No Mercy 2017

Thank you for that, Nia Jax.

No Mercy was a better show than I thought it was going to be. Like most WWE shows, it peaked early, and like most WWE shows, the main event bloc was disappointing, but some superlative efforts by a good chunk of the roster made it a fun watch.



Elias vs. Apollo Crews (Kickoff Show):I have to alssume Elias will win 

And I assumed correctly after a mostly nothing match. (1/1)

The Miz vs. Jason Jordan (Intercontinental Championship): The Miz will win via interference from the Miztourage, Maryse, or both. 

Maryse wasn’t there, but everything else was on point. Tourageterference, Skull Crushing Finale, victory for MIz. (2/2)

Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt: So Balor will beat him without the Demon.

Yep. Pretty decent match, with Wyatt attacking Balor pre-show and Balor mostly remembering to sell his “injured ribs” throughout. Kind of wish the finish was the Coup De Grace on a Creepy Back-Bend Bray, but we can’t have everything. (3/3)

Shield At 67% Vs The Bar (Tag Team Championship): Shield retains.

This match was nuts. Aided especially by the camera dudes using all the “move and zoom on impact” tricks to make Dean Ambrose look like less of a load against the other three. Cesaro legit knocked out two of his front teeth on the lED ringpost and kept wrestling, because whether I approve of the mentality or not, that’s pro wrestling.(4/4)

Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax vs. Emma vs. Bayley (Women’s Championship): Alexa retains.

And indeed she did, pinning Bayley after the usual series of spots to get everyone else out of the ring. Really good match, though. And it’s going to be super satisfying to watch Asuka demolish Alexa. (5/5)

John Cena vs. Roman Reigns: Reigns wins.

The problem with both of these guys is that they can put on a decent to great match that invariably ends with them suddenly recovering to 100%, hitting a finisher sequence, and winning. Here, it was just a question of which one would do it, and of course, it was Reigns, after eating four AA’s, including one second-rope one and one double one. They shook hands after, and the absolute best thing fro Reigns to have done was destroy Cena, but that didn’t happen. (6/6)

Neville vs. Enzo Amore (Cruiserweight Championship): I’ve bet against Neville and lost a lot this year. Neville retains.

Goddammit, so close to 100%! But no. After a shitburger of a match where Enzo gets the crap kicked out of him for eight minutes, he brings the belt into the ring, and while the ref is getting rid of the belt, he kicks Neville in the balls AGAIn and rolls him up for the championship. Enzo’s title run is going to be miserable. (6/7)

Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman (Universal Championship): Brock hits the F5 on Strowman and retains.

This was disappointing, mainly because of the slightly abrupt finish. THey tried to go with Strowman being incredibly dominant early, and Lesnar fighting back to squeak one out, but it didn’t play as epic as it should, and the crowd, hot for most of the rest of the night, wasn’t feeling it. But hey, I called it correct. (7/8)