On Sunday October 9th No Mercy returns to the WWE Network for the first time since 2008, this time however it will be a Smackdown exclusive event. It will be headlined but the highly anticipated Triple Threat WWE Championship match, it will no doubt be another addition to the fine matches that have taken place at the event. In the first of my monthly ‘Top Five‘ columns, I have looked back at the history of the event to try and narrow down the top 5 matches since the inception of the event in 1999. We start with a match that inspired a revolution in Tag Team wrestling.
1.) No Mercy 1999. Cleveland, Ohio. The Hardy Boyz vs Edge & Christian, Ladder Match
There were no tag team titles at stake, but what was at stake was the managerial services of Terri Runnells & $100,000. Both teams had been treading water in the mid card for the last year, being relatively new they had to earn their spot, so at No Mercy they not only earned their spot they kick started a revolution in WWE. Although both teams had exhibited what they could do on occasion, No Mercy gave them the stage to impress a global audience as well as WWE management. As WWE was nearing the new millennium the tag team division was on its knees, like recent years the focus had moved away from teams and onto individuals. Thankfully there was a new breed of wrestlers looking to make a name for themselves and risk everything in doing so. Upon watching the match again you realise how fresh and exciting their style was in late 1999, after years of generic tag teams like New Age Outlaws, Acolytes and LOD 2000, WWE fans were yearning for something different. For 15 minutes the two teams had the audience on their feet, they redefined the Ladder match concept and ushered in a new era for tag team wrestling in WWE.
2.) No Mercy 2000, Albany, New York, Kurt Angle vs The Rock, WWE(F) Championship Match
The new millennium was a big event for the WWE, after defeating WCW and establishing themselves as the No1 Wrestling Company in the world business was on the up. Over the course of the year the company introduced new talent and attempted to get new characters over, the cream of the crop was former Olympic gold medallist Kurt Angle. Having debut at the Survivor Series in 1999, Kurt more than anyone took the industry by storm, he ticked all the boxes, after only five months in the company he was an Intercontinental & European Champion. By the summer of 2000 Kurt was heavily involved in main event storylines, his interactions with Triple H, Stephanie and The Rock were the highlight of the year for WWE. With the return of Steve Austin in September, superstars were diverted to establish other feuds, that left Rock without a challenger, step forward Kurt Angle. Angle it seemed was ready, he had all the skills and within a year he had established himself as a top guy, the Rock forever the business man saw his own future evolving. The Rock’s selfless attitude and respect for the business allowed Angle to shine, during one match the Rock stepped aside and Angle cemented his position as one of the top superstars in the industry.
3.) No Mercy 2002, Arkansas, Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit vs Edge & Rey Mysterio, WWE Tag Team Championship
Just like Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon have done in 2016, Stephanie McMahon did 14 years prior in the autumn of 2002. After the inaugural brand split Smackdown was without recognised Tag Team Champs, therefore Stephanie McMahon in early September introduced the SD Tag Title tournament, set to culminate at No Mercy 2002. The tournament consisting of eight teams was the highlight of the Smackdown brand, the teams of Los Guerrero’s, Edge/Mysterio and Benoit/Angle literally lit up the WWE tag team division. It wasn’t only the matches that impressed but the backstage skits and promos were laugh out loud moments, the different dynamics and personalities involved guaranteed entertainment. The final was between Angle/Benoit vs Edge/Mysterio, it was an instant classic, for over twenty minutes the four future main eventers put on a clinic that has stood the test of time. The back and forth between both teams was magical, even brief comedy moments during the bout helped enhance the credibility of the contest. I think going in many favoured the face team of Edge & Rey, however WWE it seemed wanted to start off the tag division on SD with two of the top stars in the industry as champs. Chris and Kurt didn’t disappoint, they allowed the faces to shine while looking dominant also, and the match came to an end with Kurt’s patented Ankle Lock.
4.) No Mercy 2002, Arkansas, Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker, WWE Championship, Hell in a Cell
If there was one match that defined the first part of Brock Lesnar’s WWE career then surely this is it. This match could also be seen as the start of their near 15 year feud, at a time when WWE really needed to establish Brock Lesnar, Undertaker finally stood aside for the younger man. One month prior WWE was slaughtered for having Lesnar/Taker end as a double disqualification, at No Mercy they righted a wrong. Following the nonsensical ending to Unforgiven, WWE built towards the HIAC match remarkably well, they needed to. Lesnar the hottest prospect in 2002 required the proverbial rub from the Deadman, it was also at No Mercy where Brock proved himself worthy of the opportunity he had been handed. It is most memorable for the violent tone the match took once Lesnar took control, in his push to vanquish the Phenom Brock went to extreme lengths. H ripped off the Undertaker’s cast from his right hand, he then proceeded to cave in the Deadman’s skull with the steel steps, and it was that move that caused the bloodbath that ensued. As well as being one of their best matches, it can also be viewed as one of the greatest Hell in a Cell matches ever, it encapsulates everything the gimmick was intended to be. Following Lesnar’s win he was truly the headliner WWE thought he could be.
5.) No Mercy 2008, Portland, Oregon, Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels, World Heavyweight Title Ladder Match
You can’t argue that 2008 was the year of Chris Jericho, likened to the gimmick of Nick Bockwinkel, ‘Y2J’ completely reinvented himself and got the respect of fans and critics. In the Spring of 2008 he embarked upon a rivalry with Shawn Michaels, they had previously feuded in 2003, but now some years later they had both matured as competitors. From what started as a friendly rivalry turned seriously personal at Summerslam, at the event HBK was to announce his (storyline) retirement, Jericho forever the gloater made his way to the ring. In a face to face confrontation Chris accidently struck Shawn’s wife, this then heightened the seriousness of the feud, after viscous attacks and bloodshed this had to come to an end. As we approached No Mercy ‘Y2J’ became World Heavyweight Champion, therefore when the match was made Jericho’s title would be suspended above the ring, this made the last meeting between the two extra special. The match itself exceeded expectations, the matches prior to this set the tone but the finale to the feud stole the show, it firmly cemented itself as one of the best WWE matches ever. The feud and match enhanced the careers of both men and solidified Chris Jericho as a top player in the industry.
@Ciaran_Heel
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