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 was initially excited for the idea of the female gang warfare angle. It certainly started off on the right foot, but lost steam when it became apparent that it was mainly an excuse to elevate Charlotte.

I don't have anything against Charlotte, but I just find her personality bland in comparison to Becky Lynch or Paige. Take Paige's vindictive vent on Monday Night Raw — now that was the real way to start a Divas Revolution.

Team BAD is all flash but no substance, Charlotte is riding daddy's coat tails, Team Bella have slept their way to power, and Natalya has all but been forgotten about.

Paige's speech was an excellent embodiment of what much of the WWE Universe feels. You cannot just say something is a revolution and then it is.

The "Yes Movement" or "We Want Ryder" chants are examples of proper organic revolutions. Paige was right on target with her words, and this is when the "reality era" works at its finest. Fans are more clued up to what is happening behind the scenes nowadays, not least because WWE makes programs that show it! So, mixing real life issues into angles is always going to create an intriguing dynamic.

Viva la real revolution.



This past week on SmackDown saw Nikki Bella having a party to celebrate her record-breaking Divas Championship reign. She had the room booked, the cake, DJ, and even party hats! But sadly, apart from Brie Bella and Alicia Fox, no guests.

The concept could have been amusing, had AJ Lee not already done it.

This was essentially a replica of the time AJ Lee and Tamina held a party to celebrate winning the title. Nobody showed up, much cake was thrown, and AJ had a brilliant stroppy hissy fit.

Nikki's one was more of the same, but with bad acting (Nikki, mainly) and Adam Rose in place of Bad News Barrett. Whereas AJ always managed to look like she was speaking from the heart, Nikki just looks like she is just trying to remember lines, but at the expense of how her interactions come across.

Now, following my previous Heat article on Nikki breaking the record, I am not sure if this copycat sketch was a further slight at AJ Lee, or simply lazy/forgetful work from the creative teams.

If the former, then, they really are just taking the cake.


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!