WWE No Mercy 2016: Match-by-match predictions for the show

Another weekend is upon us, which means it is almost time for yet another pay-per-view offering from WWE.

Two weeks after the company presented Clash of Champions for its Raw brand, WWE is right back at it with the first No Mercy pay-per-view since 2008 for its Smackdown Live brand.

At the top of this card are two very intriguing championship matches. The rest of the card boasts two more championship matches and a trio of singles contests.

With that said, let me get to my predictions of No Mercy, which will emanate from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif.:

WWE World championship – AJ Styles (c) vs. John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose

The story heading into this match has been very well paced and very sensible. Nothing felt out of place and outside the realm of logic.

It was simple and it helped Smackdown Live become the more consistent show over Raw since the brand split was re-introduced back in July.

As far as a winner, I'm going to go with Styles. I think WWE has done a good job of making it seem like each man has a legitimate chance to win, but Styles is not even a month into his title reign and I don't see any reason for it to come to an end this quickly.

Prediction: Styles RETAINS the WWE World championship

WWE Intercontinental championship (Career vs. Title) – The Miz (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

Probably the best story that has played out on Smackdown Live is the one surrounding The Miz, Ziggler and the Intercontinental title.

I have not been able to say this in a long, long time, but I am actually looking forward to an Intercontinental championship match as much or more than the WWE World title match.

That is a testament to the great storytelling Smackdown Live has done with Miz and Ziggler and a testament to the two men for executing a quality story.

As we already know, if Ziggler loses at No Mercy, he will be forced to retire. Since I do not see that happening I am picking him to win and become the new Intercontinental champion.

The Miz has done great things with the title, but the story almost dictates that Ziggler finally triumphs in the end, right? I think so.

Prediction: Ziggler WINS the Intercontinental championship

Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt

Probably the worst story that has played out on Smackdown has been the cheesy horror movie between Orton and Wyatt.

The campy segments between these two the last two weeks have all but dulled my interest in this feud.

I'm picking Wyatt to win here, but only because he desperately needs it.

Prediction: Wyatt def. Orton

WWE Smackdown Women's championship – Becky Lynch (c) vs. Alexa Bliss

I think Lynch and Bliss have done solid work in the lead-up to this match and I believe that Bliss was a great choice as Lynch's first challenger for the title.

With that said, I am going with Lynch to win and retain.

Prediction: Lynch RETAINS the WWE Smackdown Women's championship

WWE Smackdown Tag Team championship – Heath Slater (c) & Rhyno (c) vs. The Usos

It is about that time, folks.

It is about time for Slater and Rhyno, as entertaining as they have been, to take a backseat to a more serious storyline in Smackdown Live's tag team division.

That is because I believe The Usos will win here and eventually transition to a championship rivalry with American Alpha, who they have been feuding with since before Backlash.

Slater and Rhyno did some good work during their time at the top of the division, but the potential for an Usos-Alpha feud is a lot greater than what they have going on at the moment.

Prediction: The Usos WIN the WWE Smackdown Tag Team championship

Nikki Bella vs. Carmella

I have liked the feud between these two thus far, but picking a winner has proven tougher than I originally thought.

Since Carmella has consistently gotten the better of Bella for weeks, I am picking Bella to come out on top here.

Prediction: Bella def. Carmella

Kickoff match – Baron Corbin vs. Jack Swagger

I really couldn't care less about this match, but since Corbin lost to Swagger in controversial fashion on the most recent edition of Smackdown Live, I am picking him to win in convincing fashion at No Mercy.

Prediction: Corbin def. Swagger