WWE No Mercy 2016: Predicting Match Card, Most Likely Swerves at PPV

WWE has increased its pay-per-view load to 19 shows a year, so it makes sense to bring back another retired concept like No Mercy to fill the gap.

The Oct. 9 show will be the second SmackDown PPV since the brand extension, and considering the mixed response Backlash received on social media, the company will be looking to improve with No Mercy.

All four of SmackDown's champions have been booked to defend their titles already, so all management has to do is fill up the rest of the show with matches fans want to see.

In order to create some buzz, WWE will need to do something unexpected in one of its big matches. This slideshow will offer predictions for each bout, along with some ways the show might be able to surprise the WWE Universe.

Additions to the Card

According to WWE.com, the only matches officially booked for No Mercy feature SmackDown's champions defending their titles, but this is supposed to be a three-hour event with a one-hour pre-show. There needs to be at least three more contests added to fill it out.

Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt is an obvious addition at this point, especially after how much time they were given across multiple segments Tuesday night.

Carmella and Natalya have been in a feud with Nikki Bella and Naomi in recent weeks, so having two of them in a singles bout or all four in a tag team match would make a good addition to the show.

Then there's all the people who aren't doing much at the moment. Guys like Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Jack Swagger or any one of the other tag teams in the division would benefit from a spot on the card.

Curt Hawkins has yet to make his televised return, and if WWE is considering giving him a real push, a win at No Mercy would get him off to a good start.

The blue brand has a great roster with a lot of talented competitors, so it shouldn't be difficult to add a few good matches, even if there isn't much of a storyline behind them.

Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss

Alexa Bliss has been making the most out of every opportunity she has been given since being called up to the main roster, and her hard work has paid off in the form of a title match.

It's unlikely Becky Lynch will lose the belt a month after winning it, but being front and center in the championship scene raises Bliss' profile.

Bliss has athleticism to spare and a good understanding of heel psychology at such a young age. It's not always easy to see, but she does so many little things to make her character more convincing.

The women's division has set a high standard for big matches over the past year, so at this point the winner is less important than the overall quality of the match.

Prediction: Becky Lynch retains

Possible Swerve: If WWE wanted to shake things up and shock the audience, having Bliss win the title would be a great way to do it. She might not be as ready as some of the other women on the SmackDown roster, but sometimes it's better to put the title on someone who needs a boost instead of keeping it on someone who is established as one of the top stars of the division.

The Usos vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno

Ever since The Usos turned heel, they have been on fire. Their work in the ring has been refreshed by their new heel tactics, and their overall attitude makes them seem like a completely different tag team.

Unfortunately, it's too early to take the titles off Heath Slater and Rhyno. They have only been champions for a few weeks, and it wouldn't be fair to Slater's wife and kids.

Management is finally rewarding Slater with a good run after years of being a jobber and comedy character. The fans have gotten behind The One-Man Rock Band, so having him lose the tag titles so quickly would be counterproductive to his push.

The Usos will definitely be tag team champions again at some point, but it's not the right time yet.

Prediction: Slater and Rhyno retain

Possible Swerve: WWE has put a lot of time and effort into Slater over the past few months, so it would be unexpected if he and Rhyno were to lose the belts so soon after winning them. Equally surprising would be Rhyno attacking his partner after they lose, turning heel and starting a singles feud between the two.

The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler

With the influx of new talents in recent years, it's great to see WWE giving two veterans like The Miz and Dolph Ziggler such a prominent feud. In fact, theirs is the only storyline currently running where each competitor has more than a decade of main-roster experience.

We have seen how they are friends in real life on an episode of Ride Along, and their familiarity has brought out the best in each other recently.

The Miz is proving how good he really is on the mic, while Ziggler's downward spiral has given him a chance to be more than just The Showoff.

Their encounter on Tuesday's SmackDown was the best segment from the past week and one of the best we have seen in quite some time. Both men hit exactly the right notes with their promos and helped make the IC title look as important as any other belt in WWE.

Considering Ziggler put up his career against the Intercontinental Championship, the most likely outcome to their match at No Mercy is The Showoff winning the title for a fifth time.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler wins

Possible Swerve: We are operating under the assumption that Ziggler will remain with the company after No Mercy, but what if he is planning on taking a hiatus? Just imagine how much heat The Miz would get for sending a fan favorite to the unemployment line. Then, in a few months, Ziggler can return as a member of The Raw roster and start fresh.

AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose vs. John Cena

The WWE Championship feud featuring AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose and John Cena will definitely produce a great main event at No Mercy, but the outcome might be a little too predictable.

Styles, like Slater, Rhyno and Lynch, has been champion less than a month. It's doubtful WWE would go to all the trouble of pushing him so hard just to have him drop the belt during his first PPV title defense.

Cena has made it clear he is looking to tie and eventually beat Ric Flair's record for 16 world titles, but it's not the right time for him to reach such an important milestone. Something like that should be saved for a big event like WrestleMania or SummerSlam.

Ambrose's reign as champion left a lot to be desired. He is clearly better when he is in pursuit mode, which is why it wouldn't be the best move to have him reclaim the WWE Championship so soon.

Prediction: AJ Styles retains

Possible Swerve: Styles will be champion more than once during his WWE career, so it might not matter so much if his first reign only lasts a month. If management wanted to drum up some press and make a B-level event seem more important, having Cena win No. 16 would do the trick.

What are your predictions for No Mercy? Which one of these possible swerves would you like to see the most?

Thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter @BR_Doctor.