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

I don't know what was going on with the SmackDown crowd, but they seemed extra out of it this week. SmackDown definitely wasn't as good as normal due to it being a go home show for a PPV, but they really seemed like they didn't want to be there.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

If 205 Live was an option they would win here. Mauro and Corey Graves are who I wish were doing SmackDown, but add Austin Aries and thats gold. But, 205 Live isn't an option. I still hate Byron Saxton and the way he interacts with both Michael Cole and Corey Graves, and the four man team on SmackDown is getting increasingly more awkward. But I'll take the awkward four man team with Mauro over Byron Saxton any day.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

SmackDown had a real down week when it comes to matches. Only a few total matches, and none of them overly rememberable. The main event between Randy & Bray against American Alpha was as good as it should've been, but Raw just had better matches overall. Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns, The New Day vs. Gallows & Anderson, and of course Charlotte vs. Sasha in that epic main event. Raw wins without question.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

SmackDown had some really good promos and interviews this week. The contract signing with Becky and Alexa was pretty fun, American Alpha & The Wyatts had a couple of good interviews, and the Ambrose Asylum was pretty good too. But the whole Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho thing was way too good for me to pass up. The altercation between Sami and GM Mick Foley was pretty fun, and of course the Sheamus and Cesaro segment inside the bar was pretty awesome too. Raw wins this category.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

Raw is going to win here too. I love the SmackDown storylines between Miz and Dolph, and Dean and AJ. But they're already set in stone with a PPV coming up, so nothing overly interesting happened. But Raw was different. The Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens story is only going to get better as their friendship seems to be on the edge. The Tag Team Championship line on Raw is pretty good as New Day is earning that record, and it looks like we may finally get to move on from Charlotte and Sasha at least for awhile after that awesome main event. Also, the addition of Brock Lesnar into the Royal Rumble is a pretty big deal as well. Things are looking up for Raw, and hopefully its only going to get better.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

Two hours still beats three hours in my opinion even if the three hour show has a better week.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

I'm going with SmackDown here again since this is still hard to separate the two brands. But the Wyatts have the best visual entrance of any team/superstar in the WWE right now, and they just happen to be on SmackDown.

WINNER: SmackDown

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

I'll give one point to Raw for that awesome main event they had.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: Raw (+1 / -0) / SmackDown (+0 / -0)


I knew SmackDown was going to be a little slower than usual this week. With the PPV coming up, the go home shows are generally a little rough. Raw took advantage and had a great show this week winning the tally 5-3 with the extra credit point.