10 WWE No Mercy 2016 Predictions

7. Heartbreak For Slater & Rhyno

Wwe No Mercy 2016
WWE.com

What a ride it’s been for Heath Slater. The “free agent” saga effectively concluded at Backlash when he and Rhyno defeated The Usos to win the tag tournament, become SmackDown Tag Champions, and, most importantly, win Heath a full-time contract (and that above ground pool, obviously).

The Usos weren’t best pleased with the outcome, however. Recent weeks have seen them isolate and injure the knees of all who stand before them, and having successfully derailed American Alpha’s momentum, the champions are next on their hitlist. The Samoans have been reborn as vicious, opportunistic heels, and on Sunday, they’ll look to overcome the affable champions by any means necessary.

As heartening and entertaining as Heath’s story has been, this stage isn’t built to last. The guy’s been an underdog throughout the bulk of his WWE run, and with The Usos looming, it’s likely he’ll be knocked from his perch once more. Don’t expect SmackDown’s writers to abandon the Heath Slater project just yet, though: we’re predicting he’ll lose, but the latest rumours suggest a long-term push up the card for the One Man Band, starting with a Rhyno heel turn.

Expect Jimmy and Jey to win the belts, setting up multi-month feud between them and American Alpha, who still have a bone to pick with The Usos.

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.