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?


A few weeks ago, I wrote of the rise of interest in the divas division, following the formation of Team Bella and the side-picking that was taking place among the ranks. For the first time in a long period, we had the makings of a great all diva-inclusive storyline.

On Monday Night Raw, this certainly came to pass. As predicted, some of the top-tier NXT divas were drafted over by Stephanie McMahon to join Paige. Finally, the number's game advantage did not belong to Team Bella. However, what I did not see coming was the formation of "Team BAD" and an all-out three faction war ensuing.

I had anticipated every diva joining one side of this fight — Paige or The Bella's. But the inclusion of a third team takes the situation up a notch. Typically warring groups come in twos—Evolution vs. The Shield, DX vs. The Nation, DX vs. The Hart Foundation. Rare is a third wheel to the mix, so it is a refreshing change to see the idea used for the divas like this.

The crowd were very vocal of the affray to, for when all members of Team Paige were applying submission maneuvers to Team Bella, we even got a "this is awesome" chant going — a rarity in diva segments.

Another interesting factor is Stephanie McMahon. Perhaps it was a one off, but her actions came across as far more face than recent months. With Seth having now turned on Kane, and rumors of him facing The Game at SummerSlam, perhaps we are going to see her and her husband-turning face — an action that would shake up the WWE landscape as we know it.

But whatever does or does not happen there, this divas story is going to be one to pay close attention to in the coming weeks.



Last week, WWE announced Sheamus would be facing Randy Orton at Battleground.

Now, I do not wish to slight either of these men, both of whom are talented and entertaining individuals, but if there ever was a case for something being pre-show, this is it.

This is a match I doubt anyone is counting down the days for. Why would we? How many SmackDowns, Raws and pay-per-views have we already seen them clash?

It is a straight exhibition match without a particularly strong story. Add a stipulation or ramp up the story past the fact the men just dislike each other; then maybe we can take notice.

Despite having a large diverse roster, sometimes we get the same matches week in week out. I know WWE has to largely stick to the echelons (lower card, midcard, upper midcarder, main event and special event), but it would not hurt to mix them up a little more once in a while.

Take the success of The Beast in the East event, which saw Kofi Kingston fighting Brock Lesnar. That was something unusual we had not seen before, so of course, all eyes were tuned to that.

From a wrestling standpoint, I am sure the match will be fine, but the whole point of a pay-per-view is that they are supposed to raise the bar above fine, not just give us déjà vu.