Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Battle of the Brands from Smark Out Moment, where we compare this week's episodes of Raw and SmackDown and determine which one of the two was the better show.

BATTLE OF THE BRANDS:

RAW vs. SMACKDOWN

FACTOR 1: CROWD

The Raw crowd was pretty hyped after Survivor Series, and the SmackDown crowd was really pretty good too. Since I'm being forced to choose, I'm going with Raw. In the long run, they're going to need the point for this category and the crowds were pretty even. So why not make it interesting?

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

Why? Why are there still four people for a two hour show? I will bitch about this until the day it changes. David Otunga is getting better still, but Tom Phillips deserves that spot over just being called the "host". SmackDown is still far better because I still have an intense dislike for Byron Saxton, so SmackDown still gets the win.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

SmackDown had some really fun matches. The Intercontinental Championship match would have been better if Corbin didn't have to come in and ruin it again. But the tag team turmoil match was pretty fun, and the main even ladder match was definitely fun to watch.

This week however, Raw takes home the W here. The New Day vs. Sheamus & Cesaro was good, the two cruiserweight matches were good, and their main event was better than SmackDowns.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

Raw had a great Highlight Reel that was entertaining, and Goldberg cut yet another good promo to start the show. But SmackDown wins because of one guy. Dean Ambrose. Dean had arguably his most entertaining night in a long time. He was originally kicked out of the building, but continued to find his way back in and being funny every time he got there. Good stuff from Dean gets SmackDown the W.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

Having Goldberg be an entrant in the Rumble is interesting. Because that nearly guarantees he is in a match at WrestleMania. He either wins, or they have to eliminate him by some nefarious means to keep him strong thus setting a match up between he and whoever eliminates him. Giving Seth a title shot now, and slightly teasing a Jericho and Owens best friend break up gives me hope that Jericho will take on Owens at the Rumble in which case I would love. I couldn't care less about the women's division right now as I'm tired of the same thing every night. I like Charlotte, but having her in some long winded celebration promo every week gets old.

SmackDown has some good stuff going on too. I'm loving the tag team stuff they're doing. American Alpha, heel Usos, Slater & Rhyno. and now Bray & Randy entering the tag team scene has me incredibly interested as to what can happen. Next week Bray & Randy take on American Alpha to see who faces Slater & Rhyno for the belts at TLC. So either Randy turns on Bray, or they win the belts. Or American Alpha wins the belts, or Slater and Rhyno retain. I love all those options. Good stuff all around there. I'm excited to see what Taker eventually does as a Styles vs. Undertaker match is now rumored for the Royal Rumble. I'm ready to see Styles move on from the Ambrose/Ellsworth thing even though James gets a future title shot with his win last night. The women on the blue brand put on a much better show consistently, and I'm looking forward to Becky vs. Alexa again. SmackDown keeps me more entertained right now, and I'm more intrigued by what they have going on. SmackDown wins.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

Raw did so much better this week when it comes to pacing. The long winded women's promo really took the momentum out of it though. So, I'm going with SmackDown again. They are consistently crushing it in this category.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

WWE all around is doing so well here. They are clearly top in the game when it comes to production. I'm giving it to SmackDown again this week.

WINNER: SmackDown

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

No extra credit for either side this week.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: Raw (+0 / -0) / SmackDown (+0 / -0)


Overall, I'm enjoying SmackDown so much more. I actually look forward to it on a weekly basis. And thats looking forward to it as an entire show, not just parts of it like I am with Raw. SmackDown wins this week 5-2.