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?


Something's been changing these past few weeks in WWE. I first noticed this shift a few weeks back with the R-Truth/Goldust sketches. There were jokes that felt a tad more risque than anything WWE had dared to do in years. At first, I dismissed it as a one-off occurrence, but further evidence has since emerged.

Vince dropped an F-bomb on TV, there was a purposeful bloodying of Roman Reigns, and then just last week Vince McMahon called his own flesh and blood a son of a bitch (though that technically means he just insulted his own wife…)

There are rumors that this is a mindful shift from WWE—an attempt to make it more adult orientated in the run up to WrestleMania.

Nobody is expecting a return to thumbtacks, ladies through tables, and forced demonic weddings, but can a happy medium be met? It will be interesting to see where WWE goes from here to try and implement such a shift.


Were you aware that the Oscars were last weekend? No? Well, fear not, for WWE saw fit to remind us at every possible chance on Monday Night Raw.

The first reference with Triple H touting Dean Ambrose as an Oscar award winning "Supporting Actor" was a barb that felt relevant in the context. In addition, it came across as both amusing and unscripted.

However, the same cannot be said for the forced influx that followed. It all felt a tad desperate, like WWE creative were saying "Look! We are in touch with the real world!" But the end result felt anything but.

It has been said by the likes of Chris Jericho, Bret Hart, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin that the real stars that end up shining do not need to be scripted. Yes, give them the bullet points and guidance, but the best talkers will always be the wrestlers allowed to be the exaggerated versions of themselves.


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!