Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Battle of the Brands from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of Raw and SmackDown and determine which one of the two was the better show.

BATTLE OF THE BRANDS:

RAW vs. SMACKDOWN

FACTOR 1: CROWD

The Ohio battle took place this week as Raw was in Cleveland and SmackDown took its show to Cincy. Raw seems to have the better crowd 80% of the time, and they get the W here tonight even though the show was rather up and down.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

Byron Saxton should have a heel commentator run. I don't know why, but something needs to change. Everyone three or four episodes he'll say something dickish, and I love it. This was that episode.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

SmackDown was messy in terms of matches. Which is to be expected in a go home show for a PPV, but having two interference DQ's in a row and the return of Colin Delaney just doesn't spell exciting to me. Although, Shinsuke vs. KO was well done with DB counting the 1,2,3.

Raw had some great match-ups that, with build-ups, could be PPV matches. Roman & Cesaro for the IC Championship could be really fun with a true build up and seeing Cesaro hold a tag and singles title would be really fun. Dean vs. Joe has the potential to be something amazing too with the right build.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

What a crap week for promos. It was horrendous all around in my opinion. I normally don't feel that way as I usually think that the promos in this era are generally solid but rarely anything special. This week was a total dud all the way around. No one stood out, not a single promo had a point whatsoever, and not a one advanced a storyline in a meaningful way outside of Bryan naming himself the special guest ref after what seemed like way too long of useless chat. So, for the first time ever, no show wins this category.

WINNER: NONE

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

This is my favorite category every week because this is what brings in the money for the company and what they should be spending the most time on. That doesn't always seem to be the case, however.

Currently, I LOVE where SD Live is at. AJ being the main guy, Shinsuke seemingly his WrestleMania match-up, and guys like Bobby Roode headlining the midcard. With women like Natty and Charlotte in the women's picture and Becky waiting for another shot, things are looking up all over the place for SD Live. Not to mention The Usos, New Day, and Shelton & Gable giving them a fun tag scene. Also, I hope The Bludgeon Brothers kill it this run.

Then on Raw we have Braun Strowman(possibly my favorite right now), The Shield vs. The Bar and Samoa Joe, Cruiserweight controversy with Rich Swann(who I will guarantee will not be back for a long long time), and Paige and Asuke help bolster that Women's line up.

I'm upset that Riott Squad and Absolution are different teams but are booked the EXACT same way tho. Overall, the most upside comes from SmackDown and they have my favorite stories right now.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

You know how it goes here. SmackDown uses their allotted time much better. Sometimes watching Raw it feels like I see more commercials than action, and I never have that feeling with the Blue Brand. Pacing is important and for the most part Raw does not have it.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

Yep! Movement, Daniel Bryan counting a pin for Kevin Owens. These get SmackDown the win here.

WINNER: SmackDown

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Nada.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: Raw (+0 / -0) / SmackDown (+0 / -0)


It's rare to see a go-home show get a W, but SD Live got it here. Raw dropped the ball plain and simple and a lot of that is due to their lackluster endings nearly three weeks in a row now, and their bad use of Finn Balor. SmackDown gets the win 4-2, but heres to hoping both shows get better and better.