We open with Teddy Long already in the ring. Getting right to the heart of the matter, Long tells us that Edge was injured last week, and because Edge will be out for a minimum period of 30 days, he won't be able to defend the World title in that time frame, and as a result, Edge has to vacate the title. Edge comes out, and asks for a spotlight. He talks about how he'd vowed as a youth to become World Champion, and fulfilled that vow. He was getting some sympathy by this point, but then got the heel heat back by referencing last week's attack by Kane.

He told Kane, "I hope you're happy", selfishly claiming that the Big Red Machine had denied the fans the opportunity to see Edge defend the title. After a self-indulgent video package set to the music of a cover of Tina Turner's "Simply the Best", Long came back into the ring and coaxed Edge to turn over the title. After some whining and complaining, Edge reluctantly made it official and vacated the title. Edge kept looking back to the ring as he left, holding back the tears.

Backstage, the camera focuses on a number of superstars, including Eugene, who are getting ready for the battle royal, announced earlier by Long, to determine a new World Champion. 18 months ago, Batista had to vacate the title due to injury. Could he, in an ironic twist, regain the title this way?

Match 1: Victoria vs. Torrie Wilson Last week, these two old friends battled, renewing old hostilities, and Torrie won via countout. Victoria comes out fired up this time, and we have a pretty even matchup. Torrie hit a baseball slide dropkick, knocking the former champion to the floor. Vic took too long to set up a suplex, and was cradled for 2. Hesitation on the Spider's Web resulted in another near fall. Vic blocked a charge in the corner with a knee lift, using her brace, then hit the Widow's Peak to earn her first win on Smackdown. Winner: Victoria.

Backstage, Matt Hardy is on his way to the ring. Deuce & Domino & Cherry talk up the match, and Domino, who will wrestle for the first time since breaking his nose a few weeks back, thinks either he or Deuce will win the title. Jimmmy Wang Yang happens along, as does Batista, who finds the tag champs to be a little, well, amusing.

After a Rey Mysterio vidpack, they're recapping Edge vacating the title earlier, setting up our next match.

Match 2: 20 Man Battle Royal to determine a new World Heavyweight champion The field consists of Batista, the Major Brothers, Dave Taylor, Finlay, Matt Hardy, Mark Henry, Funaki, Yang, Deuce & Domino, Shannon Moore, Kane, Eugene, Chris Masters, Kenny Dykstra, Great Khali, MVP, Jamie Noble, & Chavo Guerrero. For MVP & Guerrero, it's an opportunity to upgrade from the titles they already have. Henry took out both Majors in one fell swoop. Before the break, Khali dismissed Moore & Funaki in quick succession. Back from break, and the field starts dwindling in rapid order. A dogpile on Henry takes the Olympic powerhouse out of the match. Batista has a hand in the next 5 eliminations. He takes out Deuce, Domino, & Taylor in a matter of seconds. After a staredown with Kane, the two former champions team to take out Noble & Eugene. Henry had a staredown of his own, with Khali, before he was eliminated.

In a rare show of unity, Yang & Guerrero, who've been feuding for months, teamed to eliminate Masters. Yang, after Guerrero turned on him seconds later, dumped the cruiser champ. Hardy tossed US champ MVP out. Khali eliminated Kane & Batista together to win the title. Winner & New World champion: Great Khali.

After the match, Runjin Singh, Khali's interpreter-manager, runs in, jubilant in his charge's victory. Teddy Long presents Khali with the title, only to have the Punjabi Giant snatch it from his hands. After a break, Khali & Singh are interviewed by Kristal. Singh declares that Khali's title reign will be one of domination & terror, and claims, predictably, that there is a huge celebration in Khali's native India. He does make one true statement, though. Khali is the first man from India to win the World title.

In the GM's office, Vicki Guerrero informs Teddy that there's a "small problem", that being finding an opponent for the title match at the Great American Bash. Batista signed his contract last week to face Khali, but Kane, who was to challenge for the title, is out in the cold. A #1 contender's match between the last two men eliminated in the battle royal, Kane & Batista, is our main event, with the winner going to the Bash to face Khali.

The Raw Rebound is encored from ECW.

Match 3: Kenny Dykstra vs. Matt Hardy Both are sore from the previous match, and thus you think it might not be the best of matches. In truth, we get a very well paced, even bout. Hardy, as Torrie did earlier, hit a baseball slide dropkick to get an early advantage on Dykstra. Dykstra showed some flashes, including blocking the Side Effect, but in some respects he's still a rookie, and rookies will make major mistakes at critical times. Dykstra tried to copy Hardy's forearm off the middle rope, but Matt was prepared for that. With Dykstra seated on the top rope, Hardy hit the Twist of Fate. Good night, thanks for coming. Winner: Matt Hardy.

A Chuck Palumbo vidpack aired, putting the emphasis on Palumbo's real-life-inspired biker gimmick.

Another Jesse & Festus video. There's a reason Jesse does all the talking.

Jack Korpela interviews MVP, who disses the reporter and repeats his pathetic claim that he's better than the rest of us. He does, however, give some hints of what he went through in real life before coming here.

In running down the Great American Bash card, JBL, as he did earlier, refers to Khali as a T-Rex. Actually, if I wanted to equate Khali to a dinosaur, I'd consider something from the "Valley of Gwangi".

The localized commercial for the 8/28 taping in Albany has already been updated to reflect the fact that Edge won't be there. Now, that was quick!

Kane & Batista are headed for the ring. The #1 contender's match is next!

Match 4: Kane vs. Batista (#1 contender's match--winner to face Great Khali on Sunday) Two more men who were in the battle royal earlier. If Dykstra-Hardy was like a high-speed drag race, then this is like two 18-wheel trucks bumping each other on the highway, jockeying for position. We've seen these two go at it before, when they were over on Raw, but the stakes haven't been this high until tonight. As it is, it's about what you'd expect. Neither man could actually gain a clear advantage. Kane went for the top rope clothesline, but missed. Batista hit the spinebuster, worth 2 3/4. Uncharacteristically, Batista went up top and hit the clothesline. That got a 2, and right around that time, Great Khali returned and attacked Batista. Kane came to Batista's aid and the two gave Khali a receipt by sending him packing over the top. Teddy Long came back out and announced that Khali's 1st title defense will be a 3-way vs. Kane & Batista on Sunday. Winner: None. No decision was rendered, so it's assumed it's a No Contest.