On Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 12:35 PM EST
No Mercy isn't exactly shaping up to be one of WWE's better efforts, even with the possibility of a match for the ages involving HBK and Jericho in a ladder match. Let's go through this one piece at a time, and make some picks.
If Rey loses, he must unmask.
Rey Mysterio vs. Kane
I don't like this feud, or this match, or more especially, this stipulation. This match screams former WCW. I don't like it one bit. The last time Rey got involved in a major feud with someone of Kane's size, he got hurt pretty severely (Big Show). Now, with this underdog scenario being as big, if not bigger than anything Rey has ever faced before, what is WWE going to do? Give Kane the win, force Rey to unmask, and put him in a scenario that we all know Rey doesn't want any part of, or give Rey the win, and make this so called "maniacal" Kane look incredibly weaker than ever before? It's a quandary that I don't think the creative geniuses in WWE would possibly be able to rectify properly, or at least, in a way that would make both characters benefit. When you put that all in to a cauldron and let it simmer for whatever length this match will be, I think they'll force Rey to unmask. Which personally, makes me sick.
WINNER: Kane
#1 Contendership Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Batista vs. John Bradshaw Layfield
Batista should at least be happier that he's not involved with the Unibrow during this match. What I can't seem to figure out is the logic of continuing to put JBL in World title contendership when he really has done little to nothing to deserve it, at least from my own opinion. But, the same thing can pretty much be said for Batista as the "what have you done for me lately?" card doesn't provide a lot of results for the Animal. Either which way, this match oughta be interesting, as we have one man who claims to be burnt to a crisp meeting up with another man whose health is incredibly suspect. It's either going to be very good, or very butt ugly. I don't think there's going to be much in the way of a possible middle ground here. One thing leads to another, and as honest as I can be, I don't give a damn who wins here. I think Batista will win, but I am not too keen on either one of them winning because neither of them deserve any more shots at the title.
WINNER: Batista
The Undertaker vs. The Big Show
I gotta believe Undertaker is going to go down here. His health is still a major concern to the powers that be in WWE, and I don't suspect that he can handle a tremendous pounding from the Big Show and not suffer some long term effects. With Smackdown now entrenched on its new network, Undertaker is needed as a draw for ratings. If he's dropped during this match to an injury, it's going to effect the Smackdown ratings in a negative manner, and I don't think WWE can afford that so quickly after the network switch. Besides, with Vickie down from the tombstone piledriver, the revenge angle has pretty much been satisfied.
WINNER: The Big Show
WWE Women's Championship
Beth Phoenix vs. Candice Michelle
I can't see Candice upending the strength of the Glamarella tag team. Beth is too powerful, and Candice has not shown her improved skills since her return to the ring. I think this could be a recipe for disaster. I don't suspect Michelle will be able to hang for very long with Phoenix, and this ought to be really quick, and unfortunately for Candice, rather painful.
WINNER: Beth Phoenix
ECW World Championship
Matt Hardy vs. Mark Henry
The question here is, was Mark Henry's reign as ECW Champion more to satisfy him for Michael Hayes' misdeeds, or was it legitimate? I don't think it was legitimate, as I don't forsee Henry as a major league championship material, even with Tony Atlas as a manager. Matt has been holding his end up on ECW, and I think the brand can ride on his back, at least for the forseeable future. I think that the next one to wear the silver of ECW will be one of the newer blood talents, possibly this Jack Swagger that seemingly has all the agents of WWE aghast, so much so that Double A has been coaching him. I don't think Henry will succeed in this rematch, although one thing can be certain. Hardy will experience a new level of pain.
Winner: Matt Hardy
WWE Championship
Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy
I would have believed that the chances of Jeff Hardy winning the WWE title at this match would have been significant. Now, with the airport incident firmly in the eyes of WWE creative, I am believing the chances of WWE going with the Jeff & Matt World champion singles wrestlers is virtually nil. Sure, I can see Jeff continuing to reach to the brass ring, but I can't see WWE going through with it, unless it's one of those Mick Foley or Kane or Rhino championship reigns of less than a week. Anything else is virtually impossible. Hell, I said after his second suspension that I never believed he'd get back in to the world title picture at all, so this is a stretch to me in the first place. Now, with the problems and public issues that Jeff has done, punishable or not, his title chances got flushed down the bowl as soon as he set off of that plane in Nashville, Tennessee. If I were Jeff, and when I got sober, I would have not gotten on the plane, I would've got in a car, gone to TNA headquarters, and said re-sign me, because my time in WWE is done. I know that's a insane notion that never happened, nor do I have proof that it's going to happen, but I think TNA would give him a shot at a world title. I don't think WWE will, not now, and not anytime in the near future.
WINNER: Triple H
Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
A ladder match involving two men who have been involved in some revolutionary ladder matches. From Shawn vs. Razor to TLC, these men can work with ladders like the best of them. I would suspect this match will be nothing short of a classic from the word go. The only question would be, is Shawn's health up to par to handle the severe physical strain that a match like this is going to put both of these men's bodies through. Is Jericho fully back to 100% from his hiatus that he can handle the strain of this type of a match? Questions that will be answered tonight. Here's another question. Is Jericho a transitional champion? My answer is difficult to ponder, but when you go with a gut feeling.....
WINNER: Chris Jericho
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