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.
WWE Monday Night Raw - May 17, 2021 - Yuengling Center in Tampa, FL
WWE Friday Night SmackDown - May 21, 2021 – Yuengling Center in Tampa, FL
BATTLE OF THE BRANDS:
RAW vs. SMACKDOWN
FACTOR 1: MATCHES
Raw = Raw featured a stunning television match between Asuka and Charlotte Flair, with The Empress of Tomorrow picking up the surprise victory. Kofi Kingston vs Bobby Lashley was a fine example of an upset used perfectly to create a compelling storyline narrative. Unfortunately, some of the remaining matches were poor, including yet another torturous match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
SmackDown = The main event was a glorious battle for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, featuring high octane wrestling and fast transitions. The match never slowed down once, and all four men need to be commended for how well they performed. The remaining matches on the show were all good to average, but the fact that the Fatal Four Way was given so much time is a strong reason why SmackDown had the better wrestling this week.
WINNER: SmackDown
FACTOR 2: PROMOS
Raw = The show opening promo was a great interaction between MVP and Drew McIntyre, but most promos on the show failed to captivate.
SmackDown = Roman Reigns felt slightly muted this week as he preferred to utilise Paul Heyman as his mouthpiece, which meant Aleister Black’s vignette was the best promo of the week.
WINNER: SmackDown
FACTOR 3: STORYLINES
Raw = Kofi Kingston defeating Bobby Lashley, albeit with support from Drew McIntyre, was exactly what this storyline needed. If McIntyre is to remain an adversary of The Hurt Business, teaming up with The New Day is the perfect way to do it.
SmackDown = The intrigue surrounding the WWE Universal Championship was built upon as Seth Rollins once again destroyed Cesaro. I cannot wait to see who ends up facing off against each other at Hell in a Cell, guaranteeing that the next few weeks will be unmissable television.
WINNER: SmackDown
FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING
Raw = Raw sadly was not a cohesive show, featuring a level of pacing that was difficult to enjoy.
SmackDown = SmackDown was a show characterised by solid pacing, with no particular match or segment coming across as poor or mediocre.
WINNER: SmackDown
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!
Raw gains points for giving Asuka a level of redemption by defeating Charlotte Flair.
Raw loses points for the awful Women’s Tag Team Championship match.
SmackDown gains points for the incredible return of Aleister Black. He looked like an absolute badass!
SmackDown also gains points for how dangerous Seth Rollins looked as he taunted Cesaro on the stretcher.
SmackDown loses points for the fact that Commander Azeez didn’t get more involved in the Fatal Four Way match.
POINT ADJUSTMENTS: Raw (+1 / -1) / SmackDown (+2 / -1)
THIS WEEK'S WINNER = SmackDown
With a score of 5 to 0, SmackDown wins this week’s Battle of the Brands. The blue show was just a much better offering than Raw, which is a shame as WrestleMania Backlash was a largely stellar show.
That's my pick for the better show of the week, but how do YOU stand?
Which was better, Raw or SmackDown?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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