9 Reasons WWE SmackDown Is Currently Superior To Raw

Now that we’re approximately two months into the brand split experiment it’s time to take a look at both shows and try and determine which one is putting out the better product. The ratings aren’t an accurate predictor of success seeing as how both shows are currently tanking. The best way to measure the winner in this two-show race is to gauge the feedback and reaction to each.

Raw is the flagship and that’s never going to change, but until WWE stops reminding their viewers of that on a weekly basis SmackDown will always have an uphill battle to climb. In addition to being viewed as “the B-show” between the two, we have years of pre-conditioning that what happens on SmackDown doesn’t affect the overall product and it’s taking some work to change that perception.

Let’s take a look at the actual quality of the shows. If the response from the IWC – which is a much larger percentage of WWE’s remaining audience than they care to admit – is any indication, the blue brand is currently pulling ahead in the Monday/Tuesday Night War. Consistently better feedback and the ever-popular underdog status have made SDL the favourite among the fanbase.

Here’s why…

While at first thought it might seem like having a thinner talent roster is a detriment, it’s actually been beneficial for the Tuesday night show. Prior to the brand split, Raw suffered from the condition of having far too much talent and not enough creative ability to utilise them all, so what we were left with was a bunch of guys spinning their wheels going nowhere or being outright ignored despite having what seems like an infinite amount of content to fill.

SmackDown’s advantage is that they have to make use of every single person on their roster, be they a main eventer, midcarder or lower-level performer, because there’s no other choice. Obviously there’s still people on the show who could be booked into better positions – Apollo Crews instantly comes to mind – but, for the most part, everyone has something to do.

Such is the reason why a guy like Jack Swagger, who was going to go nowhere fast on Raw, “jumped” over to Tuesday nights. Less talent means less chance of hard-working wrestlers getting lost in the shuffle, and for the most part the wrestlers who have been given the opportunity to shine have taken it and done so.