WWE No Mercy Preview and Predictions
A match-by-match look at tonight's show:
Jack Swagger vs. Baron Corbin on the Kickoff Show: I've thought for a long time that WWE should be doing more with Swagger, but Corbin is a rising star and he should win and will win this match.
Curt Hawkins vs. ?: The Hawkins "facts" vignettes have been entertaining and he's a good worker, so I hope the powers that be in WWE give him a legitimate opportunity to get over. It'll be interesting to see if his opponent is a local enhancement talent or someone on the main roster. Regardless, one would think that Hawkins is going to win his "debut" match, but I wouldn't totally discount the possibility of Hawkins' opponent scoring a quick win to surprise everyone and kick off a program with Hawkins.
Nikki Bella vs. Carmella: Carmella has gotten the better of Nikki multiple times on TV. Nikki wins this one.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. The Usos: The Usos have been rejuvenated since turning heel. I expect them to win the tag title tonight and then move on to a program with American Alpha. Hopefully, Vince McMahon hasn't become so enthralled with the Slater redneck character that he gets cute here and delays the inevitable title change. Slater and Rhyno's reign lasting any longer than a month devalues the title.
SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss: According to a report on The Wrestling Observer website, Lynch has suffered an undisclosed injury and will not be able to compete in this match, although there has been no official word from WWE regarding the status of Lynch or the match. Before the report came out on Saturday, I had no doubt that Lynch would retain the title.
Intercontinental Champion The Miz (w/Maryse) vs. Dolph Ziggler: The stipulation is that Ziggler must retire if he fails to win the title. WWE creative, Miz and Ziggler all deserve a lot of credit for making this one of the most compelling programs in WWE. Going back to Ziggler's match with then-WWE World Champion Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam, his inability to win when it mattered has been a focal point. I originally thought it was all leading to a frustrated Ziggler snapping and turning heel, but now I don't necessarily think that's the case. I really could see this going either way, but my guess is that Ziggler wins.
Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt: This is what I wrote in my Backlash preview last month when this match was initially supposed to take place but ended up being postponed due to Orton not being medically cleared: "I'm assuming this won't be a one-off, so it makes sense for Wyatt to win here. Plus, Wyatt desperately needs a significant victory, and the loss won't hurt Orton." Wyatt still desperately needs the win, but I don't think it's going to happen. Orton is the logical choice to be next in line for a WWE World Title shot, so I expect him to beat Wyatt, unfortunately.
WWE World Champion AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose vs. John Cena: This has the potential to be a great match. The money is in a singles match down the line between Styles and Cena, with Cena trying to avenge his losses to Styles and tie Ric Flair's record of 16 world titles. Therefore, I expect Styles to retain the title tonight by pinning Ambrose.
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