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 - December 5, 2022 - Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
WWE Friday Night SmackDown - December 9, 2022 - PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
BATTLE OF THE BRANDS:
RAW vs. SMACKDOWN
FACTOR 1: MATCHES
Raw = Raw not only featured the best Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match this week, but they also offered a more consistent level of matches. Each and every contest felt important, entertaining me in their own unique manner. A particular highlight for me was Alexa Bliss upsetting the odds to win her Triple Threat match at the expense of both Becky Lynch and Nikki Cross.
SmackDown = I will give credit where it is due to the blue brand - their women's match wasn't garbage this week. Although not a stellar offering, Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox defeating the team of Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler was more entertaining than what we have received recently. Thankfully, the rest of the matches were solid, with the opening match between The Usos and Brawlin' Brutes coming across splendidly on television.
WINNER: Raw
FACTOR 2: PROMOS
Raw = Just for the image alone of The Miz being told his Rolex was fake, Baron Corbin comes out on top this week in terms of promos. What is this fresh hell I have just plunged myself into?!?
SmackDown = I was not a fan of the Attitude Era birthday throwback for Kurt Angle. Call me boring, but I just did not appreciate the re-hash that was the milk spray. I also found Bray Wyatt's segments this week to be... meh. Maybe I expect too much from the beautiful big man?
WINNER: Raw
FACTOR 3: STORYLINES
Raw = For me, Becky Lynch attempting to get back to the top of the mountain on Raw is an interesting story to follow, as is the three way feud between Seth Rollins, Austin Theory, and Bobby Lashley.
SmackDown = GUNTHER vs Ricochet is slowly piquing my interest, but as has been the case nearly every week, Sami Zayn and The Bloodline are the main attraction, as is Bray Wyatt's developing feud with LA Knight.
WINNER: SmackDown
FACTOR 4: SCHEDULING / PACING
Raw = Raw returned to it's usual level of solid and enjoyable pacing this week.
SmackDown = Overall, SmackDown wasn't badly paced this week, but ending the show with the birthday throwback left me wanting more.
WINNER: Raw
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS ROUND!!!
Raw gains points for The Miz looking like a fool. I love that. I really do.
Raw also gains points for Alexa Bliss beating the odds to win this week. It was an outcome I wasn't expecting.
Raw loses points for Dolph Ziggler feeling irrelevant again.
SmackDown gains points for the WWE Intercontinental Championship feeling important.
SmackDown also gains points for reminding fans that Gable Steveson exists. I just hope the reports of him struggling at the Performance Center are erroneously reported on.
SmackDown loses points for Zelina Vega not looking the part. Her current style is perhaps my least favourite that she has displayed in WWE, which causes me to subconsciously steer away from her and Legado Del Fantasma.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK!!!
The Usos - a team who rightfully are being perceived as the best tag team in 2022.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE WEEK!!!
Re-has #5 of the milk spraying incident. I'm just not a fan.
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, enjoying a level of quality and consistency that it has been known for in 2022.
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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