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.
WWE Monday Night Raw - June 21, 2021 - Yuengling Center in Tampa, FL
WWE Friday Night SmackDown - June 25, 2021 – Yuengling Center in Tampa, FL
BATTLE OF THE BRANDS:
RAW vs. SMACKDOWN
FACTOR 1: MATCHES
Raw = Raw featured the first cohort of Money in the Bank qualifying matches this week, which led to a strong week of contests. Ricochet picked up a suprise victory over AJ Styles, whilst Randy Orton was also surprisingly beaten by John Morrison. The show culminated in a fun Hell in a Cell match between Bobby Lashley and Xavier Woods, which was much better than I anticipated it would be. Overall, Raw featured a huge upgrade in the quality of it's matches this week.
SmackDown = SmackDown featured some solid matches, but without the caveat of Money in the Bank qualification (at least for the most part), therefore the matches didn't feel as important. Big E defeating Apollo Crews should have felt bigger than it did, with Big E focusing more on the fact that he qualified for Money in the Bank without teasing Apollo Crews about coming after his WWE Intercontinental Championship.
WINNER: Raw
FACTOR 2: PROMOS
Raw = The promo between MVP, Bobby Lashley and The New Day was solid, with all four men working hard to create a compelling storyline narrative.
SmackDown = Bianca Belair's show opening promo was one of her best since she became SmackDown Women's Champion, but once again, it was Paul Heyman who turned the screw on the SmackDown roster to create yet another top quality promo.
WINNER: SmackDown
FACTOR 3: STORYLINES
Raw = Bobby Lashley vs Kofi Kingston is already a more intriguing proposition than his previous feud with Drew McIntyre, and it is made even better by the subtle hints that there may be a heel turn coming soon for the former WWE Champion. The compelling nature of this feud already has me feeling more positive about the next few weeks on Raw.
SmackDown = SmackDown had a smaller focus on Roman Reigns this week, but the reveal of Edge at the climax of the show was absolutely astonishing. It fixes a huge problem with SmackDown's main event scene, as we now have a top tier face who can believeably dethrone The Tribal Chief.
WINNER: Raw
FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING
Raw = With a greater focus on qualifying matches for Money in the Bank, Raw felt refreshing this week. It's strange how a greater focus on matches that mean something can result in a strong show with much better pacing.
SmackDown = SmackDown was paced well, but it felt inferior in comparison to Raw this week.
WINNER: Raw
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!
Raw gains points for setting up Kofi Kingston as a deserving opponent to Bobby Lashley.
Raw also gains points for taking a chance, at least for one week only, on pushing Ricochet.
Raw loses points for such bullshit handling of Piper Niven. No, I will NOT use her new name!
SmackDown gains points for the stunning return of Edge.
SmackDown also gains points for having Liv Morgan go over Carmella again. I'm adamant WWE want to push her to the moon.
SmackDown loses points for the coronation of Shinsuke Nakamura going ahead without a hitch. Where was the Baron Corbin shakedown?
POINT ADJUSTMENTS: Raw (+2 / -1) / SmackDown (+2 / -1)
THIS WEEK'S WINNER = Raw
With a score of 4 to 2, Raw wins this week's Battle of the Brands. Both shows were good, however, Raw featured a much more decisive approach to the show which genuinely benefitted the overall pacing and enjoyment.
That's my pick for the better show of the week, but how do YOU stand?
Which was better, Raw or SmackDown?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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