10 WWE No Mercy 2016 Predictions

9. Curt Hawkins Gets Squashy

Wwe No Mercy 2016
WWE.com

After weeks and weeks of recycled Chuck Norris facts, Ace Ventura impersonations, and Main Event dark matches, Curt Hawkins’ is finally taking his act to SmackDown’s biggest stage. He’s been back on WWE’s payroll for a few months, but this Sunday marks Hawkins’ official return to televised competition and a chance to reestablish himself to an audience that hasn’t seen him in years.

There’s one problem, though: Hawkins doesn’t have an opponent yet.

His appearance is being marketed as “Curt Hawkins returns,” and while we know he’s going to wrestle, there’s no indication who it’s going to be against. With most of SmackDown’s roster occupied in other matches, it’s highly unlikely they’re going to give Hawkins a competitive clash, and WWE are probably going to want to give him a win on his re-debut.

Knowing this, it looks incredibly likely that they’ll set him up against one of those pesky “local talents.” Perhaps James Ellsworth, the chinless wonder himself, will step back inside a WWE ring and take a quick loss, or maybe it’ll be someone we’ve never heard of. Either way, the most likely outcome is that WWE give Hawkins a jobber to squash, and set his career revival off to a winning start.

Channel Manager
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.