Tossing Salt Presents:
WWE NXT No Mercy 2023
Thoughts & Predictions
September 30, 2023
DougMaynard.com

WWE NXT will present No Mercy 2023 in Bakersfield, CA tonight, available for viewing on Peacock and The WWE Network. Here’s my take on what will happen on the show.

NXT Men’s Champion Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov

Hayes hasn’t been the NXT Champion long enough yet to consider taking the title away from him, but Dragunov has been impressing me ever since that series with Gunther/WALTER a few years ago and I think this is finally his time. I think Hayes will be headed to the main roster sooner rather than later and it’s Dragunov’s time to shine. We’re seeing a title change here.

Winner and NEW NXT Champion: Ilja Dragunov

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

I’m torn on this one because it’s really too soon to take the belt off of Becky, but Stratton is really good and getting better all the time. This is an Extreme Rules match so having someone get involved to lend a hand and allow Stratton to win is not out of the question. It’s actually pretty damn likely. Let’s go with that. We get a damn good fight and just when Becky is ready to put Stratton away, someone gets involved, maybe even a newly-signed gem of a talent. Long story short, we’re seeing a new Champion.

Winner and NEW NXT Women’s Champion: Tiffany Stratton

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

Dom is not going to lose that title anytime soon. Dom is a needle-mover for NXT and if he loses, then he won’t be around NXT quite as often and the numbers decline. Simple facts. I’m sure that the special referee, Dragon Lee, will be there to keep Mami or any of the Judgement Day from getting involved, but there are three of them, four if you count JD McDonagh, and Lee is only one man. We’ll see some shenanigans and in the end, Dom gets his arm raised and retains the title.

Winner and STILL NXT North American Champion: Dom Mysterio

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

I did not know that Garza & Humberto were in this match. I’d been wondering where they vanished too. Normally, when we have a multi-team match, I pull for the champions to find a way to retain and win. But Angel & Humberto are here. They’re winning some tag team gold.

Winners and NEW NXT Tag Team Champions: Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo

Bron Breakker vs. Baron Corbin.

I’m a huge fan of Baron Corbin. He’s extremely underrated and I loved his original Lone Wolf gimmick. I’d love to eventually see him back as part of the main roster and maybe even going after Gunther and the Intercontinental Championship. But that’s for the future. For tonight, he’s fighting Bron Breakker. He’s taking a loss. No doubt about it.

Winner: Bron Breakker

NXT Heritage Cup Champion Noam Dar versus Butch

Butch, the man formerly known as Pete Dunne, should be a top guy in WWE/NXT and wearing Championship Gold. I know it. You know it. And I’m sure that Triple H and HBK know it as well. Maybe tonight is the night.

Winner and NEW Heritage Cup Champion: Butch

Kelani Jordan vs. Blair Davenport on the Kickoff Show

Unfortunately, I’m not very familiar with either of these young women. I’ve seen both ladies mentioned, but since I mainly only watch NXT through video highlights, website recaps, and the PPVs, I can’t speculate much about this match or either woman. I’ll just take a random guess, based on my gut feeling. Blair wins.

Winner: Blair Davenport

And there you go with my predictions for NXT No Mercy 2023. Am I right? Am I wrong? What are your thoughts and predictions for this event? Let me know, along with any other thoughts, comments, or questions. And with that, let’s wrap things up. I’ll be back in the morning with my predictions for AEW WrestleDream, plus a new edition (or two) of the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A, so watch for that. Take care and stay well, my friends. Watch for foreign objects and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!