It’s 8-7 to SmackDown Live so far if you follow this series and in the lead up to the Survivor Series, I expect the programming to take a more exciting turn. Last week’s outings by both shows were poor to be fair, so they both have a lot to do, to maintain their ratings and momentum going into the first joint production pay-per-view since the brand split.
This week, WWE comes all the way from the U.K where the crowds are hot, and the excitement is high.
Both shows have a good couple of weeks to build the feuds and make them as exciting as they should be. After all, it’s supposed to be fantasy warfare come to life! This week allows the brands to take the rivalry up a notch, and try to outdo each other and make sure their show stands out, going into the pay-per-view.
Raw has an opportunity to capitalise on the fact that SmackDown Live, seems to be relying more on a jobber than it does on its own main event talent. On the other hand, SmackDown Live has the opportunity to capitalise on the fact that it is the better wrestling show and its competitors, feel more legitimate than those on Raw.
I think there is an argument for little invasions leading up to the 30th annual Survivor Series, so it will be interesting to see if that happens this week. However, it could also be said that keeping the brands apart until the pay-per-view, creates more buzz and excitement for when we actually see them compete.
It’s time to analyse the best bits of each show, to see who won the battle of the brands this week!
You’ll never take our freedom!
The tag team division produced a hilarious segment on Monday night. Three of the most charismatic teams in the whole of the WWE – Enzo and Cass, The New Day and Cesaro and Sheamus - had fantastic chemistry during the promo for the tag team match at Survivor Series.
Corey Graves, had it right when he said that SmackDown Live’s tag team division cannot compare to Raw’s tag team division. Even if you’re a staunch fan of the blue brand, you must admit, that the tag teams on Raw are far more entertaining and fun to watch.
They’ve had a better build than the teams, on the so-called ‘B-Show’, and are more established due to this.
Cesaro had a small gaffe when he was cutting a promo on The Club. He explained they might as well have called him bald when insulting him and it threw him off a little bit. But it was a funny moment for the audience, and I have to admit, if I’d have been in the ring I’m not sure I would have been able to stop myself from laughing.
Cesaro’s night didn’t get much better as Sheamus accidentally hit him in the face. Another brilliant botch that just made the segment better. Enzo and Cass were also on form. How you doin’?
It was New Day that really took it to the next level, though, by embracing Scottish culture and utilising the classic scene from Braveheart, to bring the teams together and to prepare them for the upcoming bout with SmackDown Live. It was one of the best segments I’ve seen on Raw for a long while.
Show stealer
The wrestling match that Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss put on was quite easily pay-per-view quality and worked to make up for the fact that we couldn’t see it, at the last SmackDown Live PPV production, No Mercy.
Alexa Bliss' controversially loss after she tapped out, with her foot on the rope, ensures this rivalry isn’t over yet. It’s SmackDown Live’s answer to the Charlotte/Sasha Banks rivalry, and though it isn’t as intense, I have a feeling we could see the two women break more boundaries in WWE next month.
Surely the only way to further this feud and take it to the same level as Raw would be to have them compete in a TLC match. Based on the match we saw on SmackDown, I certainly don’t think it would be a problem for either of them to carry the brand in a match of this magnitude.
They really did steal the show Tuesday night.
Hey, hey Bayley, ooh ahh!
‘I wanna know if you’ll be my girl?’
The audience hijacked this segment, but it wasn’t bad in any way. It’s got to be said that the U.K absolutely loves the hugger Bayley! As soon as she came out, the crowd went wild and went on to chant Bayley’s name for a whole 10 minutes, as she tried her best to cut a promo for her inclusion in the Survivor Series women’s team.
They did not allow Charlotte to introduce the final participant either, and when ‘The Boss’ Sasha Banks, was eventually introduced by Michael Cole, not even her popularity could stop the Glasgow’s love for Bayley.
It was an uplifting segment that showed that the women’s revolution really has taken over the WWE Universe. Charlotte is a great champion and captain, as she can draw heat from the crowd with ease. The Boss has a great following due to her in-ring persona and gimmick; and then there’s Bayley. Need I say more?
These three established superstars, can direct Nia Jax and Alicia Fox, during the team-based match at Survivor Series and help carry them, hopefully into a more permanent fixture, so they can then put themselves forward as legitimate competitors to the Women’s Championship.
Here comes the money
Shane O’Mac is set to replace the Lone Wolf Baron Corbin on Team SmackDown. When I first saw the announcement, I thought it was just the WWE phoning it in, but the more I think about it, the more sense it makes.
It makes the rivalry at Survivor Series, between the two brands a lot more personal. It opens the door for a lot more twists and turns, during the match too. It would allow an interference by Stephanie or maybe even Triple H, thereby furthering the management feud that seems to have been put on the back burner recently.
It will also be good to see Shane McMahon back in the ring again. He’s a dangerous man in the squared circle, who doesn’t look like he should be. He’s not got the look of an athlete, but this is a man who’s fought the biggest names in WWE. Who could forget his war with Kurt Angle?
The man has a lot of talent, but the main question I have now is; what will Shane jump off at the Survivor Series? Will he go coast to coast? I look forward to finding out.
Fatal 5-Way
What a great main event that was! All five members of Raw’s Survivor Series team went up against each other in a Fatal 5-Way match, and it was really well worked. It lasted the perfect amount of time, had enough spots to maintain excitement throughout and felt like a pay-per-view quality match.
The finish was also fascinating, as Kevin Owens pinned Chris Jericho, albeit inadvertently. That could cause ructions either next week or at Survivor Series.
The table spot was brilliant, as we almost had an ode to the Shield, which the crowd really appreciated as they stopped booing Roman Reigns. There was an air of excitement as we saw the two superstars on the same page for a moment. Unfortunately, Jeri-KO made sure we didn’t get that satisfying pay off by interrupting it.
Braun Stowman, even after going through a table, during the match was made to look really strong. I don’t see how SmackDown Live will be able to take down the giant, after seeing him explode out of a 4-man attack.
It was an inventive way to create excitement for the team warfare. But who won this week?
Raw wins!
Raw has made it 8-8 this week in convincing fashion. The show was more entertaining than the blue brand's, had a better build for the upcoming Survivor Series pay-per-view, and showcased the talent Raw has on offer.
An argument could be made that since SmackDown has only two hours, it is harder to showcase all they can do. However, we’ve seen in the past, that Raw can struggle to fill three hours, but this week, it was jam-packed with story progression and entertainment, and I just can’t argue against that.
I think SmackDown Live had a great women’s championship match, but it just wasn’t enough to take them ahead, so it’s now level once again. No one show can seem to break away! There’s still all to play for in the go-home shows for Survivor Series next week!
Were you Red or Blue this week? Leave a comment and let’s discuss!
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