WWE No Mercy 2017: Ranking All The Matches

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6. Roman Reigns vs John Cena

For a match that had such a big build up and anticipation, the John Cena/Roman Reigns match was pretty disappointing. Not that the match was bad, but it was just okay. However, when a match is being promoted as one of the most epic clashes of the year, “just okay” doesn’t cut it. The hype wasn’t necessarily either superstars fault though. Reigns and Cena have been two of the most strongly booked superstars in the company since Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior, so even though they’re disliked by the majority of the fans (Reigns more so than Cena), it still captured that big fight feel.

And maybe that was the reason the action inside the ropes suffered. It seemed like the two of them were trying to make themselves look as strong as possible and because of that, all in-ring psychology was avoided. What we were left with was an attempted highlight reel style sport-fest of a match as opposed to a smartly constructed one between a legend and a guy trying to take his spot. You know, the way it should’ve been

However, the biggest problem from this match was the intensity, or lack thereof. For two guys who spent the weeks leading up to the match throwing verbal haymakers at each other, none of that animosity seemed to show in their attacks. In fact, the opening minutes of the bout that saw Cena jabbering with the crowd and then attempting to leave made absolutely no sense. And the finish? Come on. If they were going for symbolism with Cena hitting four AA’s yet failing to get the win yet one Reigns spear ends the battle, they failed miserably.  Will these two get a chance to go again at some point? Probably. But if they do, they, along with the booking team, better get their acts together first.