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?


Braun Strowman becoming the first man to win a tag team battle royal solo caused quite a stir this past week, but was it best for business? For this week’s column, I will be examining in from both sides of the coin.

Firstly, this match was undeniably fun. Surprises like this are what Raw or SmackDown Live need to break up periods of predictable promos or match outcomes. Nobody expected Braun Strowman, of all people, to come roaring out and demand to be inserted in the match.

His cleaning house of the entire tag team division was just a wonderful example of organized chaos. Bodies were flying, big dudes fell like trees, and Braun was just clearly having fun letting loose against the hordes. Clearly, there is art to be found in even the most disastrous of situations.

But does it now mean that Braun Strowman is going to go on and win the tag team titles, thus becoming the first ever reigning defending solo tag champion?

I love The Bar, but if they have to lose at WrestleMania, then this could be a very unique and fun way to go for the division. Strowman defending both belts in handicap matches against a myriad of teams would only serve to further his worth and appeal.

However, it should be noted that this monster push of the monster would not be without cost…



Now, as fun as the idea of a solo team champ Strowman is, once the dust of the battle royal had settled it dawned on me what had just gone down. The entirety of the tag team division had been made to look like chumps.

Sure, it made Braun look like an even bigger monster, but what sort of message does it send when none of the tag-teams were able to overcome him with a significant numbers advantage?

Even The Club and The Revival, normally considered hard hitter badasses, were unable to do much to Braun. How are any of them expected to defeat him in two-on-one matches when he has already proven that ten is barely an obstacle?


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!