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: MATCHES

Raw = Raw put on a number of strong matches this week, with AJ Styles and Sheamus putting on a hard hitting bout to start the show. Styles looked strong as he heads into TLC, whilst Sheamus is in the midst of perhaps his last big push.

The two women’s matches were poor this week, but that was to be expected as they served to further the overall storyline between Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Asuka and Lana. They could have been worse, but they were not entertaining at all.

SmackDown = SmackDown’s matches were a mixed bag this week, with The Street Profits vs Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode the standout contest. Montez Ford continues to perform at a high level, eclipsing everyone else in the match with ease. The SmackDown Tag Team Champions retained their titles, with Ford using sneaky tactics to secure the win.

Unfortunately, The Riott Squad vs Billie Kay and Tamina was poor, as too was Otis vs Shinsuke Nakamura. Neither of these matches felt effective, interesting, or even exciting, bringing down the overall quality of the show.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 2: PROMOS

Raw = Miz TV featured a torturous segment in which AJ Styles and John Morrison sold some of their credibility to poke fun at Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. This was just awful!

SmackDown = Carmella delivered a strong promo this week, insulting Sasha Banks in cruel fashion before their match at TLC. The acerbic manner of her insults gave the segment a level of bitterness that the feud sorely needed.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 3: STORYLINES

Raw = Drew McIntyre vs AJ Styles was the standout storyline from this week’s episode, with the WWE Champion facing seemingly insurmountable odds. It was a great development going into TLC to see Styles employ the services of The Miz and John Morrison to assist him.

SmackDown = Roman Reigns and Jey Uso spent the night destroying Kevin Owens, with each and every attack feeling visceral and calculated. Owens was able to garner much sympathy, whilst Reigns continued to look like a calculated badass.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING

Raw = Raw’s pacing was better than recent weeks, with most segments coming off well.

SmackDown = SmackDown’s pacing felt a little off this week, as some segments didn’t flow well.

WINNER: Raw

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Raw gains points for keeping The Hurt Business strong. Hopefully they can put their stamp on Raw in 2021.

Raw also gains points for creating the idea that it will be one against four at TLC in the WWE Championship match.

Raw loses points for that atrocious opening to the show. It was just simply awful, making The Miz, John Morrison and AJ Styles look like childish fools.

Raw also loses points for Riddle continuing to come across as an absolute fool. He is so much better than that.

SmackDown gains points for the Sami Awards. I just love when Sami Zayn is being an insufferable ass.

SmackDown also gains points for Kevin Owens ending the show still standing. What a way to garner sympathy!

SmackDown loses points for Chad Gable’s influence over Otis. I am not digging this association at all.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: Raw (+2 / -2) / SmackDown (+2 / -1)


With a score of 3 to 2, SmackDown wins this week’s Battle of the Brands. Neither show was a standout, but SmackDown was slightly more tolerable than Raw this week.