Why RAW Was Better Than SmackDown At No Surprise Or Panic, Debate On Balor & Ziggler As Top Contenders, Squash Match Reaction

Raw and Smackdown

This first of four segments from Chair Shot Reality talks the big picture of RAW versus SmackDown Live this past week. Here’s some highlights of the conversation:

Josh Isenberg:

RAW had the better show, plus the old school graphics were great. The song going to Shinedown, my favorite band. Finn beginning and ending RAWE. Establshing new stars and characters. RAW was the point where you saw a complete 3 hour show. I didn’t care for the 2 squash matches, technically 3 if you count the Neville match. I liked how RAW was put together. Two 20 minute fatal four ways and the Balor vs Reigns match, but you’re not going to hav those guys competing twice every night. SmackDown was good as well. You saw talent on goths shows, but some guys need signed or brought up to fill out these shows. Nobody wants to see Enzo & Cass vs Shining stars each week or Braun and Nia Jax in squash matches every week. These rosters might be more thin then we thought they were.

Justin LaBar:

RAW was better but not surprising because we knew RAW would be better in the draft rules because they had more to work with. SmackDown was not bad, it was the best in the last 5 years but had one of the best RAW’s in recent memory to follow. I like the production elements. Felt more old school. Even how the commentators introduced the Nia Jax squash match. To the squash matches, shout out to Britt Baker who has done CSR with us, a friend and is a graduate of IWC Wrestling here in Pitt and she was the one who got squashed by Nia Jax. I want to point out the rarity here that her and I were talking about—which is you never see women’s squash matches and what it says about her they trusted her to be the opponent for Nia Jax’s first TV opponent not in NXT. I don’t want to see squash every week and it can’t compete against fall TV schedule. But I don’t mind every now and again, especially because it changes pace and showcases talent your investing in. With as much WWE programming you have, sometimes taking segment off from competitive matches makes you appreciate the other competitive matches.

For debate on if Finn Balor and Dolph Ziggler being top contenders for the two world titles, watch the full video below: 

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