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 like how the crowd responded to the Elias segment by chanting "we're not worthy" and how they were so pumped for Becky Lynch that it threw Ronda Rousey off her game (sucks for her, but I like the passion).

On SmackDown, the crowd chanted for Daisy the cow and chanted "goodbye Daisy" when he dropped the belt in the trash can. Other than that, not much intensity.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 2: COMMENTARY

This was a wash, per normal.

WINNER: Raw / SmackDown (tie)

FACTOR 3: MATCHES

Nothing was all that impressive on Raw in terms of quality.

On SmackDown, we got a random title change in a match that wasn't something to write home about, but a good Fatal 4-Way tag team match. However, that was the one and only match, really. It was just the United States title situation and the tag team match. The rest were promos.

In terms of pure quantity, Raw wins.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 4: PROMOS

Seth Rollins and Triple H had a good promo at the start of Raw, but Ronda Rousey botched hers, so they balance out. The Elias segment is a plus, as is Braun Strowman congratulating Rollins backstage. Not sure how I feel about Mojo Rawley's mirror bit and the Bobby Lashley / Finn Balor segment.


Samoa Joe's AA meeting joke was great. The rest, meh.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 5: STORYLINES

I know many people are going to say they loved how WWE kicked off the Brock Lesnar and Seth Rollins feud, but to me, that fell flat. The Rollins/HHH promo was good and the beating at the end of the night was incredibly generic that I was beyond bored.

I'm intrigued about Dean Ambrose, I don't think Elias turning heel is a good idea but we'll see, I couldn't care less about Mojo Rawley, I'm somewhat interested in how this Strowman/McIntyre/Corbin thing will pan out and I like that they did qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber.

I like that they followed up R-Truth being screwed in the Royal Rumble by giving him a United States Championship match. I was going to write an article about how a competent boss would do something along those lines as a consolation prize and they beat me to it. Not a fan of the heel turn for Rusev, but I'm curious where they go from here.

That Mandy Rose and Naomi detail was stupid.

WINNER: Raw

FACTOR 6: SCHEDULING / PACING

Overall, Raw didn't have a bad pace, but SmackDown felt a little disjointed.

WINNER: Raw

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!

Raw gets bonus points for Triple H and Rollins getting emotional, the Jeff Jarrett and Road Dogg appearance, and Strowman being a good sport to Rollins.

Raw loses points for having Nia Jax make Dean Ambrose look bad, turning Elias heel, and Rousey's botched promo.

SmackDown earns a bonus point for a surprise title change, the Three Amigos reference, and Bryan changing the belt to that monstrosity.

SmackDown loses points for turning Rusev heel, setting up a lackluster tag team match that I guess is happening next week, and the Mandy Rose thing.

POINT ADJUSTMENTS: Raw (+3 / -3) / SmackDown (+3 / -3)