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?



Firstly, it is great to see Lars Sullivan feeling well enough to perform on a consistent basis after his mental health difficulties earlier this year, as these are crippling no matter how big or strong you are.

Now, what of the segments that he is in? I like it. His turning up and beating people up with no rhyme or reason has shades of early Kane, Brock Lesnar, and Braun Strowman. Notably, everyone that he has targeted has been WWE veterans. Is this by design? Or just how the cards have fallen? I like the idea that there is some cohesive story behind why, and I am intrigued to discover more about it.

Randy Orton had a gimmick like this not too long ago, when he also set out to take out other long-term performers, but it sadly faded away without a real conclusion after her tore through a handful of stars.

My guess would be that Sullivan’s rampage will eventually cause another WWE veteran to emerge and challenge him, and if, as I suspect, it is John Cena, I could see us having a very good match to look forward to.



Have we witnessed the worst shake up in recent history? The myriad of niggling peculiarities and problems suggests so. Firstly, despite being an event that they build up as a really big deal, the commentators barely touch upon how certain wrestlers have moved over. If you do not care that they are here, what makes them think that I should?

Next up is the SmackDown Live tag division, or rather, the lack of it. Now, I know that I have always complained that the red brand’s tag division felt somewhat inferior against its well-booked blue brother, but I am not sure that gutting one for the other was the solution.

There were also moves that have just been pointless, such as The Miz, moved to Raw just to continue a feud with a drifting Shane McMahon. Why? Then there was moves that ended up not being moves (Zelina/Andrade), and moves that ended factions that did not need to end (Riott Squad).

Switching Roman Reigns and AJ Styles certainly freshens up the main event scenes, but what a shame that little else feels like it had too much forward thinking.


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!