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

Pittsburgh was on fire for their boy, Kurt Angle. They weren't so on fire for his boy.. Jason Jordan, but they were still feeling it. You cannot deny the star power of John Cean and Shinsuke Nakamura match. Their entrances alone blew the roof off Quicken Loans in Cleveland, and thats why they get the win this week.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

I have been bouncing back and forth the last few weeks in my head on commentary. I am really starting to enjoy both teams now, and not having David Otunga helps Raw immensely. The thing that helps Raw get the win this week is the spot that they were joined by The Revival during a Hardy Boyz match. Those guys are pure entertainment, and they showed that here.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

SmackDown's main event was the match of the week between the two shows (NXT not included). John Cena and Shinsuke tore it down, and the fact they Shinsuke kicked out of two AA's was fascinating alone and then he ended up picking up the win. Great move by SmackDown and WWE. But, after that there was really nothing to note in matches.

Raw had two good matches. Well, one great and one good. The tag team match between The Hardy Boyz & Anderson & Gallows was fun, but the real treat was the triple threat match between Joe, Braun Strowman, and Roman Reigns. Great match, and I can't wait to see Brock Lesnar thrown into this.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

NOTICE: Jason Jordan can't talk. Well, at least not very well yet. I'm glad his MIZTV segment was short and sweet and Miz did most of the talking. Did we see the beginning of the end for Brock Lesnar in WWE (again)? The promo at the beginning of the show seemed to hint at that, but we'll see. I liked the promo regardless.

SmackDown had another Fashion Files which are always entertaining, and a good promo to start the show too. I've been watching and lisetening to some old Four Horsemen stuff, and the promos back in the day are so much better than anything we see today. It's hard for me to choose here, but I'll go with Raw.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

SmackDown isn't putting much together for SummerSlam yet. Shinsuke & Jinder being your title match is pretty awesome, but other than that it seems a little lackluster. I have zero interest in their Women's Championship match however.

I'm loving the Raw main event too. That fatal four way should be incredible. Their tag team titles going to Dean & Seth at SummerSlam seems like an awesome idea to me too. I'm interested to see what happens with The Miz and if he could maybe give Jason Jordan a great match. I am much more interested in Raw than SmackDown. I just hope they end this Big Cass and Enzo thing sooner rather than later.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

Too many commercials in a three hour period plagues Raw again, and they chose an AWFUL main event. That's like SmackDown letting Rusev & Chad Gable main event over Shinsuke and Cena.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

Thanks to Shinsukes entrance, SD gets the win here.

WINNER: SmackDown

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Nada.

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


Raw has been a roll as of late, and I truly can't figure out why SmackDown can't get a win here. Raw is doing much more with a better drawing roster, and the next round of NXT call ups should all go to SmackDown Live to get some more star power over there. Bobby Roode, Asuka, and eventually Black and Strong should end up in the blue as well. As for now, Raw wins 4-3.