WWE No Mercy 2016 Preview and Predictions

Not the N64 game.

Giving their thoughts and predictions on what to expect from the PPV are members of the site @JoeyOnEarth, @TimWelcomed and @TomBlargh.

Jack Swagger vs. Baron Corbin on the kickoff show

Joey:

Jack Swagger getting a push is the worst thing currently going on in WWE. Who in WWE likes this guy enough to keep him giving him opportunities? I will be skipping the kickoff show. Apologies to Big Breakfast.

For all the talk of how good Smackdown has been at making new stars, they’ve fucked up big time with Corbin.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Baron Corbin wins.

Tim:

Baron Corbin has all of the potential to be a fun character so you would think Smackdown would be the place for him but here we are doing this. Hopefully he runs through Swagger and moves forward while Swagger disappears again. I will watch this in my wooden chair three feet away from my television with a glass of warm water as I am the last true wrestling critic and can not let myself be distracted during any grappling but I can’t say I am intrigued by this at all.

Interest Level: 00/10
Prediction: Baron Corbin wins. Big Breakfast Heads rejoice across the globe.

Tom:

Swagger even being on a pre-show match is genuinely kind of outrageous, isn’t it? Poor old Baron Corbin.

Interest Level: 3/10
Prediction: Breakfast wins the big one.

Curt Hawkins vs. TBD

Joey:

I take it back. Curt Hawkins is the worst thing in WWE.

I will change my mind and consider this genius if Hawkins becomes a jobber that spews his “facts” before taking a loss every match.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Curt Hawkins wins.

Tim:

I haven’t disliked anything quite as much as I’ve disliked Curt Hawkins and his hype videos. I’m not sure who thought any of it was a good idea but I’m here to inform them that it was not. In fact, they were bad. These are bold words but I will stand behind them forever. Let me say that Curt Hawkins just isn’t very good. I would not have wasted my time bringing him back but it’s WWE/s choice and I have to deal with it. Anyway, let’s watch him get squashed by someone like Kane immediately and get it over with already.

Interest Level: 00000000000000000000000/10
Prediction: TBD (TBD does not mean The Big Dog) wins.

Tom:

I assume he’s fighting Kane, right? And Kane chokeslams him off the stage and we all have a good laugh? A part of me wants to give Curt Hawkins a chance but a much larger part of me wants him to go away.

Interest Level: 2/10
Prediction: The Demon Kane wins the big one.

Nikki Bella vs. Carmella

Joey:

Here we go. This may very well be the best feud in WWE with such simple and effective booking behind it. Nikki Bella as the respected veteran and Carmella as the new heel have put them both in a great position to succeed on Smackdown. I think Carmella gets the win via heel tactics.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Carmella wins.

Tim:

Carmella has been pretty good with her intensity when beating up Nikki Bella. I feel like she would be great on the mic if she would drop the accent. I’ve said it elsewhere but it really seems like she is unsure if she’s supposed to be doing it or not. I’ve loved the story here. They aren’t trying to overdo it. I am looking forward to seeing the match. I’m hoping Carmella gets the win.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Carmella wins.

Tom:

THE GOOD STUFF. Carmella is much better as a heel, Fearless Nikki has TWO reality shows and multiple Funko Pops to her name, it’s impossible to boo her. I think their little thing has been pretty good and this feud is testament to the strength of Talking Smack when it comes to storytelling.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Carmella wins the big one.

Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt

Joey:

Bray Wyatt is weird and Randy Orton may be a racist. There you have it.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Randy Orton wins.

Tim:

This has been the worst storyline going on Smackdown: The Good Show. I think both characters are lame. Randy Orton’s return charm has dwindled and now he’s just a bore. The supernatural stuff has not been handled in an interesting way but that’s the story of Bray Wyatt’s career. Not excited for this one at all. I assume they want to do Orton vs Styles soonish so he’ll probably win and that’s fine.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Randy Orton wins.

Tom:

So what would make this excellent is if Daniel Bryan is on commentary and continues to refer to Bray Wyatt as a magician. That is the only thing that will make this excellent.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Randy Orton wins the big one.

The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a Title vs. Career match

Joey:

The fact that this has become a compelling program may be the most impressive thing WWE has pulled off this year. The Miz has a chance to become the biggest hero in wrestling history if he forces Dolph Ziggler out of WWE. I have no doubt they’ll wrestle this match like it’s their WrestleMania and I am rooting big time for Miz.

Interest Level: 9/10 (WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME?)
Prediction: The Miz wins.

Tim:

Miz has been on a roll and Ziggler has been repetitive. They’ve done about as good they could have with this feud but I can not say I am interested in the actual match. The ending where the crowd sings “NA NA NA NA HEY HEY HEY GOODBYE” to Ziggler while pelting him with bags of shit that WWE distributed beforehand is what this show is all about. It get’s a high rating from me for Ziggler leaving.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Ziggler loses and leaves!!!!!!!

Tom:

Guess what, trolls – even though I am excited by the idea of Ziggler going away, I am NOT excited for this match. I just don’t particularly like watching these two guys grapple each other! Sorry not sorry!!!! Talk to the hand ‘cus the face ain’t listening!!!

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: The Miz wins the big one. Bye bye, Zigman. Don’t come back

Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. The Usos for the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship

Joey:

The character progression and storytelling with the Usos have made them a great heel team. Heath Slater and Rhyno are funny enough, but I think WWE definitely has them drop the belts here. Usos vs. American Alpha is the feud to go with.

I’m expecting Rhyno to turn on Slater after they lose this and the rematch next month. Get ready for the Slater vs. Miz WrestleMania program.

Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: The Usos win.

Tim:

Time is up for Slater and Rhyno. They were fun but it was one of those gimmicks that just couldn’t keep its hype for long. The Usos can take that heat. The heel turn has done wonders for them. A theme for this PPV is that I’m into the characters but not necessarily into these matches. Let’s get these belts on The Usos so American Alpha can get them next.

Interest Level: 3/10
Prediction: The Usos win.

Tom:

I dunno, man. I like a good wacky tag team but everyone seemed to almost immediately give up on Heath Slater and Rhyno, which is kind of sad? The Usos are fun as heels and I’d be much more interested in seeing them have a nice long feud with American Alpha for the tag titles, but I don’t think we need to rush into it.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Heath Slater and Rhyno win the big one.

Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss for the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship

Joey:

Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss have been my favorite wrestlers on Smackdown. Becky is so legitimate as a top face and gets the fans to rally behind her with ease. She’s done such an incredible job as the face of the division. Bliss is so underrated and one of the better heels on the roster. Sadly, the Harley Quinn cosplay has made her a little less interesting, but she’s still awesome. I expect them to have a great match with Becky retaining.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Becky Lynch wins.

Tim:

Becky Lynch is the best babyface in WWE. In a company full of characters that are assholes no matter how WWE tries spinning them Lynch is the freshest breath of air. Alexa Bliss still has so much more room to grow and she’s already magnificent to watch. Her facial expressions are next level and she’s entertaining in the ring. I’m excited for this one.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Becky Lynch wins.

Tom:

BREAKING NEWS, BECKY LYNCH IS INJURED? I assume they will just give Alexa Bliss the title in a fantastic ceremony, can’t wait.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Hopefully the match does happen and Becky Lynch wins the big one.

AJ Styles vs. John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Championship

Joey:

This is the perfect storm of everyone having a rightful claim to their character’s point of view. There’s conflict going in every direction and WWE has done a strangely good job having it all make sense. AJ Styles is a great champion. John Cena is the best of all time. Dean Ambrose is an annoying scumbag that people like. It’s great! The match should be outstanding. I have Styles pinning Ambrose here and facing Cena in a singles match at Survivor Series.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: AJ Styles wins.

Tim:

This has been so damn good. AJ Styles has been a great champion and I hope it continues. The Smackdown creative team really nailed the build to this. As the last true wrestling critic I will have both of my eyes on this with intensity. I will be looking for every little flaw that could break my immersion. I will have my phone turned off and magnifying glass on hand. These boys may be able to pull this one off.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: AJ Styles wins.

Tom:

I’ve enjoyed this so far and Cena has been absolutely sensational, though I do wonder where AJ Styles goes from this. Ambrose being a full heel (i.e. a heel outside of feuding with Cena) is appealing, since I can’t stand his wacky shtick and he has the potential to be a little more interesting as a full-on jerk. Just like his Mox days! I call him Mox because I am a true fan.

ANYWAY. Match should be good, here’s hoping it breaks out into some decent feuds and all that afterwards.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: AJ Styles wins the big one.