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?


It is fair to say that Jason Jordan being revealed as Kurt Angle's son was one of the worst storylines of 2017. We waited with bated breath for something to happen with it, but it quickly became clear that WWE was not entirely sure where they were going with it, either. However, credit must be given where credit is due, and WWE has successfully turned this curveball story into something rather special indeed.

This was wonderfully illustrated this past week on Monday Night Raw when he mistakenly cost Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns their chance at the tag team titles, and then wound up being sent home by Daddy dearest as a result of his hot-headedness.

Jason Jordan was previously a character I had no interest in seeing. I respected his athleticism and moveset, but found him stifled and dull in all other aspects. But WWE has now made him easy to hate in a watchable way. He is a dork, a brat, and that guy who is oblivious to how he rubs people the wrong way. This easily could have ruined Jason Jordan, but it is proving to be the making of him.

I am not entirely sure which direction this is going in next, but I am having fun finding out.



Oh, great. Dolph Ziggler is back…again.

How is it that some storylines are so well thought out and played out logically over a series of months, yet others have seemingly next to no cohesion or logic whatsoever? Do we really have writers in WWE with this vast a gap in their storytelling skills?

Eons ago, I sympathized with Dolph Ziggler's frustration at being overlooked. His passion was clear, and his meta-shoot interviews in which he vented his frustration at working hard for nothing was an endearing and relatable trait. However, when he gave near enough the same speech on an almost yearly basis, I begun to really switch off from his character.

His Twitter handle might be @HeelZiggler, and he might act somewhat heelish by berating fans who he feel betrayed him, but I never have got behind him as a heel at all. I just find him boring.

Fast forward to the end of 2017, and we saw him win and voluntarily relinquished the United States Championship from Baron Corbin. Not much explanation was given, and he was scarcely mentioned until he returned as number 30 in the 2018 Royal Rumble. Again, no explanation or reason for his absence was elaborated upon.

He is now scheduled to fight Baron Corbin on next week's SmackDown Live with the winner being inserted into the WWE Championship match. Why? Why any of this? Why did he give up the belt only to come back six weeks later and be reinserted into the title picture? Why does he deserve this? This does nothing for the prestige of the United States Championship, and even less so for the SmackDown Live writer's credibility.


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!