It's that time again (already) as we are treated to another PPV and for the second time it's the turn of SmackDown Live to produce a brand exclusive show named, No Mercy. SmackDown's last attempt, Backlash, was seen as a major success by most fans and when compared to Raw's Clash of Champions the blue brand certainly won the battle of PPV's, but can they follow it up on Sunday?
Kick Off Show- Jack Swagger - Baron Corbin
Jack Swagger moved to SmackDown to receive more opportunities since then he hasn't competed in a single match and will be only gracing the kickoff show for No Mercy, but despite the lack of real push, it is certainly an improvement from what he was doing on Raw. With that said this feud hasn't really been afforded much time, though compared to most pre-show matches at least there is some form of rivalry instead of the usual thrown together match, meaning fans may actually be interested in this one.
Swagger has been confronting Baron Corbin (Who has also barely featured since the brand split) because of his aggressive actions of late and the Lone Wolf has backed away from every confrontation so far. Both men are in need of a victory here to push them as a strong character and continue the feud, but with it being a pre-show WWE tend to like having faces win and this will allow Swagger be put back on the map and continue the frustration for Corbin.
Prediction- Jack Swagger
Tag Team Championship Match- Rhyno & Heath Slater (c) - The Usos
No Mercy will see a repeat of Backlash's Tag Team Championship match except this time with champions prior to the first bell ringing. Heath Slater's magical run seems to be burning out pretty quickly with the comedic act taking a back seat to the more serious approach from The Usos. The twins have totally changed up their characters and they are refreshed and back to their best and seem to be primed and ready to take the champions and lead the division.
There is no doubt that Rhyno and Slater's time as a tag team has been fun and should continue as it keeps both of them relevant, but whether they should continue to be champions is up for debate and the feud everyone really wants to see is between The Usos and American Alpha and for that to happen, a title change needs to happen.
Prediction- The Usos
Carmella - Nikki Bella
How refreshing is it to see a WWE PPV with more than just one women's match on the card? WWE has done a great job with the women on both brands since the split and the feud between Carmella and Nikki Bella has been very well presented, and both women have worked hard to make it as entertaining as possible, they've been given time and they've taken it.
Carmella has been a thorn in Nikki's side ever since she made her triumphant return from injury and now the Bella twin finally get's her chance to have some revenge and that is what this writer thinks is going to happen here, bringing an end to this feud allowing both women to move on to pastures new before it becomes old.
Prediction- Nikki Bella
SmackDown Women's Championship- Becky Lynch (c) - Alexa Bliss
No Mercy will see Becky Lynch defend her Women's Championship for the first time since she picked up the belt and she does so against another former NXT talent, Alexa Bliss. Bliss has slowly become one of the top female performers in the entire company, working hard on not only her in-ring skills but also her promos and facial expressions.
Bliss is the real deal and has an incredibly positive future ahead of her, but Lynch is being built as the face of SmackDown's women's division and for now needs to remain strong whilst Bliss continues to refine her character.
Prediction- Becky Lynch
Intercontinental Championship- The Miz w. Maryse (c) - Dolph Ziggler (if Ziggler loses, he must retire)
This is the match that this author is most excited about ahead of Sunday, showing just how good of a job everyone involved has done because the build towards this match has been fantastic. Not only has it made the championship look good and important it has made all the talent the true focus of the story and they have excelled in everything whether it be promos, brawls or the matches they've already had.
It isn't often someone's career is on the line and that makes this match have a very special and real appeal, with fans not wanting to see Dolph Ziggler's career come to an end. Ziggler has been a main stay in the WWE but with the rumors of his contract coming to an end and WWE wanting him in a backstage role, there is certainly a possibility that this could be the end (at least for now) for the Showoff.
Will The Miz finally meet his comeuppance? He has been on a roll lately performing at a very heavy level, but is this the big pay off for him? It certainly feels like his run as champion has more legs and could be stretched for longer with a bigger payoff to his feud with Daniel Bryan and with Ziggler seemingly at a crossroads now might be a good time for him to walk away for a while. It's a tough one to predict, but the champion should find a way to win and walk away having retained.
Prediction- The Miz
Randy Orton - Bray Wyatt
We finally get to see Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt compete at No Mercy after the match was canceled due to Orton's injury at the last PPV. The build up has been as eerie and strange as expected with a Wyatt feud and whilst it has been refreshing in some aspects as neither man has worked together before, some parts have fallen very flat.
However, there is no doubt that they have the potential to put on a very entertaining match as long as their styles mesh together. This shouldn't be the end of the feud as one match isn't enough after the time that has been invested into it and the outcome really depends on whether they are wanting to invest in Bray Wyatt or not. He needs a victory, but if he wins then he must continue to do so, otherwise if he loses there must be an actual storyline, show him be frustrated or angry for a change instead of just moving on to the next feud.
Orton's future probably lies with the WWE World Championship and for that, he also needs a victory and to look strong, and that is what this author believes will happen, hopefully with a creative direction being established for Wyatt in the process.
Prediction- Randy Orton
WWE World Championship- AJ Styles (c) - John Cena - Dean Ambrose
No Mercy has a blockbuster main event with the show's three biggest stars all colliding over the blue brand's top prize in what promises to be another great match on a show that could be stacked with them. The build for this has been well executed with all three men getting their time to shine making everyone appear a threat heading into the match.
The victor for this one, however, should be very easy to work out, AJ Styles. Styles has been, pardon the pun, phenomenal, since joining WWE and seems to be growing in confidence and stature with every performance and his run as champion is something that needs to continue with feuds against the likes of Orton all potential in the pipeline.
With Dean Ambrose's time as champion being fairly underwhelming having him chase the title and re-find his fire (which he has begun to do) seems to be the wise move and it wouldn't be a shock to see him be the man that takes the pinfall here, allowing the feud between John Cena and Styles to pick back up, this time for the title.
Prediction- AJ Styles