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?



I was not sold on the Titus Brand when Titus first brought up the concept over a year ago. Why would I? There was no clarity over what it was. A slogan? A merchandise line? There was seemingly very little to it, and WWE did nothing to explore it.

However, fast forward to present day, and I have firmly bought into the brand.

This past week saw Akira Tozawa seemingly gang pressed into joining the brand after catching the eye of Titus O'Neil. Why the hell not? 205 wrestlers mingling with the main brand wrestlers is a good idea. It helps to break down that divisive wall that WWE has built. With the exception of the Singh Brothers, cruiserweights are not presented as being part of the main show. This will help bring him to the attention of the mainstream crowd far more than just being on 205 Live ever would.

I also like the idea of a wrestler/manager led stable banded under one wrestler's name. It carries throwbacks to the likes of the Heenan Family and Paul E. Dangerously's group. Sure, they could certainly stand to win a few more matches to become a credible stable, but the fact that it has made me like Apollo Crews must surely count for something.



Bad news for the WWE publicity machine this week as Bray Wyatt is revealed to have split from his wife, Samantha Rotunda, following a supposed affair with fellow WWE employee, Jo Jo Offerman.

Wyatt's wife and college sweetheart has reportedly fled for divorce on the grounds of adultery. It is claimed that Wyatt left her and his two young daughters back in March after she had learned of the affair. However, unlike most of his feuds, Wyatt is refusing to be beaten, and has submitted counter claims that she is making 'defamatory statements in an effort to ruin his reputation'.

Mrs. Rotunda has also countered these counters by insisting that she had the phone records that prove the affair and Wyatt's lies.

Now, my first thought on all this is that people have affairs all the time. However, for whatever reason, we as a society take great fascination when they concern a public figure or celebrity. It is a curious nuance of human nature, but an undeniable one all the same.

WWE has weathered far worse storms than this, but they are unlikely to be too pleased with the mainstream publicity this has brought to their family friendly image. Bizarrely, I first learned of the affair in the British paper, The Daily Mail, of all places. In all my years reading it, save the Hulk Hogan scandal, they never have reported on anything wrestling related!

It remains to be seen if there will be any punishment for Wyatt or Jo Jo for bringing disrepute to the company, but it would be somewhat hypocritical taking into account the free pass other wrestlers caught in similar or worse situations have been given.

Besides, what could WWE realistically do? Aside from make Wyatt lose a feud or two….

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!