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?

Since its inception, I have enjoyed The Authority storylines. From keeping Daniel Bryan down, to feuding with The Shield, to Stephanie McMahon's showdown with Brie Bella, all have given me a reason to tune in week after week. (Ok, I would do it regardless, but these made me anticipate it more.)

What makes them work is Triple H's understanding of the slow-burn storyline. There are no blink-and-you-miss-it feuds with The Authority. For the most part, the stories evolve nicely over time. It might just be a seed here or crack there, but sooner or later, you know something will always come to head.

This past week on Monday Night Raw saw the Kane/Rollins rivalry continue, and it is making for must view television. Three weeks into Seth's WrestleMania win, he is behaving like a spoiled brat with ideas far above his station. Seth is playing the now cowardly heel to great effect with his demands for extra security, reluctance to fight, and self-belief entitlement that everyone should be looking out for him.

I am not sure if intentional or not, but the crowds seem sympathetic to Kane's plight. Every week, he is fighting to contain his fury with Rollins' antics, and it could all hint to a babyface "Monster" Kane return.

But for now, Triple H is playing peacekeeper by appointing Kane the gatekeeper for the steel cage title match at Extreme Rules. Whether he turns on Rollins or not is the key question here, and I for one cannot wait to find out.



The Rock Bottom, The Stone Cold Stunner, The Pedigree, and The Tombstone—all iconic finishing moves. I am not convinced Seth Rollins new DDT-esque maneuver shall be looked upon quite the same way.

Over the past week, we have learned WWE has banned Seth's famed finisher, the Curb Stomp.

Despite having been in constant use since his WWE debut, it has now been deemed too risky, too dangerous, and far too violent a maneuver.

While in one sense, I can understand as it is a brutal move which could pose a significant threat to the recipient's neck, but so can any move when poorly executed.

Sure, Seth Rollins made the Curb Stomp significant, not the other way around, but it was always such a powerful statement when he unleashed it. Nine times out of ten, it signified the end to the match was nigh, or was utilized as part of a brutal post-match beat down to show Seth meant business. I know I am not alone in feeling a dismay over this decision as #Curbstomp trended worldwide on Twitter once the IWC discovered the dissolution of move.

But what makes this all so bizarre is the timing of it all. One week from his Extreme Rules match with Randy Orton—where the RKO is kayfabe banned— the irony cannot be lost on WWE, surely? Out of all the times to ban it, why oh why make it now?

RIP Curb Stomp.




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!