Nickla Roberts

One of sports-entertainment's most patriotic traditions, The Great American Bash brought excitement to fans of the NWA and WCW for over a decade. It featured legends like Sting, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Hulk Hogan, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, the New World Order (nWo), the Road Warriors and more, competing for pride, honor and championship gold. This red, white and blue extravaganza always delivered the fireworks.

In 1983 World Class Championship Wrestling and its franchise stars, the Von Erich brothers, were known around the world. A small Dallas based promotion running out of a shack of a venue, the Sportatorium, World Class was one of the most syndicated television programs in America, making the Von Erichs household names. Run by legendary wrestler Fritz Von Erich, a.k.a. Jack Adkinsson, World Class made his oldest sons, Kevin, David and Kerry, three of hte biggest stars in the world of wrestling. Little did anyone know that just as the Von Erichs and World Class were reaching worldwide stardom they would begin a downfall that would cast a full eclipse on their meteoric rise to fame. Directed by Brian Harrison who, as a ten year old in 1983, watched on television as wrestling's world of staged combat between good and evil took a sharp turn into a surreal and tragic reality.

Terry Funk and Jerry Lawler renew a nearly ten-year rivalry in The City of Brotherly Love!

Ric Flair takes on Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. A Brutal Steel Cage "I Quit" Match for the United States Championship pits Magnum T.A. against Tully Blanchard. The Rock 'n' Roll Express battle The Koloffs and much more.

The first Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament was held on April 19, 1986. The tournament featured 24 tag teams.

Ric Flair puts the World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Ricky Morton in a Steel Cage Match as the Bash rolls into Charlotte.

The World Heavyweight Championship hangs in the balance as WWE Hall of Famers Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes clash inside a steel cage.

Ric Flair battles Ron Garvin for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in a Steel Cage Match. Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard defend the NWA Tag Team Championship against The Road Warriors. The Rock 'N' Roll Express face The Midnight Express. Dusty Rhodes battles Lex Luger in a Steel Cage for the United States Championship.

Only one team will survive the "Night of the Skywalkers" as The Road Warriors and Midnight Express clash high atop a 25 foot scaffold! Ric Flair defends the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against The Russian Nightmare Nikita Koloff. The Rock 'n' Roll Express defend the NWA Tag Team Championship against Ole & Arn Anderson in a Steel Cage Match.

The Great American Bash: Freedom Challenge took place on July 6, 1985 at the American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The main event was a steel cage match for the NWA World Television Championship with Tully Blanchard defending the title against Dusty Rhodes. Nikita Koloff challenged for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Ric Flair with David Crockett as the special guest referee. Magnum T.A. defended the NWA United States Championship against Kamala, while the NWA World Tag Team Champions Krusher Khrushchev and Ivan Koloff fought the AWA World Tag Team Champions, The Road Warriors. 4 other matches took place on the undercard.

Jim Crockett Promotions used "The Great American Bash" as the name for a tour that had several PPV caliber shows around the country. In 1986, there were 13 Great American Bashes and NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair defended his title at each one against Ricky Morton, Road Warrior Hawk, Ron Garvin, Nikita Koloff, Robert Gibson, Road Warrior Animal, Magnum T.A., Wahoo McDaniel and Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes defeated him for the title at the July 26 Bash. Flair challenged for it on the last Bash on August 2. Nikita Koloff and Magnum T.A. were involved in a best of seven title match series throughout the Bash for the U.S. Title.

Its turkey time in Texas with all the stars of World Class Championship Wrestling.

Nikita Koloff defends the NWA Television Championship against Bobby Eaton. Larry Zbyszko challenges Barry Windham for the UWF Western States Championship. Ric Flair defends the NWA World Championship against Road Warrior Hawk. Nine superstars, including Dusty Rhodes, Arn Anderson, and Lex Luger compete in a Steel Cage Bunkhouse Stampede Match.

The feud between Kevin Von Erich and Chris Adams gets personal when blood is shed.

TBS and Jim Crockett Promotions proudly presents a special event voted on by the fans! Ric Flair vs. Ron Garvin for the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship. Dusty Rhodes vs. Tully Blanchard for the NWA National Heavyweight Championship. The Rock & Roll Express defend the NWA Tag Team Championship against The Midnight Express. The Road Warriors vs. Ivan & Nikita Koloff in an epic tag team showdown all from Atlanta's Omni!