No Mercy 2000 Preview

Welcome to The Two Sheds Preview (okay, I know you've heard from me already this week, but hey! It's WWF pay-per-view time again!)

This will follow a slightly different format from my usual columns. I've got the old Two Sheds crystal ball out again, dusted it off, and shined it up real nice in an attempt to predict what will happen in just over 24 hours time at No Mercy. And after much negotiation, yours truly has got Monday off, missing our new weekly staff meetings, so, with a couple of tins of Red Bull, a big bag of cheese puffs, and a bar of Galaxy chocolate, I'll be sitting on my sofa, trying to stay awake, watching the action as it happens. But enough of this. What does the crystal ball tell me today.....

"STONE COLD" STEVE AUSTIN V RIKISHI No Holds Barred. As I said earlier this week, how good can a match between a man with a dodgy neck and a man with a dodgy knee be? Although good to see Austin back where he belongs, I don't think this will be a classic. No Holds Barred is right up Austin's alley. The Two Sheds Prediction; Austin.

THE ROCK (c) V KURT ANGLE WWF Championship. King Kurt, along with his new Princess Stephanie, aims to add WWF gold to his Olympic gold. This has the promise to be a great match. The Rock showed that he does have some good technical skill in his matches with Chris Benoit. However, I don't think Angle, just under a year from his TV debut, is the right man to become WWF champion. Mind you, I said before that I would love Benoit to become champion, and he's been around less than ten months. The Two Sheds Prediction; The Rock.

TRIPLE H V CHRIS BENOIT. Thes two faced each other in Benoit's first WWF television match. Triple H won that day, but this Benoit is a totally different animal. He has found his niche in the wrestling world after years of misuse in WCW. He is a future WWF champion, and beating Triple H will show what he is capable of. However, I'm not counting The Game out. He is quickly becoming one of the most popular men in the WWF. This could be the match of the night. The Two Sheds Prediction; Benoit.

CHRIS JERICHO V X-PAC Steel Cage Match. Two words - oh dear! A couple of months back Jericho was in a triple main event taking Triple H to the limit in a match of the year candidate. Now he's in a pointless feud against the 3 move wonder. Y2J deserves much more than this, even a match for the European title would have done. X-Pac would have been better off in the light-heavyweight division. His name alone could elevate that under-used division. The Two Sheds Prediction; Jericho.

THE HARDY BOYS (c) V LOS CONQUISTADORES Tag-Team Title Match. Okay, we know the guys in gold are really from Canada and not South America, but hey, this gimmick is good! Especially their commentary on Raw a couple of weeks back. Many are saying that these two facing each other again is getting a little boring, but this whole new gimmick pepped up things a lot. The Two Sheds Prediction; Los Conquistadores.

THE ACOLYTES & LITA V T&A & TRISH STRATUS. Rumour is that there will be some nudity from the buxom wench with nice bristols. If there is, I say so what! Up yours PTC! Up yours Mary Whitehouse! But seriously, T&A (the tag-team, that is) aren't really one of my favourites, but The Acolytes are. The Two Sheds Prediction; The Acolytes & Lita.

WILLIAM REGAL (c) V MIDEON European Title Match. I am really pleased that after a long wait, we once again have a European Champion from Europe. I have been impressed with Regal, both in and out of the ring, since his WWF return. This match with Mideon, a former European champion himself, will not be a classic. But I do hope one thing - I hope Mideon does put some clothes on! The Two Sheds Prediction; Regal.

CHYNA & MR. ASS V STEVEN RICHARDS & BULL BUCHANAN Sadly, due to Eddie Guerrero's hamstring injury, a returning Billy Gunn is not getting his IC title match. That match promised much, but this one, I'm not too sure about. The RTC members will probably mention Chyna's Playboy shoot, and I have a feeling it will be the Bad Ass that gets pinned. The Two Sheds Prediction; Richards & Buchanan.

THE DUDLEY BOYS V VAL VENIS/GOODFATHER V TOO COOL V TAZZ/RAVEN V LO-DOWN Invitational Table Match. I don't really know the background to this match, but on paper, this promises much. It could rank up against those Hardcore battle royals of months past for action and excitement. The Two Sheds Prediction; The Dudleys.So there you have it. The old crystal ball is starting to fog over now. Yours truly will be back on Monday with his review of the happenings at No Mercy.

Until next time.....