Last weekend was an amazing weekend for professional wrestling. Between this event and AEW’s WrestleDream wrestling fans were in for a treat. There were a lot of match-of-the-year candidates in this event while also showing why NXT is on top of its game once again. So, let’s review No Mercy!
Bron Breakerr vs Baron Corbin:
The entrance game was on point for this one. Breakerr came out with a bulldog costume on his head in tribute to his dad while Corbin came out on a motorcycle in tribute to Ghost Rider. This match was the right way to kick off the card. From table spots to fighting all around the arena, and more this was a straight-up fight. Robert Stone caused the distraction to help Corbin pick up the win. Although this was to settle the score for what Breakerr did to his client Von Wagner, is Baron Corbin the newest client of the Robert Stone brand?
Winner: Baron Corbin
NXT North American Championship: Dominick Mysterio vs Trick Williams Special Guest Referee Dragon Lee:
I do not know what is worse, the fact Mustafa Ali was supposed to win this title before he was released, or the fact Williams only held this title for three days. The only thing I did not like about this match was the back-to-back ref bumps, especially since we had a special guest referee. Other than that fun match and hopefully Williams down the line gets a better championship reign that is longer than three days.
Winner: “And New” Trick Williams
Fatal Four Way for the NXT Tag Team Championships: The Family (Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo) vs OTM (Lucien Price and Bronco Nima) vs The Creed Brothers (Brutus and Julius Creed) vs Humberto Carillo and Angel Garza:
The comparisons between Garza and Carillo to the American Wolves make my ROH heart very full. Early on in the match, there was a scary injury angle involving D’Angelo, but meaning that he got back in the match I am going to assume that he is okay. I did not have high expectations for this match, but all four teams really delivered. The Creed Brothers looked like absolute stars and they should be the next tag team to be brought up to the main roster. The Family retains as they continue to ascend in the tag team division of NXT.
Winners: “And Still” The Family (Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo)
British Round Rules Match NXT Heritage Cup: Noam Dar vs Butch:
I am not a fan of technical wrestling by any means so I knew this was not going to be the match for me. If you are into that type of wrestling, this was a great match that showcased that style. Galius gets involved to cost Butch the cup and Dar retains. Looks like Butch is not done in NXT by any means.
Winner: “And Still” Noam Dar
NXT World Heavyweight Championship: Ilja Dragunov vs Carmello Hayes:
Hayes’s entrance was really cool. As Hayes was cutting a promo playing mind games with Dragunov, there were basketball jerseys that had all of the opponent’s names that Hayes has beaten since winning the NXT Championship. He really doesn’t miss especially with having an amazing entrance. This match was amazing. Great back and forth between two men who are the future of WWE. I am expecting that this will lead to the eventual split between Williams and Hayes as Dragunov goes on to have an amazing title run.
Winner: “And New” Ilja Dragunov
Extreme Rules Match NXT Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch vs Tiffany Stratton:
This by far was Stratton’s best match in her career. She gave Lynch a fight and really brought it to the champ. The match had everything. Tables, chairs, chains, barbie dolls, fire extinguishers, fighting all over the crowd, and more. I said in my predictions piece that this rightfully deserved the main event because of the storyline, but the match itself proved exactly why it went on last. Go out of your way to watch this one it certainly delivered.
Winner: “And Still” Becky Lynch
Overall:
The show top to bottom was absolutely amazing. All the matches hit and there was not one bad match on the card. NXT seems to be gaining a lot of momentum as we are closing out 2023 as they look to prove why they are one of the best companies on the planet. With the most stacked NXT episode in the history of the company next week, it should be interesting to see how NXT finishes out its year.
