WWE Raw vs. Smackdown Live: Which Was Better? (17th, 18th September, 2018)

The eternal debate of which of WWE's flagship shows did a better job of entertaining the audience continues this week, after what was one of the arguably best WWE pay-per-views in recent memory. So what happened this week in the fallout shows for Hell in a Cell? Did Raw seize the initiative, or did SmackDown lead after three incredible matches for them at the pay-per-view?

Last week's Raw vs SmackDown Live... Which was Better? saw SmackDown Live win out after an impressive display prior to the show. They were better in more categories than the other, and a lacklustre display by the Monday Night show saw them win out.

To decide who the winner of the shows is this week, we will be looking at the following:

The opening segment
The mid-card
The tag-team division
The women's division
The main event
Any surprises or shocks
The best match of the night

After looking into each of these categories individually, and seeing which show did better, we will be able to tell you which was the better show on this week's WWE Raw vs SmackDown Live.

#1. The Opening Segment:

Roman Reigns kicked off the opening segment for Monday Night Raw

Raw: Raw's kickoff segment had Roman Reigns come down to the ring to start off the show. The Universal Champion talked about how his fight against Strowman came to an end without a solid conclusion to their match due to an attack by 'The Beast' Brock Lesnar. He called Lesnar down to the ring but instead found his challenge answered by Strowman. He offered Strowman a rematch, but in the end, they were interrupted by Baron Corbin, who announced that Roman would face Strowman and Lesnar at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in the Crown Jewel show. Corbin ended the segment by saying that Roman would face him for the Universal Title in the main event of the night.

SmackDown: SmackDown's show was kicked off by the Miz inviting his wife, Maryse down to the ring as his guest. The two mocked Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan's marriage and were predictably interrupted by Bryan himself. He ran down to the ring, but while trying to attack Miz, hit Maryse instead. Maryse appeared to be hurt and lay down, but was playing possum, while Miz tried to attack the unsuspecting Bryan. Bryan caught onto the plan and attacked the Miz instead, and dodged his charge, where he ended up hurting his own wife.

Which was better? Raw's opener was great, giving us a Triple Threat Title Match to look forward to, while also revealing the second WWE Event in Saudi Arabia in 2018. The end of the segment also gave the crowd a title match as the main event, which is always a plus point. Corbin using his power to reward himself also sets up a story in the long run. SmackDown Live may have started off well with the Miz and Daniel Bryan, as well as convincing acting by Maryse, but in the end, there was something lacking in the entire segment.

Winner: Raw

#2. The Mid-Card:

Exhausted from the previous night's Hell in a Cell, both men pushed on

Raw: For the first time in a while, The Intercontinental Championship was the topic of conversation on Raw, as Dolph Ziggler was given a match against Seth Rollins for the title. Seth was expected to fail to turn up for Raw following falling through a table at Hell in a Cell from the cell structure, but turn up he did. In the ensuing match, he was even able to defeat Ziggler and retain his title.

SmackDown: The United States Title was very much a part of the conversation as well, as Rusev took on Shinsuke Nakamura for the title. After not being on the card for Hell in a Cell, Nakamura provided a brilliant match with Rusev, but eventually won it, following what appeared to be an inadvertent distraction by Aiden English, but more on that later. Rusev's title hopes came to an end as he was rolled up for the pin.

Which was better? The storytelling on Raw between an exhausted Seth Rollins and a frustrated and equally tired Ziggler was amazing, but I have to give this one to the Blue Brand. Not only did this see story progression and the United States Title finally back in the picture, but also, an incredible match.

Winner: SmackDown Live

#3. The Tag-Team Division:

Raw: Raw's tag team division had one tag team match, where the Author's of Pain destroyed the Enhancement Talent. On the other side of things, Chad Gable won his match with Viktor, but the hostile actions of Konor after match seem to mean that this feud is far from over.

SmackDown: SmackDown Live's Tag Team division lacked any actual tag team matches, but the Bar's Cesaro faced Kofi Kingston of the New Day, in a fast but entertaining match ahead of their upcoming feud. On the other hand, there was drama in the division, as mentioned in the previous Mid-Card segment, after causing a distraction which caused Rusev to lose the match, Aiden turned on his friend and partner. He attacked him from behind, and this effectively signalled the end of Rusev Day, something that's been teased for a while.

Which was better? Raw's segments both had promise, but neither had quite the power one would for. SmackDown on the other hand, while decidedly lacking in actual tag team matches, progressed the story of both segments including tag teams. The breakup of Rusev Day remains one of the sadder moments on television of late, and the fact that the fan favourite duo never got to hold the tag titles will remain a grievance for most fans as well.

Winner: SmackDown Live

#4. The Women's Division:

Ronda Rousey's Open Challenge came to an unfortunate end

Raw: Raw's Women's Division really stepped it up a notch for the red branded show. Bayley faced Dana Brooke and defeated her in a surprisingly entertaining match. Ronda Rousey's open challenge ended with her being triple teamed by the Riott Squad until the Bellas ran in to make the save. Finally, the Women's Tag Team match saw Nia Jax return, as she teamed with Ember Moon to face Alicia Fox and Mickie James.

SmackDown: SmackDown's Women's Division did not end up doing too badly for themselves, as Asuka defeated Billie Kay in a quick match, while Maryse, Lana and Zelina Vega were very involved in their non-wrestling roles. The main factor though? Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair main-evented Raw, as Becky called out Charlotte for perpetually stealing her moments. At the end of the night, Becky locked in the Disarmher on Charlotte which made for an excellent way for the Blue Branded Show to sign off for the night.

Which was better? Raw had a return in the form of Nia Jax, which saw them have a definite plus, but as far as their Title picture was concerned, there was no real progression. On the other side of things, Becky and Charlotte's feuds only seem to be getting hotter and hotter as time goes on. For the return of Nia Jax, Raw manages to draw this week with SmackDown Live.

Winner: Draw

#5. The Main Events:

Becky Lynch and Charlotte's encounter did not end well for the Queen

Raw: Raw's main-event saw Roman Reigns defend his Universal Title against Baron Corbin. The main event had a little of everything, with a good match being put on, an interruption by Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre, and the Shield coming out to make the save. As an added bonus, it even had a clean finish.

SmackDown: SmackDown's main event, as mentioned previously, saw Charlotte and Becky in the ring, along with Paige, for Becky's coronation. The continuous mockery Becky hurled at Charlotte, got the better of the queen, and she attacked her former friend. In the end, it was Becky who stood tall, making for an entertaining main event.

Which did it better? As odd as it seems, both main events were perfect in their own way. While Raw progressed the Shield vs. The Dogs of War Storyline, while also showcasing Corbin's lust for power, SmackDown showed the progression of one of the longest awaited feuds, between Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.

Winner: Draw

#6. Shocks and Surprises:

The Undertaker's revelation about his brother Kane might be hinting at something else

Raw: Raw had a couple of big shocks on their show this week. One was previously mentioned, as the return of Nia Jax saw the WWE Universe pleased. The other surprise, while expected, was the reveal of the 'Crown Jewel' event at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The biggest surprise of the night revealed by the Undertaker, that his brother Kane, would be present for the show at Melbourne, Australia in his corner.

SmackDown: As such, the only shock on SmackDown Live was a sad one, but again many had seen it coming. Rusev Day finally broke up, with Aiden English turning on his former friend and compatriot, Rusev.

Which was better? As surprises go, Raw had more in quantity, and while none of them were as big as the turn by Aiden English, Nia Jax's return pushes them over the line.

Winner: Raw

#7. The Best Match:

AJ and Andrade showcased their talent on SmackDown Live

Raw: Raw had a pretty great couple of matches, but the one that remains the most entertaining was the one between Seth Rollins and Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Title. Both men were obviously exhausted from the previous night's exhaustion, and it was telling upon their performances, but they performed nonetheless. What was great about the match was the incredible storytelling. In the end, Seth Rollins retained with an opportune Curb Stomp.

SmackDown: AJ Styles performed on SmackDown Live when he took on Andrade 'Cien' Almas. The WWE Champion and Almas put on a show, which was not only the match of the night but would also not look out of place on a WWE pay-per-view. Both men's performances exceeded expectations, and there is no doubt that the two should meet in the ring once more. AJ won, but Andrade proved that he meant business yet again.

Which was better? When it comes to this category, it is all about story-telling vs. performance. While Seth's match was good, at the end of the night, the performance put forth by AJ Styles and Andrade 'Cien' Almas, cannot be denied.

Winner: SmackDown Live

The win in the final category brings the scores to 5-4 for this week in SmackDown Live's favour!

Winner and best show this week: SmackDown Live

Send us news tips at [email protected]