8 Big Concerns Heading Into WWE No Mercy 2017

7. Hot-Shotted To Death

Bray Wyatt Finn Balor
WWE.com

WWE have always been prone to hot-shotting their title belts throughout the modern era, but they've taken it to new extremes in 2017. Only three of the company's nine main roster champions have had their titles for over 100 days, with five holding gold for fewer than 35. This has left multiple divisions feeling like disorganised, fractured messes, and it has got to stop if the titles are to regain their lost prestige.

The Raw Women's, Cruiserweight, and Tag Team Titles are most at risk this weekend. The respective champions have each held their straps for 33 days or fewer, but there's a strong chance they could all change hands, particularly the Women's Title.

WWE needlessly booked an eight-day Sasha Banks run in August, breaking Alexa Bliss' lengthy reign for no apparent reason. The current champ will defend against 'The Boss', Nia Jax, Emma, and Bayley at No Mercy, but switching would only deal further damage to a division that highlighted much of Raw's programming in 2016. WWE's trigger happy approach diminishes both the belt-holder and the gold itself, as neither is given the chance to build a legacy, and the company would be wise to wait for Asuka's arrival before taking it away from Bliss.

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.