WWE No Mercy predictions

Well I will applaud the WWE higher ups for making the decision to reduce the pay per view number, as I always found it unnecessary to have two pay per views per month, regardless of how many "brands" there are. 

I've generally enjoyed the build for this show, as opposed to SummerSlam last month, which I found to be very lackluster. They seem to be doing a great job with making these b-level shows seem more important than they are, as this one in particular is headlined by two WrestleMania-worthy matches. 

Even though I'm looking forward to the Smackdown pay per view a little more, this one has caught a bit of my interest, so I'll definitely be checking it out live, and at the very least, it should be a strong show in the ring. 

Here are my thoughts and predictions from start to finish...

Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro and Sheamus for the Raw Tag Team Championships

I would think it only makes sense for one of the two SummerSlam rematches to go on first. This one was one of the better SummerSlam matches, so I have no doubt that it will deliver once again. The only problem is that if you put a match of such strong quality on first, you do run the risk of burning the fans out, and making the rest of the show seem like a chore to watch. I'm a little surprised that they didn't add either Gallows and Anderson or The Hardys to the match, but I guess since they already have a multiple person match on the show, they must have decided against it. Actually, I'd kind of prefer a regular tag match, so you don't have all these extra bodies to keep track of. I think everybody knows that an eventual double-cross is coming, involving Ambrose and Rollins, and the only question is "Who's gonna turn?" I think it would be premature at this point to turn one of them, so I do believe they will keep the belts here after a hard-fought contest. Sheamus and Cesaro's strategy will be to isolate one of the champs for a double team. This will eventually backfire, as Sheamus accidentally nails Cesaro with a brogue kick, when Ambrose avoids it. This allows Ambrose to drill Cesaro with Dirty Deeds for the win, as Rollins takes care of Sheamus. After the match, Cesaro and Sheamus argue, and then eventually come to blows, only to be separated by the officials. 

Bray Wyatt vs. Finn Balor

The feud hasn't really caught my interest. On paper, it seems like it should be a decent rivalry, but I just feel like there's something missing. It feels like all of Wyatt's feuds start the same way, which I guess would contribute to the fact that none of his feuds stand out. On top of that, his promos haven't really been delivering lately, although I did like the angle after his match with Goldust, where he wiped off the face paint. I don't think this match will last very long, and I hope this will be the end of the feud. Wyatt hits Sister Abigail out of nowhere, but Balor rolls to the floor. As Wyatt looks over the ropes, Balor comes in from the other side, wearing a "demon-looking" sheep mask, which freaks Wyatt out. Balor uses the momentary distraction to dropkick Wyatt into the buckle, and follows up with the coup de grace for the win. 

[Highlights are shown of the Mae Young Classic finals, and then the winner of the Mae Young Classic, Kairi Sane is shown at ringside]

Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks vs. Emma vs. Nia Jax vs. Bayley in a fatal five-way match for the Raw Women's Championship

As if Emma wasn't lost in the shuffle before, adding Bayley to this match did her no favours. I don't think Emma has a hope in hell of winning this match, especially since she wasn't even featured in the go-home angle this week. This match should be okay, but I kind of wish they made it an elimination match, just to keep it competitive. I don't think they'll give Bayley the title in her first match back, and I don't want her to win it in a match like this anyway. I'm gonna say Nia does all the work, only for Alexa to sneak in and steal the pin on Emma, as Nia is being double-teamed by Bayley and Sasha. Alexa has really proven herself in this division, and I think she should get a long reign with the belt, at least until Asuka debuts. 

[Kurt Angle is in his office, talking on his cell phone, as Jason Jordan walks in]

Jordan: You wanted to see me?

Angle: Yeah, I did. Have a seat. You know, Jason, I didn't get to tell you after Raw on Monday Night, but I am extremely proud of you. You defeated five of the greatest Raw Superstars to become the number one contender for the Intercontinental Title. Now I remember when I won that title. I defeated Chris Jericho almost 18 years ago, and it was one of the proudest days of my life. But it will pale in comparison to the pride I'm going to feel when my son walks out of here as the new Intercontinental Champion.

Jordan: Just trying to live up to the family's legacy. I have big shoes to fill.

Angle: Oh, you're well on your way. Which actually brings me to another reason that I called you in here. I wanted to address the comments that The Miz made after your match, when he called you a... a "bastard." Look, I just want to say...

Jordan: Kurt, no need to explain. What happened on Raw was The Miz's mistake. He not only insulted me, but he insulted my family. That will no go unpunished. I will be the new Intercontinental Champion. It's true... it's DAMN true!

Neville vs. Enzo Amore for the Cruiserweight Championship

This is another one that I'm not really into. I'm sure it will be a fine match, but I don't think this division is a good fit for Enzo. Ultimately, I don't think the cruiserweights are going to be booked well regardless of who you put in the division, as it doesn't seem like a top priority at the moment. Enzo will likely be selling the injuries he suffered at the hands of Braun Strowman on Raw this week, so Neville will probably be controlling the early part of the match. Enzo starts mounting a comeback in the latter stages, and just when it looks like he's about to win the title, the referee is pulled out of the ring by Big Cass, who makes his return, causing a disqualification. Cass then beats the hell out of Enzo afterwards.

​John Cena vs. Roman Reigns

This is another match that could have easily headlined WrestleMania, and I've actually been really impressed with Cena's promos lately, as they don't seem scripted or forced, like a lot of Reigns' promos have. The match should be a good one, and I'm sure they'll let it go for about 20 minutes or so. This should be a hard-fought contest, but I think Reigns will hit multiple spears in the end to eventually win the match. And then we can all look forward to the rematch at some point. 

[The pay per view panel provide their thoughts on the night thus far, and predictions for the main event]

​The Miz vs. Jason Jordan for the Intercontinental Championship

This match could easily be bumped to the kick-off show, as most people will probably forget that it's on the card anyway. It should be a decent encounter, but I think it was the biggest mistake to break up American Alpha, as neither of them seem to be going anywhere individually. This is probably going to be short, with lots of interference by The Miztourage, who quickly get ejected. As Miz's last line of defense fails, Jordan capitalizes with his belly-to-back neckbreaker move to win the title, and then papa Kurt comes to celebrate with his son. 

Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship

I don't think this match will go very long, but I've loved the build, and they've really done a tremendous job of positioning Braun Strowman as the biggest heel on Raw (I say on Raw, because I think Kevin Owens has him beat overall). This is another match that could have easily headlined WrestleMania, or at least one of the top four shows. I'm going to predict that Lesnar controls the early part of the match, and takes Strowman to Suplex City early on. Eventually, Strowman mounts a comeback, only for Lesnar to hit an F-5 out nowhere. Lesnar is badly hurt though from the earlier onslaught by Strowman, preventing him from making the cover. The referee is also down, after an earlier bump. As both men struggle to their feet, Bray Wyatt's graphic appears on screen, and the lights go out. When the lights come back on, Bray is in the ring, accompanied by Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, and the three of them are staring down Lesnar. Bray then looks at Strowman, and hands him the black sheep mask. Before Strowman can react, the reunited Wyatt Family turns around and assaults Braun Strowman, much to everyone's surprise. The Wyatts then make their exit, allowing Lesnar to drill Strowman with an F-5 to keep the title. 

So there you have it.

Here are my match predictions for Survivor Series (Even though there is still a Smackdown pay per view between now and then, I will predict the card first, and then make any necessary changes after my Hell in a Cell predictions next month):

Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor for the Universal Championship

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship - Nakamura wins the title from Jinder Mahal, and Owens beats Shane. After Hell in a Cell, Triple H is named the acting Commissioner of Smackdown, due to Shane McMahon's injuries at the pay per view. Triple H either continues to play the heel, and grants Owens exactly what he wants, or he plays the babyface, and Owens blackmails him to get this title match. So this eventually leads to Triple H against Owens or Triple H against Shane at WrestleMania.

Team Raw (John Cena, Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, The Miz and Jason Jordan) vs. Team Smackdown! Live (AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Bobby Roode, Jinder Mahal and Rusev) in a traditional Survivor Series elimination match

Team Raw (Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, Sheamus and Cesaro [they manage to patch things up by then], The Hardy Boys, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, and The Revival) vs. Team Smackdown! Live (The New Day, The Usos, The Hype Bros, BreeZango, and Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable) in a traditional Survivor Series elimination match

Team Raw (Alexa Bliss, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Nia Jax and Asuka) vs. Team Smackdown! Live (Natalya, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Naomi and Tamina Snuka) in a traditional Survivor Series elimination match

Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan vs. Braun Strowman in a three-on-one handicap match