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?



After Jason Jordan got injured by Bray Wyatt, Triple H made a surprise return, and joined Raw's Survivor Series team. I am sure that there will be those that will see it a burial or unnecessarily taking a spot from young talent, but to quote The Game himself, this really is best for business.

Without meaning any disrespect to Jason Jordan, Survivor Series will be Triple H's first televised match since WrestleMania 33, and I am sure that, along with the Lesnar vs. AJ style match, interest in Survivor Series has now risen to a level far more deserving for the final of WWE's big four of 2017.

Jason Jordan is undeniably a talented athlete, but as far as being a total package entertainer? He is not yet a main-eventer. Some say that this was done to get storyline resentment for his preferential treatment from Kurt Angle, but he was hardly adding to an exciting Survivor Series if viewed from a standalone perceptive.

Now, adding Triple H to the mix? Well, putting aside how damn good he actually is for a second, he, and Kurt Angle have a much richer history to draw from, and it will be interesting to see how that might factor into Sunday's match.



I was sad, but not entirely surprised, to learn that WWE released James Ellsworth this week. He achieved far more than he should have ever done, and made the most of an opportunity many would bite their arm off for.

A one-off squash match as a local competitor to Braun Strowman led to him becoming an internet sensation overnight. His legacy cemented within just two minutes thanks to his hilarious no-chinned look of panic, and the memorable catchphrase that "any man with two hands has a fighting chance."

Somehow, he resonated with the WWE universe and officials, and Ellsworth was soon brought back for two further guest appearances before signing a full time contract.

Despite having one of the worst bodies imaginable for a wrestler, he found his way into main-eventing four matches with AJ Styles, became the official SmackDown Live mascot for Survivor Series 2016, sort of won the first women's money in the bank ladder match, and was a constant character in the SmackDown Live women's division as Carmella's boyfriend/friend/dog?

I am happy that he had the run that he did, but I do feel that he still had some more worth as a heel manager, or a Barry Horowitz type figure for the women's division and 205 live.

Still, not bad for someone who was meant to be a one and done local competitor!


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!