411 PPV Preview: The Road to No Mercy PPV Preview

Posted by Leonard Hayhurst on 10.05.2007

A Turning Point Show for WWE

CANDICE MICHELL VS. BETH PHOENIX FOR THE WWE WOMEN'S TITLE

Background: Beth Phoenix won a battle royal at SummerSlam to earn a Women's Title shot by last eliminating Michelle McCool. The next night on RAW Phoenix was scheduled to face Maria, but the match never got underway as Phoenix made an example out of Maria to Women's Champion Candice Michelle. The following week saw a rematch that Phoenix won in short order. She then declared herself a Glamazon and hit Maria with a second fisherman's suplex post match. Candice ran out to make the save. On the last RAW Candice sat in on commentary as Mickie James fought Jillian Hall. James won. Phoenix then hit the ring and took out everybody moving, including Candice. At Unforgiven Phoenix beat on Candice, but she got a flash crucifix pin to retain her title.

On the September 17th RAW Candice and Micke James teamed up to defeat Jillian Hall and Melina. After the match Beth Phoenix appeared and begrudgingly gave Candice her Women's title belt. On September 24th Phoenix teamed with Shelton Benjamin to face Candice and Jeff Hardy. Benjamin and Hardy brawled off, allowing Phoenix to win with the fisherman's suplex.

Match Up: Candice got lucky against Phoenix last time, but it's hard to get lucky twice. Phoenix is single minded in her attack and that does leave her open to flash rollups, so Candice might be able to pull out the quick win. Candice needs to rely on her emerging ring generalship and speed to keep Phoenix at bay and vexed. The madder she gets, the more sloppy she will be.

Outcome: Phoenix has to pick up the belt here or go back down the ladder. Candice Michelle already has a title shot in the bank with the angle of her agreeing to go out with Hornswaggle. This would seem to mean that Candice would retain. Phoenix could be moved on to a decent feud with Mickie James. Phoenix just isn't as over as Candice, despite having a unique look and gimmick for the women's division.

FINLAY VS. REY MYSTERIO

Background: JBL interviewed Rey Mysterio in the ring on the September 25th Smackdown. JBL and Rey re-ignited their old rivalry by getting into it. Finlay made the save by knocking out Mysterio with his shillelagh. The next week Finlay attacked Mysterio to draw him a DQ win against the Great Khali. Batista made the save. .

Match Up: Finlay and Mysterio are a mismatch of styles. Mysterio likes to go the air,
Finlay to the mat. Finlay mixes brawling and technical expertise well that should give him the early advantage. Mysterio will want to keep his feet under him and use his speed and agility to mount his unorthodox offense. Rey can't let Finlay control the match and get into a groove. The faster the tempo, the better for Rey.

Outcome: This is just a reason to get Mysterio on the pay per view. Their styles might now mesh, but Finlay can blend with just about anybody and is the ultimate utility player on Smackdown. Look for Rey to go over strong.

TRIPLE H VS. UMAGA

Background: Vince McMahon was the special guest on Carlito's Cabana on August 27th. Triple H interrupted the show and stated he knew who the mother of Vince's illegitimate son was. He then trotted out four candidates, including Carlito's sister. Carlito got fed up with Triple H and spat apple in his face. Triple H hit Carlito with the Pedigree. On the September 3rd RAW Carlito was booked to face Triple H, but Vince McMahon changed it to a handicap match with Umaga on Carlito's team. The match quickly broke down with the heels getting disqualified. Triple H avoided a buttalanche with a chair and then used a second chair to take out Umaga and Carlito. Umaga proved a tough nut to crack, so Hunter finally felled him with the sledgehammer. On the September 10th RAW Carlito was able to choose anyone he wanted to face Triple H. He went with Shelton Benjamin. Triple H won the bout. Coach then declared that the Unforgiven match with Carlito would be no disqualification, but for Carlito only.

Triple H overcame the odds and beat Carlito at No Mercy. Triple H continued to vex Vince McMahon while Carlito served as a pawn between them. McMahon was slated to face Triple H on October 1st. McMahon had three men in the ring to face off against him as a tune up. One was a sumo wrestler, one a karate master and one an amateur wrestler. However, instead of fighting Vince, the returning Umaga decimated them. In the later match Carlito served as special guest referee. McMahon won by DQ when Triple H low blowed Carlito. Umaga ran out and destroyed Triple H. Carlito knocked Triple H to the floor, which was not a good idea as it allowed him to retrieve his sledgehammer. Vince calls Umaga off and they exited.

Match Up: Umaga owes Triple H big time, but the last RAW showed that he might be scared of that sledgehammer. As the cerebral assassin, Hunter knows how to use the specter of the hammer to keep Umaga on his heels and off his game. Triple H needs to control the match and not let Umaga use his awesome power to beat him up. Hunter can hang with most men in the power game, but not Umaga. He will want to fall back on his wrestling prowess and ring generalship to control the ebb and flow. This is the classic battle of brains over brawn.

Outcome: Triple H buried Carlito at the last pay per view and will probably do the same to Umaga here. A win by Umaga would do him wonders while not hurting Triple H. Especially if he's immediately moved into a WWE title program with Randy Orton. This match might not go down as planned with the WWE title being vacant. Triple H will probably go over no matter the circumstance.

THE UNDERTAKER AND KANE VS. MVP AND MATT HARDY FOR THE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM TITLES

Background: On the last Smackdown MVP and Matt Hardy continued to butt heads as mismatched tag team partners. Porter tried to get a match for Hardy with Undertaker out Vicki Guerrero as acting general manager. Instead she booked MVP and Hardy to put their titles on the line against the Brothers of Desctruction.

Match Up: Hardy and Porter have held onto the tag titles despite themselves. This might end here as they will need to be on the same page against the Brothers of Destruction. Kane and Undertaker have held the belts before and work well as a team. The last time they teamed regularly they faced MVP several times. Look for the challengers to try and single out Porter, but he'll run to tag Hardy the first chance he gets and then stay out of the ring. Look for Hardy to work the bulk of the match. If anyone has the heart and stamina to survive the wrath of the Big Red Machine and the Deadman, it's Hardy. However, making the hot tag won't do him any good if there is no one there on the apron for him to tag, or at least can trust to have his back.

Outcome: Undertaker and Kane are both running in place on Smackdown, although Undertaker can easily be put back into the World Title chase. MVP and Hardy need to get back to feuding over the US Title and this tag partnership has been one, convoluted tangent. Deuce ‘n Domino have sorrowfully had most of their heat killed and there aren't many other teams left on Smackdown. A super team like Kane and Undertaker could drum up some interest in the flagging tag division, but they still don't have anyone to defend against. Look for the brothers to win by DQ or count out as Porter turns on Hardy.

CM PUNK VS. BIG DADDY V FOR THE ECW TITLE

Background: On the September 18th ECW on Sci-Fi Elijah Burke demanded a title rematch against CM Punk, even though he lost at Unforgiven. Kevin Thorn, Tommy Dreamer and Stevie Richards appeared to claim a title shot themselves. ECW general manager Armando Estrada promptly booked an elimination chase for a title shot at No Mercy. The ensuing fourway dance saw Burke steal the pin over Richards to eliminate him. On September 25th Burke stole another pin to get rid of Thorn. Elsewhere, Punk had words with Matt Striker. This led to a non-title match between the two with Punk winning. However, V attacked Punk post match and left him lying with a clothesline and Samoan Drop. On the followed ECW Punk knew he needed to focus on his coming title defense, but couldn't get V out of his head. V and Striker appeared on the Titantron. Striker said he wouldn't send V after him until they were in the ring for the ECW Title. Punk then beat Mike Knox in a match. In the finals of the elimination chase, Dreamer got a surprise win over Burke. Estrada then appeared and added V to the chase as a final combatant. Dreamer gave it a go, but was easily mangled and pinned by V.

Match Up: V has destroyed Punk in the past. V will go into the match overconfident. He does have Striker guiding him, but Striker is all ego and overconfidence himself. Punk doesn't know to back up and that will cost him. If he tries to go toe to toe with V he will be beaten badly. Punk will need to stick and move while keeping one eye on Striker. It's a daunting task, but if Punk is the future of ECW he will need to achieve the task to prove himself.

Outcome: The Elimination Chase was made a joke on the last ECW when V swooped in and stole the title shot. While V and Punk is the most viable match up for ECW, it probably would have been built better if the match between Dreamer and Punk was a no contest due to interference from V. That then would have set up a secondary feud between Striker and Dreamer. Punk will most likely retain by DQ or count out. John Morrison is supposedly back from suspension and could come into play.

BATISTA VS. THE GREAT KHALI FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE IN A PUNJABI PRISON MATCH

Background: On the July 6th Smackdown Edge threatened to leave, because he didn't have anything to do. Teddy Long told him he had a major guest for him for the Cutting Edge. It turned out to be Kane. Edge admitted that Kane had a decade of destruction, but we spawned the Rated R Era. Kane attacked Edge. He ran off and straight into Long who booked him against Kane for the Great American Bash. Earlier in the night Khali made an open challenge to anyone to face him at the Bash. No one answered he so beat up everything that moved until Batista finally took the challenge. On July 13th, Khali's translator tried to get the match canceled, but it was no dice. Long later hosted a contract signing. Khali refused to shake Batista's hand, so he slapped him. Elsewhere, Edge planned for a Mardi Gras styled party. He kept sensing Kane was everywhere and he was right. During the party Edge felt that the queen figure was Kane and speared him. It turned out he was dressed as the king and Kane attacked. This led to an injury that made Edge vacate the title the following. A battle royal was held to crown a new champion. The Great Khali won by dumping Kane and Batista at the same time in the end. A singles match was then held between the two for the title shot at GAB. It ended in a no contest, so both men got the shot. At the Bash Khali broke up a cover by Batista on Kane and then Tree Slammed Kane to score the win.

Batista defeated Deuce on the Smackdown for July 27th. The show ended with Khali celebrating his title reign with a party in the ring. Punjab dancers performed and showered him with flowers. Batista interrupted the celebration and asked for a one on one title match. Khali refused. Batista speared him. Khali's translator backed him out of the ring before anything further could happen. On August 3rd Batista and Ric Flair teamed up against Deuce and Domino. Khali came out to draw Batista's attention, but he still defeated the tag champs. Khali attacked Flair and knocked him out with the iron claw. Batista defeated Domino in a singles match on August 10th. Khali defeated Flair with the claw in the main event. Batista tried to make the save, but was clawed too. On the August 17th show Batista complained about Khali in the ring. Khali then appeared on the Titantron and crushed a basketball with his hand to show his mastery of the claw hold. Khali defeated Kane with the Iron Claw to close the show. On Saturday Night's Main Event Kane and Batista faced Khali and Finlay. Khali took a double team choke slam and Finlay was pinned with a Demonbomb. Batista fought Finlay on the next Smackdown until Khali interfered, but he fought both men off. At SummerSlam Khali hits Batist with the chair to be disqualified. Elsewhere on the show, Rey Mysterio returned to WWE by defeating Chavo Guerrero.

On Smackdown for August 31st Teddy Long booked a championship competition to find a new challenger for Khali. In the first match Finlay defeated Kane with a shillelagh shot behind the referee's back. In the second match between Mysterio and Batista, Finlay attempted to get involved. Batista took a chair from Finlay, but refused to give it to the referee and was disqualified. In the finals Mysterio beat Finlay. Khali came out to attack, but Batista made the save. On the September 27th Smackdown Batista and Kane squared off with Finlay and Khali. Kane pinned Finlay to win. In the main event Chavo and Rey had a rematch of their infamous I Quit match. Rey won this time by bashing Chavo's knee with a chair. Khali then attacked Rey by putting him in the Vice Grip. Batista made the save again. Long then added Batista to the Unforgiven match. On the following Smackdown Batista won by DQ again when Khali would not release his claw hold, even though Batista was on the ropes. At Unforgiven, Mysterio and Batista teamed up to take Khali down. Batista broke up a pin by Mysterio and pinned Khali after a spinebuster to win back the World Title.

Batista's celebration was short lived on the following Smackdown as he had to announce that the Great Khali was cashing in his mandatory rematch at No Mercy in a Punjabi Prison match. Mark Henry then came out and challenged Batista to a match. Batista won that by disqualification when Khali attacked for a severe beating. On the September 28th Smackdown Batista said he was not scared of Khali, despite being on his turf in a Punjabi Prison match. Batista is really an animal when he's caged. Khali retorted through his translator that he would destroy Batista. The two exchanged words on the next Smackdown. Khali lost to Rey Mysterio later on when Finlay interfered. Batista made the save.

Match Up: This is Khali's pet match and this gives him a big advantage. He'll know how to work the stip and what to do inside the confines of the Punjabi Prison. He should attack Batista hard and fast before he can get his bearing. Batista can use the elements of the cage as weapons and hiding places. He should make the lumbering Khali chase him down. Batista will want to fight Khali head on, but engaging him in a game of cat and mouse will be smarter.

Outcome: The last Punjabi Prison match was a mess and this one should be too. It wouldn't make much sense for Batista to win the title only to drop it back to Khali. Despite the stipulation, looks for a wonky finish to set up a bigger match for the next pay per view. The proposed match for Cyber Sunday has Undertaker and Mary Henry being added with a special guest referee. This could move Batista back into unfinished feuds with Henry or Undertaker. Khali will most likely slide back down the card after that. Look for Batista to retain here.

TO BE ANNOUNCED WWE TITLE MATCH

Background: Originally for No Mercy John Cena was set to defend the WWE Title against Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing match. Cena had his right pectoral muscle torn in a match on the last RAW against Ken Kennedy. Cena is projected to be out of commission for six months to a year. On the last ECW on Sci-Fi Vince McMahon announced that Cena would be stripped of the title and that a match would be held at No Mercy to fill the vacancy.

Outcome: No official announcement has been made on the match at the time of this writing. A lot of rumors are flying. Possible matches include Randy Orton vs. Triple H, Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. Umaga, Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton vs. The Undertaker. Ken Kennedy could be in there. John Morrison of ECW is coming off of suspension. Several wrestlers might be returning to WWE at No Mercy such as Chris Jericho, Ric Flair and King Booker. Any plans will most likely have Orton involved, but his opponent could mean if he wins or not. Triple H and Undertaker would most likely go over him. Flair could use his leverage to get a last title run. There are a lot of interesting options out there.