Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
In the past month, SmackDown has set out to establish its identity, making No Mercy feel more like a personal battle than Backlash. While many of the matches were set to be rematches from that show or close to it, there was more heat in the mix.
John Cena was back to add to the rivalry between AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose. Dolph Ziggler was now putting his career on the line in order to get another chance to face The Miz. Even The Usos' second shot at Heath Slater and Rhyno felt more like a battle of true rivals.
However, there were many questions left to be answered. Was Becky Lynch truly going to be held out of the event due to injury? Would SmackDown actually open with their WWE Championship triple threat? Could SmackDown continue its stride to prominence?
John Cena was back to add to the rivalry between AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose. Dolph Ziggler was now putting his career on the line in order to get another chance to face The Miz. Even The Usos' second shot at Heath Slater and Rhyno felt more like a battle of true rivals.
However, there were many questions left to be answered. Was Becky Lynch truly going to be held out of the event due to injury? Would SmackDown actually open with their WWE Championship triple threat? Could SmackDown continue its stride to prominence?
Konnor in the background is already selling the dropkick he'll also take soon.
American Alpha and The Hype Bros def. The Ascension and The Vaudevillains
Overview: Chad Gable and Jason Jordan started off hot against Aiden English and Simon Gotch, clearing the ring of all the heels. The Ascension got back into it by dominating Zack Ryder, but Jordan got the hot tag. The ring cleared after crazy action, and Alpha hit the Grand Amplitude on English for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was nothing special. The teams both got in some offense, but this was really about continuing to show that the faces are far more a threat on SmackDown than the heels. It is more likely we get The Hype Bros challenging for tag team gold before The Vaudevillains or Ascension.
Highlights:
- American Alpha came out swinging with Gable monkey flip and simultaneous dropkicks.
- Rawley did a whole dance before double slapping Viktor then stopped him in tackle position from getting to heel corner.
- Gotch smacked his boot into Ryder's face in the corner repeatedly.
- Jordan got the hot tag, hitting a shoulder tackle into an exploder suplex on English.
Analysis: This was nothing special. The teams both got in some offense, but this was really about continuing to show that the faces are far more a threat on SmackDown than the heels. It is more likely we get The Hype Bros challenging for tag team gold before The Vaudevillains or Ascension.
Rating: 7/10
Who thought it was a good idea to have a false finish/restart in this match? Clearly the same people who put this match on first.
AJ Styles def. John Cena and Dean Ambrose to Retain the WWE World Championship
Overview: AJ Styles tried to get Dean Ambrose to help him fight John Cena immediately, but Ambrose took his shot on both instead. This started a chaotic contest where each man put in their best shots with no one going down.
In the end, Ambrose rolled Styles into his own Calf Crusher, and Cena locked Styles in the STF. Styles tapped out, but it wasn't conclusive. Thus, the match was restarted. Cena hit an avalanche AA on Ambrose, but Styles ran in with a chair, smacked Cena, and took the pinfall.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match had weird moments where the wrestlers seemed to play too much to the crowd. Cena especially got a bit flat-out goofy, but it really didn't take away from a bout that was moving so quickly with constant moments. The whole match was just spots galore that transitioned well.
Styles was absolutely phenomenal as the leader in this match. Even while the storytelling got flaky and the action occasionally sloppy, this match was an absolute blast with three wrestlers who refused to slow down.
In the end, Ambrose rolled Styles into his own Calf Crusher, and Cena locked Styles in the STF. Styles tapped out, but it wasn't conclusive. Thus, the match was restarted. Cena hit an avalanche AA on Ambrose, but Styles ran in with a chair, smacked Cena, and took the pinfall.
Highlights:
- Cena caught Ambrose and slammed him into the steel post but immediately ran into a Styles forearm over the top rope.
- Cena suplexed Styles as Styles suplexed Ambrose.
- Styles goes for the Styles Clash on Cena, but he turned it into a catapult into a spin-out cutter.
- Styles countered the AA into a pele kick.
- Styles caught Ambrose and Cena for a neckbreaker/DDT combo.
- Styles fought off an avalanche AA and hit a Rack Bomb.
- Styles locks Cena in a sleeper hold with Cena breaking out only to be locked in an Ambrose sleeper with Cena fighting out by slamming Ambrose into the corner Styles is in.
- Cena's first five moves attempt was blocked by Styles with his second attempt blocked by Ambrose.
- Cena returned to action to then hit a Five Knuckle Shuffle on both.
- Styles took AA but rolled outside while Ambrose kicked out of AA.
- Ambrose kicked out of the springboard 450 Splash.
- Styles hit Ambrose with Styles Clash only for Cena to lock Styles in STF with Ambrose blocking Styles from tapping before break up.
- Cena tried double AA on both, but they slipped out with Styles hitting Cena with pele kick and running into rebound clothesline.
- Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds on Cena, but Styles pulls ref out of the ring which sets off Ambrose who attacks Styles outside.
Analysis: This match had weird moments where the wrestlers seemed to play too much to the crowd. Cena especially got a bit flat-out goofy, but it really didn't take away from a bout that was moving so quickly with constant moments. The whole match was just spots galore that transitioned well.
Styles was absolutely phenomenal as the leader in this match. Even while the storytelling got flaky and the action occasionally sloppy, this match was an absolute blast with three wrestlers who refused to slow down.
Rating: 9.5/10
It's starting to get entertaining just watching Carmella hurt Nikki, and I'm not sure why.
Nikki Bella def. Carmella
Overview: Nikki Bella came out swinging until Carmella slammed her on her neck repeatedly. Carmella dominated until Nikki began a flurry that nearly led to the finish. Carmella locked Nikki twice into the Code of Silence, but Nikki fought out and hit a sudden Rack Attack 2.0 for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was too short to be truly quality, and I expect it has something to do with Carmella's inexperience. Her moveset here was extremely limited. However, this was about as good as it could be with Carmella entirely focusing her assault on Nikki's neck.
Nikki kept Carmella pushing and pulled out the more interesting moves throughout. It was a contest that showed there is real potential here between these two women as long as Carmella pushes toward becoming a more complete performer.
Highlights:
- Carmella slammed Nikki neck-first onto barricade then apron.
- Nikki hit a rebound roundhouse out of the corner.
- Carmella hit side slam and locked in Code of Silence.
- Nikki hit a running forearm, but Carmella immediately locked back in the Code of Silence.
Analysis: This match was too short to be truly quality, and I expect it has something to do with Carmella's inexperience. Her moveset here was extremely limited. However, this was about as good as it could be with Carmella entirely focusing her assault on Nikki's neck.
Nikki kept Carmella pushing and pulled out the more interesting moves throughout. It was a contest that showed there is real potential here between these two women as long as Carmella pushes toward becoming a more complete performer.
Rating: 7/10
Heath Slater is on such fire he can take the same beating that sidelined Chad Gable and win the match.
Heath Slater and Rhyno def. The Usos to Retain the SmackDown Live Tag Team Championships
Overview: Rhyno started out for his team, and The Usos seemed off base against the monster veteran. Once Slater got the tag in though, he was isolated and forced to tag back in Rhyno. Usos managed to put down Rhyno and beat up on him.
Slater got the hot tag to begin rolling and nearly got the win until he was isolated by The Usos who hit a superkick into the chop block and single leg Boston crab. Rhyno saved the pin with a running forearm then hit the Gore for the victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: Slater has put on quality performances on repeat, but they were mostly on the mic. This was his best in-ring match in his new run of momentum as he really looked explosive throughout. The match had some great moments despite Rhyno being extremely limited these days.
The Usos have been great as heels, and they pulled out a quality performance from the champions. It was best to keep the title on Slater and Rhyno as The Usos finish up their feud with American Alpha. This way there will be two major tag team feuds going into Survivor Series from SmackDown.
Slater got the hot tag to begin rolling and nearly got the win until he was isolated by The Usos who hit a superkick into the chop block and single leg Boston crab. Rhyno saved the pin with a running forearm then hit the Gore for the victory.
Highlights:
- Slater flipped out of the grasp of one of The Usos to get the tag.
- Rhyno took repeated strikes then called for more until he fell.
- Rhyno fought back with spinebuster to get hot tag to Slater.
- As he rolled from the hot tag, Slater hit a leg lariat on one of The Usos then a neckbreaker on the other.
- One of The Usos kicked Rhyno to the floor then caught Slater in a suicide dive with a forearm.
- Slater run up turnbuckle for spinning powerslam off second rope.
- Rhyno Gored the Uso outside before making save for Slater.
Analysis: Slater has put on quality performances on repeat, but they were mostly on the mic. This was his best in-ring match in his new run of momentum as he really looked explosive throughout. The match had some great moments despite Rhyno being extremely limited these days.
The Usos have been great as heels, and they pulled out a quality performance from the champions. It was best to keep the title on Slater and Rhyno as The Usos finish up their feud with American Alpha. This way there will be two major tag team feuds going into Survivor Series from SmackDown.
Rating: 8/10
Good of the ref to take time during the match to rearrange the apron.
Baron Corbin def. Jack Swagger
Overview: Jack Swagger seemed to have Baron Corbin's number early until Corbin trapped Swagger's hand between the steel steps and barricade. His assault on the hand helped weaken Swagger enough that he couldn't fully lock in the Ankle Lock.
Corbin made it to the apron to break up a second Ankle Lock, and, while the referee was clearing up the apron, Corbin poked Swagger in the eye then hit the End of Days for the victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: The actual in ring work here was good. Corbin and Swagger work well together and were quite physical throughout. However, they were hampered by a crowd that was understandably not connected to the action with so little build up here.
I think this feud and match up has real potential, but SmackDown needs to push these guys as performers to get the crowd behind them before they can shine on the main card facing each other.
Corbin made it to the apron to break up a second Ankle Lock, and, while the referee was clearing up the apron, Corbin poked Swagger in the eye then hit the End of Days for the victory.
Highlights:
- Swagger dodged Corbin's running forearm from the outside and sent him back outside with a clothesline.
- Swagger made a comeback and hit Swagger Bomb, but his Ankle Lock attempt was stopped by pain in Swagger's hand.
- Corbin took advantage of Swagger hesitation and hit Deep Six.
- Corbin missed Swagger and bounced off the ropes a second time right into a Swagger clothesline.
Analysis: The actual in ring work here was good. Corbin and Swagger work well together and were quite physical throughout. However, they were hampered by a crowd that was understandably not connected to the action with so little build up here.
I think this feud and match up has real potential, but SmackDown needs to push these guys as performers to get the crowd behind them before they can shine on the main card facing each other.
Rating: 7.75/10
We live in a world where Miz vs. Ziggler is the best thing going in wrestling. Couldn't have imagined that back when they were actually regularly relevant.
Dolph Ziggler def. The Miz to Become the New WWE Intercontinental Champion and Save His Career
Overview: Dolph Ziggler came out swinging early, but Miz grounded him and used a variety of submission moves to ground down Ziggler's leg. Miz got cocky, using his opening to mock Daniel Bryan while he beat up on Ziggler.
Ziggler came back in a flurry with superkick and Zig Zag nearfalls. When Miz used every advantage even exposing the turnbuckle, but Ziggler would not stay down. After Ziggler survived Maryse spraying in his eyes and a Spirit Squad distraction into Skull Crushing Finales, Ziggler hit a shoeless superkick for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was truly showstopping as The Miz and Dolph Ziggler went all out in near career best performances. The action built perfectly going bigger and bigger with the use of nearfall finishers working really well to show that Ziggler was fighting at another level here.
Where this truly succeeded was in the storytelling. Miz sold every once of frustration while Ziggler played his best role perfectly as a man with everything to lose. It was surprising to have Ziggler win, but his performances these recent weeks made it a genuinely powerful moment.
Ziggler came back in a flurry with superkick and Zig Zag nearfalls. When Miz used every advantage even exposing the turnbuckle, but Ziggler would not stay down. After Ziggler survived Maryse spraying in his eyes and a Spirit Squad distraction into Skull Crushing Finales, Ziggler hit a shoeless superkick for the win.
Highlights:
- Ziggler nearly Superkicked Miz then nearly rolled him up for three before hitting a leaping lariat.
- Miz mocked Bryan by threatened a surfboard but then stomping on back of Ziggler's knees.
- Miz hit an inverted facelock backbreaker into a hangman's neckbreaker.
- Miz hit triple dropkicks into the corner but then ran into a Ziggler dropkick.
- Ziggler fought back with swinging neckbreaker and running elbow.
- Miz began assault on back of knee and hit spike DDT.
- Miz locked in the figure four leg lock for a full minute before Ziggler getting to the ropes.
- Ziggler pulled out a Rough Ryder to come back.
- Ziggler was sent headfirst into exposed turnbuckle then took a rebound powerbomb nearfall.
- Miz hit repeated Bryan-like kicks only to take a Zig Zag.
- Ziggler's superkick was nearly reversed into the Skull Crushing Finale, but Ziggler turned that into a sleeper hold.
- Maryse sprayed Ziggler in the eyes into Skull Crushing Finale.
- Ziggler fought off a figure four by kicking off his own boot then hit a superkick but injured his foot on the shot.
- Spirit Squad ran in for interference, allowing another SCF nearfall.
Analysis: This match was truly showstopping as The Miz and Dolph Ziggler went all out in near career best performances. The action built perfectly going bigger and bigger with the use of nearfall finishers working really well to show that Ziggler was fighting at another level here.
Where this truly succeeded was in the storytelling. Miz sold every once of frustration while Ziggler played his best role perfectly as a man with everything to lose. It was surprising to have Ziggler win, but his performances these recent weeks made it a genuinely powerful moment.
Rating: 9.75/10
Alexa Bliss is either appalled by having Naomi as an opponent or thinks Naomi 's backside is a foreign object that should be illegal.
Naomi def. Alexa Bliss
Overview: Alexa Bliss makes fun of Becky Lynch who cannot compete tonight due to a non-wrestling injury, and this brings out her opponent for the night Naomi. Bliss brutally assaults Naomi's arm, but Naomi managed to roll up Bliss off a cross armbreaker for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was at best a television contest, and it moved too quickly for even that. Naomi seemed repeatedly off the mark, but at least the two kept it all moving along. In the end, Bliss lost which was odd and shows SmackDown is perhaps playing a bit too loose with making everyone title contenders which hurt Bliss as the true contender.
Highlights:
- Bliss immediately began kneeing Naomi on the mat.
- Naomi hit a split-legged moonsault.
- Bliss dropped more knees on the arm to continue pressure.
- Naomi was thrown into the turnbuckle.
- Naomi hit the Rear View for a nearfall.
Analysis: This was at best a television contest, and it moved too quickly for even that. Naomi seemed repeatedly off the mark, but at least the two kept it all moving along. In the end, Bliss lost which was odd and shows SmackDown is perhaps playing a bit too loose with making everyone title contenders which hurt Bliss as the true contender.
Rating: 6/10
Ah yes, the signature Bray Wyatt win by Luke Harper return. It got Roman Reigns as well.
Bray Wyatt def. Randy Orton
Overview: After Randy Orton tried a quick RKO start, Bray Wyatt gained control by physically dominating Orton. Orton fought back by dodging Wyatt's best shots, but Wyatt always returned with larger shots to keep Orton from doing anything too major.
Orton dodged a running senton onto the steel steps then set up an RKO, but the lights went out and Luke Harper appeared. The distraction of Harper appearing allowed Wyatt to hit Sister Abigail on Orton for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: I cannot say how this match was placed in the main event. Even the build up did not seem to warrant it, and the match certainly did not deliver. It was too slow throughout, and its climax never seemed to come. You can't go wholly methodical without bringing it big late.
On the bright side, Harper is back, and Wyatt actually won a PPV match. He didn't even win thanks to true physical interference, just a small if surprising distraction. The feud has better matches ahead. It's a shame this was the one that got the main event spot.
Orton dodged a running senton onto the steel steps then set up an RKO, but the lights went out and Luke Harper appeared. The distraction of Harper appearing allowed Wyatt to hit Sister Abigail on Orton for the win.
Highlights:
- Wyatt fought off RKO by throwing Orton over the announce table.
- Wyatt tried to pull out the steel steps for an attack, but Orton returned with repeated clotheslines.
- Wyatt kneed Orton off the apron into the barricade.
- Wyatt hit a spike DDT onto the apron.
- Wyatt's Sister Abigail was reversed into a powerslam.
- In a series of blocks, Wyatt's uranage was turned into Orton's backbreaker into a Sister Abigail which turned into a uranage.
Analysis: I cannot say how this match was placed in the main event. Even the build up did not seem to warrant it, and the match certainly did not deliver. It was too slow throughout, and its climax never seemed to come. You can't go wholly methodical without bringing it big late.
On the bright side, Harper is back, and Wyatt actually won a PPV match. He didn't even win thanks to true physical interference, just a small if surprising distraction. The feud has better matches ahead. It's a shame this was the one that got the main event spot.
Rating: 7.25/10
Orton is so confused at this point in his feud with Wyatt that he's not actually sure he isn't upside down.
Final Notes: Curt Hawkins made his return to WWE on the Kickoff and announced he would have his first match in WWE on SmackDown Live. The Miz tells Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon backstage he will renegotiate his contract again after defeating Ziggler.
Wyatt cut a promo backstage, showing he was ready for Orton. Orton is shown backstage dealing with some odd issues as his mind begins to warp preparing to fight Wyatt.
Conclusion: Overall, this show had strong wrestling particularly the two true main event showings. It was just hampered by a ridiculously poor decision in the ordering of the matches that left many contests without crowd heat and killed the excitement of building to the finish.
This show will come up in speaking about 2016 only because of Styles vs. Cena vs. Ambrose and Miz vs. Ziggler. Otherwise, it was a run-of-the-mill event that felt a lot like a Raw show (good wrestling with poor booking) just with more appearances from talent with less crowd investment.
While Backlash was refreshingly sparse and tight, No Mercy was an overcomplicated mess without actually having many twists and turns. It just failed at the writing stage.
Wyatt cut a promo backstage, showing he was ready for Orton. Orton is shown backstage dealing with some odd issues as his mind begins to warp preparing to fight Wyatt.
Conclusion: Overall, this show had strong wrestling particularly the two true main event showings. It was just hampered by a ridiculously poor decision in the ordering of the matches that left many contests without crowd heat and killed the excitement of building to the finish.
This show will come up in speaking about 2016 only because of Styles vs. Cena vs. Ambrose and Miz vs. Ziggler. Otherwise, it was a run-of-the-mill event that felt a lot like a Raw show (good wrestling with poor booking) just with more appearances from talent with less crowd investment.
While Backlash was refreshingly sparse and tight, No Mercy was an overcomplicated mess without actually having many twists and turns. It just failed at the writing stage.