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

You will see a trend with the winner of this category, but SmackDown had a great show and a great crowd to go along with it. There was a small thing that happened that I think was a big part of that, but SmackDown gets the W here.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

Meh... No one was over-the-top great. I'll give it to Raw just because.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

Raw has nothing to note here... SmackDown had a fun match with Rey and The Miz, and then Daniel Bryan defeating AJ Styles for the WWE Championship was one heck of a match and a moment. I am very much looking forward to Bryan vs. Lesnar now.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

Becky Lynch being out of Survivor Series is a kick in the gut. She was by far the hottest wrestler, male or female, in the past two or three months. She has been on a role since the "heel turn" I mightily disagreed with. However, they made it work. And it has been great. Her promos on SmackDown were fun, but hard to watch because I hate that she is going to be out of the show.

Raw didn't have much here either. Heyman and Lesnar did their thing while being interrupted by Jinder of all people. I did enjoy a heel Dean Ambrose promo mocking Seth and his theme song.. The promos were so weak this week in my opinion, that is one that gets the win.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles storyline leads the way along with anything Becky Lynch does. So that is a stronghold for the blue brand. I don't know why they had a sudden change of heart to go with Bryan and Lesnar, but they made a great call. Not that Lesnar vs. Styles would have been bad in the slightest, but a heel WWE Champion Daniel Bryan is interesting to me in every way.

I don't care about Lesnar and he shouldn't be the champ. The only reason I give a crap now is because I have wanted to see Lesnar and Bryan go at it for some time now. Seth and Dean are the number one rivalry on Raw, and that is a great card topper in my opinion. Elias is going to be a superstar on that brand, and now is his time since Roman is sidelined indefinitely. Here is hoping that they use him right.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

SmackDown does two hours so well.

WINNER: SmackDown

FACTOR 7: VISUAL PRESENTATION

Daniel Bryan winning the title for the first time in a long time, over AJ Styles, as a heel. Great stuff, and a great visual to end the show. Easy winner here.

WINNER: SmackDown

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Risk it all and go with Daniel as a heel champ. I love it.

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


SmackDown was a great show, and that is why they win this week 6-2. They are THE show going into the end of the year. With Daniel and AJ going at it and Becky being the number one star in the business right now, nothing is stopping SD Live.