WWE No Mercy 2016: Early Predictions for Matches on the Card

Only three matches are scheduled for WWE SmackDown's next brand-exclusive pay-per-view on Sunday, No Mercy, but all the signs point to another fascinating show.

After the huge success of Backlash, the company's first foray into pay-per-views for each individual show, hopes are high that No Mercy can also deliver.

With AJ Styles set to defend his WWE World Championship in a fascinating Triple Threat match, a women's match that accentuates the roster's depth and a tag title match that illustrates how SmackDown is making a success of its available talent, there is plenty to be excited about.

With more matches in the works, it's easy to predict that SmackDown's early dominance following the brand split will continue.

Here's what we can expect from the matches that are already confirmed for No Mercy.

Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss

The Lass Kicker looks to kick off her reign as the SmackDown women's champion with a victory against the division's real surprise package. 

When Alexa Bliss emerged through the field to become the contender for Lynch's title, it came as a major shock, given the more experienced talent on the show.

However, Bliss has developed into a strong contender and plays the part of the diminutive heel well. 

Whether she has enough to beat Lynch, however, remains to be seen. The feud feels like it has plenty of distance left to run, and after the hard work the champion has put in over the last year or so, she deserves an extended run as the dominant force on SmackDown.

Judging by the last few weeks, Bliss' time will come. Just not yet.

Prediction: Becky Lynch

Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. The Usos

The SmackDown tag division has been one of the brightest and best things about the blue brand of late.

The success of the Heath Slater storyline has been a big part of that, but so too has the heel turn from The Usos.

They have taken to working as different characters and have a real edge about them, which automatically makes them a threat to Heath Slater and Rhyno at No Mercy.

The question is, how long can the champions keep hold of the belts?

It depends on what WWE does with Slater. If he and Rhyno turn on each other, then something could happen as soon No Mercy.

But it's more likely that WWE will have American Alpha get involved in this match, costing The Usos and keeping the division wide open.

Prediction: Heath Slater and Rhyno

AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose vs. John Cena

Will the champ who runs the camp keep hold of the WWE World Championship at No Mercy? If he doesn't, then it would have to rank as a major surprise.

Yes, Dean Ambrose's hunt for revenge needs to have an end game and a positive result. And it's great to see John Cena's hunt for a record-equaling 16th world title keep going and be incorporated into storylines.

But both of those quests should be made to wait. Styles deserves the right to hold onto the title for a lengthy period, and WWE should save a Cena win for the strap for a big pay-per-view such as Royal Rumble or WrestleMania.

There is only one logical solution, and that is Styles going over clean. WWE has rewarded him with some big victories thus far during his SmackDown career, and another one here will cement him at the top of the division.

Prediction: AJ Styles