Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Cheap Pop and Cheap Heat from Smark Out Moment! Each week, we break down the world of professional wrestling and examine two of the polar opposite ends of the spectrum: one thing that was by far the worst thing (Cheap Heat) and the best thing (Cheap Pop) to happen over the past 7 days in sports entertainment. So, what went down this week that we loved and hated about the business?


I might be in the minority here, but after the Big Show/Paul Heyman encounter on Monday Night Raw, I am really looking forward to the Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show Go to Hell Tour match.

It's over a decade since these two behemoths collided (editor's note: unless you count that shitty beat down from Royal Rumble 2014), and it will be interesting to see how that pans out. Show has not had a proper challenge or singles marquee match like this a while, and—despite what some might say—he does deserve it.

He is one of the few Attitude Era survivors and has given a huge amount of his life to the business. Chris Jericho cites him as his favorite tag team partner of all time, and it is not hard to see why. The heel shtick they had as Jeri-Show was excellent. They were always entertaining and had heel heat like no other (then) team could generate, and the differing dynamics in their size made for interesting matches.

When he is a proper babyface (for the two weeks before they turn him again), he is able to garner a positive crowd reaction. Last year's pairing with Mark Henry was well received; it is a shame that had to be cut short.

The point of my trip down memory lane here is that Big Show deserves to be treated with more respect, and giving him this chance to go against Brock is, at least on WWE's part, a sign of getting some. I am sure he will lose, but at least he's getting to go up against one of WWE's prized part-timers.

Of course, you can disagree with my thoughts on the matter, but one thing is certain. Surely you are at least looking forward to seeing whether Lesnar can take Big Show to Suplex City?

Thought as much.



Remember when Teddy Long was the General Manager of SmackDown? Every week we would have ourselves a tag team match, player. But not just any kind of tag team match. No, these were Teddy Long tag team matches.

It became a long-standing tradition for a singles wrestler to interfere in a match, only to be chased off by someone they were feuding with. The result? Teddy Long coming out to make "ourselves a tag team match."

It became a little formulaic; we would know it was coming, but it was forgivable for Long's comedic delivery style.

However, in recent weeks, I cannot but help notice that this is becoming a predictable occurrence again. Last week on Raw, Kevin Owens interfered in the Ryback's match against Rusev, which led to Dolph Ziggler making the save. So, naturally, a tag team match followed later that night.

While nothing bad about the idea, unpredictability is one of WWE's greatest assets. There will always be some things we are going to figure out, but when WWE pulls the rug from our feet, that is what makes it exciting.

Used sparingly, Long's Law can be great! Take Sting, John Cena, Seth Rollins, and Big Show before Night Of Champions for instance. But there is no need for it to be a weekly occurrence.


So there you have it, my two choices for the week. What do YOU think are the Cheap Pop and Cheap Heat this week in professional wrestling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!