WWE No Mercy: Universal Championship Recap and Highlights
Brock Lesnar defends his Universal Championship against the Monster Among Men
On Sunday evening in Los Angeles, California, Godzilla battled MechaGodzilla. In other words, fans were treated to an honest Clash of the Titans. The 385 pound Braun Strowman went toe to toe with the 284 pound Brock Lesnar. The prize on the line? The WWE Universal Championship. Brock Lesnar is the incumbent, defending his beloved and big payday guaranteeing Universal Championship. In the weeks leading into No Mercy, Strowman has manhandled Lesnar like nobody before. Tonight was no different.
The match is off to a rapid pace as Brock charges Braun but to zero success. After some regrouping, Brock his Braun with the first suplex of the match. Before Lesnar can make his next move, Strowman nails him with a chokeslam. A quick running powerslam from Braun leads to the first near fall of the match. This would set the tone for the match. For every single bit of offense Brock would hit, Braun would have a powerful counter. After an exchange of offense, Brock attempts the F-5 but his back gives way and he gets tossed to the floor.
The Beast proves why he is the best
Braun continues to toy with Brock on the outside until he feels confident enough to send him back into the ring. After a fast-footed sidestep from Lesnar, Braun injures his arm and would soon pay for it. Lesnar clamps in his patented Kimura and the match nearly ended. After Strowman escaped the Kimura we are then given a first class ticket to Suplex City. Without an interruption, Lesnar would reel off FIVE German Suplexes. Feeling he had the match close to won, Lesnar goes for another F-5 but it’s countered into a running powerslam. Wanting to add an exclamation, Braun hits a third running powerslam for a 2. Then in a blink of an eye, the match is over. Brock hits an F-5 from out of the ether and he retains.
Next: 5 Greatest Performances in No Mercy History
In this match, we have the case of two very different stories. Braun is on an ascent to the top of the ladder whereas Brock is in limbo. It’s clear that Lesnar is being saved for Roman at WrestleMania. The problem is the third main event in a row, Brock has been made to look awful. Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman have beaten Lesnar senseless just for Brock to win the match with a single F-5. This sort of booking doesn’t do any of the wrestlers any favors. The challengers look like geeks as they do all the damage but lose to a single finishing move. Brock looks beyond weak as he gets the tar beaten out of him just to win on a fluke move at the last second. I hope the WWE corrects the path of both the champion and his challengers. If not, then the main events are going to continue to be tough to watch.