5 reasons why SmackDown was better than Raw this week (3 & 4 December 2018)

After facing a lot of flak last week for the not so good quality shows of both SmackDown and Raw, WWE this week was able to bounce back, and to an extent, both Raw and SmackDown were able to put up a better showing, which made for good viewing.

In some ways, it was also quite refreshing to see some new storylines shaping up. It wasn't the boring monologue filled show in either of the cases as there was always some action going on.

Neither was there an imbalance between the heels and faces to such an extent that it almost becomes too boring to watch. All in all, the verdict for both the shows was that of an improved product. But still, there was a difference between the two.

And the real difference was the quality, in some ways it was the supposed "B" show, SmackDown, which had a better showing as compared to Raw. Lets look at the reasons why that was actually the case.

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#1 The women's segment was fresher

The contract signing generated so much more reaction than the repetitive booking on Raw

Yes agreed, the shouting got a bit too out of hand, and really shouldn't have happened, but you just have to admit that the audience really is behind Becky Lynch, and completely adore Asuka.

The segment could still have been better written as there were still some slight loopholes, but all in all, it was a great segment which kept the audience engaged.

What was even better was Sonia Deville giving impressions of maybe jumping into the singles division. You compare that to what happened on Raw where we had Natalya getting mauled for the umpteenth time by The Riott squad.

And inexplicably Ronda took Natalya's revenge not by fighting The Riott squad, but Nia Jax and Tamina.

The three top women at SmackDown just seemed to have a much better vibe about them, while the Nia vs Ronda feud hasn't really gained much in terms of momentum.

#2 Tag team division was booked better

This was probably the best singles match on display for a while

You've got to admit one thing. Cesaro is a freakishly strong wrestler, and has the ability to do crazy stuff in the ring. What he did in the match against Jey Uso and Xavier Woods was just crazy, and the trio put in an effective and strong match.

Leaving all that aside, even if we compare the storylines from what goes on at Raw to SmackDown, we see a marked difference. AOP has not beaten the team of Bobby Roode and Chad Gable on all but one occasion, and we aren't sure whether the team would even get a shot at the title at TLC.

On the other hand, you have 3 of the more prominent teams on SmackDown building up to their match with good equally fought matches, and there is a definite storyline progressing.

#3 Raw has Baron Corbin While SmackDown has Miz

Miz has really turned it up a notch in the last few weeks

This is just slam dunk of a judgment. When on one brand you have Miz doing the most talking and on the other you have Baron Corbin (no disrespect to him) going on and on and on with his monologues, you know which brand is going to do better.

And to add to it, Miz has actually taken it a step further, and has really grown into this. His Mic work is amazing, the segments he cuts with Shane Mcmahon are funny, and keep you hooked not only because of the storyline, but also because of the way Miz is delivering them.

On the other hand, you have Baron Corbin who is just not a finished product, and he has to cut these huge segments, which were one of the reasons why the last edition of Raw was boring.

#4 SmackDown's Samoa Joe was so much better than Dean Ambrose

Dean made an entrance similar to Bane and cut a promo which was completely divergent from his character

You've got to love Samoa Joe. Whatever job you give the guy he's able to do it with utmost perfection. He can wrestle, he can maul people, and he can dominate them, but ever since he has come to SmackDown, he has cut some of the best heel promos of the year.

Samoa Joe flagged off a feud with Jeff Hardy after a charismatic promo where he's sitting in a bar and talking about how one should not drink too much.

Compare that with Dean Ambrose who himself is as capable as any to cut amazing promos, but has had his character change to someone who looks badass, has a demeanor of a badass human being, but is scared of getting sick and catching viruses.

If we compare the two segments, Samoa Joe in that limited time made a lot more impact than Dean did during his extended segment on Raw.

#5 The Champion shows up

Something that Raw can't say about their show, the brand's champion stood tall as the curtain fell

Having Brock Lesnar as your champion, the #1 contender against him out with injury, and no Universal Championship match at TLC, Raw really has a fight on its hands every night when they have to compete with SmackDown.

It primarily leaves such a void on a show that is supposed to run for an hour longer than SmackDown. It also makes the viewers wonder why no one on the roster even bothers to talk about the main championship on the brand.

On the other hand, you have SmackDown where you have the "New Daniel Bryan" really getting into his own in his new avatar. There's a certain edginess about the guy, and a very mean streak, which makes him a very formidable force on SmackDown, just like how a champion should be.