WWE NXT No Mercy 2023 is coming up this Saturday and before the event takes place, let’s run down everything you need to know about the upcoming pay-per-view.
Who is scheduled for the card? How interesting does the show seem? What’s going to happen with all the matches?
Here is a full preview of WWE NXT No Mercy 2023.
PPV EVENT INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET (pre-show), 8 p.m. ET (main show)
Location: Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California
MATCH CARD, PREDICTIONS & HEAT INDEX ANTICIPATION LEVELS
(as currently advertised; card is always subject to change)
Temperature Scale = Scorching > Hot > Lukewarm > Temperate > Chilly > Cold > Freezing
Heat Index is my assessment of how interesting the segment is, including how excited I am for the match and how intriguing the feud has been. The hotter, the better. Scorching translates to not being able to wait to see it, while Freezing means I couldn’t possibly care less and think it will be awful.
NXT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Carmelo Hayes wins.
Thoughts: I’m ALMOST Lukewarm on this, because we’ve seen it recently and there’s no gimmick to freshen it up. However, I do think they’ll have a good match and there’s a chance for a title change. Whether that happens or not entirely depends on if WWE wants to pull the trigger on the Melo vs Trick feud. Then, Williams comes out to “support” Hayes, inadvertently costs him the match, or willingly turns heel on him. I do think Hayes is going to retain, if I had to pick a definitive prediction, but I’m only about 60/40 on that. A heel Dragunov as the champion could be an interesting enough transition to the next phase.
EXTREME RULES MATCH FOR THE NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: Becky Lynch wins.
Thoughts: Points for making this an Extreme Rules match. That’s at least not doing the repeat generic match concept. But it doesn’t reach Hot levels because I just expect this to mostly be a kendo sticks type of match and not anything super fantastic. Stratton isn’t winning that title back, either, so there isn’t too much intrigue here. I’m frankly more interested in what’s going to happen with the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament in comparison.
NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Trick Williams
* Special Guest Referee Dragon Lee *
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Dominik Mysterio wins.
Thoughts: This one has me intrigued. The whole Mustafa Ali storyline was convoluted for the past few months. When they switched over to Dom, instead of the Wes Lee vs Mustafa Ali vs Tyler Bate thing, that Dragon Lee somehow got into, and then, Dragon Lee was feuding with Dom, but he’s STILL feuding with Dom despite having lost matches, and then, Trick’s just randomly inserted here…but Lee is special guest referee? Huh? Dom did a fast count to help Ali and then started feuding with him. Lee can’t really do a fast count to help Dom. But is he going to do one for Trick? That makes Trick look weak, particularly after he just fell into the pin to win this title shot in the first place. All of this confusion has pique my curiosity. I could definitely see Trick winning the title, but since that’s a little too easy, and this storyline has been far from a straight line, I’m going with Dom somehow retaining to set up Trick being upset. Maybe Lee gets taken out of the match somehow by either Trick accidentally or Dom on purpose, and that sets up Dom vs Lee in one more match.
NXT HERITAGE CUP MATCH:
Noam Dar vs. Butch
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: Butch wins.
Thoughts: Give the cup to Butch. I like Noam Dar, but I doubt he’s going to do anything with it that we haven’t already seen. Having Butch on NXT for a while helps with that main roster pull for the ratings, especially since Ali and Dana Brooke are gone now. Plus, Butch can drop it to Charlie Dempsey, whereas who would be the next in line if it stays on Dar?
SINGLES MATCH:
Baron Corbin vs. Bron Breakker
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Bron Breakker wins.
Thoughts: Had they not done the injury angle with Von Wagner, I would think he would interfere in this and cost Breakker. That could still happen, mind you. But since they made it seem like he would be out for a long while, I don’t think Wagner’s stepping in here. Breakker just wins outright, I guess, since Corbin’s mostly there to put people over rather than be the focal point himself. They’ve done enough to sell me on this match by having their verbal shots turn into backstage brawls.
NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (c) vs. The Creed Brothers vs. Los Lotharios vs. OTM
Heat Index = Temperate
Prediction: Tony D’Angelo and Stacks wins.
Thoughts: Well, I wouldn’t say this is my favorite lineup for a Fatal 4-Way in the tag team division, but it’ll be worth a segment. It speaks volumes that they didn’t think Los Lotharios were interesting enough on their own to get a solo title shot, and that they’re fans enough of OTM to immediately put them into the title picture. Maybe that means OTM wins? I don’t think it would be The Creed Brothers or Angel and Humberto. But I’m going to stick with Tony D and Stacks retaining because it could go to the other teams in a 2-on-2 match down the line. Now can we talk about that food they were eating? Madon!
SINGLES MATCH:
Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan
Heat Index = Freezing
Prediction: Blair Davenport wins.
Thoughts: Yeah…nobody cares. Sorry girls. This is a pre-show match that shouldn’t even be on the card. They didn’t even bother to announce it on NXT. It came out after the episode on social.
OVERALL PPV:
How excited am I for the event as a whole?
Heat Index = Hot
Thoughts: Overall, this has potential to be not only a fun set of matches (generally speaking), but also some title changes that could alter the landscape. I’m down for that type of an event. It’s not the best lineup I’ve ever seen, nor will it compare to TakeOver events in the past or anything of that ilk, but it’ll likely do its job.
What do you think is going to happen at WWE NXT NO MERCY? Which matches are you most excited to see? Keep the discussion going in the comments below!
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WWE NXT No Mercy 2023 is set to take place this Saturday, and fans are eagerly anticipating the event. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive preview of the pay-per-view, including the match card, predictions, and anticipation levels for each match.
The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023. The pre-show will start at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the main show at 8 p.m. ET. The event will be held at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California.
Let’s take a closer look at the match card and provide predictions for each match:
1. NXT Championship Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov
Heat Index: Hot
Prediction: Carmelo Hayes wins
This match has the potential to be a great encounter, although it lacks a fresh gimmick. Carmelo Hayes is expected to retain the title, but there is a possibility of a title change if WWE wants to further the feud between Hayes and Trick.
2. Extreme Rules Match for the NXT Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton
Heat Index: Lukewarm
Prediction: Becky Lynch wins
While the addition of an Extreme Rules stipulation adds some excitement to the match, it is unlikely that Tiffany Stratton will regain the title. The focus may shift to the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament instead.
3. NXT North American Championship Match: “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Trick Williams (Special Guest Referee: Dragon Lee)
Heat Index: Hot
Prediction: Dominik Mysterio wins
This match has an intriguing storyline, with Trick Williams being inserted into the title picture. There is a possibility of Trick winning the title, but it is more likely that Dominik Mysterio will retain and set up a future feud with Trick or Dragon Lee.
4. NXT Heritage Cup Match: Noam Dar vs. Butch
Heat Index: Lukewarm
Prediction: Butch wins
This match is expected to be won by Butch, as it would help elevate his status on NXT and provide a main roster pull for ratings.
5. Singles Match: Baron Corbin vs. Bron Breakker
Heat Index: Hot
Prediction: Bron Breakker wins
Bron Breakker is expected to win this match, as Baron Corbin’s role is primarily to put over younger talent. The verbal shots and backstage brawls have built anticipation for this encounter.
6. NXT Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way Match: Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (c) vs. The Creed Brothers vs. Los Lotharios vs. OTM
Heat Index: Temperate
Prediction: Tony D’Angelo and Stacks win
While this may not be the most exciting lineup for a Fatal 4-Way tag team match, it is still expected to be an entertaining segment. Tony D’Angelo and Stacks are likely to retain the titles, with potential future title matches against the other teams.
7. Singles Match: Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan
Heat Index: Freezing
Prediction: Blair Davenport wins
This pre-show match has received little attention and is not expected to have a significant impact on the event. Blair Davenport is predicted to win.
Overall, WWE NXT No Mercy 2023 has the potential to be an enjoyable event with some possible title changes that could shake up the NXT landscape. While it may not reach the level of past TakeOver events, it is still anticipated to deliver entertaining matches for fans to enjoy.
What are your thoughts on WWE NXT No Mercy? Which matches are you most excited to see? Share your predictions and join the discussion in the comments below!