Tomorrow night, SmackDown hosts its second brand-specific Pay-Per-View after Backlash last month. Backlash was one of the most surprisingly good specials of the year, and No Mercy seems like it is going to be two great Pay-Per-Views in a row. With all the championships on the line, and some non-title matches mixed in, let’s take a look at what’s to come.
Jack Swagger vs. Baron Corbin
Last week on SmackDown, Swagger and Corbin faced each other in a pretty good match with a controversial ending. Swagger had Corbin in the Patriot Lock (ankle lock), and Corbin repeatedly tried to reach for the ropes, but the referee thought Corbin was tapping out. To make up for this error of judgment, Daniel Bryan has scheduled a rematch.
Prediction:
I could see Swagger and Corbin duking it out for quite some time, but this is an important match for Corbin. Swagger is a former World Heavyweight Champion (as some may forget), and he has nothing else going on other than giving Corbin a rub. Winner: Baron Corbin
Nikki Bella vs. Carmella
The first of two women’s matches for the night is a rivalry that has been pretty heated over the past few weeks. At SummerSlam, Nikki Bella returned after recovering from a neck injury, and Carmella believes that Bella stole her spotlight (they were near Carmella’s hometown of Staten Island). At every chance she’s had, Carmella has gone out of her way to assault Nikki Bella. She even caused herself a disqualification just so she could continue beating down the former Divas Champion.
Prediction:
On Talking Smack, Daniel Bryan said that he wasn’t even sure if there was going to be a finish for this match. As mentioned earlier, Carmella hasn’t cared about wins or losses, and just wants to beat up Nikki Bella. It’s reasonable to expect her to ignore the rules and get herself disqualified. Winner: Nikki Bella
Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt
This started out kind of bland, but Wyatt and Orton have drawn everybody into their feud. They were originally supposed to compete at Backlash, but Wyatt attacked Orton before the match and lost to Kane instead. After a month of mind games (including locking Wyatt up, only for him to escape), these two predators will go head-to-head inside the squared circle.
Prediction:
On paper, it should be pretty obvious that The Viper is going to pick up the victory. What contrasts that, however, is that Bray Wyatt needs this win. Every time he is so close to becoming a top guy, he loses. Wyatt should be a scarily dominant force in WWE, who just wants to hurt people and get into their minds. A win over Randy Orton would help Wyatt gain that credibility he needs, and perhaps a future championship. Winner: Bray Wyatt
Heath Slater & Rhyno (c) vs. The Usos – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
Heath Slater and Rhyno are the ideal success for a team that includes to people thrown together. They won the SmackDown Tag Team Championship tournament, which helped Heath Slater get a SmackDown contract, a double-wide trailer, and an above-ground pool. The Usos, on the other hand, have a new attitude that is just to hurt people and gain the gold (silver?). After keeping American Alpha out of the picture, The Usos have built themselves a nice #1 Contender spot.
Prediction:
The SmackDown Tag Team Championship tournament was a great way to get Heath Slater on SmackDown, and well as getting him over with the crowd. However, The Usos are probably the best team on SmackDown and have a feud with American Alpha ready to go. With Rhyno looking to go into politics, this could move Slater to a mid-card singles career. Winners, and NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Usos
The Miz (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler – Intercontinental Championship (Title vs. Career)
If this was a year ago, nobody would be interested in a Miz/Ziggler feud. But in 2016, it’s perhaps the best part of the show. Ziggler loses all of the time. Everybody knows that, but what’s the most important is that The Miz knows that. He has been using this to get into the head of Ziggler, which has forced The Showoff to do the unthinkable. If The Miz retains the title on Sunday, Dolph Ziggler will hang up his boots permanently.
Prediction:
Since Ziggler has been really good over these past few months, I don’t want him to go just yet. It doesn’t help that Miz has been the best Intercontinental Champion in a long time. I don’t think this is the last we’ll see of Dolph Ziggler, but it’ll give us a fresh start for someone who has felt a little stale recently. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Alexa Bliss – SmackDown Women’s Championship
After Becky Lynch became the first-ever SmackDown Women’s Champion at Backlash, Alexa Bliss won a fatal 5-way match to become the new #1 Contender. Since then, Bliss has assaulted the champion from behind and pinned her twice. This gives Bliss perhaps the best momentum of anybody going into No Mercy.
Prediction:
With all that momentum comes the fact that Becky Lynch is the Women’s Champion. For someone that is part of the Four Horsewomen, Lynch will definitely have that belt for more than just a month. SmackDown’s women’s division is incredibly solid, and a loss for Bliss won’t hurt her one bit. Winner, and STILL SmackDown Women’s Champion: Becky Lynch
AJ Styles (c) vs. John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose – WWE World Championship
AJ Styles defeated Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Championship at Backlash thanks to a low blow, and he retained the title on SmackDown thanks to John Cena. Dean Ambrose looks to win back the title that he has been screwed out of twice, and John Cena (who hasn’t earned a title shot) looks to gain his 16th world championship and tie Ric Flair’s record.
Prediction:
Styles has been the best wrestler on the main roster in 2016, but this prediction has nothing to do with that. This is that unfortunate time that with both Cena and Ambrose rumored to be doing film and television projects after No Mercy, this prediction inevitably goes to Styles. Winner, and STILL WWE World Champion: AJ Styles
