Source: WWE.com
WWE No Mercy airs Sunday, October 9. Here’s a preview of the show, headlined by a WWE World Championship triple threat match.
This Sunday, SmackDown Live holds its second brand exclusive pay per view, WWE No Mercy. It’s the first event under the No Mercy banner since October 2008. Back then, WWE held a triple-branded event, featuring superstars from Raw, SmackDown, and ECW.
To illustrate how far WWE has come since the last No Mercy event, just look at the roster difference. There are only four performers from the 2008 event still competing full. Time. For WWE today (Kane, Chris Jericho, The Miz, and Primo). Four more occasionally compete (Triple H, Big Show, Undertaker, and Mark Henry), and JBL is a full-time commentator. The evolution of the roster featured on pay per views – even brand exclusive – is tremendous.
Taking place in Sacramento, California, No Mercy 2016 features a huge main event. Depending on who winds up victorious, history could be made. But that pales in comparison to the risk one superstar is taking to get one more shot at becoming a champion. Failure is not an option, or it’s. the last time he’ll ever have the chance to fail.
Two other superstars have spent the past several weeks engaged in a battle of mind games. The time for psychological warfare is over, though, and physicality will win the war for one man. SmackDown’s newest championships will both be on the line as well. And finally, two pairs of rivals – one long term, the other more recently developed – will square off in singles contests.
Please read on for a full preview of what’s in store at WWE No Mercy 2016.
Source: WWE.com
Baron Corbin vs. Jack Swagger (Kickoff Show)
The first major defection of talent following the brand extension was Jack Swagger. The All-American American allowed his Raw contract to expire, and immediately came on board with SmackDown Live. His first order of business? Crossing paths with Baron Corbin.
The Lone Wolf has established himself as the resident bully of SmackDown Live. Superstars such as Apollo Crews and Kalisto have run afoul of Corbin recently. Using his size advantage over his opponents, Corbin has firmly entrenched his stance as the alpha male of the Blue Brand.
But with the arrival of Swagger, Corbin loses much of that size advantage. And recent history aside, it cannot be forgotten that Jack Swagger is a former world champion. Corbin may be big and bad, but he’s still the new kid on the block.
The first match between these two ended in controversy. The referee awarded Swagger a submission victory, though Corbin appeared to be reaching for the ropes rather than tapping out. With a rematch set for the No Mercy Kickoff Show, will Corbin get his revenge?
Source: WWE.com
Carmella vs. Nikki Bella
Since being drafted to SmackDown Live, Carmella has tried to make the most of her opportunities. This has involved shying away from her previous fan friendly persona, and adopting a meaner side. Lately, she’s taken to setting her sights on one superstar in particular – Nikki Bella.
At SummerSlam, Nikki made her return to WWE following a severe neck injury that required major surgery and intense rehabilitation. On the first episode of SmackDown Live following SummerSlam, Nikki was viciously attacked from behind by Carmella. That pattern would continue over the next few weeks, as Carmella would attack Nikki both in the ring and outside – she wasn’t even safe on Talking Smack!
The Staten Island Princess finally revealed why she was going after the longest reigning Divas Champion in WWE history. Nikki’s return took place at Carmella’s pay per view debut – and in her home town of New York City. Carmella believed the show should have been about her, and Nikki’s surprise return stole her thunder.
With a match at No Mercy, Carmella gets a chance to put her money where her mouth is. She’s pinned Nikki before in tag team action, but a singles victory over one of the top competitors in the SmackDown Women’s Division would go a long way.
Source: WWE.com
Heath Slater & Rhyno (c) vs. The Usos, SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match
At Backlash, Heath Slater and Rhyno defeated The Usos in the final match of a tournament. In the process, they became the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Even more importantly, the victory earned Slater a contract as a full time member of the SmackDown roster.
The Usos, however, won’t go away. The former WWE Tag Team Champions have seemingly turned to the dark side in their pursuit of championship gold. Any team in their path has been struck down – literally.
Jimmy and Jey have resorted to sneak attacks focusing on a foe’s leg. Chad Gable was the first victim, with his injury at the hands of The Usos costing American Alpha a spot in the tournament finals. Gable’s partner Jason Jordan has also been targeted by Jimmy and Jey, as has Heath Slater – who was only trying to save American Alpha from the assault.
Even though he’s got his contract, Slater has no intention of being a flash in the pan. He and Rhyno are looking to hold onto the titles for as long as possible. With The Usos fighting dirty, Beauty and the Man Beast will need to keep their heads on a swivel at No Mercy. Otherwise, they may have plenty of time to spend in Slater’s new pool.
Source: WWE.com
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Alexa Bliss, SmackDown Women’s Championship Match
The Irish Lass Kicker outlasted five opponents at BackLash to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. It’s only fitting that the first woman to be drafted to Team Blue would be the first to hold its new championship.
Since then, the other women on the SmackDown roster have tried to put themselves in a position to challenge for the title. Alexa Bliss came out ahead of the rest, winning a Fatal Five Way match to earn the number one contender spot.
Sporting a new Harley Quinn-inspired ring attire, Bliss has been on fire of late. She’s got a temper, but reigns in that rage to focus her attack in a picture perfect manner. Her background as a gymnast only adds to her offensive abilities. Let’s not forget that on the most recent episode of SmackDown Live, Bliss earned a pinfall over Lynch in a non title situation.
But Becky Lynch fought for her entire life to attain a dream of being a WWE Champion. She’s not use going to roll over and give that up. Being pinned by Bliss in tag team action has to be in the forefront of Lynch’s mind, fueling her to come out on top at No Mercy.
Can her technical ability counter Bliss’s penchant for aggression?
WWE.com
Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt
For the second consecutive pay per view for SmackDown Live, Randy Orton is scheduled to take on Bray Wyatt. However, at Backlash, Orton suffered an injury at the hands of Wyatt backstage, prompting the match to be scrapped.
From that moment on, Orton has been looking for payback. Settling the score in the ring would be right in The Viper’s wheelhouse, but Wyatt isn’t so easy to pin down. In the weeks since Backlash, The Eater of Worlds has decided it would be more appropriate to engage in a series of mind games with Orton.
Appearing on the jumbotron to taunt Orton, Wyatt did everything in his power to get under Orton’s skin without actually entering the ring. The closest The Apex Predator got to confronting Wyatt was facing off against Erick Rowan instead. So Orton did what he needed to do – he turned the tables on Wyatt, and brought the mental warfare to him for a change.
On the final SmackDown Live prior to No Mercy, Orton managed to snare Wyatt in a trap. But – possibly with the assistance of a vision of Sister Abigail – The New Face of Fear escaped.
This Sunday at No Mercy, the time for mind games is over. With nowhere left to run, Orton will finally get his hands on Wyatt.
WWE.com
The Miz (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler, Intercontinental Championship Match; If Ziggler Loses, He Must Retire
Dolph Ziggler is the poster child of missed opportunities in WWE. For better or worse, his legacy will be that of the guy who had it all, but never really had anything. Every time it looks like he’s putting together some momentum, it all comes crashing down around him.
Compare that with The Miz. The A-Lister actually does have it all – movie roles, a beautiful wife, and championship gold. But for all his possessions, he’s never had the kind of popularity that Ziggler has.
Since the brand extension, Ziggler has been in the mix of title chases. He was the first number one contender for the WWE World Championship – but lost. He got a chance to face The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship – and lost. Since Maryse interfered, Ziggler got another chance – and lost again. He’s the WWE version of Charlie Brown trying to kick the football, but Lucy keeps pulling the ball away at the last second.
Desperate to make his luck change, Ziggler gave Miz a unique challenge. In exchange for one more shot at the Intercontinental Championship, Ziggler would put his career on the line. He either leaves No Mercy as the Intercontinental Champion, or he leaves WWE for good.
And, yeah, professional wrestling retirements don’t always stick. The Show Off could be back in a few weeks, months, or years. But just the notion of wanting something so bad you’ll give everything up for the chance adds extra weight to this contest.
No two superstars have shown more passion in recent weeks than these two, as the emotions surrounding this match are at a fever pitch. Will Dolph Ziggler make the most of his one more chance?
Source: WWE.com
AJ Styles (c) vs. John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose, WWE World Championship Match
At Backlash, AJ Styles defeated Dean Ambrose to become WWE World Champion. It was one of the high points in The Phenomenal One’s career, as he had reached the peak of WWE mere months after arriving. But his celebration would be cut short by an old rival in John Cena.
Cena returned to SmackDown after taking some time off following a tough loss to Styles at SummerSlam. His first actions were to announce his intentions to take the WWE World Championship back, and make history in the process. One more reign as world champion would see Cena equal Ric Flair’s all time record.
But Dean Ambrose also has a claim to the WWE World Championship. Sure, he dropped the belt to Styles, but a well timed low blow certainly contributed. And in his one on one rematch with Styles, Ambrose lost partly due to the presence of John Cena at ringside.
With the three competitors signed for a triple threat match at No Mercy, tensions have been running high. Styles will do anything to retain his championship. Cena wants to make history. Ambrose wants to be a wrench in everyone’s plans.
Words have been exchanged, tempers have flared, and punches have been thrown.But at No Mercy on Sunday, all that matters is leaving the ring with an arm raised in victory. There’s no count outs, no disqualifications, no excuses. Three men enter, but only one will leave as world champion.
Be sure to tune in to WWE No Mercy this Sunday, and follow Daily DDT on Twitter for coverage!
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