Smackdown Vs Raw: It's more than just a Game

Written by Headbanger Ash

The fight to be number one!

Ever since I can remember, Raw has been the dominant brand in the WWE. From the Raw is War days to our present Monday night Raw show, it has always been the leading weekly episodic, constantly leaving Smackdown sat in a sorry second place. However, is the domination of Raw beginning to disappear? Can Smackdown, Teddy Long and-all, rise above their prevailing brother show and become number one?

Lately, I have been watching both shows without fail and the one thing I have noted is that Smackdown seems to be invading, and taking over, Raw. Rarely will a Monday night now go by in which Sheamus, The Big Show, Randy Orton or Wade Barrett are not involved in one way or another, and these names are fast becoming fans favourites.

I understand that Raw is now called the Raw super show, meaning both rosters can compete on Monday nights, yet the reliance upon certain superstars from the runner-up brand is perhaps indicating that Smackdown is no longer content with living in its sibling’s shadow. In fact, without the likes of Orton and Sheamus kicking some ass on Raw, would we actually see a drop in viewing figures?

The Royal Rumble winner of 2012, The Great White himself, is a fully pledged Smackdown superstar whilst the tag titles are also now owned by the blue half of the WWE. As this sort of power is instituted towards Teddy Longs team and away from big Johnny, will Teddy actually catch his rival?

Like many others, I still believe that Raw is, the greater brand, with the likes of Jericho, Punk, Cena (yes we may not like him, but, we like to not like him), Kane, The Miz, and Ziggler perhaps over-powering the weaker Smackdown roster.

Yet a look at the upcoming talent on Smackdown such as Sheamus, Cody Rhodes, Barrett, D-Bry etc. and you can see that the gulf between the two shows is certainly shrinking.

However, the problem doesn’t seem to be the talent, it seems to be the storylines. Raw has always provided that extra special moment which Smackdown just lacks. For example, on Raw you may see Kane clawing his way out of a hole in the middle of the ring only for it to be set ablaze moments later, whilst on Smackdown, the most edgy thing that occurs is a Natalya fart-gag or Hunico riding some sort of “pimped-out” bicycle to the ring. It is this kind of thing that is remembered by the WWE universe and which one, honestly, would you rather see?

To finish this piece I think we must recognise the huge strides Smackdown has made recently with the show actually becoming interesting again and not just 2 long, long hours of air-time on Sy-Fy. Raw has dominated the WWE universe for decades now, yet could we soon be seeing a switch over to the blue side?

D-Bry the Perfect Heel Guy?

The Bearded Man's Heel Turn Plan

Written by RY2J

Throughout recent weeks and months in the WWE, Daniel Bryan has been unveiling his new persona to the WWE Universe – a jackass. And boy does he play the part well!

Obviously a very talented wrestler, Bryan was able to capture the World Heavyweight Championship in December by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase for a shot at the gold. However, even at this earliest stage of D-Bry’s title reign, the seeds were being sown for a heel turn in the not so distant future.

By winning the title against a defenceless Big Show, questions were immediately asked about Bryan’s integrity and whether he was actually a deserved World Heavyweight Champion. 

These views were quickly backed up in the following weeks on SmackDown where the champion would defend his title against the World’s Largest Athlete, and keep winning in somewhat dubious circumstances.

Bryan’s arrogance continued to grow, and with it the fans continued to turn on a man they used to cheer; with The Champ’s crowning moment in his heel turn coming when The Big Show inadvertently knocked down D-Bry’s girlfriend AJ.

With a constant verbal barrage on Big Show thereafter, labelling him a ‘Bastard’ (cheeky loosening of the PG format) who should leave the WWE, the face-to-heel transformation was more or less completed.

After retaining his title at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view (albeit in questionable fashion), Daniel Bryan has been able to continue his pompous reign in the WWE into February.

His match a couple of weeks ago on Monday Night Raw against CM Punk stole the show, showing D-Bry can still go toe-to-toe with the (self-proclaimed) best in the world, and it is this ability, mixed in with the overzealous, egotistical persona, that has led Bryan to undergo one of the most interesting and well delivered heel turns in the WWE for some time.