WWE Survivor Series - 3 Disadvantages and 2 advantages of the RAW vs. SmackDown concept 

By Riju Dasgupta
Modified Nov 22, 2020 19:50 IST
Survivor Series 2020 will see RAW vs. SmackDown as always
Survivor Series 2020 will see RAW vs. SmackDown as always

Like every year, RAW and SmackDown will take each other on at WWE Survivor Series 2020 in a battle for brand supremacy. As fun as the concept is, we all know that it is not perfect, and one tends to have mixed feelings about the same.

In this article, we shall explore the benefits and the disadvantages of the concept of brand warfare and explore whether RAW vs. SmackDown is really the best course of action for WWE Survivor Series and beyond. As always, know that this article is the opinion of one man and if you have a contrary opinion, you're always more than welcome to chime in.

#1 Disadvantage: The outcome of WWE Survivor Series 2020 will be forgotten on the episodes of RAW and SmackDown that follow

The main issue with WWE Survivor Series is that the night after, the outcome of the matches that transpired is forgotten on the episodes of RAW and (in time) SmackDown that follow. There may be a mention of what happened at WWE Survivor Series, but that's about all there is to it, as new storylines begin and new feuds start.

Had Vince McMahon or Adam Pearce (as an on-screen figurehead authority figure) stipulated that the winners of the matches at WWE Survivor Series get some kind of title shot after their victory, against the Champions of their own brand, then the audience may have been far more interested in the outcome.

Stakes are what keep the audience invested in the outcome of any sports entertainment program, and because no Championship is on the line and because no grudge will be settled at WWE Survivor Series, the stakes aren't the highest in this instance.

Brand pride is a poor substitute for actual stakes.

#1 Advantage: Allows heels and faces to work together, and potentially set up feuds for after WWE Survivor Series 2020

When it comes to the traditional WWE Survivor Series teams, be it on the men's or women's side, heels and faces are forced to band together for the benefit of their brand. And this creates a very interesting dynamic that should play out in a very interesting manner at WWE Survivor Series, where these volatile individuals have no other option but to come together and lead their sides to victory.

How can Lana, who has been through so many tables, be able to coexist with Nia Jax, the woman that actually put her through all those tables at WWE Survivor Series, and stay together long enough to lead the RAW side to victory?

How will easy-going Otis and Seth Rollins be able to band together for the benefit of their squad at WWE Survivor Series, especially with their vastly different personalities?

One or more feud is guaranteed to begin after WWE Survivor Series 2020 is done and dusted.

#2 Disadvantage: WWE Survivor Series is happening very soon after the recent Draft

Had the concept of RAW vs. SmackDown at WWE Survivor Series happened a few months down the line, it would have made a lot of sense. At this point, it is difficult to fathom why The New Day, a team that has been on RAW for a brief spell, will be loyal to the brand at WWE Survivor Series, and the same question could be asked of The Street Profits as well. The Draft just happened, so a sense of loyalty in kayfabe is very difficult to establish at such an early stage, honestly.

The same could be said of others like Braun Strowman, AJ Styles, and Riddle, all of whom have been on the RAW brand for the blink of an eye and are defending the honor of the brand at WWE Survivor Series against WWE SmackDown.

Stories need to breathe for them to have any sort of impact, and the way that the pay-per-view has been laid out negates that.

#2 Advantage: With Survivor Series, Vince McMahon has created his own competition with RAW vs. SmackDown

At WWE Survivor Series, we will see RAW battle SmackDown in a war for brand supremacy, and irrespective of which brand wins, Vince McMahon wins. There was a time when WWE battled WCW in the 90s, with both promotions trading wins, and to an extent, a much smaller war is being waged between NXT and AEW. However, Vince McMahon has created a platform where there's a sense of competition between brands, between SmackDown and RAW.

Yes, nobody actually believes that RAW and SmackDown are at war unless they are not privy to how the business works (and unless they don't read Sportskeeda's wrestling coverage); but at the same time, this sense of competition actually makes you choose between the brands and any kind of competition is healthy, like it or not.

In fact, as an interesting social experiment, do let us know in the comments whether you'll be rooting for RAW or SmackDown at WWE Survivor Series and, honestly, whether you believe in this 'battle'.

#3 Disadvantage: There's insignificant build for many WWE Survivor Series matches

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Before WWE Survivor Series 2020 comes around, do take a moment to check out what Denise and Stephanie from Sportskeeda have to say about the upcoming pay-per-view.

How can anyone be excited for the Sami Zayn vs. Bobby Lashley match at WWE Survivor Series, especially when we know that both men are heels and while they do have a history, that dark chapter in WWE history (with Lashley's sisters) is best forgotten!?!

Even in the case of Sasha Banks vs. Asuka at WWE Survivor Series, while we know that the match will be great, aren't we all a lot more interested in Carmella vs. Sasha Banks, considering that we know that there's storyline heat!

In the case of Sami Zayn and Bobby Lashley, the two men have done more to hype up their upcoming clash at WWE Survivor Series than WWE has done in their five hours of weekly programming.

This is the case with one or more matches every year and isn't an isolated incident.

What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.