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

I don't know what it is, but the SD Live crowd seemed out of it to me. So, therefore, Raw gets the win.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

I just love the transition and difference that Coachman has from his character in the past. He has brought and will continue to bring some immense credibility and professionalism to this sport. He helps Raw get the W.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

Usually this is a Raw category 100%, but whew this week was rough with weird finishes and matches that just didn't stand out to me. The Seth Rollins vs. Jinder Mahal thing was weird. Rollins hitting someone with a chair just doesn't fit his current character, and the ignored interference from Singh (even after an ejection) just made no sense at all. However, I am looking forward to him vs. Elias. Owens and Roode was okay, and Drew McIntyre beating Chad Gable was an okay match too. The gauntlet match just didn't do it for me.

Shinsuke and Tye Dillinger is an NXT flashback, and they can GO. I liked it especially with the heel Nakamura. New Day beating The Bar with The Miz was entertaining enough for me, Asuka got a win, and I LOVED the main event with Joe beating Bryan and Cass by making Bryan tap out. SmackDown wins this one this week.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

Another rough promo week. Like real rough, again. Raw had a classic food fight, which was really pretty funny. And SmackDown went back to the mid 2000's with a diva dance off, and that was bad. Oh and Sami admitted he had a terrible promo last week which was cool. So, the food fight beats the dance off, so Raw wins in very sad fashion.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

Let's start with Raw. No Lesnar, shockingly, but everything else is really shaping up. I'm not 100% into Rousey and Jax, but the match will sell it for me if Rousey can work well with her. I am intrigued by Reigns vs. Mahal, but we'll just have to wait until the match happens to see what my final thoughts are. Sami vs. Lashley has been a bust, and I think the match will mirror that since Lashley should stomp him. I am really looking forward to Rollins vs. Elias for the IC Championship.

SmackDown has AJ vs. Nak, and I am liking it so far and that last man standing thing should be great. The Bludgeon Brothers and The Good Brothers is a good tag match for what has been a great tag division in SD Live. Carmella and Asuka should end in a squash because Asuka is 10x better than Carmella. However, I can see a cheat-to-win scenario for Carmella though.

We do have the two ladder matches with both shows combined, so we cannot add them to each show individually. I am more into SD Live stuff with Nak/AJ, the tag match, and Asuka eventually becoming the champ. SD Live wins.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

SmackDown always feels better paced.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

Joe vs. Bryan vs. Cass. Cass is the odd man out here but held his own, and Joe tapping Bryan out was incredible. SD Live wins.

WINNER: SmackDown

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Nada.

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


SmackDown wins with a 4-3 count, and this is because their main event is carrying that show. Nak and AJ on top is just good stuff, and I am hoping that the match itself holds up with Last Man Standing. Bryan and Cass has been surprisingly good using the classic David vs. Goliath formula. Not to mention Joe and The Miz have the best odds of winning Money in the Bank in my opinion.