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?



While I am not a fan of the wrestling is fake narrative being spewed by Ronda Rousey, I did very much enjoy everything else about her segment on Raw this past week.

Firstly, let us talk about Dana Brooke's involvement. Once I had wrapped my head around the idea that she might also be Lana, or vice versa, it quickly hit me that this was probably the best promo that she had ever done. A tad saccharine? Perhaps, but the passion was undeniable. It also had the advantage of coming completely out of left field. Who would have that Dana would be the one to step up and be the defenders of the marks?

Alas, her bravery was in vain, and Ronda Rousey quickly dispatched of her in a way not to dissimilar to that of Brock Lesnar. While she has always been a killer once she gets going, there was something extra to it this time around. Maybe it just felt this way because there had been no joking, smiling, or exclamations of gratitude beforehand. Either way, this is the Ronda that we have always wanted to see, and it is a shame that the beast has only been awakened so close to her supposed departure.

Still, might as well enjoy it while we can!



Having Bobby Lashley as the Intercontinental champion is, by itself, a good idea. The first time around was a fairly good reign. Nothing spectacular, but by no means bad. So, by my calculations, reign number two should be one for the ages.

Otherwise, what was the point of making Finn Balor look like such a weak champion? Scarcely three weeks out of winning the title, the Irishman lost it without a single successful title defense. Add this to his one-day universal title reign, and it makes for a somewhat spotty resume as far as being a title holder goes.

All I can think is that they want Finn, or another face, to win the title at WrestleMania, and thus needed it back on a heel.

But would it not have been a better story for both of them to have had the reign uninterrupted till WrestleMania? Was his brief split with Lio Rush worth it?

WWE is sometimes very keen on dishing us out hot potatoes, but sometimes slow cooked stew is just what we need.


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!