By Jason Powell
WWE No Mercy 2016 Kickoff Show
Aired live on WWE Network and social media
Sacramento, California at Golden 1 Center
-Renee Young, Booker T, Jerry Lawler, and Lita hosted the show from their usual spot on the floor of the building. They hyped that the Triple Threat main event will open No Mercy.
-Tom Phillips checked in from his mobile kill room and said he would be joined by The Usos to answer (really bad) social media questions.
-A Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt video package aired. The hosts discussed their match and made predictions.
-Young hyped the eight-man tag as the first match for the Kickoff Show.
-A Miz and Dolph Ziggler video package aired. The hosts made their predictions.
-Curt Hawkins made his entrance with a sceptor. A narrator’s voice called out that it was “time to face the facts because Curt Hawkins is here.” The narrator also read some Chuck Norris type jokes. Hawkins took the mic and boasted that he did what he said he would – he stepped foot in the ring at No Mercy. “Thank you and goodnight,” he said. Hawkins said he would take it a step forward by leaving the fans with a big Curt Hawkins announcement. A siren played. Hawkins announced that he will be having his first match on Tuesday’s Smackdown.
Powell’s POV: It was odd to hear a number of fans cheering the heel gimmick. It didn’t seem like the fans were cheering the heel as much as it seems like they don’t know what to make of Hawkins.
-Backstage, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan informed Alexa Bliss that Becky Lynch would be unable to wrestle due to a medical issue. Bliss said her contract called for a championship match and she should be the new Smackdown Women’s Championship. Bryan said championships are earned with them in charge. He said they would have their title match on November 8 in Glasgow, Scotland. Bryan said Bliss would still compete at No Mercy. Bliss said the title will be hers.
-The Usos joined Phillips in the social media lounge and asked what inspired their new attitude. They said the WWE Universe inspired their “we don’t give a damn no more attitude.” Phillips asked if their attack on American Alpha was inspired by jealousy. They laughed off the question. Phillips asked about trying to break New Day’s record for longest reign. The Usos blew it off by questioning if New Day is on Raw.
-The hosts discussed the tag title match. Lawler said Heath Slater has a home that is mobile and three cars that are not.
-Nikki Bella joined the panel for an on-set interview. She spoke about the Total Bellas reality show and how much drama and chaos there was. Renee asked if John Cena really makes her make her bed every morning. “But I love it!” she replied. Nikki also spoke about her match with Carmella. She said she feels unstoppable and Carmella will see that.
1. Chad Gable, Jason Jordan, Zack Ryder, and Mojo Rawley vs. Konnor, Viktor, Aiden English, and Simon Gotch. Mauro Ranallo, JBL, and David Otunga checked in on commentary from ringside. The babyfaces cleared the ring of all four heels a few minutes into the match. An ad aired for the latest WWE video game. [C]
The heels isolated Ryder. Jordan took a hot tag and worked over heels. They closed it out with various wrestlers hitting rapid fire spots. It concluded with American Alpha hitting their finisher on English for the win…
American Alpha and The Hype Bros beat The Ascension and The Vaudevillains in 9:00.
-Young hyped the main event opening the pay-per-view. A video package on the AJ Styles vs. John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose match.
-The panel offered final hype for No Mercy. Lawler predicted John Cena will win the championship. Booker said he told AJ to go to WWE and win the title five years ago, but he had friends or something. We also got a crazy Booker laugh at the end of his spiel. Lita predicted Ambrose will win. Booker picked Styles.
Join me for live coverage of the WWE No Mercy event in a separate article on the main page.
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