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?



It is unusual for released wrestlers to make my cheap pop headlines, but these particular releases were under unusual circumstances.

WWE said goodbye to the likes of Luke Harper and Sin Cara this past week, but not because the company particularly wanted to. In fact, they initially refused permission for either men to leave. Indeed, for having the audacity to ask, WWE extended Harper’s contract to make up for time off with injuries.

While I am not pleased to see Harper go, as he is such a strong talent, it was sad to see him being held against his will knowing that WWE had no real plans for him. He has so much to offer, and, when you consider how big, agile, and powerful he is, it is so bizarre that he never got the spot that he deserved. Legend has it that Vince wanted him to speak in a Southern accent, but gave up on him when he realised that Harper was unable to do so.

In a similar boat was Sin Cara who, despite getting something of a mini push of late, probably saw the writing on the wall long ago that he was never going to react the heights that he wanted to whilst in WWE.

Best of luck to the both of them. I hope that these releases allow them to find what they are looking for.



A few weeks ago, I wrote of a niggling feeling that WWE would, before the year is out, put the tag team titles on Charlotte. After all, it is all she is missing to be a grand slam champion, and WWE would love to add that to her resume. I am not convinced that WWE care too much who it should be with, just that she gets. However, according to the rumour mill, Charlotte is not that happy with her position in WWE, and the sacrificing of the Kabuki Warriors might all be for nothing.

On a similar note, based upon her body language and tweets, Becky Lynch seems less than impressed fighting for the titles too, and wants to go back to defending her own title.

The Kabuki Warriors have worked very hard to elevate the belts, and it pains me to think that they might lose their spotlight, and the work done with the titles, merely to appease Charlotte's ego, or just to further a story about her.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the advancement of any story involving Charlotte lies in a Ronda Rousey run in costing Lynch and Flair the match, and, in turn, leaves the tag titles on a pair that actually seem delighted to have them.


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!