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No Mercy started off great this year, and we were certain that it would be one of the better pay-per-views that we'll see all through 2017. Unfortunately, it was a dud from the midpoint on, soon after the women's match.
The undercard delivered and the top of the card just seemed to phone it in, somehow. At the end of the pay-per-view, we thought it was neither a thumbs up or thumbs down show, but as thumbs in the middle as it gets.
Unfortunately, you remember a show by the finish, and thus we write this review with a bitter taste in our mouth. Let's look at the best and worst of No Mercy 2017.
Here's a summary of what went down at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, this week.
#1 Best: The women stepped it up
The most heartening thing about the Women's Revolution is that they always try to steal the show, on every given night. The women of RAW worked out some great spots and had, perhaps, the match of the night on the entire pay-per-view card.
Nia Jax was made to look like a monster, and the women, friends and foes alike, worked together to demolish her. Alexa Bliss' cunning ultimately won her the match. There are those on the internet who would dismiss the Women's division as being little more than a sideshow, and we were glad to see the women prove them wrong.
The women of SmackDown Live had a fabulous multi-woman match last week, and we're glad it inspired the women of RAW to up their in-ring work, as well.
Not everything on this show was nearly as good, unfortunately.
#1 Worst: Referees who do not count
We were not aware that the matches on No Mercy were No DQ matches, honestly. At two points during the night, the action went to the outside, and the referees should have ideally counted to 'ten', but they didn't.
When the table spot happened during the John Cena vs. Roman Reigns match, the referee never started counting, much to the amusement of fans.
The same was the case with the Enzo vs. Neville match as well, in which case the referee just suddenly stopped counting. If WWE were real, both matches would have been ruled 'no contests'. Unfortunately, our intelligence was insulted on both occasions, and we were treated to some questionable refereeing.
#2 Best: Great crowd
It is no surprise that the live attendance at WWE shows has been disappointing, of late. Thankfully, WWE made No Mercy feel like a big deal, and the audience showed up in big numbers.
All through the night, the audience had fun, and they were quite loud. Thankfully, no beach balls were brought out, and it was obvious that the crowd had only come down to have fun, and not interfere with the proceedings.
Maybe one pay-per-view a month is a better idea than two, WWE. It certainly feels the show feel much more special than usual. Let's hope this becomes a WWE tradition and the company does away with the two pay-per-views a month format.
#2 Worst: Braun Strowman loses all his momentum?
Unlike ten years ago, there are very few superstars on the roster who are 'over'. Strowman is a monster that WWE has built from scratch, and they had a chance to create a megastar by putting the belt on the man.
Sadly, it took only one F5 to squash the monster among men, and we wonder if it's an opportunity lost. Brock Lesnar is obviously a big draw, but Braun Strowman is a long-term investment for the company.
WWE could have created a new star at No Mercy, but they chose not to do so. We wonder if this will hurt them, in the long run.
One cannot argue that Braun Strowman needed this win far more than Brock Lesnar, at this stage.
#3 Best: Cesaro
During the course of the hard-hitting tag team championship match, Cesaro lost few teeth but still continued on with the match. And truthfully, what a match he had!
We commend the spirit of Cesaro, a man who personifies grit and perseverance to the absolute fullest. He embodies the spirit of the sports entertainer, a man or woman who risks life and limb for the art form we love, and yet is relegated to being called a 'fake sportsman'.
Cesaro was in great spirits on social media, as he made light of his dreadful injury. He is a man who doesn't just set the bar, but is the bar!
#3 Worst: Enzo Amore as Cruiserweight Champion
From the moment the first fists flew during the Cruiserweight Championship match, we knew that Enzo Amore was absolutely outclassed. The division is formed of perhaps the best workers in the company, and now their new champion is perhaps the worst worker in WWE.
We understand what WWE is hoping to achieve with Enzo as champion, and wonder if it makes sense. Enzo may cut some great promos, but when the bell rings, he is a terrible wrestler. Those who subscribe to the Network and watch 205 Live, also want explosive in-ring action.
We wonder if he's going heel, considering how Enzo is cheating to win his matches. Let's see how it plays out over the coming weeks on RAW and 205 Live.
#4 Best: A heartening sign
Continuity in storytelling is always a good thing, and we were glad to see that WWE has set the stage for RAW, with an interesting segment of Miz TV. We wonder if Roman Reigns and The Miz will feud next, and if so, it could make for rather interesting moments.
Will it lead to an eventual Shield reunion, as is being speculated online? We can only guess for now, but we're intrigued, and that's always a good thing.
Join us in a few hours, for the 'Best and Worst' of RAW, readers. May the Gods and Goddesses watch over us mortals.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
