Raw came out on top last week for me, edging it with a really enjoyable show but the two broadcasts did not show what they could do. They were not at full throttle.
This did not seem to sit well with some of the blues amongst you but as always it was down to reviewing the facts of the two nights, and ultimately, Raw pulled through. It was great to see the discussion in the comments and make no mistake, that’s what we’re looking for!
That’s why for the third week in a row, I will be analysing the highs of both shows, picking out the key moments that could win the competition for either brand. Since I started doing this, if you’re keeping score, it’s one a piece to SmackDown Live and Raw.
Who will win this week? Who will take that all-important lead? I’m looking at who won the battle of the brands right here, on Sportskeeda.
Apollo Crews does a Shawn Michaels…
Apollo Crews lost his smile this week. He stormed to the ring like he just lost 5-0 at FIFA in the back and had a really aggressive start against the Lone Wolf Baron Corbin.
The match was surprisingly good. It wasn’t as acrobatic or as fun as Apollo Crews’ matches usually are. It was ferocious with some hard moves being thrown around. Apollo got revenge on Corbin by throwing him into the barricade with the force of an uncontrollable freight train, and Corbin introduced Crews to the thicker, stronger digital ring posts.
Unfortunately, as well as losing his smile, he lost his match too. Jack Swagger was sat at ringside and I like the way the SmackDown mid-card is shaping up lately. A quick showdown between Corbin and Swagger suggested a feud is coming and Crews was pretty much forgotten about.
I’m not entirely sure where Apollo Crews goes from here unless he just takes the loss and moves on to a new mid-card feud. Only time will tell. I just hope he starts smiling again.
Called it, double pin. Triple threat made for Clash of Champions.
I am so glad that they pointed this out! If you read last week’s article, then you would see that I called this and I felt like I was the only one that saw it as nothing was said by the commentary team or indeed anyone last week on Raw.
Both shoulders were down and Dana Brooke was making the argument to completely remove both competitors. However, Mick Foley, in his infinite wisdom has made a Triple Threat match for the first Raw PPV of the year, Clash of Champions.
This was a great spot and I can’t help but feel that backlash on social media may have prompted the decision. Then again, it may have been the plan all along! Oh WWE creative, you crafty devils.
Either way, we’re in for peach of a match for the Raw Women’s Championship and the best part is, Charlotte may not get pinned for the championship and therefore, she will retain her dominance even if she loses it. It would also create another great series of matches for Bayley and Sasha Banks should the title go to one of these Superstars.
Three of the four horsewomen are ruling Raw!\
Dean Ambrose with a clean win over John Cena!
I’ve only just picked my jaw up off the floor. I was watching this match as it followed the same pattern as John Cena matches usually do. Ambrose kicked out of an AA which was a bit weird for a weekly show but not entirely out of the ordinary. Then, outta nowhere, a rollup won Ambrose the match!
I suppose this makes the match at No Mercy a lot more interesting. However, in another development following the shock defeat for Cena, Styles laid both of them out before Daniel Bryan made a WWE World Championship match for next week’s SmackDown!
I can’t put into words how in favour I am of World title defences on weekly shows. It really bothers me that that has fallen out of favour over recent years. Maybe I’m looking back through rose-tinted spectacles but I’m sure the top title used to be defended a lot more on the weekly broadcasts.
It will be interesting to see if Ambrose can cut AJ Styles reign short before No Mercy but I highly doubt it. It’s certainly given me a reason to tune in next week!
The Cruiserweights light up Raw!
A fatal four-way match to determine a number 1 contender to the new WWE Cruiserweight championship was a genius move. I love the cruiserweight division, but we just watched these athletes go one on one with each other over a 2 month period so it was good to mix it up.
I like that Raw has its own logo for this particular set of athletes as it makes them seem like a special attraction and makes them stand out. It adds something more to the production of the show.
As was expected, they put on a great show of athleticism and to be honest, I could have watched them fight all night. The crowd came alive as if they weren’t expecting it and it was a great part of the show.
The only disappointment was the lack of Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo on commentary.
“Topé suicida!!”
Another successful contract signing…
The WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss signed their contract for the match at No Mercy this week and once again, SmackDown Live starts the show with their female talent. And let’s face it, once again, we were not disappointed with the outcome.
Becky Lynch produced an above average promo about how she was not born to be a champion but she worked for it. I didn’t expect to be as immersed as I was as Becky Lynch is usually quite cheesy when it comes to promos, but this felt heart-felt and it was a great way to get some crowd support.
Alexa Bliss, though small, is an extremely fiery competitor and attempted to show how dangerous she is by attacking Becky Lynch and throwing the contract table on top of her. However Becky chased her down the ramp to even the odds.
If you couldn’t see this coming, you need to visit a local optician – it wouldn’t be a WWE contract signing without a bit of flying furniture!
Who won?
The million dollar question…
Though Raw had some great moments, the best being the Cruiserweight division, SmackDown wins this week. I watched Raw late as I couldn’t watch live and I was expecting a much worse show than I got after reading all the negative comments on social media.
Jericho was gold as always, and the promos by Enzo and Cass and the New Day were as good as ever.
Unfortunately, SmackDown Live had some great matches, including a title defence with The Miz and I’m just much more invested in the SmackDown Live women than I am in the Raw batch.
Raw needed a strong show going into Clash of Champions but it wasn’t too well received by fans. SmackDown was a great show and I’m really looking forward to No Mercy, especially as I didn’t rate Backlash.
So there you have it! SmackDown Live wins.
Are you Red or Blue this week? Leave a comment and let’s discuss!
