The main event at WWE No Mercy is a WWE World Championship triple threat match. Here’s why current champion AJ Styles should retain against Dean Ambrose and John Cena.
Since his surprise debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles has enjoyed a terrific WWE career thus far. At No Mercy, Styles enters the event as WWE World Champion. And he’ll defend the title against two former world champions in Dean Ambrose and John Cena in the main event.
In his short time in WWE, The Phenomenal One has established himself as one of the top stars in the company. Since the brand extension draft over the summer, Styles has been one of the main focuses of SmackDown. He won his first WWE Championship at Backlash, the first SmackDown exclusive pay per view.
While any of the three competitors could be considered a favorite, Styles should have the advantage in this contest. Over the past several weeks, he has demonstrated not only that he’s a great superstar, but a great champion. His record speaks for itself, especially in high profile matches.
As the Blue Brand rolls into Sacramento for No Mercy, Styles is looking to continue his run of dominance. A string of victories over the best SmackDown has to offer has elevated The Phenomenal One to the top of the heap. But taking on – and defeating – Ambrose and Cena will firmly establish Styles as the best there is in WWE.
Please continue reading for three reasons why AJ Styles should win at WWE No Mercy.
3. Make Up For Lost Time
AJ Styles has been a mainstay in the main event scene since his arrival in WWE. While there’s no denying his talent, it’s possible his quick ascent to the top is partly due to how long it took him to even get to WWE.
Outside barely seen appearances in WWE in early 2002, Styles spent his entire career as “the big fish in a little pond.” He was a part of the earliest days of Ring of Honor, and spent the majority of his prime in TNA. Styles competed on the first ever TNA weekly pay per view in June 2002, and remained until 2013. While one of the most decorated superstars in TNA history, Styles arguably solidified his status as one of the greats during his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling from 2014-2016.
After making such an impact everywhere but WWE, many fans hoped to see Styles join the most well-known company in the industry. Once there, early fears that he would be misused were mostly put to rest. Over the past several months, The Phenomenal One has elevated his game to a new level, and he’s been one of the New Era’s top stars.
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With possibly his highest-profile match to date taking place at No Mercy, there’s no reason Styles should see any type of momentum shift. He’s been cruising along, and that should continue for the foreseeable future. His WWE World Championship reign was a long time coming, and a victory over two former world champions would cement his legacy as not only one of the best wrestlers in the world, but as one of WWE’s top stars.
Remember, Styles is 39 years old. He’s showing no signs of slowing down, but the sad reality of professional wrestling is that, at some point, everyone needs to step away. It would be foolish to slow the momentum of one of the top stars in the company if he’s put a solid decade and a half of work in everywhere else before even showing up on your doorstep.
Styles may have taken a while to show the WWE Universe what he’s capable of. But now that he’s holding the ball, he should get the chance to run with it for as long as he wants. He’s more than earned that opportunity.
2. Not Part of a Continuing Story
Looking at the participants in the No Mercy main event, there’s no love lost between any of the three superstars.
AJ Styles spent most of the summer battling John Cena in a series of matches. Styles was intent on showing that Cena’s run as the top dog of WWE was over, and it was time for someone else to step up. With two victories over Cena, Styles proclaimed himself as “the new face that runs the place.”
After dispatching Cena at SummerSlam, Styles focused his attention on then-WWE World Champion Dean Ambrose. As the new number one, Styles wanted the championship that would prove it. Following a hard-fought match at Backlash – and a well-timed low blow – Styles defeated Ambrose for the title. Three weeks later, Styles successfully defended the title in a singles rematch with Ambrose.
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But over the past few weeks, it seems that the bigger rivalry has formed between Cena and Ambrose. Cena is intent on matching Ric Flair’s record for world championship reigns, and he’s currently sitting one behind. Ambrose wants his championship back, and he doesn’t care about Cena’s quest.
The war of words between Cena and Ambrose intensified on Talking Smack. Cena proclaims he “doesn’t care about Dean Ambrose,” intimating the Lunatic Fringe is beneath him. And don’t forget that Cena – directly or indirectly – cost Ambrose in his rematch with Styles. With so much time devoted to the two challengers getting more heated with one another, where does Styles fit in?
Styles has finished his feud with Cena. He finished his battles with Ambrose. The real beef is between the two challengers. For that story to continue, Styles needs to be removed from the equation. Retaining the title is a great way to extricate himself from the feud while fueling the fire for Cena and Ambrose to battle for a while.
1. Too Much to Lose
If Cena vs. Ambrose is the direction things are heading in, Styles needs to move on. The only real story in place for him at the moment is “AJ Styles is WWE Champion.”
Who are AJ’s current rivals? It’s just John Cena and Dean Ambrose. Any other potential feud for Styles would need to revolve around the WWE World Championship.
Styles has ended up in a place where he needs to be champion for his character to move forward. If he were to lose the title at No Mercy, it would be a major step backward for The Phenomenal One.
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And really, compared to his opponents, Styles has the most to lose. Not only in terms of a championship belt, either – Styles could suffer a major setback in terms of character development if he cannot win at No Mercy.
Look at it this way. If Cena loses the triple threat match, he has a ready-made rivalry with Ambrose. It doesn’t matter if Ambrose is champion or not – Cena will either continue to equal Flair’s record, or look to win the battle of pride.
If Ambrose loses at No Mercy, he’s got John Cena to contend with. If Cena is the champion, it’s an added bonus. But the war of words between the two needs a strong conclusion.
But if Styles loses, he gets a rematch. And that’s it.
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As mentioned earlier, Styles has already put an exclamation point on feuds with Cena and Ambrose. He needs to face new challengers. Since none are readily apparent, the championship is what will determine how he gets a meaningful rival. A token rematch where he loses the title means nothing.
One problem might be the lack of championship caliber opponents outside Cena and Ambrose. Fortunately, Styles is talented enough to help someone look like they belong in the title picture. Depending on what happens at No Mercy, perhaps The Miz moves up to challenge for the world title. Maybe Randy Orton or Bray Wyatt gets involved. Perhaps an outside the box pick like a rookie in Apollo Crews, or a returning veteran like Curt Hawkins may be next (but not really).
But the bottom line is that Styles must leave No Mercy as champion, or he may get lost in the shuffle.
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