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

According to the sound, the crowd was digging the gauntlet match as much I was. Raw has the better crowd, again.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

Coachman makes all the difference, and thats what gets them the win this week again.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

These first three categories are kind of short, but you're not beating that gauntlet match. Rollins put on a PPV performance, especially with Cena. It was phenomenal. It should have been the main event, because their main event wasn't all that good.

SmackDown had kind of repeat of last week, and it was still okay. But that gauntlet match was so fun.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

Asuka had arguably the worst promo of the year so far, and it was not a good showing for the first Women's Royal Rumble match winner. Hopefully something changes as she has to help lead a feud to 'Mania.

I rather enjoyed Jinders "Bobby Roode Top 10" thing because it pokes fun at the ridiculous top 10 list thing. I'm loving the tension between Shane and DB because that means we may be inching closer ti DB being back in the ring.

This week sucked for promos, but SmackDown was the lesser of two evils.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

That gauntlet match, I'm sure you're getting tired of this, set up so many good potential stories for 'Mania. Miz and Strowman (maybe an IC run for the big man?), I would love to see Elias and Rollins in a feud, and it was just so good. At least some nice stories going for the EC match itself. I'm interested to see how the Women's EC match plays out and what risks they're truly willing to take. That really rough Asuka promo took the wind right out of her sails for right now, also it was odd not seeing a Cruiserweight feature on the show the last couple weeks.

SmackDown kind of did a copy/paste of their show from last week. I still like where they're going, but no serious story advancements this week outside of Orton being the contender for Roode's US Championship.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

I love how that gauntlet match was scheduled. It was great, they took a chance, and it worked out perfectly. Raw wins this for what could be the first time.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

That gauntlet match was incredible. Especially the Cena and Rollins part. Good stuff.

WINNER: Raw

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Asuka's awful segment loses a point for Raw.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: Raw (+0 / -1) / SmackDown (+0 / -0)


Even after Asuka's bad segment Raw still blows SD away. Raw wanted to do something different and take a risk before a PPV, and it won big. That gauntlet match was a thing of beauty. SmackDown was a copy/paste it felt like to me. Raw took their risk and won big with a 5-1 tally.