Lest We Forget: WWE No Mercy 2006

WWE No Mercy 2006
From The RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina
October 8, 2006

The opening video hypes the three challengers to King Booker’s throne; Bobby Lashley, Finlay, and Batista.

PYRO~! This venue seems really small for a pay-per-view.

Non-Title Match: Gregory Helms vs. Matt Hardy

Both of these guys originate from North Carolina, so this is a cool way to kick things off. I don’t think the fans wanted to boo Helms, but they didn’t want to cheer him because he’s a heel, so he got a painfully quite reaction. After Hardy gets the best of the first exchange, Helms starts to heel it up and draws the ire of the fans. We get lots of even mat wrestling to kick things off. Helms eventually becomes more aggressive and takes control. However, Hardy cuts him off with a suplex. Hardy clothesline Helms to the floor and follows up with a plancha! Hardy pounds away with a ten-punch, but Helms stun guns his way free. Hardy regains control and goes up to the second rope, but HELMS TAKES HIM DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Helms busts out a Code Breaker (before the Code Breaker was a thing) to the jaw of Matt Hardy for two. Helms slaps on a really cool sleeper variation where he also has a top wrist lock cinched in. Hardy fights up, but Helms cuts him off. Hardy slips out of atomic drop position and hits an inverted DDT. The two exchange strikes, and Hardy takes control. Hardy hits a running clothesline in the corner and follows up with a bulldog for two. Hardy plants Helms with a scoop slam and goes up to the second- leg drop connects! One, two, no! The crowd is strongly behind Matt Hardy. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate, but Helms counters out and hits an INVERTED UNPRETTIER! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! Helms picks up Hardy and HITS A SECOND! One, two, no! Helms hits it a THIRD TIME! Helms doesn’t cover this time and instead heads up to the top rope. Hardy catches him coming off the top with a shot to the gut. SIDE EFFECT BY MATT HARDY! One, two, NO! Another Side Effect! ONE, TWO, NO! A THIRD! Much like Helms, Hardy doesn’t cover and goes up top. MOONSAULT, BUT HELMS GETS HIS KNEES UP! Helms goes for the Shining Wizard, but Hardy ducks and gets a school boy! ONE, TWO, NO! Hardy tries for the Twist of Fate but Helms back drops his way free. HELMS CONNECTS WITH THE SHINING WIZARD! ONE, TWO, NO! Helms crotches Hardy on the top turnbuckle and scales the corner. Both men exchange forearms, and Hardy sends Helms down to the matt. Hardy prepares to leap off the top, but Helms shoves him off and crotches him on the top rope! Helms scales to the top turnbuckle with Hardy facing away from him on the rope. SHINING WIZARD OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! ONE, TWO, THRE-HARDY GETS HIS FOOT ON THE ROPE! Helms goes for the Eye of the Hurricane but Hardy counters out. Hardy gets a kick to the midsection and hits the TWIST OF FATE! ONE, TWO, THREE! Hardy wins the opening contest at 13:08.

Winner: Matt Hardy
I don’t think these two could have had a bad match together during this time period. These guys had fantastic chemistry, and they delivered a fun, dramatic opening contest here. 1 for 1.

Backstage, Sharmell tries to console King Booker. Sir William Regal comes in, and Booker complains that the odds have been stacked against him. Booker says that this Fatal Four Way could indeed be fatal. He tells Regal he needs his help, and Regal claims that he will oblige. Booker tells Regal to convince Finlay to take a backseat and to be Booker’s ally. Regal states that he will not let Booker down, and Sharmell tells him that all will be well.

WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Paul London and Brian Kendrick (c) w/ Ashley Massaro vs. KC James and Idol Stevens w/ Michelle McCool

Idol Stevens (now known as Damien Sandow) gets off to a hot start before London hits a hurricanrana. London and Kendrick exchange quick tags and do their usual fun double team stuff. London tags in Kendrick and they hit a Rocket Launcher onto Stevens. Stevens manages to take over, and he tags in KC James. James and Stevens look to take over, but London and Kendrick are too well oiled of a machine. JBL puts over how Stevens and James haven’t gelled yet but are still dangerous. Both James and Stevens are out on the floor, and LONDON AND KENDRICK WIPE THEM OUT WITH FRONT FLIP SENTONS TO THE FLOOR! London goes up top, but KC JAMES SHOVES HIM TO THE FLOOR! That was nasty. Back inside, Stevens slaps a headlock on London. London tries to fight up, but he gets cut off. KC James tags in and goes back to work on London. The crowd rallies behind London, but James cuts him off and drops him with a backbreaker for two. Stevens tags in and headbutts London in the ribs. Stevens slaps a butterfly lock on London, but London fights up and gets out. London almost makes a tag, but Stevens applies a grapevine to his leg and tags KC James in. James pounds away on London. James sends London into the buckles but misses when he charges. London tries to make a tag, but Stevens pulls Kendrick off the apron! Stevens and James go for a double back body drop, but London evades and tags in Kendrick, who comes in like a house of fire. Kendrick goes for Sliced Bread, but James crotches him up top. LONDON TAKES OUT STEVENS WITH A SUICIDE DIVE! James hits a superplex on Kendrick! ONE, TWO, LONDON BREAKS IT UP! Kendrick grabs James’ head and uses Stevens as a launching pad to hit a SWINGING DDT! ONE, TWO, MCCOOL PUTS JAMES’ FOOT ON THE ROPE! Ashley gets up on the apron to complain about it, which allows Stevens to roll inside and hit a SKY HIGH BACKBREAKER ONTO KENDRICK! I’d like to see Sandow bring that back. James covers! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! Ashley attacks McCool on the floor. Stevens and James try for a double suplex on Kendrick, but London helps him escape free. London launches Kendrick into a double drop kick! KENDRICK HITS SLICED BREAD ON JAMES! LONDON LEAPS OFF OF KENDRICK’S BACK WITH A SHOOTING STAR PRESS! ONE, TWO, THREE! London and Kendrick retain after 9:37 of a grueling title match!

Winners: Paul London and Brian Kendrick
In hindsight, I think James and Stevens could have been something even though they were a bit green here. Their gritty, in-your-face style contrasted well with the high flying antics of London and Kendrick. KC James really had some flash to him, and I think he could’ve been a good hand if they had held onto him. My one knock here is that the managers did nothing to bring any extra heat onto the match and may have just as well not existed. That said, this was energetic and enjoyable. 2 for 2.

A trailer for The Marine airs. They have a hostage- IT’S MY WIFE.

Backstage, Regal is looking for Finlay. However, he runs into Vito, who is jumping rope while wearing a dress and high heels. Regal accidentally walks into a try of condiments. HE’S COVERED IN MUSTARD, GUYS! Regal actually manages to make this kind of funny by rolling around for several seconds and not even attempting to get up.

Teddy Long makes his way out to the ring, and there is a giant gift box in the center of the ring. Teddy says it’s the 26th birthday of The Miz. The Miz comes out doing his goofy walk that he did at that time to hardly any reaction. Teddy says that he notices that The Miz has been hitting on one of his Divas lately. Teddy brings Layla out to the ring. She’s not wearing a whole lot. The Miz is making the goofiest faces, and not in a good way. He says that his birthday wish is for Layla. She asks for a chair. She sits The Miz down and gives him a lap dance. The Miz talks through the entire thing, and this entire segment is completely unbearable. As if it couldn’t get any worse, The Miz gets blindfolded. Layla brings out Big Dick Johnson. The Miz, still blindfolded, starts to smack him on the ass. He feels Big Dick’s titties, and realizes what’s going on. The Miz is appalled and flees the ring.

A trailer for the McMahon DVD airs.

A commercial airs for the Extreme Strip Poker episode of ECW.

The last ten minutes or so of this show have been pretty terrible.

Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Marty Garner

This is MVP’s pay-per-view debut, and he has his own entrance tunnel and pyro. He gets hardly any heat. His opponent is Marty Garner, a skinny twerp with love handles. JBL remarks that Garner looks like he walked out of a concentration camp. JBL has quite the suspicious track record of anti-Semitism. MVP gets the best of the initial exchange and taunts, which makes him looks sufficiently douchey. The crowd chants “boring!” MVP starts to take his opponent too lightly, and Garner lands a few punches. MVP comes out of nowhere with a big clothesline to regain control. MVP hits Generic Finisher #2 (The Overdrive) to pick up the win at 2:30.

Winner: Montel Vontavious Porter
The idea here was to make MVP look like a bust. However, when you build up a character on television, and then aim to disappoint your audience on pay-per-view, it won’t get the best initial response. While this was an underwhelming debut, things worked out fairly well in the long haul. 2 for 3.

Backstage, Vito and Regal are in towels. Regal is distracted by Vito’s large dong, so he flees the room. This causes Regal’s towel to fall down. He then flees the locker room and exposes his nude body to various staff members as a result. Regal runs into Teddy Long, who is not happy with this, and tells Regal to put his gear on, because he will have a match tonight. There’s been a little too much male nudity on this show for my liking.

A hype video airs for the Undertaker/Kennedy match. Kennedy’s voiceover promo was great.

Non-Title Match: Mr. Kennedy vs. The Undertaker

In a nice touch to play off the fact that his microphone exploded on a recent episode of Smackdown, Kennedy was hesitant to grab his microphone. Taker charges at the bell, and Kennedy is clearly intimidated. Kennedy mounts an early advantage, but runs into a big boot. Kennedy rolls out to the floor to avoid Taker’s offense, but The Deadman follows him to the floor and slams his arm onto the steel steps. Back inside, Undertaker works over the arm of Kennedy. Back on the floor again, Taker drives Kennedy shoulder first into the ring post. Undertaker tries to go Old School, but Kennedy hops up to the second rope and armdrags The Undertaker! That was a really cool spot, and looked even better than the one Punk did at Mania. Kennedy presses the advantage by using his boot to choke The Undertaker. The Undertaker kicks Kennedy in his bad arm to take over. The Undertaker goes Old School again, but this time he connects! Undertaker hits a flatliner for two. Kennedy loosens a turnbuckle while recovering in the corner. Undertaker sends Kennedy into the opposite buckles and drops him with a clothesline. Undertaker charges for a boot in the corner, but Kennedy ducks. With Undertaker out on the apron, Kennedy charges and knocks Taker off the apron and into the barricade. Kennedy takes advantage on the floor, but takes his time coming inside to break the count. Kennedy goes back to the apron and leaps at The Undertaker, but he gets caught. In a more-hilarious-than-it-should-be moment, JBL screams, “DAMN IT, KENNEDY!” while The Undertaker drives him into the ring post. Back inside, The Undertaker covers for two. Kennedy goes to Tully Blanchard’s playbook and pulls The Undertaker to the floor by his ring gear. Kennedy demands the official to count him out while he holds his arm. As The Undertaker tries to get back in the ring, KENNEDY PLANTS HIM WITH A DDT! One, two, Undertaker gets his foot on the rope! Kennedy realizes he has the advantage, and he is pressing The Undertaker. The crowd rallies behind The Undertaker while Kennedy NAILS HIM WITH A FACEWASH! Kennedy covers for two. Kennedy stays in control with elbows and covers for two again. Kennedy continues to be aggressive, but The Undertaker gets some momentum going with strikes of his own. The Undertaker clotheslines Kennedy out to the floor! Undertaker drapes Kennedy’s neck out of the ring and goes the apron. LEG DROP TO KENNEDY! Kennedy falls out to the floor. Kennedy cuts off The Undertaker back in the ring and hits a PILEDRIVER (which Cole incorrectly refers to as a Tombstone)! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! THE UNDERTAKER SITS UP! Kennedy doesn’t let him get back into the match and applies a rest hold. The Undertaker gets to his feet and drops Kennedy with a back suplex! Undertaker hits a flying clothesline. The Undertaker hits Snake-eyes, a big boot, and then a leg drop for two! The Undertaker is calling for The Chokeslam! GOOZLE! Kennedy grabs the referee, and then attacks the midsection of The Undertaker. Kennedy comes off the ropes and hits a swinging neckbreaker for two. Kennedy tries for a headkick and then a trouble-in-paradise style kick, but Taker ducks both. CHOKESLAM! Last Ride, but Kennedy fights out. KENNEDY SLAMS THE UNDERTAKER’S HEAD ONTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE! Kennedy hits a clothesline and heads up top- KENTON BOMB! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! Kennedy can’t believe it. THE UNDERTAKER SITS UP! Kennedy rolls to the floor and grabs his United States title belt. Kennedy pulls it away from the official, but The Undertaker decks him. The Undertaker has the belt, and PLANTS KENNEDY WITH IT! The Undertaker has been disqualified at 20:25.

Winner by DQ: Mr. Kennedy
I really liked this match, but I’m puzzled by the booking with Kennedy during this time. They put him in a lot of high profile matches, but they were too afraid to pull the trigger. Finish aside, the story was good, and it was a strong performance for Kennedy that showed he could hang with the top-tier talent. 3 for 4.

After the match, The Undertaker goes to work on Kennedy and plants him with the TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER! The Undertaker then dishes out another to the official.

A commercial airs to hype Cyber Sunday.

We go to a video package that sets up the Falls Count Anywhere Match between Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio, recounting the heel turn of Vickie Guerrero.

Falls Count Anywhere: Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero w/ Vickie Guerrero

They brawl to kick things off, and Mysterio takes the early advantage. Mysterio heads up top, but Chavo cuts him off. Chavo and Rey battle it out on the second turnbuckle, and BOTH MEN KNOCK EACH OTHER TO THE FLOOR! Rey gets up first and dropkicks Chavo. Chavo takes over, however, and sends Mysterio into a barricade. The two brawl up the “ramp,” which is really more of a flat walkway. Chavo tries to powerbomb Mysterio, but Rey grabs on to a lighting rig and kicks him off. REY FLINGS HIMSELF OFF THE LIGHTING RING WITH A FLYING HEADSCISSORS! Mysterio covers for one. The two take the action to the side of the stage in front of the fans. Chavo recovers and Gory Bombs Mysterio onto the barricade! Mysterio manages to whip Chavo into the barricade. Ray drapes Chavo over a guard rail, and leg drops Chavo across the back of the head! Rey covers for another one count. Mysterio hits a tilt-a-whirl headscissors onto the concrete floor. Mysterio goes for a wheelbarrow, but Chavo whips him head-first into a barricade! Chavo covers for two. Chavo picks Mysterio up in a wheel barrow and alternates whipping Mysterio into chairs and the barricade! They fight up the stairs of the arena. MYSTERIO RUNS OFF A BARRICADE AND HITS A SEATED SENTON! Chavo catches Mysterio coming with a clothesline, and the camera is nauseatingly out of focus. Chavo whips Rey into a steel protective barrier near the stands. Chavo charges but eats Rey’s boots. MYSTERIO USES A HAND RAIL TO HIT A 6-1-9! Mysterio sends Chavo into another barricade and then climbs into the stands. MYSTERIO FLIES OUT OF THE STANDS WITH A CROSS BODY! Chavo’s shoulders aren’t down, so Mysterio adjusts him, and then covers for three at 12:11.

Winner: Rey Mysterio
I liked a lot of matches that these guys had against each other, but this was not one of them. This was a lot of whipping someone into the barricade, hitting a highspot, repeat. It never seemed to escalate. 3 for 5.

After the match, Mysterio continues his beat down before Vickie protects Chavo.

A recap of a film screening of The Marine at a military base airs.

William Regal vs. Chris Benoit

Benoit had been off for some time, so his comeback was greeted with a HUGE pop. Regal is stunned and none to happy with his opponent. Benoit goes for a chop, but Regal puts his arms up to block it. That was really smart, as “defense” is underutilized in wrestling. Regal takes control with holds, but Benoit wrenches his arm and drops him collarbone-first on the mat. Regal picks Benoit’s leg to take control. The two chain wrestle in a test of strength, and Benoit applies a waistlock with his legs. Regal isolated a leg to break free and applies an wrist lock. Benoit breaks out and nails some wicked chops. Benoit nails a German suplex, but Regal grabs the ropes to prevent him from chaining them together. Benoit hits a few headbutts and nails another German suplex. Benoit heads up top and hits a diving headbutt. Both men are busted open as Benoit covers for two. Regal heads to the apron and cuts Benoit off. Benoit looks for a German suplex off the apron, but Regal blocks. DDT ON THE APRON BY REGAL! Regal rolls inside while the official counts Benoit out on the floor. Benoit gets in at the count of nine and Regal presses the advantage. Regal chops Benoit down to the mat and wears him down. Benoit takes control with chops and goes for a Sharpshooter, but Regal kicks his way free. RUNNING KNEE LIFT BY REGAL! One, two, no! Regal covers twice more to no avail. Regal applies a standing stretch plumb. Benoit wiggles free and drives Regal into the buckle. BENOIT CHOPS REGAL IN THE HEAD TWICE! Jeez! Regal hits two exploder suplexes out of nowhere and drops a knee across Benoit’s chest for two. Regal tries to find the Regal Stretch, but Benoit grabs Regal’s arm! Regal gets to the ropes before Benoit can inflict two much damage. Regal lights up Benoit with a kick before he can get all the way up and covers for two. Regal applies a Mexican surfboard! Regal pulls Benoit back and puts in a Dragon Sleeper type hold with Benoit’s legs still tied up! Benoit punches his way free. Regal immediately gets back to work. Regal applies a half nelson, but Benoit slips out and hits a DRAGON SUPLEX! BENOIT APPLIES THE CROSSFACE! REGAL TAPS AT 11:16!

Winner: Chris Benoit
That was a beautiful match. William Regal is always a delight to watch, and matches like this demonstrate why. Neither guy wasted any motion, and it seemed like they were in an actual fight. It may not be their best match, but if you are a fan of great, physical technical wrestling, you owe it to yourself to watch this one. 4 for 6.

After the match, JBL urges Benoit to call out MVP on commentary. Backstage, King Booker approaches William Regal and asks him if he found Finlay. Regal explains his night, but King Booker will have none of it. Finlay approaches them, and tells Regal to save it. Finlay says he came here for two things: to fight, and to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Finlay walks off, and King Booker is not happy. He blames Regal for this, and calls him pathetic. King Booker tells Regal he makes him sick, and then slaps him in the face. King Booker tells Regal to get out of here, and Regal slaps him across the face, dropping him!

A commercial airs for Raw’s return to the USA Network.

A promo is shown to hype the main-event. They did a great job of showcasing the three challengers, and made King Booker seem vulnerable. It is noted that all four men will be in the ring at the same time, and the first pinfall wins. King Booker does not have to be pinned to lose the title.

Backstage, Batista approaches Bobby Lashley. Lashley says that tonight, it’s every man for himself, and Batista notes that the name of the pay-per-view is No Mercy. Bobby did not tell Batista that he was going to MAKE HIM EAT ALL THOSE CHEESEBURGERS!

World Heavyweight Championship Match: King Booker (c) w/ Sharmell vs. Batista vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Finlay

YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lashley and Batista target Booker off the bat while Finlay rolls to the floor. Finlay and Booker end up forming a brief alliance to work over Batista, but Lashley comes in and puts a stop to it. Lashley nails a huge spinebuster on Booker for two. On the floor, Finlay and Booker drive Lashley’s back into the ring apron. Back inside, the two heels isolate Batista. Batista ducks a clothesline from Booker, but then eats one from Finlay. Finlay then takes out Booker with a clothesline! Finlay goes to the floor with Batista and SENDS HIM INTO THE STEEL STEPS! Finlay then works over the throat of Booker on the ring apron. Back inside, King Booker starts to mount some offense on Finlay before taking a thumb to the eye. Batista breaks up a pin from Finlay and Booker goes to the floor. Finlay catches Batista in a shoulder lock. Batista gets to his feet and hits a samoan drop, but Finlay keeps hold of the arm and applies a top wristlock. Lashley attacks Finlay, but Finlay picks his leg and works over his knee. Finlay cinches in a half crab on Lashley. Booker breaks the hold with a crescent kick! One, two, Batista breaks it up! Batista misses with a clotheslines and Booker nails a leaping side kick for two. Batista catches Booker with a sideslam in the next exchange for two. Lashley clotheslines Booker to the floor and then back body drops Batista to the outside! Finlay has a chair, but Lashley nails a big boot before he can use it! Lashley lifts up Finlay in a military press and drops him with a gutbuster! Lashley sets up for the Spear, but The Little Bastard comes out and low blows him! The referee only sees The Little Bastard trying to escape, and FINLAY WHACKS LASHLEY WITH THE SHELEIGHLIE! COVER- ONE, TWO, THRE-BOOKER BREAKS IT UP! BOOKER COVERS- ONE, TWO, NO! Booker takes in to Finlay but Batista comes in and pounds away on both of them. Batista nails a corner clothesline on Finlay. BATISTA HITS A JACKHAMMER ON KING BOOKER! Everyone is out except for Batista and Lashley. BATISTA NAILS LASHLEY WITH A SPEAR! ONE, TWO, NO! Bastia covers twice more for two. Batista gets up Lashley for a running powerslam, but Lashley slips out. SPINEBUSTER BY LASHLEY! Batista has been busted open somehow. Lashley charges with a few clotheslines in the corner. Belly-to-belly overhead suplex by Lashley. Lashley clotheslines Batista to the floor. Finlay charges, and Lashley dumps him to the floor as well. King Booker is in, and HE PLANTS LASHLEY WITH THE BOOK END! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! King Booker tries for a suplex but Lashley sort of rolls it into a cover for two. Lashley ducks a clothesline but then eats a flying forearm for two. King Booker goes for the Scissors Kick, but Finlay takes him out with a clothesline. Finlay charges Lashley but goes shoulder-first into the ring post. Batista dishes out Spinebusters to all three men! BATISTA BOMB TO FINLAY! LASHLEY SPEARS BATISTA! BOOKER CRAWLS OVER AND COVERS FINLAY! ONE, TWO, THREE! King Booker retains at 16:53!

Winner: King Booker
My gripe with this match is that the early goings were a little too formulaic with the “two guys fight in the ring, the other two stay out on the floor” stuff. However, that is only a minor issue. Once the match picked up, it was fun to watch, and the finish was the right one. It wasn’t spectacular, especially for a main-event, but it accomplished what it needed to. 5 for 7.

King Booker celebrates to end the show.

The 411: Although there weren't any blow away matches, there were some that were downright good, such as the opener, the tag team title match, and Benoit/Regal. The skits were pretty poor, but ultimately the events with Regal ended up making sense, as it built to his match and played into the main-event. The main-event was just pretty good, but still did what it had to. I'll give this show a minor recommendation.

Final Score:  6.0   [ Average ]