10 Incredible Matches That Make No Mercy WWE’s Best Ever B-Show
1. Chris Jericho Vs. Shawn Michaels (2008)
If No Mercy 1999 saw the modernisation of the ladder match, Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels used their own experiences in the high risk environment to redefine how the original intention of the gimmick could be subverted for modern times.
A beautifully fitting payoff to 2008's best storyline (and one of the company's finest ever angles), the No Mercy World Title war between 'Y2J' and 'HBK' still remains one of the most underrated efforts in WWE history.
The story leading into it had been magnificent. After months of fighting, Shawn thought he had finally silenced Jericho at September's Unforgiven in their exhausting Unsanctioned Match, but the first ever Undisputed Champion would somehow end the night atop the pile after backdooring into, and winning, a multi-man 'Scramble' match for the World Title.
With some justification, Michaels believed he warranted a shot at the titleholder following the brutalisation that preceded Jericho's victory, and the stage was set one final time when General Manager Mike Adamle afforded the 'Heartbreak Kid' to name the stipulation.
With the ladder itself rarely acting as anything more than the quickest avenue towards the title until their mutual disdain got in the way, Jericho and Michaels exquisitely arranged a series of heart-stopping near-misses leading up to a gripping tug-o-war conclusion in which both men put their full weight behind bringing down the gold.
Never attempted before or since, the spot allowed Jericho to win with a lucky headbutt, and highlighted the meticulousness so few were capable of in such a nail-biting scenario.