Thursday, March 28, 2024
EditorialThe Morning After- No Mercy Review

The Morning After- No Mercy Review

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After last night’s RAW exclusive Pay-Per View, No Mercy, many fans were left underwhelmed by the co-main event matches, yet surprised at the quality of some of the undercard matches. No Mercy certainly delivered where we didn’t expect it, and let us fans down where we wanted more. Some of this show was expertly booked and performed while some of it highlighted and reminded us what’s wrong with the WWE today.

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The Miz vs Jason Jordan

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This match was exciting overall. The fast paced, back and forth action served as a nail biter, and Jason Jordan picking up near fall after near fall kept fans on the edge of their seats. Jason Jordan dominated early, however, he couldn’t overcome the numbers game and a screwy finish sealed the deal allowing Miz to retain his title in a match that he dedicated to his unborn son.

Jordan, despite losing, looked really strong here and kept the door open challenging Miz to a rematch after the bout. The fans seemed invested in the match, cheering “this is awesome” and Jordan eventually won them over with his raw talent.

Highlights-

  • Jordan Suplexes Miz multiple times (One a beautiful delayed and one an athletic combo of two Northern Lights in a row)
  • Jordan Suplexes Miz into the Miztourage
  • Jordan gets poked in the eye setting up for the Skull Crushing Finale

Winner- The Miz

Grade- B

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Finn Balor vs Bray Wyatt

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Like my prediction stated, Bray Wyatt took yet another crushing loss on PPV. I have zero faith that Bray can be taken seriously in the future, even after coming close to winning here. Bray ambushed Balor before the match even started, giving him an early advantage. Of course, baby-face Balor fought back and eventually put away Wyatt with a huge Coup De Grace.

I love Balor, but I also love Wyatt and I can’t stand seeing him get buried here. As if taking another loss wasn’t enough, the fact that an injured Balor was able to overcome the Eater Of World’s makes matters worse. The action itself though, was hard hitting and allowed for both men to show off some of the best moves in their arsenal.

Highlights- 

  • Balor hits a running Dropkick on the outside sending Bray crashing into the security barricade
  • Balor traps Wyatt in the ring apron before viciously assaulting him
  • Balor nails Wyatt in the back of the head with a Coup De Grace

Winner- Finn Balor

Grade- B

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Ambrose and Rollins vs The Bar

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In my humble opinion, this was definitely match of the night. These four men had chemistry like no one else on the show did, leading to an incredible tag match with well executed high spots everywhere. This is exactly the type of showing that the Tag-Team Division needed.

Between Cesaro’s mouth exploding into a pile of lost teeth and a bloody gash worthy of stitches, and Ambrose not caring in the least bit about his body, this match was ridiculously entertaining. The Bar looked strong while losing and Ambrose and Rollins were able to successfully move onto the next chapter of their reign as Tag Champs.

Highlights-

  • Cesaro Swings Ambrose into the steel steps
  • Ambrose Slingshots Cesaro into the ring post busting Cesaro open and knocking out several teeth
  • Cesaro savagely Uppercuts Rollins in mid-air after a throw by Sheamus
  • Cesaro Powerbombs Ambrose from the top rope onto Rollins
  • Sheamus Brogue Kicks Cesaro before eating Rollins’ Knee and a Dirty Deeds

Winners- Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose

Grade- A

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Raw Women’s Championship Fatal 5-Way

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I gotta admit, this way far better than I expected it to be. Most of the match was spent attempting to beat up Jax as she constantly shrugged off opponents, and Alexa trying to pick up the scraps for a cheap win. However, there was more to this match than that as every competitor came fractions of a second from victory leaving a chaotic scene for us fans.

Bliss won clean as a whistle here, only skyrocketing her already unbelievable momentum. She’s getting better and better every time we see her and before we know it, Alexa may be on of WWE’s best all around competitors. Even the underdogs Emma and Bayley looked strong here.

Highlights- 

  • Bliss attempts a float over DDT but is shut down by Jax and slammed hard
  • Jax hits Bliss and Banks with a Samoan Drop at the same time
  • Bayley and Emma Powerbomb Jax onto her head on the floor after simultaneous kicks from Banks and Bliss

Winner- Alexa Bliss

Grade- B+

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John Cena vs Roman Reigns

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Bear with me, I’m about to rant… and no, it isn’t because Roman won.

It’s no secret that I’m anti Roman Reigns, and until recently I was even anti Cena. This match could have been so much more, but instead, Cena’s joking antics and overselling at the beginning of the match hurt the big fight feel. As chants of “You both suck” rained onto these two true superstars, Reigns hit Cena with the same slaps, side slams, and strikes that we see every day. Cena, after being maliciously beaten by Reigns, hit a total of ZERO moves before entering his famous 5 moves of Doom sequence. Come on, at least get some offense going before you begin your signature. Cena has proved to us in the recent years that he can at least wrestle better than we though he could, but this was a huge step backwards for him. And Reigns on the other hand… this did no favors for him.

He kicked out of 4 finishers! What the hell is even the point of a finishing move if you hit it four times, once from the top rope, one combo of two in a row, and another for good measure, if you just kick right out!?!? I’ve written entire articles just based on the fact that selling is slowly discrediting wrestling’s already sketchy credibility, and all it takes is one in-ring spear to put Cena away? How does that even remotely make any sense? We thought Cena was “Mr. Kick Out at 2”, but Reigns has officially taken over that moniker. With Cena recently putting over new talent and having one foot out the door, it made sense for Roman to win here, but after botching the announce table spot by landing on his head, and making Cena’s finisher look like a transitional hold, all I can do is shake my head in disbelief as a Wrestlemania worthy match was just flushed down the toilet by two capable performers.

Highlights- 

  • Cena throws Reigns into the steel steps, then Reigns throws Cena seconds later
  • Reigns punches Cena out of mid-air as he attempted his shoulder tackles
  • Reigns Powerbombs Cena in mid-air
  • Cena hits an AA off the second rope
  • Cena hits a two AA combo
  • Reigns Spears Cena through the Announce Table
  • Reigns cuts Cena in half with a Spear to win
  • Cena teases retirement after the match

Winner- Roman Reigns

Grade- C-

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Neville vs Enzo Amore

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Brace yourselves for another rant, as WWE has managed to turn a division with the best wrestlers on earth into a complete joke. How in the world did Enzo Amore knock off arguably the best Cruiserweight in the world? Enzo’s victory was not only dirty (kicking Neville below the belt), but Enzo clearly can’t handle himself as a singles star. Enzo is best suited in a Tag Team or a manager, but a singles star, and a Champion at that… give me a break. No disrespect to Enzo who I believe is one of the best Mic workers in the world right now, but Neville should NOT have lost this match.

Even if WWE plans on having Neville regain the Title, the “hot potato” effect comes into play, hurting the Title’s credibility. The only time Enzo looked good in this match was his flying DDT. Otherwise, Neville stole the show with his calculated strikes as expected.

Highlights-

  • Neville misses a Phoenix Splash from the second rope
  • Amore hits a beautiful, high impact Flying DDT
  • Amore hits Neville where it counts for the victory

Winner- Enzo Amore

Grade- D

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Braun Strowman vs Brock Lesnar

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No, this match wasn’t bad. At least not nearly as bad as everyone is saying. Yes though, they were capable of 10x more! Lesnar and Strowman were capable of a 15 minute, back and forth car wreck that would have been nothing short of a MOTY candidate, dare I say. Instead, Lesnar worked another 5-10 minute match, taking minimal bumps, kicking out of two finishers, and winning with one.

Explain to me how Strowman was completely fine, even no selling the fifth German Suplex delivered to him, yet couldn’t kick out of one F-5? Just a few months ago Braun was in an ambulance crash that apparently would have killed any human on earth, but no, not Braun because he’s the Monster Among Men.

Yes wrestling matches aren’t shoots, and no, I’m not trying to be a cocky smark, but the continuity, lack of any judgement, and complete absence of realistic human endurance to take damage is tainting wrestling today. Besides that, this match while it lasted was entertaining, so without ripping on it further, the two did their jobs as Braun looked like an absolute beast without winning the title.

Highlights- 

  • Strowman manhandles Brock early on, hitting a huge Chokeslam
  • Strowman No-Sells German Suplexes
  • Lesnar kicks out of two running Powerslams
  • Lesnar can’t pick up Strowman for the F-5 due to injury
  • Lesnar finally picks Strowman up for the F-5 to win

Winner- Brock Lesnar

Grade- B-

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