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?


If you have ever been unsure whether a segment of SmackDown has an edited crowd or not, just compare it to a Cesaro match.

Take last week on SmackDown, where Cesaro teamed with Ryback and Dean Ambrose to face The Wyatt Family. Despite it being a losing effort, it did nothing to damper how positive the crowd reacts whenever he steps foot in the ring.

I doubt the editing team could drown the response to him out if they tried. Cesaro continues to get better in each match he wrestles, and it is unbelievable WWE is still not viewing him as main event material. We know that Vince McMahon feels Cesaro does not quite have the "it factor" to grasp the brass ring and enter the upper echelon, but the WWE Universe clearly disagrees. They love him, and it is not hard to see why.

Cesaro's nom de plume of "The Swiss Superman" is far from just a fancy name. He practically does fly when he bounces off the ropes and into the air, and his strength is easily double what his size should permit. Cesaro has gotten over from sheer wrestling skill alone.

Yes, he is not regarded as a go-to guy for a sound bite, but neither was Daniel Bryan at one stage. However, as I have previously mentioned in this column, Cesaro is actually funny in his own unique way. Granted, he is not electric as The Rock, and he probably will not be giving us the next "What?" or "Yes!" anytime soon, but the crowds are clearly accepting of him for who he is.

Cesaro has long since grasped the brass ring, but what a shame someone is still holding on tight at the other end.



Lately, it seems Rusev cannot get a break—or rather, he can, but just not the way he imagined.

Having just managed to free himself of the love quadrangle angle, Rusev seemed to be doing well with his newfound European buddies, Sheamus and King Barrett. Previously, Rusev rarely got along in any team, typically being surly and uncooperative and thinking nothing of leaving a match midway ala Kevin Owens. But alongside the Englishman and Irishman, he truly seemed to form an obvious connection and camaraderie that complimented the pair.

However, last week, it emerged that Rusev damaged his arm during a match for Main Event, and is now likely to be out for the month. Obviously, it could have been far worse, but it's nevertheless bad news and really impedes the progress he was making post "Ru-Ru".

Despite having been a frequent 2014 offender in my Heat columns (for reasons not relating to injury), I have come to like Rusev. Anyone who takes it upon themselves to force WWE to end such a terrible story deserves respect.

I wish you well in your recovery, dear Ru-Ru.


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!