WWE is gearing up for its 14th No Mercy event this month, marking a significant shift as it becomes the first No Mercy under the developmental NXT brand. No Mercy has a storied history of evolution and experimentation, often showcasing historic moments and one-of-a-kind gimmick matches since its inception as a sales experiment. In this retrospective, we delve into the incredibly enjoyable and captivating history of WWE No Mercy.
The Fascinating Origins of No Mercy
The inception of the WWE No Mercy pay-per-view was an intriguing experiment to gauge the interest of British wrestling fans in the Pay-Per-View model. Prior to May 1999, WWF PPVs were freely accessible in the UK for subscribers of Sky Sports.
The WWE had previously tested the waters in 1997 with WWF One Night Only. However, No Mercy, which unfolded in Manchester, England on May 16, was the true litmus test. It proved to be a success as fans outside the MEN Arena yearned to witness the WWF spectacle in their homeland. Following this, PPVs became available for order via Sky Box Office in the UK.
Historic Inaugural No Mercy in the USA
Merely five months later, WWF No Mercy took center stage in Cleveland, Ohio. This event witnessed groundbreaking moments, including The Fabulous Moolah becoming the oldest-ever holder of the WWF Women’s Championship by defeating Ivory. Chyna made history by winning the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Jeff Jarrett in a memorable Good Housekeeping match, becoming the first female titleholder of that belt.
The Hardy Boyz and Edge & Christian engaged in a spectacular tag team ladder match, a precursor to the famed TLC matches. In classic Attitude Era style, the victorious team gained the “services” of Terri Runnels.
The main event featured a clash between Steve Austin and Triple H, with appearances from The Rock and Vince McMahon, culminating in prime Attitude Era chaos. This event not only became the annual October WWF PPV but also laid the foundation for a video game franchise.
The Pinnacle of Wrestling Video Games
The release of No Mercy on the N64 in 2000 is widely regarded as the pinnacle of wrestling video games. It garnered praise from many, including current WWE superstars. No Mercy offered a realistic grappling experience with groundbreaking graphics for its time. Its cultural impact is undeniable, with some WWE stars like Tyler Breeze and Mia Yim owing their presence in the industry to the game.
Stone Cold’s Feud with Rikishi
As the new millennium dawned, wrestling enthusiasts worldwide were gripped by a classic “whodunit” storyline. In November 1999, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was mysteriously struck by a car at Survivor Series, sparking intense speculation regarding the perpetrator. Top suspects included Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Rock, or any McMahon family member. The revelation that it was Rikishi behind the wheel conveniently emerged just before No Mercy 2000.
Stone Cold’s return to face Rikishi at WWF No Mercy 2000 wasn’t about classic wrestling. Austin relentlessly attacked Rikishi, even attempting to run him over with a car outside the arena, creating a memorable moment. This incident, along with other events that year, led Channel 4 in the UK to opt not to renew its contract to broadcast four WWF PPVs for free, solidifying the PPV model’s dominance in the UK.
WWE No Mercy 2002: Embracing the Brand Extension
WWE No Mercy 2002 marked a pivotal moment as the first PPV following the WWE brand extension. This shift set the stage for brand-exclusive PPVs, with Rebellion becoming SmackDown exclusive.
This event boasted a historic card, including Brock Lesnar’s Hell in a Cell clash with The Undertaker for the WWE Championship. SmackDown crowned its inaugural WWE Tag Team Champions when Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit triumphed over Edge and Rey Mysterio in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s match of the year. Additionally, Triple H unified the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a memorable bout against Kane.
No Mercy’s Gimmick Match Legacy
Over subsequent years, No Mercy maintained its association with gimmick matches during its SmackDown exclusive phase. In 2003, The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar tangled in a Biker Chain Match. The following year, JBL and The Undertaker engaged in a Last Ride Match, which could be aptly described as a “who can toss the other into a hearse first” contest.
In 2005, The Undertaker faced both Randy Orton and “Cowboy” Bob Orton in a Handicap Casket Match. The following year, Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio attempted to break tradition with a Falls Count Anywhere match but were upstaged when William Regal accidentally exposed himself during a backstage skit.
No Mercy in 2007 witnessed Batista and The Great Khali battling in a Punjabi Prison match, followed by an epic Ladder match between Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels in 2008. Subsequently, No Mercy took a hiatus.
No Mercy Returns and Cesaro’s Dental Drama
No Mercy made a return in 2016 and 2017, although these events failed to produce standout moments. However, Cesaro’s unforgettable collision with the ring post at the latter event resulted in his two front teeth being pushed into his gums.
As NXT No Mercy approaches on September 30th, anticipation is building. While a British Rules Match is currently the only announced match, fans can expect NXT to uphold the unique and tradition-defying nature of this event, potentially featuring matches like Last Ride, Casket on a Pole, or even a Punjabi Prison Match between Bron Breakker and Von Wagner.
