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

John Cena being on both shows getting the reaction he does is just amazing. If you did not know, he is a friggin' superstar in every sense of the word. However, I think the SmackDown crowd was better, and slightly surprised he showed up even thought he hinted at it on Raw.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

Hey did you know Ronda Rousey was at the Elimination Chamber PPV? Because that is all Raw was about pretty much. They showed it 100 times and talked about it 150 times. So, out of pure annoyance, I'll give SmackDown the win.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

It was a fun week for matches, I think. Corbin and Zayn was fun on SmackDown. Ruby Riott beats the former champ in Naomi. Shinsuke beats Aiden English, who I think is vastly underrated in every way as a performer. And Cena & Styles did what they do better than nearly everyone else on Earth in the main event.

There was a dumpy six-women tag match, and it was not that fun. The Miz put on a great performance losing to Seth and then Finn twice (one by DQ). I LOVE two out of three falls matches, so enjoyed the tag team 2/3 falls match. Although I am waiting for The Revival to take those belts! I really liked the Elias and Strowman segment too, but I am a little biased since I love those two.

Even though Cena & Styles did the best they could, Raw wins.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

Bray Wyatt still is not done with "Woken" Matt Hardy in what has been a super underwhelming feud. Cena is going to SmackDown for 'Mania, and hey... Did you know Ronda Rousey is a WWE performer now? Kurt Angle is on her side too! Roman also cut a top 5 promo of his career, which sadly still wasn't great.

All six guys, according to their promos, are going to win at Fastlane. Breezango is super entertaining.

This week in promos was nothing to be excited about. However, I think Raw still had better stuff.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

The build for 'Mania has started for Raw. I am all in on a Miz vs. Finn vs. Seth for the Intercontinental Championship. However, I was hoping Strowman would walk out with the belt there. Reigns vs. Lesnar is going to be a fun match, no doubt. It'll be heavy fisted, Lesnar will bleed at some point, and it'll be fun for what it needs to be. The Revival better get their moment, or I am done with the tag division. Asuka will start her run that will eventually lead to a car crash with Rousey. Rousey & Angle vs. HHH & Steph is a perfect first match for her. HHH & Angle can handle the heavy lifting, and Rousey can destroy Steph easily for the win. Strowman vs. Elias, which seems the most likely at this point, will be fun for me too. I wouldn't be surprised to see Elias get a big push towards SummerSlam.

Rumors are stirring that Bobby Lashley is back, and his 'Mania match is pointed toward one John Cena. I would love that. I always liked Lashley, and him coming in as a hot heel to take on the tippy top would be great. A loss to Cena wouldn't hurt him, but a win would be huge and not hurt Cena in the slightest. First, though, is Fastlane. I love the six man main event. AJ isn't losing, but might as well scare some people that really want that Nakamura vs. AJ main event. They're doing a good job making Ruby Riott look like a real threat to Charlotte, but we know it won't happen. Orton & Roode is a really good match, and so far its been a fun story too.

Right now, I am all in on SD with Fastlane coming up.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

In the wise words of Bruce Prichard... "Well, you know." SmackDown always reigns supreme here.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

I know I have been making fun of it a lot, but seeing Rousey in the WWE is a big deal. And I like it.

WINNER: Raw

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Again, I know seeing Ronda is HUGE, and I like it. But stop showing the same thing over and over and over again.

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


SmackDown wins 4-2, and it is a lot of John Cena's doing. He feels right on SmackDown, but he adds a whole other side to what is now the six man match. However, the real test will be how each show builds towards the biggest of the year in WrestleMania.