
The decision to add such a rare marquee match to the card with only six days before the event is a slightly bizarre one, but the match will surely increase buyrates, and should surely be an entertaining encounter. Look for Orton to retain after a long and bloody war.
Verdict: Orton keeps his championship, but not without sustaining some serious damage.
