[10][11] As part of the storyline, The Dudley Boyz responded by abducting Paul Bearer, The Undertaker's manager.

[10][11] On the June 3 episode of SmackDown!, Heyman told The Undertaker that the only way he would ever see Bearer again, was to align himself with The Dudley Boyz.

[14][15] Another primary feud heading into the event was between Eddie Guerrero and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) over the WWE Championship.

[10][11] On the June 3 episode of SmackDown!, Cena confronted Booker T about his interference in the Lumberjack match the week before.

[12][13] On the June 10 episode of SmackDown!, Cena faced Booker T, Van Dam, and Duprée, respectively, in one-on-one matches with a five-minute time limit.

[21][22] The man to defeat Cena would become the number-one contender to the United States Championship at The Great American Bash.

[21][22] This led to Angle booking Cena in a Fatal Four-Way match for the title at The Great American Bash.

Magazine, Sable turned heel by displaying jealousy over Torrie's cover and berating her in a backstage segment, leading to a brawl between the two Divas.

Before the live broadcast of the event began, Spike Dudley defeated Jamie Noble in a match that aired on Sunday Night Heat.

Guerrero gained the early advantage, as he applied various submission holds to Mysterio's knee, including a single leg Boston crab and an Argentine leglock.

Per the pre-match stipulation, Paul Bearer would be cemented in a glass crypt if The Dudley Boyz won.

Throughout the duration of the match, Bearer was locked on a chair inside a glass crypt with the pump of a cement truck above him.

[28] Following the event it was stated in the following episode of Smackdown that Bearer survived his concrete burial but had suffered kayfabe "serious injuries" writing him off TV.

[29] At the event, John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) defeated Eddie Guerrero to begin his first reign as WWE Champion, which would last nearly ten months.

[30] The two faced off again at No Mercy in a Ambulance match, in which the objective is to place your opponent in a hearse and drive out of the arena.

[31] Following the conclusion of his title match against JBL at the event, Eddie Guerrero began to feud with Kurt Angle.

[32][33] After the match, Guerrero attacked El Gran Luchadore and pulled off his mask, revealing him to be Kurt Angle.

[32][33] The following week, Vince McMahon fired Angle from his position as Smackdown GM & scheduled a match between the two at SummerSlam.

[36] On the July 8 episode of SmackDown!, Booker T challenged John Cena for the WWE United States Championship.

[41][42] Theodore Long, who proceeded Angle as General Manager after he was fired as part of the storyline, announced that Cena would be facing Booker in a "Best of 5 series", in which the winner would be the man who earns three victories over the other first.

[45] The event, which reverted to being called The Great American Bash, then returned in July 2012 as a special episode of SmackDown.