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

Chicago is always one of the biggest stops for WWE. Unfortunately, only one Chicago crowd had much to cheer for. That was Tuesday nights crowd for SmackDown. Even though, in classic Chicago style, they cheered for CM Punk(which I usually take away points for) I'm giving them the win here. At least they had something to cheer for.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

Nothing new here. I really hope they change something up next year with Byron & Otunga as they clearly are a sore thumb in their respective commentary teams. But, I'll take SmackDown's team over Raw any day. Maybe we'll see Renee make the jump to a commentary spot in 2017.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

I mean.. Is this even a question? SmackDown had all four titles defended, and a shocking title change to American Alpha beating The Wyatts. This is the easiest decision of the post, SmackDown wins.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

I thought both shows were really weak in the promo area. Granted, SmackDown didn't have a lot of time for any promo's at all with four title matches on the card. But they did have the triumphant return of the face that runs the place, John Cena. I really expected John to come out and torch AJ Styles. Saying he isn't worthy of holding the belt that he holds even though he has put on countless classic matches, and then announce he is joined Lesnar and Goldberg from Raw and jumping in to the Royal Rumble. Instead, he issued a challenge for whoever is the champion at Royal Rumble. So, since I was so disappointed with his return(and Raw will need the point), I'm giving this section to Raw.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

I have lost loads of interest in Monday Night Raw. Braun Strowman along with KO & Jericho are the only things keeping me going. SmackDown is the exact opposite. I love every single title scene they have there, and things are only getting stronger with Cena coming back and rumors of a returning Deadman.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

Maybe its my lack of interest showing through here, but I get bored as all hell during a three hour Raw. There just isn't enough there to fill an extra 60 minutes. And most of that 60 feels like commercials.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

This category is always the most difficult. SmackDown has kind of strayed from those different camera angles that we saw, or maybe I'm just getting used to it. Either way, I still think SmackDown is a more fun show to watch.

WINNER: SmackDown

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Nothing here.

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


When they slowly started announcing all their title matches for this week, I knew that SmackDown would be tough to beat. There wasn't anything Raw could do to beat out the return of Cean, and all those great title fights. That held true, and SmackDown won the week.