5 Reasons Why WWE SmackDown Live Is the Superior Show

By Thomas Brunt

​Ever since the inception of the brand separation in July, it has been well documented that SmackDown Live has been the better show. ​In the draft, it seemed as though Raw drafted the better roster, therefore they would be the superior brand. However, that logic has not proven to be true. Raw usually has more viewers tuned in on Monday nights, but SmackDown has recently caught up and even gotten the edge in ratings, recently which according to SmackDown Live GM, Daniel Bryan was a first for the blue brand. With all that at the forefront, here are my five reasons why SmackDown Live is the superior show.

5. Not as Many Cringe-Worthy Segments

The difference between the segments on this show, compared to what we see on Raw is the distance of the West to the East. Take the women's wrestling segments for instance. With Raw, it would seem as though we are not supposed to take anyone seriously as to where with SmackDown Live it's almost the opposite.

4. Fresher Matchups

I don't know how many times just in the past month alone we have seen Chris Jericho vs. Roman Reigns for the US Title. It also beyond my capacity to care now. The fresher mix of mashups on SmackDown Live keep me actually caring and wanting to see more on Tuesday nights.

3. Natural vs. Overly Produced

Monday night Raw is overly produced as to where SmackDown seems to be more naturally produced. What exactly do I mean? Look no further than the announcing booths. On Raw, we have who the company calls "The Voice of WWE" Michael Cole who since replacing the big shoes of Jim Ross, hasn't been to the likes of most fans to put it lightly. The company's recent investment in Mauro Ranallo was one of the best moves they've made in the post-Ross era. If the announcing wasn't so scripted and just cancerous to the ears, most fans including myself would be just a little bit more pumped about Monday nights. 

2. Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley

It is not as often on SmackDown Live that we see Daniel Bryan or Shane McMahon, let alone both of them on one night, but when we do it is limited. On Raw, we see both Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley on an almost weekly basis. They are both unnecessary to the show, and I honestly think it is just a lazy way out for the writing team most of the time. I can honestly say with the role he is in now, and with him being on the show most weeks, it is hard for me to care about seeing Mick Foley on television.

1. 3 Hour Format vs. 2 Hours

Plain and simple, most of the problems Raw has had with putting on a show that most fans want to see is with its three hour format. I know I am more than likely in the norm in saying this, and I have been pushing for WWE to push Raw back to two hours again. Also, this has to be stated about the show and the format: there is a problem when we have only 15-20 minutes of wrestling on a 3 hour WRESTLING program.

SEE ALSO: "Thomas Brunt's Top 5 Best WWE Matches of 2016 (So Far)