WWE No Mercy 2016 (Preview)

Written by,
Will W. Erins

There’s no hiding the fact which show is becoming the A-show since the WWE Draft this past summer. SmackDown Live has been on roll quick examples point to the roster and their first solo PPV being good quality wrestling with simple storylines that don’t seem the same. RAW still has the potential to go a different direction but it remains to be seen as the year isn’t over yet. SmackDown Live has another solo PPV coming up with the returning event that was inactive for eight years.

WWE World Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs. Dean Ambrose vs. John Cena

Two rivalries are coming to a head this Sunday with AJ Styles and the WWE World Championship being the centerpiece of the rivalry. AJ Styles has two wins over the man that never gives up at WWE Money In The Bank & WWE SummerSlam. Styles would also take the WWE World Championship from Dean Ambrose at WWE Backlash just last month. John Cena would come out two days after, Styles defeated Ambrose demanding a championship match which Shane McMahon would grant him. Soon after, Ambrose would invoke his rematch clause which then, turned the match into a triple threat. Next week, Ambrose and Cena would face off against each other where Ambrose would beat Cena with a roll-up pin. On the September 27 episode of SmackDown, Styles retained the title against Ambrose. After the match, Cena attacked Ambrose and Styles with Attitude Adjustments. With a big bullseye on the back of AJ Styles, it seems that it’s not an issue since Ambrose & Cena have been getting a little personal with one another. Even with the Champion’s Advantage taken away, it doesn’t seem AJ Styles will have to worry too much as Cena and Ambrose may just tear each other apart allowing Styles to get the victory.

WWE Intercontinental Championship “Title vs. Career”
(If Ziggler loses, he must retire) – The Miz (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

Now this is a match that truly has passionate athletes displaying their RAW talent. Ziggler has been on the downward slope and this Sunday he faces a big challenge. The rumors mill has been grinding that Dolph Ziggler‘s contract is up in WWE and he’s finished with the company. Despite that WWE has a record of playing in real-life situations to the TV storylines in the ring. In the same breath but on opposite sides, The Miz has been on a roll as of late since his back and forth with Daniel Bryan on Talking Smack. One thing that they share is the level of athleticism and passion for the business as they exemplify that day in and day out. Ziggler has lost to The Miz, two consecutive times for the Intercontinental Championship (Backlash & an episode of SmackDown Live). In a passionate promo from Dolph Ziggler that seem to bring him to tears, he’s challenged The Miz to one more title shot, one more time. The added stipulation Ziggler added is if he loses he’ll retire from professional wrestling. The Miz accepted and it became official that Ziggler will get his final chance at the Intercontinental Champion or any WWE opportunity again this Sunday at No Mercy.

Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt

It’s hard to point out a moment (this year alone) where Bray Wyatt has shined with an important victory. It seems like they’ve not given up on Wyatt but simply use him as a punching bag. Since being drafted to SmackDown Live, Bray Wyatt has been teased to chase the WWE World Champion during Ambrose‘s reign and even being the #1 contender for it once he was put into a Fatal 4-Way match. The match ended with AJ Styles winning the match. However, his recent rivalry with Orton has been interesting enough where it’s strange and yet fits all at once. Wyatt would try to dig into the fears of Orton but it seemed to not faze the Apex Predator. Now what makes this rivalry strange is the approach since both had some warped and sadistic way of getting things done. Take it back for a moment when Orton had his temper problems during his feud with Triple H and Wyatt‘s entire presence since coming to WWE is strange. This Sunday, the strange, the fear, and the battle will be decided as Randy Orton clashes with Bray Wyatt.

WWE Women’s Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Alexa Bliss

Once SmackDown Live introduced the new Women’s Championship for the blue brand it was anybody’s opportunity to grab. The choices were endless who it could go to veterans like, Nikki Bella, Natalya, Naomi, or a new rising star like, Becky Lynch, Carmella, Alexa Bliss. At WWE Backlash the opportunity was taken as “The Lasskicker” Becky Lynch and became the first-ever SmackDown Women’s Champion. However, there’s someone who’s taken displeasure to seeing the Red-Warrior be Women’s Champion, Alexa Bliss. This talented 5’5″ athlete has gone full force on her quest to become Women’s Champion of the SmackDown brand. Her new look and attitude seem to be attributed to Harley Quinn, displaying her lust for what she wants in life. This Sunday, Becky Lynch is going to be battle-tested for she defense her championship against a blissfully-fighter hungry to capture her first WWE gold.

WWE ‘SmackDown’ Tag Team Championship
Heath Slater/Rhyno (c) vs. The Usos (Jimmy & Jey)

It began with a campaign to get signed since he was the “Hottest Free Agent” not exclusive to any brand. Throughout the weeks that followed Slater would face others who would defeat him to be signed to whatever brand he was petitioning for. Slater would dare to challenge Brock Lesnar addressing he needed his job for his kids. We all know how that ended and it drove Slater to SmackDown where he would campaign to be fighting for his kids. Come the Tag Team Champion Tournament, Slater & Rhyno would defeat The Usos at Backlash to become the first WWE ‘SmackDown’ Tag Team champion. With the new found nature of The Usos and the return of American Alpha, they would compete for a chance to challenge for the Tag Team titles. In the end, The Usos would win the opportunity to face Slater/Rhyno.

On October 9th, 2016, WWE No Mercy will take place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California exclusive to SmackDown Live.