10 WWE No Mercy 2016 Predictions

1. SmackDown Cement Their Dominance

Wwe No Mercy 2016
WWE.com

SmackDown’s Backlash was a less than stellar card that over-delivered to produce one of 2016’s most enjoyable pay-per-views.

Raw’s Clash of Champions was an excellent looking card that didn’t live up to its potential, and left fans largely disappointed.

Coincidence? Absolutely not.

Raw might have a more exciting troupe of in-ring performers, but the Brand Split has done little to solve its pre-Draft problems, and the show remains largely unchanged. Clash’s in-ring action was solid, but the show was marred by a number of baffling booking choices that sucked the life out of everything, and ultimately failed as a spectacle.

SmackDown, meanwhile, continue presenting a highly enjoyable weekly show characterised by strong characters and smart storytelling. There are a few exceptions, but most of SmackDown’s roster feel genuinely important, and Backlash was a triumphant first solo PPV.

Look for this pattern to continue throughout the year. Raw and SmackDown’s first PPVs reflected the direction that each brand has taken since the Draft, and while SD remains second in the ratings, No Mercy will firmly establish their status as WWE’s strongest brand.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.