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

SmackDown is still having down crowds in my opinion, but I think most people were prepared for that. We all knew the new show would start off hot after the brand split and draft, and that once that new car smell wore off it would be back to the same old song. Hopefully with a title change and maybe a few roster moves after the royal rumble to pick up some NXT stars things may change. Right now, Raw crowds still reign supreme.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

No Tom Phillips again as he was gone last week for his wedding and this week for his honeymoon. That puts Michael Cole in the seat for SmackDown again, and that means there isn't a huge difference in teams as Byron and Booker are the only two differences. If I have to choose between the two, which wouldn't be my favorite decision to have to make since neither of them are A+ guys, in my opinion, I would choose Booker T. So Raw gets the win.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

Seeing AJ Styles on Raw was cool and he was in a pretty decent tag match seeing him team with the tag champs to take on Miz and The Bar. Asuka picks up another win with her incredible streak still intact, Kane is picking up wins over Finn Balor and is starting what I think is his "last ride" in the business, Alicia Fox picks up a shocking win over Sasha and Bayley to be team Raw captain at Survivor Series, and Kalisto beats the Cruiserweight Champ Enzo Amore.

Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin together may be one of my new favorite things, and I hope that they get a heck of a run after they pick up a win against New Day. AJ Styles picks up a win on both shows as he is the first one since the draft that I can remember getting an appearance and a win much less a match on both shows. Becky Lynch wins captain duties for team SmackDown, and Randy Orton earns his spot on Team SmackDown with a win over a Kevin Owen-less Sami Zayn.

In terms of better matches, I'll have to give this to Raw again. I loved the tag match with AJ, Asuka steamrolling opponents, and I'm happy seeing Kane take a run before he calls it a career.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

Promos have been weak for almost a month now on both shows. Paul Heyman comes out on Raw and says that Jinder cannot challenge Lesnar as they aren't on the same level, and Jinder says the opposite and a couple "Modern Day Mahajaras". The good stuff between each brand has started as SmackDown invaded Raw, but almost in a heelish fashion by Shane-O-Mac and company as they nearly targeted Angle.

Really there are few promos of note here outside of Angle announcing the Survivor Series matches which you can find on the most recent Raw coverage. Between that, Heyman, and Alexa Bliss cutting a decent promo that gives Raw the win. That's how bad promos have been as of late.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

This category is going to get harder to do as the shows go into Survivor Series facing each other an blending the storylines. For right now, SmackDown has changed nothing. Dolph and Bobby Roode(my Royal Rumble pick as of right now; it's never too early) continue, Shinsuke and Jinder go forward with a little pit stop with Brock Lesnar, New Day keeps challenging The Usos, and the United States Championship picture stays the same.

In the Raw side, the shake-up with Kane(which I complained about a lot last week) has completely intrigued me. He is giving his last run here, as I expect to see from Big Show soon if we haven't already, and the sure fire hall of famer is targeting Braun Strowman. That could be a lot of fun if you ask me. Outside of that nothing has changed, but it is a big enough change for me to give Raw the category.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

SmackDown. Fewer commercials and fewer fillers.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

Kane getting a run is best for business right now. I hope this continues and we see something substantial for him as this has to be his last WrestleMania coming up.

WINNER: Raw

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Nothing.

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


Raw wins on a 6-1 tally this week as their Asuka like streak continues. SmackDown has continued the struggle, but that could change with Survivor Series coming up and a potential turn from superstars could be possible. For now, Raw reigns supreme.