By Chris Walters on June 3, 2004 at 12:16 PM EST

The following is from the Business Wire:

Troops and Domestic USOs receive Pay-Per-View Free on Sunday, June 27, As A Thank You for Their Service to America

World Wrestling Entertainment®, Inc. today said it will make its upcoming SmackDown!™ brand Pay-Per-View, The Great American Bash®, free to all military personnel and veterans to thank them for their service to America. The Great American Bash will be broadcast from the Norfolk Scope Arena live on Pay-Per-View Sunday, June 27, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Subway® is the Pay-Per-View sponsor.

SmackDown! Superstar John Cena™ and SmackDown! General Manager Kurt Angle® announced the free offer to the military on last night's SmackDown! on UPN at 8 p.m.ET/PT.

"Our troops and their families have shown great courage and strength during this very difficult time, and we're proud to offer them the opportunity to receive SmackDown!'s The Great American Bash Pay-Per-View on June 27 absolutely free," said Kurt Schneider, Executive Vice President, Marketing. "We did a similar offer last year, and it was very well received by the troops. We're pleased to be able to make this offer again."

Military personnel who order The Great American Bash Pay-Per-View will be reimbursed the retail price of $34.95 upon receipt of a copy of their cable or satellite television bill and proof of their military service. For more details, go to thegreatamericanbash.wwe.com

In addition, WWE last week said it is offering The Great American Bash free to domestic USO affiliates upon request so they can host on-base events for military troops across the country.

WWE Superstars were some of the first celebrities to visit wounded soldiers as they returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. WWE has sent millions of dollars worth of t-shirts, videos and DVDs, promotional items, magazines and CDs to military personnel operating on the front lines. SmackDown! did a Christmas special from Iraq that was broadcast to Americans and troops around the globe on Christmas night 2003. WWE recently received the Legacy of Hope Award from the USO of Metropolitan Washington for its efforts in support of the troops and to raise funds in support of USO Operation Care Package.

More FREE Pay-Per-Views on the Way + Bad Blood Matches & Special Guests - *HERE*