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?



This past week's NXT was solid all around, but I particularly enjoyed the return of Tommaso Ciampa and the subsequent aftermath that followed. Firstly, it was great to see Ciampa back in actions months ahead of his expected return from injury, and equally heartening to see that he had not lost a step in this time. His match with Angel Garza, while not a long bout, was a great fun one to watch. Fluid, fast, and heavy hitting. I also appreciated that this was not a squash, and Garza did get a couple of licks in. For, to paraphrase Chris Jericho, if you make your opponent out to be nothing, then what have you achieved when you win? Nothing.

Following the bout, we were then treated to an appearance from the Undisputed Era that hopefully put the wheels in motion for a match at Wargames. Weirdly, they gave commentary team a USB stick to play a video that they shot themselves. It was a neat idea, as it is a much more logic way for a wrestler to deliver a titantron message than, presumably, having kindly asked the production team to allow them to hijack the broadcast. Sometimes, it is the small touches that make all the difference.



Well, that had to be the most boring draft in WWE history. Despite all the pomp and hype, the audience could barely muster a reaction beyond apathy for any of the moves. Sure, we got some laughs out of the over the top reactions from the war room executives, but that was highly likely unintentional on WWE's part.

This was nothing like the 2016 draft, where there was an air of excitement over how the new structure would play out, and WWE only have themselves to blame. Prior to this, each show had done well to establish itself as having an identity, and everyone knew which wrestlers you could expect to see on which brand. The seams of the draft started to unravel around the time of the Becky Lynch/Charlotte/Ronda Rousey feud, but the wheels really came off after the nonsensical wild card rule kicked in.

It is very hard to get excited about draft picks when you no longer have a clue about what brand they were part of anyway. By this point, even holding a brand exclusive title was not an indicator of your brand alignment.

Also, if NXT is such an integral part on this wrestling war, why was nobody, discounting Finn Balor, sent there as part of the draft? That would have certainly have got people talking, and maybe even got some more eyes on the yellow brand's product.

Nevertheless, it is done now, and at least Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff can properly get stuck into establishing their respective brands identity without any further interruptions.

Wait.

What?


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!