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?


I am loving the situation with the Intercontinental Championship. Some of the hottest stars in WWE are chasing it at the moment and it is all leading up to what could be a show-stealing match at WrestleMania.

Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, Daniel Bryan (maybe), Bad News Barrett, and R-Truth all looks set to clash in a ladder match at the grandest stage of them all, with the Intercontinental title belt dangling above the ring. This, of course, is only if officials can ever get it off whoever physically holds it at the time.

Wade Barrett is our champion, but he had his actual belt stolen by Ambrose at Fastlane. From there, we have embarked on a game of Intercontinental Hot Potato. On SmackDown, during a skirmish between Ambrose and Bryan, Barrett managed to get his prize possession back, only to have R-Truth—the self-proclaimed Robin Hood of WWE— steal it.

R-Truth later met Ambrose backstage, and what followed was an amusing exchange where R-Truth lied about having just won the title, then decided to vacate it, and proceed to hand over to Ambrose.

On Monday Night Raw, more illegitimate title changes took place between the potential ladder match competitors, with it now being last being seen around the shoulders of Dolph Ziggler.

Whatever happens over the coming month is sure to be fun. The belt bouncing back and forth between the potential champions, almost like the 24/7 Hardcore Championship rules, with everyone chasing whoever holds the belt.

I am forever hearing the title means little, but I am a big fan of the midcard belts. This is a great chance to add more meaning to the belt and really lead up to a memorable WrestleMania moment.



Another week, another attempted lawsuit and finger-pointing. Last week, we learned that Nelson Frazier's (Viscera) widow is attempting to sue WWE for neglect and causing her husband's death. She alleges that the head injuries Nelson sustained during his time with the company resulted in his premature death last year at age 43.

A wrestler knows the risks when taking up the profession. Competitors are supposed to do all they can to make sure no serious damage happens to one another, but accidents can and do happen. Beyond WWE not allowing Frazer to have worked for them (he still sought indy bookings years after his release), what more can they do once a wrestler is in the ring? Yes, there is a degree of after-care that should be observed, but this aside, the fact about the matter here is Nelson Frazier did not die of any head-related injury.

No, the 400+ pound-former King of the Ring died of—perhaps not surprisingly—a heart attack.

How, 10 years after leaving the company, is this WWE's fault? Did they force him to use steroids to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing body? It sure did not look like it. We must also bear in mind Frazier worked for WWE between the years 1993-2004. Why not single out other promotions he worked for after this time? Easy—WWE has more money.

Could WWE have done more to have helped Frazier stay at a lower healthier weight? Perhaps, but I find it difficult to believe they would have stood by and not said anything the entire time. They were hot on Rikishi losing weight when his began to climb, and Big Show was taken off TV in the early 2000s after he ballooned. Frazier was in the same weight region, but whether WWE tried or not, again, is irrelevant in this lawsuit. His wife is trying to claim head injuries caused it.

I am no lawyer, but this sounds a weak case. WWE gets accused of many things, but this is not one that they should feel solely responsible for.


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!