SmackDown vs Raw: Which brand had the better champions of the week

Brand warfare is a concept WWE loves to utilize when exaggerating the bitterness between Raw and Smackdown Live these days, but almost every wrestling fan who has been watching WWE long enough realizes that the war between Smackdown Live and Raw is purely artificial. As only when Survivor Series comes knocking, then Raw and Smackdown Live decide to forcefully hate, loathe and detest one another for no reason what so ever.

But if WWE were serious about their concept of brand warfare they would put time and effort every week to ensuring that the competitive nature between both brands stay heated, and while that may seem like too much to ask from a creative team that doesn't put much thought into their booking plans, it is certainly intriguing to find out which brand was more superior. And for what its worth, everyone knows that Smackdown Live completely knocked Raw out this week in terms of booking, but let's find which brand was superior to the other in another category-the success of their champions.

As champions represent the division they are leading and most importantly, they are one part of the success of their respective brands, so which champions outperformed their peers on the opposite brand this week? Let's find out.

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#1 Midcard Champions: Shinsuke Nakamura vs Dolph Ziggler

The workhorse belts of the WWE.

This week both Dolph Ziggler and Shinsuke Nakamura graced the squared circle and it was a strong showing from both men. But which midcard champion outperformed the each other?

United States Champion: Shinsuke Nakamura

The US Champion had an interesting interaction on Smackdown Live this week.

The fact that Shinsuke Nakamura was not even scheduled to compete on Smackdown Live for the last few weeks was truly disappointing, as his rivals in Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton are white hot at the moment. But WWE heeded fans concerns and sent "the king of strong style" out on Tuesday night to compete in a match against an unfamiliar opponent- R Truth.

Truth and Nakamura may not have had the best match of the night, but if WWE invested more time into this bout, these two talented in-ring workers could have possibly stolen the show. As R Truth was surprisingly in good ring shape against Nakamura than he had ever been in a couple of months, while Nakamura showed off more of his offense than has in months as well.

Overall the main thing that gives Nakamura an early edge in this debate is the fact that he took on a brand new competitor from Smackdown's midcard and not just the superstars he is feuding with is more beneficial to the United States Title's image. While most would say it was just a filler match, it was a filler match that actually moved the midcard forward.

IC Champion: Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler had one motive on Raw this week; beat up Seth Rollins!

Dolph Ziggler has been a serviceable IC Champion ever since he captured the gold from Seth Rollins on Raw a few months ago, and while that may seem like a harsh statement to make considering the amount work Ziggler puts into his matches, promos and the alliance between himself and Drew McIntyre, nothing has really felt truly amazing from "the showoff" in a long time.

Moreover, that complaint can only be accredited to the unfortunate booking from the Raw creative team, who has done more damage to the flagship show than progress. But this week The Showoff was involved in one the very few bright segments on a creatively dull episode of Raw, as he teamed with McIntyre to take on Rollins in a handicap match.

Ziggler and McIntyre would eventually pick up the win as the numbers game was just too strong for Rollins, thus progressing this narrative between these three men. As this could only mean that Dean Ambrose could return to help Rollins even out the playing field, and while you have seen this match a many times, it continues to be the only reason why Raw still has some credibility.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

While both champions featured in high octane matches this week, it was Nakamura's booking that allowed him to stand over Ziggler in the end, as Ziggler's typical beatdown of Rollins isn't something new in wrestling. Moreover, the fact that Ziggler vs Rollins is the IC Title match at Summerslam and WWE has already given this match to the fans on several occasions is bad booking.

While Nakamura's storyline withJeff Hardy and conflict with Randy Orton stays fresh as those men have been kept away from the US Champion so their match at Summerslam could feel a bit brand new. Also, the fact that Nakamura can thrive away from his usual programme shows the ability of the man to make others look good in the ring and his capability of being a unique US Champion.

#2 Women's Champion: Alexa Bliss vs Carmella

Smackdown Live Women's Champion: Carmella

Both Carmella and Alexa Bliss were not involved in any action this week, as Bliss was in the corner of Alica Fix while she was getting absolutely broken in half by Ronda Rousey. While Camella was on commentary during the tag team match of Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch vs The Iconics. While both these champions did nothing much on their brands this week, let's see who used their screentime the best.

The Smackdown Live Women's Champion had a ringside view of her Summerslam challengers this week.

Last week on Smackdown Live, WWE made Camella one of the centerpieces of the entire broadcast as two major things happened concerning her. First was her excellent promo with Becky Lynch and the second thing was her great showing against former Women's Champion Charlotte in the main event of the night.

But this week WWE dialed it down a bit and had Carmella be on commentary during the opening match of the night, and for the most part, this was actually a good decision. And the amount of spotlight it allowed the rest of the division to have on the episode is why it was a good decision, as The Iconics made their presence as an annoying alliance and Becky and Charlotte's disintegrating friendship was on full display.

While WWE could have done more with the Smackdown Women's Champion, it actually was not necessary for her to do anymore as the next part in her programme with Lynch and Charlotte was to put the focus on both those superstars and let Carmella fade into the background until the final build to Summerslam.

Raw Women's Champion: Alexa Bliss

While Bliss did not compete on Raw this week, Ronda Rousey made sure she gets physical in the ring.

This week Alexa Bliss was again at ringside while another one of her buddies got rag dolled by an irate Ronda Rousey, and for the sake of Foxy, hopefully, she is okay. As Rousey worked a visibly stiff match with the former Diva's Champion, from suplexing her hard on the canvas to nearly breaking her damn arm, Rousey came to fight on Raw and fight she did. That is why Bliss's post-match assault on Rousey made very little sense, as Rousey disposed of the Women's Champion like she was a newly debuting rookie.

That one booking decision by WWE made Bliss look like the most idiotic person at ringside, as she spent weeks running from Rousy so why would try and take her out when Rousey's back was not even turned. Anyhow, Bliss and Fox managed to make the already impressive Rousey look more intimidating, but WWE could have made their Women's Champion seem more intelligent.

Winner: Carmella

Although Bliss is far better ring worker and promo artist than Carmella, her less than a stellar appearance on Raw this week was weak writing from Raw's creative team, as she surely could have made a far better impact on the flagship show.

While Carmella on the other hand, was sort of in the same position as Bliss this week, as she had nothing of importance to do. But her intelligence to let Becky and Charlotte's friendship to fall apart could prove fruitful for her at Summerslam, which makes her the better Women's champion of the week.

#3 Tag Team Champions: The Bludgeon Brothers vs The B Team

Which brand's Tag Team Champions outperformed the other?

This week The Bludgeon Brothers and The B Team were both in action, as Harper and Rowan took on three jobbers, while Axel and Dallas took on former NXT Tag Team Champions, The Revival.

Smackdown Live Tag Team Champions: The Bludgeon Brothers

Harper and Rowan were in their element this week.

The Bludgeon Brothers returned to in-ring action this week on Smackdown Live taking on a trio of jobbers known as 3SK, while the sight of Rowan and Harper squashing another jobber squad may sound unappealing to you as you may have seen it many times, this match was oddly fun to watch. Most of that could be attributed to the commentary provided by Corey Graves as he called Taz Junior a "Roman Reigns starter kit" and called the man out on his white beard while he was at it.

The point of this match was to remind fans of The Bludgeon Brothers destructive power, and it unsurprisingly did. And after The New Day and The Bar tore the house down in the main event of the night it only made the Smackdown Live Tag Team Titles feel more prestigious and appealing as all competitors involved are being made to look as strong as possible.

Raw Tag Team Champions: The B Team

Oh, Axel and Dallas have your fun while it lasts.

To be frankly honest with you, the Raw tag team scene at the moment is utter crap, as the Tag Team Champions are booked like weak jobbers every single week, the matches they have always end in some sort of screwy finish and the division around them is crumbling while WWE continues to do nothing.

And while you may feel that analysis may be too harsh on Raw Tag Team Champions, just take the events of this week into consideration, The Revival took on The B Team in tag team action, but the match was stopped midway due to an interference from Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy.

And for those who watch WWE for years on end now, knew that finish was going to happen, WWE took the easy way out to make all these teams look strong, but it only made the Raw Tag Team Champions look like fools.

Winner: The Bludgeon Brothers

The fact of the matter is until the Raw creative team decides to put together an elaborate plan to resurrect the Raw tag team division, Smackdown will always outshine them. As this week there was no other winner for better Tag Team Champions of the week other than Rowan and Harper, as their brand's creative team knows how to book them as the formidable force they need to be.

#4 World Champions: AJ Styles vs Brock Lesnar

Was it even a contest?

This week the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar was awol once again and AJ Styles delivered the best promo of his WWE career. It's clear who won this round.

WWE Champion: AJ Styles

Styles delivered a passionate promo about his hard work.

AJ Styles is arguably one of the best wrestlers in the entire world, and even at 40, the man is as athletic as he was back in his 20's. But this week Styles didn't wow fans in the squared circle but he did so on the mic, as Styles said a few words, but it was words that were relatable to every person out there.

Addressing his conflict with Samoa Joe, Styles spoke about his storied history with Joe and how they struggled to make it to the very summit of professional wrestling. AJ also went on to agree with Joe's words of him not being there for his family as he is out wrestling week in and week out to give them a better life.

While AJ may not have sounded as intense as Joe or as convicting as Pual Heyman on the mic, the WWE Champion did sound genuine in his words, and that is what WWE should focus on doing with Styles promos let him go out there and speak from his personal point of view, as evident from this week he won't disappoint.

Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar probably thinking about that magazine he read last week.

The Universal Champion was nowhere to been seen on Raw this week, and that may not have been surprising to you.

Winner: AJ Styles

This would come as no surprise to you, as AJ Styles was simply fantastic on the mic this week, as his promo painted him as the everyman who is just trying to be the best person they could be for their family. Which makes the WWE Championship feel immensely more important than Brock Lesnar's absent Universal Title.

While Pual Heyman's interview, Roman Reigns presentence in the main event scene and Kurt Angles warning to make Lesnar pay for the F5 he endured at the hands of the beast was all because of Lesnar actions last week. This article focuses on what Lesnar did this week, and that was nothing.