Raw vs Smackdown, part LXXVI (SPOILERS?)

**Batsu** · 08-08-2004, 07:14 PM

Does anyone else think that the difference between the two shows is slowly creeping toward the difference between Raw and Nitro in 98-2000?

or rather... kind of like the difference between WCW and WWF, in general?

SmackDown is slowly creeping back to its old "we're not Raw, we're a WRESTLING show" standard, that made it the top brand when Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, and the cruiserweights ran the show. Brock Lesnar, Undertaker, and others also added to the fun. On SmackDown, it's all about the belts; John Cena steals the show on the quest to regain the U.S. Title, Spike Dudley has now made himself a target for aspiring Cruiserweight champs, and JBL is holding on for dear life to keep his WWE Championship.

RAW, the "flagship" show, has some of the more "soap operatic" angles, but also some great matches (largely due to who is champ), outrageous characters (Eugene) and rivalries. The women also compete on the "B" level show, sometimes on RAW as well...reminds me more of a typical "WWE" style show.

WWE in general has become more "WCW" ish, but SmackDown leans heavily toward that side moreso than Raw.

When you look at it like this, it makes the brand extension make more sense.

That's why I hope WWE keeps up the roster split as long as possible.

(But NO MORE 2 PPVs a month...it gives more time to develop feuds between PPVS, and also it makes events like Summerslam, Wrestlemania, and the Royal Rumble more worthwhile as they are the only time you'll see Smackdown and Raw superstars in the same month....)

08-08-2004, 07:14 PM	#1
Batsu Capcom's Corporate Champ Posts: 2,571	Raw vs Smackdown, part LXXVI (SPOILERS?) Does anyone else think that the difference between the two shows is slowly creeping toward the difference between Raw and Nitro in 98-2000? or rather... kind of like the difference between WCW and WWF, in general? SmackDown is slowly creeping back to its old "we're not Raw, we're a WRESTLING show" standard, that made it the top brand when Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, and the cruiserweights ran the show. Brock Lesnar, Undertaker, and others also added to the fun. On SmackDown, it's all about the belts; John Cena steals the show on the quest to regain the U.S. Title, Spike Dudley has now made himself a target for aspiring Cruiserweight champs, and JBL is holding on for dear life to keep his WWE Championship. RAW, the "flagship" show, has some of the more "soap operatic" angles, but also some great matches (largely due to who is champ), outrageous characters (Eugene) and rivalries. The women also compete on the "B" level show, sometimes on RAW as well...reminds me more of a typical "WWE" style show. WWE in general has become more "WCW" ish, but SmackDown leans heavily toward that side moreso than Raw. When you look at it like this, it makes the brand extension make more sense. That's why I hope WWE keeps up the roster split as long as possible. (But NO MORE 2 PPVs a month...it gives more time to develop feuds between PPVS, and also it makes events like Summerslam, Wrestlemania, and the Royal Rumble more worthwhile as they are the only time you'll see Smackdown and Raw superstars in the same month....)