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WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN SATURDAY:THE WWE NXT NO MERCY 2023 TIP SHEET

WWE NXT will present No Mercy 2023 in Bakersfield, CA on Saturday.  Here's our take on what will happen on the show.

NXT Men's Champion Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov

Dave: Ilja is my guy, I have loved him since NXT UK.  If it’s me, it’s time, make him the champ.  Bring out the guy who worked with WALTER/Gunther and start a new era in NXT.

Mike: I am with Dave on this.  I think the world of Carmelo but I am of the belief it's Ilja time and putting Hayes in the position of chasing would do him a lot of good.  This should be absolutely fabulous in the ring.

Richard:  It feels like deja vu all over again but will we see a different result than the other times these two have met for the NXT Title?  This is being portrayed as a ONE ON ONE match without any Trick Williams to stick his nose in either man's business.  However, I think the lengths they have gone to say that Trick will not be involved means that Trick will somehow get involved (but I hope it doesn't).  Ilja is back to kick ass Ilja instead of Orange Dragunov Allin and I hope that is the Ilja we see in this match.  Is there 'money' in a Hayes/Williams match?  If so, I think Hayes retains.  If Ilja does not win, does this mean we won't get him wrestling for the title in December at the next PPV event?  TrickMelo implodes over the next few weeks (maybe at Halloween Havoc) to set up the match in December.

NXT Women's Champion Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton in an Extreme Rules Match.

Dave: To me, the play is for Stratton to get her belt back and get the rub that comes with beating Becky.  It just makes the most sense.  Stratton has sooooo much going for her and so much potential.  Beating a legend in a war will just add to her aura.

Mike: I am with Dave's line of thinking, but I think it's too soon to switch the belt again.  NXT is usually pretty conservative in that regard, so I am fine with Tiffany having a great showing but losing in the end as a way to keep elevating her.  Becky can then take the belt around and continue to raise its profile to the masses.

Richard:   I thought Tiffany Stratton had a great showing against Becky when Tiffany lost the title and it is time for her to show that it was not a fluke.  Becky has added interest in NXT when she was in the building and who knows how it affected ticket sales for this show.  I don't know if I like the idea of this being an 'Extreme Rules' Match because I think we will have the crowd caring more for tables than what will happen in the match.  However, the fact that it is a No DQ match, it could mean that someone can come out and help Tiffany win.  What if a certain someone who just signed with WWE shows up to help Tiffany beat Becky and then set up a Jade/Becky feud (since Becky talked about Jade in recent media appearances).  I think Tiffany should win, and while I can see interference help her win, does it benefit her to get a 'flukey' victory to get her title back against someone who many consider to be better than Tiffany?

NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio vs. Trick Williams (with Guest Referee Dragon Lee)

Dave: Dom is great in his role and there’s no way that I take the belt off of him here.  He adds so much to NXT and if he isn’t the champ, he probably won’t be around anymore.  So if it’s my call, Dom retains.

Mike: Dominik has emerged into a hell of a franchise for WWE.  Listening to Shawn Michaels on the media call, you can tell he sees Williams the same way and Williams' work has been excellent of late.  But, I don't see a title change here.  I do expect a great showing a big reaction for Williams after.

Richard:  The minute that Trick was added to the match on Tuesday, you knew this was the matchup for No Mercy.  Trick is one of the more improved wrestlers in NXT, but how will he do against someone who isn't seen as a match leader.  Is that the reason why Dragon Lee is the guest referee?  If Trick winning means THE Judgment Day cannot 'nWo' its way through NXT, I am all for Trick winning.  If Trick wins, does he then set his sights on Carmelo or Ilja?   Dom will do something to piss off Dragon Lee and that will give Trick the chance to get the victory.  Then we can get the rematch at Halloween Havoc.

NXT Tag Team Champions The D'Angelo Family vs. The Creeds vs. OTM vs. Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo

Dave: Whenever there is a multi-player match I always want the champs to retain since the odds are against them.

Mike: Angel and Humberto are so underrated.  I'd like to see them finally get something from the company.

Richard:  At least they won't be at the dinner table for this match.  When they said they wanted to 'meet with the teams to see who deserved a title match' was there any doubt it would be a four way match?  I don't see the Mexican Wolves winning but they will showcase their talents in the match.  The Creeds are ridiculously good but I don't see them winning back the tag titles despite their best efforts.  Please don't hurt yourself Brutus.  That leaves us the champions and the team with the new name.  I like Nima and Price and they have improved over the last few months but there is something that makes me want to see them lose.  That would be Reggie.  It is like putting Steve Urkel with Doom.  I think the three challengers will cancel each other out and Tony and Channing will find a way to pull out the victory.

Bron Breakker vs. Baron Corbin.

Dave: I love that Corbin is in Florida helping the young talent.  He should continue to help them by losing to Bron.

Mike: Bron wins.

Richard:  Bron will not have the advantage of the Most Dangerous Parking Lot in Sports Entertainment to help him on Saturday night.  However, that shouldn't keep Bron from winning the match.  After the heinous post match "attack" on Von Wagner, Bron has shown a mean streak (and a propensity to dress in black) ever since and I think he takes it out on Baron.  Will Bron move onto the NXT championship after this match, or to 'redder or bluer' pastures?

NXT Heritage Cup Champion Noam Dar versus Butch

Dave: Rich did this first so I will echo what he said, I want a true NXT UK Cup match.  Dar is so good and I could definitely see him retaining but selfishly I want to see Butch on NXT so he can channel his inner Pete Dunne so I would put him over.  

Mike: I don't see a title change here.

Richard:  I have not been the biggest fan of the Heritage Cup matches since the trophy came across the Atlantic, but maybe this will return us to the glory days of the BT Studios.  Butch said that he would have Tyler Bate in his corner for a British Strong Style reunion to counter Oro Mensah in Dar's corner.  Will we see Bate double cross Butch to help Dar get the win?  It would be nice to see Butch win the match but I would rather see him and Ridge work their way through the tag team division on Smackdown.  Dar wins in the fifth round.

Kelani Jordan vs. Blair Davenport on the Kickoff Show

Dave: Again I echo Rich.  Blair wins.  Kelani gets in some fight in the process.

Mike: I will say Davenport just to be different! 

Richard:  Now that Kelani's best friend is gone, she is going to defend the honor of Gigi Dolin who was brutally attacked in the dark on NXT this week before her scheduled match with the Asphalt Assassin.  Kelani has shown some improvement in the ring and this will be a good test for her on Saturday night.  Kelani's performance is the most important part of this match.  Blair will win, but how much will Kelani get to do?

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