SmackDown has been laying RAW to waste with its hard hitting yet sensible booking and good quality matches that feel like they have substance to their product, and with that, Shane & Bryan have made No Mercy feel like a PPV worthy of our time. However, building it up is one thing, delivering is a whole 'other kettle of fish altogether. Thankfully with three intense title matches and a grudge match that's been two months in the making look to ensure this card will keep WWE's PPV momentum going right until the end of the year. Lets see if they can do the job, and I will indeed give out no mercy if they get it wrong.
SPOILER WARNING - IF YOU DON'T WANT THE RESULTS RUINED, DO NOT READ ON.
If you've never seen The CC Network's video reviews of WWE events before, my review system that I use for those as well as these blogs will be new to you. Matches are given star ratings in accordance with an average, accumulated score of five rating factors: Psychology (in-ring story), Move Variety, Crowd Reaction, Match Length and Pacing, as well as my overall enjoyment as a result of those factors.
THERE WILL BE NO ACCOMPANYING VIDEO DUE TO MY CURRENT HIATUS FROM UPLOADING NON-FRIDAY FLASHBACK REVIEWS TO THE CHANNEL.
Now time to get into the show. As I don't review the Pre-Show Match as part of the whole televised package, here's the result of that match:
The Hype Bros. & American Alpha def The Ascension & The Vaudevillians in an 8-Man Tag Team Match (9:11)
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AJ STYLES (c) def DEAN AMBROSE & JOHN CENA IN A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH TO RETAIN/WIN THE WWE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (21:39)
HEATH SLATER & RHYNO (c) def THE USO'S TO RETAIN THE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (10:08)
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PSYCHOLOGY: 3.5
MOVE VARIETY: 4
CROWD REACTION: 5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 4.5
MY ENJOYMENT: 5
CORRECT PREDICTION: YES
FINAL RATING: ****3/4
The WWE World Title Match is the opener of the show... I know, it sounds crazy to think they'd do this, yet we can thank the Presidential Debate between Trump & Clinton for this piece of haphazard last-minute booking. WWE were so desperate to ensure they got their viewers before the debate started, that they'd jeopardise their own card structure for the sake of it. However, even with that, it didn't stop Cena, Ambrose or Styles from treating this like the main event of the show and while it took its time to get going, it was well worth it in the end.
The crowd were super hot for this, not just because it was the opener but an hotly anticipated title match, many of whom thought could go in a multitude of directions, based on how the match played out, WWE tried to give us the assumption that all three wrestlers could win, and based on the multitude of saving submission holds and breaking up dramatic near falls, that assumption would prove correct. Ambrose, Cena & Styles all stuck to their typical in-ring styles of aggressive brawling, strength based grappling and finessed strikes and hard hitting aerial moves respectively to ensure that no matter who was in the ring, what was happening didn't get old and it was the most frantic and desperate Triple Threat I've seen for some time as they all sought to hurt each other as well as keep showmanship in tact with the pace and momentum shifts being unrelenting but working fine in collaboration the near twenty-two minutes allocated. The moves on offer were at times inspired but also insane, spread out over the match to ensure it rejuvenated proceedings whenever it slowed, with the AA Counter, Pele Kick and Rebound Clothesline combo proving to be the spot of the night, alongside a particularly contentious STF/Calf Crusher double submission that put the simmering Cena/Ambrose antagonism over boiling point to give Cena's disrespect for both men come over as rather genuine and warranted.
With the story taking its time to settle in this match and a lack of body selling being the factor that stops it getting a FIVE STAR rating from me, outside of that the match was a sublime showcase of three of WWE's best right now giving a passionate performance that made that belt feel like it was worth something as they all have something to prove. It was all over the place yet had finesse in its execution, with Styles dirty victory keeping the doors open for where this feud will advance itself, with particular attention being put towards what could happen between Cena & Ambrose, something I am desperate to see now given how it helped this match. This was the main event we deserved to have, and it made the Presidential Debate look like the cartoonish car wreck it was, because in modern day wrestling, I'd hard press you to find a non -Japanese match this year that is as good as this, there haven't been many. What a way to kick the show off, lets hope it's not downhill from here.
NIKKI BELLA def CARMELLA (8:06)The WWE World Title Match is the opener of the show... I know, it sounds crazy to think they'd do this, yet we can thank the Presidential Debate between Trump & Clinton for this piece of haphazard last-minute booking. WWE were so desperate to ensure they got their viewers before the debate started, that they'd jeopardise their own card structure for the sake of it. However, even with that, it didn't stop Cena, Ambrose or Styles from treating this like the main event of the show and while it took its time to get going, it was well worth it in the end.
The crowd were super hot for this, not just because it was the opener but an hotly anticipated title match, many of whom thought could go in a multitude of directions, based on how the match played out, WWE tried to give us the assumption that all three wrestlers could win, and based on the multitude of saving submission holds and breaking up dramatic near falls, that assumption would prove correct. Ambrose, Cena & Styles all stuck to their typical in-ring styles of aggressive brawling, strength based grappling and finessed strikes and hard hitting aerial moves respectively to ensure that no matter who was in the ring, what was happening didn't get old and it was the most frantic and desperate Triple Threat I've seen for some time as they all sought to hurt each other as well as keep showmanship in tact with the pace and momentum shifts being unrelenting but working fine in collaboration the near twenty-two minutes allocated. The moves on offer were at times inspired but also insane, spread out over the match to ensure it rejuvenated proceedings whenever it slowed, with the AA Counter, Pele Kick and Rebound Clothesline combo proving to be the spot of the night, alongside a particularly contentious STF/Calf Crusher double submission that put the simmering Cena/Ambrose antagonism over boiling point to give Cena's disrespect for both men come over as rather genuine and warranted.
With the story taking its time to settle in this match and a lack of body selling being the factor that stops it getting a FIVE STAR rating from me, outside of that the match was a sublime showcase of three of WWE's best right now giving a passionate performance that made that belt feel like it was worth something as they all have something to prove. It was all over the place yet had finesse in its execution, with Styles dirty victory keeping the doors open for where this feud will advance itself, with particular attention being put towards what could happen between Cena & Ambrose, something I am desperate to see now given how it helped this match. This was the main event we deserved to have, and it made the Presidential Debate look like the cartoonish car wreck it was, because in modern day wrestling, I'd hard press you to find a non -Japanese match this year that is as good as this, there haven't been many. What a way to kick the show off, lets hope it's not downhill from here.
PSYCHOLOGY: 2.5
MOVE VARIETY: 1.5
CROWD REACTION: 1.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 2
CORRECT PREDICTION: NO
FINAL RATING: *3/4
Considering my distaste for both Nikki Bella and Carmella over the last few years, the fact I was excited for this match should be quite a surprise to behold. These two, one an experienced for champion and the other an upstart looking to make a name for herself looked set to want to destroy each other, and for most of this match, they did just that.
Playing on Carmella's flexibility and her ferocious attacking power, she managed to overthrow Nikki's following the cat-fight and target the elder Bella's surgically repaired neck, and keep going at it throughout with slams, stretches and elbows, while also screaming at her and berating her status. This meant the match went at a slower pace than the opening minute and allowed the crowd to be invested in wanting Nikki to fight back, which in all fairness was easily held off allowing for Carmella to impress with her dominance, as well as her use of a Bow And Arrow stretch on the LED post, which was awesome. The Code Of Silence looked to have Nikki done, but she fought out and despite having the taste slapped out of her mouth, hit the Brie Buster and won against all logic.
The match went for just the right amount of time, and was pace nicely and while having a good build-up of a story playing out in the match, it undoes itself because alongside a merger crowd taking their time to get into it, had the wrong winner make you question how Carmella lost despite having eighty-five percent of the offence throughout? While I can understand WWE wanting Nikki to look stronger on her first solo PPV outing since Hell In A Cell 2015, to have it come at the expense of Carmella's momentum is baffling. That controversy withstanding, this match turned out to be more entertaining than expected and outside of the finish, was a good bout that showcased both women off well, it may not have been up to the par of RAW's recent Women's matches, but it definitely gave me an indication that Carmella is worth my time, despite my disliking of her, and that's a good thing.
Considering my distaste for both Nikki Bella and Carmella over the last few years, the fact I was excited for this match should be quite a surprise to behold. These two, one an experienced for champion and the other an upstart looking to make a name for herself looked set to want to destroy each other, and for most of this match, they did just that.
Playing on Carmella's flexibility and her ferocious attacking power, she managed to overthrow Nikki's following the cat-fight and target the elder Bella's surgically repaired neck, and keep going at it throughout with slams, stretches and elbows, while also screaming at her and berating her status. This meant the match went at a slower pace than the opening minute and allowed the crowd to be invested in wanting Nikki to fight back, which in all fairness was easily held off allowing for Carmella to impress with her dominance, as well as her use of a Bow And Arrow stretch on the LED post, which was awesome. The Code Of Silence looked to have Nikki done, but she fought out and despite having the taste slapped out of her mouth, hit the Brie Buster and won against all logic.
The match went for just the right amount of time, and was pace nicely and while having a good build-up of a story playing out in the match, it undoes itself because alongside a merger crowd taking their time to get into it, had the wrong winner make you question how Carmella lost despite having eighty-five percent of the offence throughout? While I can understand WWE wanting Nikki to look stronger on her first solo PPV outing since Hell In A Cell 2015, to have it come at the expense of Carmella's momentum is baffling. That controversy withstanding, this match turned out to be more entertaining than expected and outside of the finish, was a good bout that showcased both women off well, it may not have been up to the par of RAW's recent Women's matches, but it definitely gave me an indication that Carmella is worth my time, despite my disliking of her, and that's a good thing.
HEATH SLATER & RHYNO (c) def THE USO'S TO RETAIN THE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (10:08)
PSYCHOLOGY: 1.5
MOVE VARIETY: 1.5
CROWD REACTION: 1.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 1.5
CORRECT PREDICTION: NO
FINAL RATING: *
Going into this match, I was fully expecting The Uso's to win, as were many people in fact. Hell, many were expecting American Alpha to make the assist if Beauty And The Man-Beast were to somehow win, which would've made a lot of sense. However, against all logic and sense, Heath Slater & Rhyno are holding this title a day longer than I expected. It didn't do too much to warrant my praise though.
The match reminded me of their prior encounter from Backlash, with The Uso's dominating proceedings early on, only for Slater and Rhyno to fight back and get the victory with multiple near falls along the way. This time however, Rhyno was the one who picked up the pin fall, which while nice, felt unnecessary as The Uso's, a team with a new image and attitude while feel even weaker than they were when they started, and with the heel teams failing to win on the pre-show it makes me question what the point of the champs retaining if they don't have any viable opponents to face. I will give The Uso's the credit for making this match feel like a grudge match by taunting ECW and Heath Slater's kids while slapping and kicking the crap out of both men, with Slater take the mother of all super kicks in the process. Slater got the crowd riled up and upped the pace, making this slow ten minute match have some bite into it going into its final run-in, topping the whole bunch off with a Top Rope Powerslam that was a beauty to see, reminding me of what a talent wrestler Slater can be given the time, despite my prior criticisms over the last few years.
While this match does get some praise, it was too similar to their Backlash match for my liking, and with a familiar result, alongside a lack of swerves and surprises to make it feel exciting, it looks like it got into ONE STAR territory of the barest of necessities. It tried to balance The Uso's strength, without hurting the champions, and while I can understand the reasoning behind this particular booking decision, I don't feel it benefitted the SmackDown Tag Team Division or this match. This title bout may have not been terrible, with some enjoyable quality to come out of it, but I'm now expecting more. So, by Survivor Series or even TLC in December, I'm wanting this division to start showing me its quality, or I could be disillusioned with these new titles already.
BARON CORBIN def JACK SWAGGER (7:28)Going into this match, I was fully expecting The Uso's to win, as were many people in fact. Hell, many were expecting American Alpha to make the assist if Beauty And The Man-Beast were to somehow win, which would've made a lot of sense. However, against all logic and sense, Heath Slater & Rhyno are holding this title a day longer than I expected. It didn't do too much to warrant my praise though.
The match reminded me of their prior encounter from Backlash, with The Uso's dominating proceedings early on, only for Slater and Rhyno to fight back and get the victory with multiple near falls along the way. This time however, Rhyno was the one who picked up the pin fall, which while nice, felt unnecessary as The Uso's, a team with a new image and attitude while feel even weaker than they were when they started, and with the heel teams failing to win on the pre-show it makes me question what the point of the champs retaining if they don't have any viable opponents to face. I will give The Uso's the credit for making this match feel like a grudge match by taunting ECW and Heath Slater's kids while slapping and kicking the crap out of both men, with Slater take the mother of all super kicks in the process. Slater got the crowd riled up and upped the pace, making this slow ten minute match have some bite into it going into its final run-in, topping the whole bunch off with a Top Rope Powerslam that was a beauty to see, reminding me of what a talent wrestler Slater can be given the time, despite my prior criticisms over the last few years.
While this match does get some praise, it was too similar to their Backlash match for my liking, and with a familiar result, alongside a lack of swerves and surprises to make it feel exciting, it looks like it got into ONE STAR territory of the barest of necessities. It tried to balance The Uso's strength, without hurting the champions, and while I can understand the reasoning behind this particular booking decision, I don't feel it benefitted the SmackDown Tag Team Division or this match. This title bout may have not been terrible, with some enjoyable quality to come out of it, but I'm now expecting more. So, by Survivor Series or even TLC in December, I'm wanting this division to start showing me its quality, or I could be disillusioned with these new titles already.
PSYCHOLOGY: 2
MOVE VARIETY: 1
CROWD REACTION: 1.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 1.5
MY ENJOYMENT: 1.5
CORRECT PREDICTION: YES
FINAL RATING: *
This match was scheduled to happen on the pre-show, but it was bumped to the main card once all the shenanigans were put into place from the aforementioned title match movement and a certain story we'll get to later. The build-up for it didn't leave me the most excited camper at the picnic, and even though it wasn't the most exciting match I've ever seen, it did what no match featuring The Lone Wolf has done since he arrived on the main roster post-WrestleMania, make him look strong.
This application of undying strength was done through Corbin's targeting of Swagger's hand after he kicked it between the steps and the LED post, giving this match some substance and a position from which Corbin's power and aggression had an outlet to mean something. The commentators noted that Corbin didn't want to be locked in the Patriot Lock again, especially after this past SmackDown and based on his offence and kicking the injured hand out of the hold, it was warranted and easy to see, especially as no matter what he did, Swagger somehow managed to get back into it, much to the Lone Wolf's chagrin. So when Swagger DID manage to get it locked in, Corbin almost pulled the apron skirt into the ring before raking the eye and holding the singlet to get a dirty victory that while underhanded, made Corbin look somewhat credible at the same time, because no matter what, he got the job done.
While the psychology was the best point of the match, not much else sprung up as enticing to see. The crowd bar Corbin's taunting were deathly silent, and I would've rated that category a one if those boos directed at The Lone Wolf weren't deafening in volume. The pace was mediated and methodical, which benefitted Corbin's style but thanks to Swagger's pace and momentum shifts despite the punishment he took, this match looked more even than it should have, and didn't give Corbin the resolute revenge for SmackDown's embarrassing 'tap-out' like it should have. This match no matter how inconsequential it may have seemed, did the LITTLE required to put it in some form of good book on my end and make Corbin look good, so I can't complain much. It wasn't anything special, but it did its job, while not taking up too much time. What's not to like?
DOLPH ZIGGLER def THE MIZ (c) IN A TITLE VS CAREER MATCH TO WIN THE WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (19:42)
Once a respectable lock-up occurred at the beginning, you could tell it would be the only civilised aspect of the match as it turned into a battle of one-upmanship with Miz taking control and taunting the retired Daniel Bryan and copying his moves to really help put an already booing crowd firmly against him, keeping Ziggler off the offensive and pulling out a good array of moves to show he was all game. However, once Miz used the ropes for leverage off a pin, Ziggler got back into it and even after Miz targeted the knee for the Figure Four, he was still able to power through the pain and thanks to Lets Go Ziggler chants get a second wind. With the pace accelerating at an alarming pace, these guys battered each other with every big move in their playbook as the tension built, Miz used the exposed turnbuckle and nearly got the three, they both countered each other with precision and fluidity, it was intense and exhilarating to watch and it only got better with Maryse's spray interference backfiring and sending the crowd into a frenzy as Ziggler got his foot on the bottom rope, and even after interference from the Spirit Squad, Miz couldn't put the fellow Cleveland native down and to see Ziggler get the win sent the crowd into a humongous eruption of appreciation for a talent who finally got to showcase himself in a match that mattered for the first time in years.
This match was a thrill-ride of emotion and even with some slow moments bogging down early on, once it hit its peak it was difficult to critique it. It was an enjoyable, fun and worthwhile showing from the best feud on WWE television right now, and while it may not have been match of the night, it gave a story the likes of which RAW would have no hope in making feel as worth our time as this did. On top of that, Miz now has a rematch lined up... this could get very interesting in the coming weeks indeed.
NAOMI def ALEXA BLISS (5:24)
BRAY WYATT def RANDY ORTON (15:42)This match was scheduled to happen on the pre-show, but it was bumped to the main card once all the shenanigans were put into place from the aforementioned title match movement and a certain story we'll get to later. The build-up for it didn't leave me the most excited camper at the picnic, and even though it wasn't the most exciting match I've ever seen, it did what no match featuring The Lone Wolf has done since he arrived on the main roster post-WrestleMania, make him look strong.
This application of undying strength was done through Corbin's targeting of Swagger's hand after he kicked it between the steps and the LED post, giving this match some substance and a position from which Corbin's power and aggression had an outlet to mean something. The commentators noted that Corbin didn't want to be locked in the Patriot Lock again, especially after this past SmackDown and based on his offence and kicking the injured hand out of the hold, it was warranted and easy to see, especially as no matter what he did, Swagger somehow managed to get back into it, much to the Lone Wolf's chagrin. So when Swagger DID manage to get it locked in, Corbin almost pulled the apron skirt into the ring before raking the eye and holding the singlet to get a dirty victory that while underhanded, made Corbin look somewhat credible at the same time, because no matter what, he got the job done.
While the psychology was the best point of the match, not much else sprung up as enticing to see. The crowd bar Corbin's taunting were deathly silent, and I would've rated that category a one if those boos directed at The Lone Wolf weren't deafening in volume. The pace was mediated and methodical, which benefitted Corbin's style but thanks to Swagger's pace and momentum shifts despite the punishment he took, this match looked more even than it should have, and didn't give Corbin the resolute revenge for SmackDown's embarrassing 'tap-out' like it should have. This match no matter how inconsequential it may have seemed, did the LITTLE required to put it in some form of good book on my end and make Corbin look good, so I can't complain much. It wasn't anything special, but it did its job, while not taking up too much time. What's not to like?
DOLPH ZIGGLER def THE MIZ (c) IN A TITLE VS CAREER MATCH TO WIN THE WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (19:42)
PSYCHOLOGY: 4.5
MOVE VARIETY: 1.5
CROWD REACTION: 4.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 3.5
MY ENJOYMENT: 4
CORRECT PREDICTION: YES
FINAL RATING: ****1/4
How this didn't main event the show I'll never know. How the most intense and passionate match on the card didn't get the top billing over Wyatt VS Orton will be plaguing the mind for the next week at least. Nonetheless, this was a do or die match for Ziggler and the result while all in all surprising, didn't take away from what was a stellar contest and the best match seen from The Show-Off in not only this year, but the last few altogether as well.
How this didn't main event the show I'll never know. How the most intense and passionate match on the card didn't get the top billing over Wyatt VS Orton will be plaguing the mind for the next week at least. Nonetheless, this was a do or die match for Ziggler and the result while all in all surprising, didn't take away from what was a stellar contest and the best match seen from The Show-Off in not only this year, but the last few altogether as well.
Once a respectable lock-up occurred at the beginning, you could tell it would be the only civilised aspect of the match as it turned into a battle of one-upmanship with Miz taking control and taunting the retired Daniel Bryan and copying his moves to really help put an already booing crowd firmly against him, keeping Ziggler off the offensive and pulling out a good array of moves to show he was all game. However, once Miz used the ropes for leverage off a pin, Ziggler got back into it and even after Miz targeted the knee for the Figure Four, he was still able to power through the pain and thanks to Lets Go Ziggler chants get a second wind. With the pace accelerating at an alarming pace, these guys battered each other with every big move in their playbook as the tension built, Miz used the exposed turnbuckle and nearly got the three, they both countered each other with precision and fluidity, it was intense and exhilarating to watch and it only got better with Maryse's spray interference backfiring and sending the crowd into a frenzy as Ziggler got his foot on the bottom rope, and even after interference from the Spirit Squad, Miz couldn't put the fellow Cleveland native down and to see Ziggler get the win sent the crowd into a humongous eruption of appreciation for a talent who finally got to showcase himself in a match that mattered for the first time in years.
This match was a thrill-ride of emotion and even with some slow moments bogging down early on, once it hit its peak it was difficult to critique it. It was an enjoyable, fun and worthwhile showing from the best feud on WWE television right now, and while it may not have been match of the night, it gave a story the likes of which RAW would have no hope in making feel as worth our time as this did. On top of that, Miz now has a rematch lined up... this could get very interesting in the coming weeks indeed.
NAOMI def ALEXA BLISS (5:24)
PSYCHOLOGY: 1.5
MOVE VARIETY: 1
CROWD REACTION: 1
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 1.5
MY ENJOYMENT: 1.5
CORRECT PREDICTION: NO
FINAL RATING: 1/2
Another last-minute booking change caught this event off guard, with SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch being sidelined for a month with an undisclosed medical problem. Alexa Bliss has her match for the title penciled in for early November, but had to get through Naomi on this night. I don't know what I'm more disappointed about, the title match not happening or Alexa not benefitting from that fact? Being a big fan of Bliss since her NXT days, I'm sure it's the latter on this occasion.
Bliss had the majority of control, and worked Naomi down every chance she got, first on the head and then the arm, with Naomi selling well. The crowd were into Naomi, allowing her momentum shifts and offence in the match to have some substance, but thanks to the dominance Bliss had over her, it was stopped dead in its tracks multiple times. Bliss, much like Kevin Owens is a true heel and works that through her verbal tirades, telling Naomi that no one likes her and that she isn't on her level, even shutting down the We Want Becky chants, lovely.
Outside of Bliss's work on Naomi verbally and physically, alongside a decent amount of time given and me enjoying what the #1 contender contributed to the match, it felt like a lost cause as the crowd barely mustered a sound for Bliss's good work and with Naomi's sudden victory coming out of nowhere, it just makes Becky Lynch's challenger look like she's not up to her level, despite the weeks of build saying otherwise. The match had little moments, but not enough to retain massive interest. It was a hastily put together match and with its occasional sloppiness, from the women and Kevin Dunn's monumental botch changing camera to the tron and making it loop, the time may have been better placed somewhere else quite frankly. As a result, we get the first match to rank lower than ONE STAR since SummerSlam, which unsurprisingly featured Bliss and Naomi too... go figure.
Another last-minute booking change caught this event off guard, with SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch being sidelined for a month with an undisclosed medical problem. Alexa Bliss has her match for the title penciled in for early November, but had to get through Naomi on this night. I don't know what I'm more disappointed about, the title match not happening or Alexa not benefitting from that fact? Being a big fan of Bliss since her NXT days, I'm sure it's the latter on this occasion.
Bliss had the majority of control, and worked Naomi down every chance she got, first on the head and then the arm, with Naomi selling well. The crowd were into Naomi, allowing her momentum shifts and offence in the match to have some substance, but thanks to the dominance Bliss had over her, it was stopped dead in its tracks multiple times. Bliss, much like Kevin Owens is a true heel and works that through her verbal tirades, telling Naomi that no one likes her and that she isn't on her level, even shutting down the We Want Becky chants, lovely.
Outside of Bliss's work on Naomi verbally and physically, alongside a decent amount of time given and me enjoying what the #1 contender contributed to the match, it felt like a lost cause as the crowd barely mustered a sound for Bliss's good work and with Naomi's sudden victory coming out of nowhere, it just makes Becky Lynch's challenger look like she's not up to her level, despite the weeks of build saying otherwise. The match had little moments, but not enough to retain massive interest. It was a hastily put together match and with its occasional sloppiness, from the women and Kevin Dunn's monumental botch changing camera to the tron and making it loop, the time may have been better placed somewhere else quite frankly. As a result, we get the first match to rank lower than ONE STAR since SummerSlam, which unsurprisingly featured Bliss and Naomi too... go figure.
PSYCHOLOGY: 2
MOVE VARIETY: 1
CROWD REACTION: 1.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 1.5
MY ENJOYMENT: 1.5
CORRECT PREDICTION: YES
FINAL RATING: *
Luke Harper returned to get Bray the win tonight. While that is ONE dirty victory I can live with, I do have to ponder one simple, but now eternally burning question: HOW DID THIS MANAGE TO MAIN EVENT OVER THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH? This bout lost all its steam extremely quickly and became a sleepwalker of a match that if not for its final five minutes would've fallen flat on its arse and not been able to climb out of the surge of damnation I was prepared to offload on it. I will give Orton and Wyatt credit for adding some intensity to proceedings, but it took too long to show up, much to this match's detriment.
Considering these two wanted to psychologically torment each other week after week, to see it not play out in the match itself in some way was disappointing, that along with the aforementioned lack of intensity, making this match feel like a stale contest that wasn't going anywhere. Outside of the occasional counter of moves and Wyatt taunting Orton, we got little to excite. The crowd however, sensing something good was going to come from the match going a long time decided to get behind Orton and started to make it come to life, with Wyatt's missed steel step Senton doing the trick to FINALLY get duelling chants going, with Luke Harper's unexpected arrival sending them into overdrive with a great pop. Wyatt, even though he missed the senton off the top rope as well, did manage a DDT on the apron which was nice as Orton did little to experiment with his well-versed arsenal, which Wyatt had a lot of fun countering in the best spell of this slog of a match. While it was nicely paced in places, with Orton's working on Wyatt's back being a nice segway at the end, it lasted way too long as it built up for a climax that was entirely worth it, but didn't need to take its sweet time to get there. The match needed more venom, more desire for both of these two to kill each other and based on the lacklustre response from the fans, they wanted it as well.
If this WAS the advertised main event of the show, many would call it a failure, as would I. This match was maybe saving itself for the Survivor Series clash next month, but to do it when it was bumped up from where it should've been implies that it was a wasted endeavour that needed to adapt to its new placing and give the people something worth the time. Alas, they weren't given it where a return and the ramping pace did enough to barely save it from the bottom of the pile. This match may only be the stepping stone to bigger things, but we need to see more justification of its importance over the coming weeks, because this match wasn't going to convince anyone of that. The wrong match main-evented this show, and while I'm happy Bray won despite the dirty finish, the event ended on a sobering and dull note that won't wash out of the mind in a hurry.
Luke Harper returned to get Bray the win tonight. While that is ONE dirty victory I can live with, I do have to ponder one simple, but now eternally burning question: HOW DID THIS MANAGE TO MAIN EVENT OVER THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH? This bout lost all its steam extremely quickly and became a sleepwalker of a match that if not for its final five minutes would've fallen flat on its arse and not been able to climb out of the surge of damnation I was prepared to offload on it. I will give Orton and Wyatt credit for adding some intensity to proceedings, but it took too long to show up, much to this match's detriment.
Considering these two wanted to psychologically torment each other week after week, to see it not play out in the match itself in some way was disappointing, that along with the aforementioned lack of intensity, making this match feel like a stale contest that wasn't going anywhere. Outside of the occasional counter of moves and Wyatt taunting Orton, we got little to excite. The crowd however, sensing something good was going to come from the match going a long time decided to get behind Orton and started to make it come to life, with Wyatt's missed steel step Senton doing the trick to FINALLY get duelling chants going, with Luke Harper's unexpected arrival sending them into overdrive with a great pop. Wyatt, even though he missed the senton off the top rope as well, did manage a DDT on the apron which was nice as Orton did little to experiment with his well-versed arsenal, which Wyatt had a lot of fun countering in the best spell of this slog of a match. While it was nicely paced in places, with Orton's working on Wyatt's back being a nice segway at the end, it lasted way too long as it built up for a climax that was entirely worth it, but didn't need to take its sweet time to get there. The match needed more venom, more desire for both of these two to kill each other and based on the lacklustre response from the fans, they wanted it as well.
If this WAS the advertised main event of the show, many would call it a failure, as would I. This match was maybe saving itself for the Survivor Series clash next month, but to do it when it was bumped up from where it should've been implies that it was a wasted endeavour that needed to adapt to its new placing and give the people something worth the time. Alas, they weren't given it where a return and the ramping pace did enough to barely save it from the bottom of the pile. This match may only be the stepping stone to bigger things, but we need to see more justification of its importance over the coming weeks, because this match wasn't going to convince anyone of that. The wrong match main-evented this show, and while I'm happy Bray won despite the dirty finish, the event ended on a sobering and dull note that won't wash out of the mind in a hurry.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This Dean Ambrose image perfectly sums up my opinion on this show, as even though it had two Match Of The Year candidates, why did I feel so irritated once it ended? It was an event that gave me two fantastic matches, so why be bitter you may be asking? Well, if it weren't for the rest of the card's lacklustre performance, the re-shuffling of the card structure and unneeded victories coming from illogical places, we'd be looking at a better rating than what I'm willing to give it.
I had the same feeling coming out of Clash Of Champions, but got a more well-rounded show out of it despite its flaws. This event was heavily skewed in making the main event matches look sublime, and with the incredible World Title match happening on the opening slot, it was difficult for many of the rest of the undercard to match up, which in turn killed the crowd, with some results not helping their lack of apathy. If Becky Lynch wasn't sidelined by this unknown ailment, we would've gotten at least a TWO STAR title match I'm certain and if Carmella and The Uso's picked up wins in matches that they needed to win, we'd be looking at a more positive card for sure.
I had the same feeling coming out of Clash Of Champions, but got a more well-rounded show out of it despite its flaws. This event was heavily skewed in making the main event matches look sublime, and with the incredible World Title match happening on the opening slot, it was difficult for many of the rest of the undercard to match up, which in turn killed the crowd, with some results not helping their lack of apathy. If Becky Lynch wasn't sidelined by this unknown ailment, we would've gotten at least a TWO STAR title match I'm certain and if Carmella and The Uso's picked up wins in matches that they needed to win, we'd be looking at a more positive card for sure.
While many may consider it unfair that I'm giving this event the worst PPV rating of the year so far considering the quality of its main matches, it has to be noted that two fantastic matches on an underwhelming seven match card doesn't a good PPV make. If the rest of the card pulled their weight and if last-minute booking for some extra publicity didn't ruin the flow of the night, this show might've looked better in my eyes than it does. For the first time this year, a show has disappointed me while giving me something to remember, which isn't good. This card was better than Clash Of Champions and should've done better considering what we had on offer, too bad fate and circumstance got in the way, we'd have been in for a good show otherwise.
NO MERCY 2016 GETS A 4 OUT OF 10
In relation to other 2016 events, it lines up as follows:
Payback: 7.75/10
Royal Rumble: 6/10
Battleground: 6/10
WrestleMania 32: 6/10
Backlash: 5.75/10
SummerSlam: 5.5/10
Clash Of Champions: 5.25/10
Extreme Rules: 4.75/10
Money In The Bank: 4.5/10
Fastlane: 4.25/10
No Mercy: 4/10
In relation to other 2016 events, it lines up as follows:
Payback: 7.75/10
Royal Rumble: 6/10
Battleground: 6/10
WrestleMania 32: 6/10
Backlash: 5.75/10
SummerSlam: 5.5/10
Clash Of Champions: 5.25/10
Extreme Rules: 4.75/10
Money In The Bank: 4.5/10
Fastlane: 4.25/10
No Mercy: 4/10
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I've been Freddy Thomas, you've been people reading. This has been the No Mercy 2016 Review for The CC Network Blog and I'll see you all next time.
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