Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
I am not saying I just woke up, but I can still feel the effects of the exhausting No Mercy. It was a night that completely missed the mark on its own stars and embarrassingly turned just about my top dream match into a joke of a one-sided crowning that reinforced everything wrong with Roman Reigns' push to date.
Am I frustrated? Yes, I am massively frustrated. It is killing me to think WWE missed a layup of this magnitude, and I hardly can explain why it happened. It makes no sense. Okay, let's just move onto Raw. That should be decent... right?
No Mercy 2017 Review
Am I frustrated? Yes, I am massively frustrated. It is killing me to think WWE missed a layup of this magnitude, and I hardly can explain why it happened. It makes no sense. Okay, let's just move onto Raw. That should be decent... right?
No Mercy 2017 Review
Glad Jeff Hardy is here to pick his nose during the match.
The Miz Calls Out Roman Reigns on Miz TV; Matt Hardy and Jason Jordan def. The Miztourage
Overview: The Miz opened the show with Miz TV with Roman Reigns who was complimentary of John Cena. Miz talked himself up before Reigns said The Miztourage was the only reason he could have defeated Jason Jordan. After disparaging comments about The Shield, Reigns challenged Miz, and Kurt Angle made it official for later.
He also announced The Miztourage in action next against Matt Hardy and Jason Jordan. Jeff Hardy watched from ringside ahead of his rotator cuff surgery. After Jordan cleared Curtis Axel from the ring, Matt caught Bo Dallas with a Side Effect for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Reigns and Miz's interview served little purpose unless WWE is setting up Miz vs. Reigns and/or Miz and The Miztourage vs. The Shield. I'm not against Reigns facing Miz, but it would be a weird step back as would Shield reforming now. The match that followed was fine though Matt and Jordan is an odd pairing if it's more permanent.
He also announced The Miztourage in action next against Matt Hardy and Jason Jordan. Jeff Hardy watched from ringside ahead of his rotator cuff surgery. After Jordan cleared Curtis Axel from the ring, Matt caught Bo Dallas with a Side Effect for the win.
Highlights:
- Axel set Jordan up for a running clothesline from Bo who then kicked Jordan then threw him into an Axel knee.
- Matt caught the hot tag and hit Bo with the turnbuckle shots into a corner clothesline and running bulldog then a diving elbow and neckbreaker.
- Jordan threw both member of The Miztourage into the corner to set up a double spear then a belly-to-belly suplex on Axel.
Analysis: Reigns and Miz's interview served little purpose unless WWE is setting up Miz vs. Reigns and/or Miz and The Miztourage vs. The Shield. I'm not against Reigns facing Miz, but it would be a weird step back as would Shield reforming now. The match that followed was fine though Matt and Jordan is an odd pairing if it's more permanent.
Elias def. Apollo Crews
Overview: Elias made clear he saw Apollo Crews was a loser who would again lose. Elias took out Titus O'Neil outside which distracted Crews as he returned to the ring, and he walked into the Drift Away. Afterward, Titus lost it and attacked Elias.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was shorter and less interesting than their forgettable first encounter. While it is smart to keep Elias on TV and this feud is further improving his standing, it would be nice for the contests to be more involved. Not sure Titus vs. Elias will be an improvement.
Highlights:
- Crews did several flips out of the corner then caught Elias with a dropkick then sent him to the floor with an enzuigiri and slingshot plancha.
Analysis: This was shorter and less interesting than their forgettable first encounter. While it is smart to keep Elias on TV and this feud is further improving his standing, it would be nice for the contests to be more involved. Not sure Titus vs. Elias will be an improvement.
Glad Curt Hawkins is here to play target dummy.
Curt Hawkins Faces Braun Strowman's Destruction; Braun Strowman def. Dean Ambrose
Overview: Curt Hawkins promised to finally end his losing streak tonight only for Braun Strowman to come out and send Hawkins scurrying. Strowman though followed him and destroyed Hawkins before powerslamming him through the screen. Strowman demanded a fight, and Dean Ambrose answered despite being bandaged up.
Ambrose came out swinging with a capable and intelligent plan to bring down the Monster. However, it was not enough as he dived right into a powerslam for the loss.
Highlights:
Analysis: The highlights may be sparse here, but I really Ambrose vs. Strowman with the Lunatic showcasing his strengths in a contest I did not expect. This was a great way to let Strowman get his heat back especially with the added destruction of Hawkins.
Ambrose came out swinging with a capable and intelligent plan to bring down the Monster. However, it was not enough as he dived right into a powerslam for the loss.
Highlights:
- Strowman threw Ambrose into the ropes with him flying back into a crossbody which he turned into a sleeper hold.
- Ambrose answered the forearms of Strowman before taking several headbutts.
- Ambrose bounced Strowman off the post then pounded him into the corner before Ambrose knocked him outside and hit with with a tornado DDT.
Analysis: The highlights may be sparse here, but I really Ambrose vs. Strowman with the Lunatic showcasing his strengths in a contest I did not expect. This was a great way to let Strowman get his heat back especially with the added destruction of Hawkins.
Mickie James Refuses to Be Called Old By Alexa Bliss
Overview: Alexa Bliss announced her disappointment in the WWE Universe who would not acknowledge her greatness. She claimed to have cleaned out the entire women's division which brought out Mickie James. Bliss refused to see Mickie as anything more than washed up with Mickie responding by sending Bliss to the floor with a kick.
Analysis: I would have assumed, if anyone was getting the spot against Bliss outside of the four she beat at No Mercy, it would have been Asuka. The segment was great, but Mickie will need to step back up to be worthy of this spot. She has clearly lost a few steps the past few months.
Analysis: I would have assumed, if anyone was getting the spot against Bliss outside of the four she beat at No Mercy, it would have been Asuka. The segment was great, but Mickie will need to step back up to be worthy of this spot. She has clearly lost a few steps the past few months.
Glad Cesaro is here to allow Seth Rollins to make a tooth joke.
Seth Rollins def. Sheamus
Overview: Cesaro watched on the outside but never got physically involved as Seth Rollins was dominated physical early with Sheamus targeting Rollins' knee. However, Rollins ducked the Brogue Kick then took double boots to the mat only to catch him off a dive with a superkick into the wrist-lock short-arm knee.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was shockingly short with Cesaro's appearence not only unnecessary but likely unsafe. WWE twice had wrestlers about to go into surgery watching their tag partners wrestle from ringside for no real reason. This was just a waste of a segment.
Highlights:
- Sheamus caught Rollins off a springboard with an Irish Curse backbreaker.
- Sheamus turned a stretch muffler on Rollins into a powerbomb then a Cloverleaf.
- From the apron, Sheamus snapped Rollins with a roundhouse knee.
Analysis: This match was shockingly short with Cesaro's appearence not only unnecessary but likely unsafe. WWE twice had wrestlers about to go into surgery watching their tag partners wrestle from ringside for no real reason. This was just a waste of a segment.
Roman Reigns def. The Miz
Overview: Miz tried to shake Reigns' hand and walk out but got an uppercut in the mouth for his trouble. While Miz managed to use Reigns' back injury from his match with Cena to get back into it, he ran into a Spear. Afterward, The Miztourage took out Reigns with steel chairs then Miz hit him with the Skull Crushing Finale.
Miz looked to walk away only to return and hit Reigns with a Skull Crushing Finale on a steel chair followed by a con-chair-to. Afterward, he did the fist bump of The Shield with Miztourage over Reigns.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a really good television match with Miz and Reigns working well together in a way they didn't with their opponents on Sunday. I still feel this is a waste of Reigns' build, but it was absolutely telegraphed that The Shield reunion is coming.
Miz looked to walk away only to return and hit Reigns with a Skull Crushing Finale on a steel chair followed by a con-chair-to. Afterward, he did the fist bump of The Shield with Miztourage over Reigns.
Highlights:
- Bo whipped the back of Reigns' neck off the rope followed by Miz hitting Reigns with a low boot to the face.
- Miz double dropkicked Reigns in the corner but then ran into a Samoan drop.
- Reigns ran down Miz with clotheslines then added more in the corner into a running big boot.
- A distraction from The Miztourage turned a Superman Punch into a corner running clothesline.
- Miz escaped a powerbomb then took a Superman Punch which sent him outside with Reigns hitting The Miztourage with a Drive By, walking back into a snap DDT.
Analysis: This was a really good television match with Miz and Reigns working well together in a way they didn't with their opponents on Sunday. I still feel this is a waste of Reigns' build, but it was absolutely telegraphed that The Shield reunion is coming.
Glad Goldust is here to play the role of whatever Balor and Wyatt need him to be.
Finn Balor def. Goldust
Overview: Finn Balor came out aggressive, but his rib injury from last night allowed Goldust to come back and begin dominating. However, Balor caught him with a Slingblade into a corner dropkick and the Coup De Grace. Afterward, the lights went out, and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" began playing.
Highlights:
Analysis: I am glad Goldust is back to a heel role, but I have no idea why the match last night ended as it did if Balor vs. Wyatt is still on. They could not give Balor a more definitive victory. Now he has to lose the final encounter and do so as The Demon.
Highlights:
- Balor dumped Goldust over the top rope then dropkicked him into the barricade.
- Goldust set up the Final Cut with Balor almost turning it into a suplex before his ribs gave out, forcing him to resort to a pele kick.
Analysis: I am glad Goldust is back to a heel role, but I have no idea why the match last night ended as it did if Balor vs. Wyatt is still on. They could not give Balor a more definitive victory. Now he has to lose the final encounter and do so as The Demon.
Bayley and Sasha Banks def. Emma and Nia Jax
Overview: Nia Jax's dominance allowed the heels to quickly isolate Bayley. When Sasha Banks got the hot tag though, she turned the match around with the faces managing to take out Nia Jax outside then Bayley got the tag for a Bayley-to-Belly on Emma for the victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match wasn't too involved, but it was a solid tag team match that worked as a nice bounce back for Bayley after taking the pinfall on Sunday. It looks like there's some plans for one more big match between Bayley and Jax which could be really good if they get time.
Highlights:
- Bayley tried to elbow Jax but took a sudden standing leg drop to her arm.
- Bayley kicked her out of the corner then booted Emma into Jax's head to set up a hot tag to Banks who repeatedly dropkicked Emma then hit her with headscissors into double knees in the corner.
- Banks dropkicked Jax outside then Jax caught a crossbody from Bayley only to take one from Banks followed by Bayley throwing her into steel post.
Analysis: This match wasn't too involved, but it was a solid tag team match that worked as a nice bounce back for Bayley after taking the pinfall on Sunday. It looks like there's some plans for one more big match between Bayley and Jax which could be really good if they get time.
I am so very glad that Neville was here to save our souls from Enzo Amore.
Neville Destroys Enzo Amore for the Good of the Cruiserweight Division
Overview: Enzo Amore bragged about his victory and his post-match celebration as the WWE Cruiserweight Champion. He talked about how he finally made 205 Live relevant with the whole roster coming out to glare him down. Finally, a disheveled Neville came out to talk down how Enzo had turned everyone against him.
On behalf of the division he said that Enzo had made a joke out of, he would end Enzo. Enzo waved a paper in Neville's face that said he could not touch the champion or he'd never be champion again. As the cruiserweight division made sure Enzo could not leave, Neville destroyed Enzo, stuffed the paper in his mouth, and hit him with the Red Arrow.
Analysis: When Enzo's celebration was announced as the main event, I expected the worst. Instead, it was the best moment of the night as well as the biggest moment of the cruiserweight division's run to date.
We got a perfect double turn that finally put Enzo in the smarmy heel role while Neville became the crusader heel willing to give everything to destroy Enzo. His beatdown of Enzo could not have been more satisfying and made everything that came before worth it. Now, hopefully there is real followup here.
On behalf of the division he said that Enzo had made a joke out of, he would end Enzo. Enzo waved a paper in Neville's face that said he could not touch the champion or he'd never be champion again. As the cruiserweight division made sure Enzo could not leave, Neville destroyed Enzo, stuffed the paper in his mouth, and hit him with the Red Arrow.
Analysis: When Enzo's celebration was announced as the main event, I expected the worst. Instead, it was the best moment of the night as well as the biggest moment of the cruiserweight division's run to date.
We got a perfect double turn that finally put Enzo in the smarmy heel role while Neville became the crusader heel willing to give everything to destroy Enzo. His beatdown of Enzo could not have been more satisfying and made everything that came before worth it. Now, hopefully there is real followup here.
Final Notes: Balor thanked Wyatt for giving him a better sense of himself and promised to now set his sights on the Universal Championship. Goldust was frustrated by Balor's comments, calling him a victim, then attacked Balor.
Rollins tried to convince Ambrose to change his chaotic ways after his loss to Strowman before announcing he would face Strowman next week. A video package was shown for Cena vs. Reigns with the added comments from Cena afterward, talking about how he now saw his role as changed and was happy to pass the torch.
Bayley and Banks argued over what happened on Sunday with Banks trying to refocus on the match tonight with Bayley promising to make Jax pay for what she did to her. Enzo convinced Angle to let him hold a title celebration then refused to listen to Angle's veteran advice. Later, Enzo demanded a no-contact rule for his celebration.
Conclusion: I was ready to run down this show for a terrible third hour, but that main event changed my whole view of the situation. Reigns and Miz dominated the first two hours, and the women had multiple good segments. Strowman's destruction was an easy highlight.
Nothing though felt more like a true fallout to the pay-per-view than the main event which was one of the best moments of the entire year and finally felt like WWE committing to the division. If only WWE gave us more segments like that, well earned and emotionally satisfying.
The whole night was fine, but I would have liked to see more from this show in selling the impact of the previous night. The company has so many chances to tell compelling stories with this roster, and all it takes is one great one to change a fine show to a great one.
Rollins tried to convince Ambrose to change his chaotic ways after his loss to Strowman before announcing he would face Strowman next week. A video package was shown for Cena vs. Reigns with the added comments from Cena afterward, talking about how he now saw his role as changed and was happy to pass the torch.
Bayley and Banks argued over what happened on Sunday with Banks trying to refocus on the match tonight with Bayley promising to make Jax pay for what she did to her. Enzo convinced Angle to let him hold a title celebration then refused to listen to Angle's veteran advice. Later, Enzo demanded a no-contact rule for his celebration.
Conclusion: I was ready to run down this show for a terrible third hour, but that main event changed my whole view of the situation. Reigns and Miz dominated the first two hours, and the women had multiple good segments. Strowman's destruction was an easy highlight.
Nothing though felt more like a true fallout to the pay-per-view than the main event which was one of the best moments of the entire year and finally felt like WWE committing to the division. If only WWE gave us more segments like that, well earned and emotionally satisfying.
The whole night was fine, but I would have liked to see more from this show in selling the impact of the previous night. The company has so many chances to tell compelling stories with this roster, and all it takes is one great one to change a fine show to a great one.