9 Reasons WWE SmackDown Is Currently Superior To Raw

4. Treating Wrestling More Like A Sport

Smackdown Live
WWE.com

We all know that kayfabe is dead and buried and we're living in the world of sports entertainment, but that doesn't mean there isn't success to be found in taking a more serious approach to what goes on in the ring. It's no secret that Vince McMahon is quite proud of his company's designation as "sports entertainment", but perhaps there's still money to be made in the "sports" portion of that moniker.

While both shows are still following the standard WWE formula to an extent, SmackDown seems to be delving just a little further into the realm of a real sporting event. The matchmaking and vying for the titles makes the presentation more akin to something like old school pro wrestling or even touches of the UFC rather than an evil Authority figure booking talent against each other for their own perverse enjoyment.

We all know it isn't real, but it's much easier to suspend our disbelief when we're not constantly reminded that everything we're watching is predetermined. SmackDown isn't perfect in this aspect, but they're definitely moving further in this direction than their sister show.

Contributor
Contributor

Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.