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

Both crowds seemed dead to me for the most part especially during The Mizs' segment which surprised me because I always loved The Mizzies. A couple things on both shows got some good pops from the crowd though. Strowman(already over huge) is helping Elias get to over huge level, and that Symphony of Destruction match helped a lot. It got what I think was the best crowd reaction of the week alongside Sami hitting KO with a Helluva Kick. Raw still had the better crowd.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

It is all about Coachman right now. This team on Raw is finding its groove and only getting better in my opinion.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

Why did SmackDown essentially have their main event match the week before just without John Cena? Who had a match on Raw instead.. None of that makes any sense to me. It was still a fun match however.

Raw had The Bar vs. The Revival and I just love both teams styles. Goldust vs. Cena was the match I never knew I wanted. It is such an odd group, but heel Goldust vs. Cena is good money back in the day. Wasn't anything special here, but boy what could have been. I am pegging the Symphony of Destruction match as match of the week. All of this helps Raw win here.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

I only have a few words for you here... Paul Heyman. He had an impassioned speech that was really good, and Roman had some good stuff in there too but you know when Heyman is in the ring it is the absolute best.

SmackDown did not have much besides the, "Well, I am gonna win at Fastlane!" type of stuff.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

Right now, I am not too keen on SD's stories. It isn't like they're bad, because they definitely aren't. But they aren't much of anything compared to Raws 'Mania stories. I love the six man match, and I am sure it'll be fun. Ruby Riott will be great, but it isn't her time yet. Orton and Roode is a fun thing, and I expect them to be at 'Mania against one another along with Jinder who has great heel heat. However, it cannot touch Raws stuff.

A lot of people are giving Lesnar & Reigns flak, but this is going to be a fun match for what it should be. It will be a brawl, a fight, and I'm guessing someone is getting busted open the hard way. The triple threat for the IC Title is a win-win-win. I love all three guys, and that match will be a barn burner. It could steal the show. I am expecting something big for Braun & Elias, but who knows. Also, all signs point to Asuka and Charlotte, and that would be the best woman's match we could have. Also, Ronda & Kurt vs. Steph & Hunter is still a fun match. Not 5 stars or anything, but fun.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

SmackDown wins here again. If Raw could air the Hulu version of their shows, they'd win here. It is much better as an hour and a half show instead of 3 hours.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

That Symphony of Destruction match was awesome, and Strowman breaking that huge guitar over Elias takes the cake here.

WINNER: Raw

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!
Nothing.

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


SmackDown is at a bit of a disadvantage. They're on the last build for a PPV which is generally a slow TV week, and Raw is announcing huge matches for the biggest show of the year. So, storyline wise, it will be hard to beat until SmackDown can start building bigger matches. Raw wins 6-1.