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?


Stealing the show for me this week was not Dolph Zigger, but the WWE Smackdown Tag Team division.

I love it. They really are making a go of it and doing a superior job to Raw in my view. First off, Rhyno and Health Slater continue to impress and entertain me, and I hope they get to be the tag team champions.

The segment with Heath's family was very entertaining, subtly not PG, and I cannot imagine any else pulling it off like Heath managed. Major props to the actors playing his children and wife, too.

In addition, is it not refreshing to see that WWE is allowing Rhyno time to show some real comedic personality? For the past 15 years, he has always been built up as a no-nonsense goring machine, but one we knew little about.

Secondly, The Usos have turned heel, and I think that we will all benefit from the change. The association with Roman Reigns was nothing but damaging to a gimmick many had grown tired of anyway, and this change could usher in a whole host of new possibilities and feuds for them.

But another reason to rejoice? Well, by virtue of bloodline, it is probably the closest that we can get to a Roman Reigns heel turn…


Bonus Pop: JERI-KO STILL OK!

I had sadly accepted the idea that WWE would just quietly dissolve the brilliant team of Jeri-KO. However, seeing Jericho still standing by his best friend's side and continuing to be as entertaining as ever was really great to see.

"He's the longest reigning Universal Champion in history!"

Best incarnation of a heel Jericho eeeeveeeeer.


I was not the number 1 follower of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson during their time in The Bullet Club, but I know enough about them to know that their current WWE incantation is not what fans expected.

The Old Day segment on Raw was simply not funny, and if The New Day cannot help make your skit funny, then you are in trouble.

Old versions/midget versions of wrestlers rarely elicit a laugh or response. It worked when Shawn Michaels fought midget Bret Hart in 1997 by playing off The Montreal Screw job heat, but nearly 20 years on, this type of humor does not fly, and especially not done by a watered down Club.

Just a few months ago, they were main eventing Monday nights alongside AJ Styles. The Club had an NWO type vibe to it that was working well. They were invaders, outsiders, and were here to wreak havoc on the status quo.

But now? Now, they collect balls and run retirement homes.


Extra Heat: The Waiting Game

Triple H you tease! You pedigree Seth Rollins, help Kevin Owens win the Universal Championship, and then do not turn up on Raw. Still, it is keeping me anticipated for more.

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!