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?



I was feeling a little sorry for Buddy Murphy following his loss to Alistair Black on Monday Night Raw. While it was not like he had looked poor in defeat, quite the opposite, but I did wonder when, or, even if, he would get another bone thrown his way. I could easily envision a world in which Murphy had little involvement in stories, and was used primarily as utility player to put everyone else over.

Thankfully, these concerns were somewhat premature, and, before the night was out, it became clear that somebody backstage must like Buddy Murphy a lot.

Hanging around despondently at ringside was an interesting way to set up his joining of Seth Rollins' faction, and that alone helped bring intrigue before we had an inkling of what was going to happen. Certainly, a less creative approach would have seen him simply run in from backstage, or have Seth make it obvious by giving him a pep talk backstage prior to the match.

Method of entry aside, that they chose Buddy Murphy as the upper-mid card associate for the group is an inspired choice, and exactly what Murphy deserves. The group now has shades of Evolution, minus a senior statesman, but Seth's considerable experience makes him a suitable combination of Triple H/Flair. He is very much the present, but has much to impart upon the futures of the business.

All in all, not a bad consolation prize for losing the trilogy against Alistair Black after all!



Sad news this week with the passing of Wayde Douglas Bowles, better known to the wrestling world as Rocky Johnson, the father of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Aside from siring one of the most popular wrestling and movie stars of this generation, the Hall of Famer played a big part in race relations for wrestling. Beginning his career in the 1960s, Johnson was a big, but athletic, man with charisma in spades, and quickly became a main stay within the National Wrestling Alliance, winning numerous regional and tag-team championships.

From there he went on to became one of the first black men to a win a championship in WWE (WWF) by capturing the tag titles with Tony Atlas, and, as shown by remarks by many African-African wrestlers on social media, Johnson's feats served as an inspiration for many, and may have helped imbue them with a belief that, they too, could excel in the wrestling world.

Of course, apart from inspiring others to aspire, he also helped prepare and train The Rock for WWE.

I would say that he did a pretty good job with that too.

Smark Out Moment extends its condolences to Johnson's family and friends in this difficult time.


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!