WWE Raw vs. Smackdown Live: Which Was Better? (8th, 9th October, 2018)

Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live had a lot of work to do this week following the WWE's huge Super Show-Down show in Australia, as they not only had to follow up on the events Down Under, but also had to build towards the upcoming huge WWE shows this month, Evolution and Crown Jewel.

But what we care about here is which show was better? Was Raw or SmackDown the most entertaining WWE show of the week (NXT isn't included to make it a fair contest!) SmackDown Live picked up the win last time round.

To determine the winner We'll be looking at the best match of the night for both shows, the opening segment, the mid-card, the tag-team division, the main event and any surprises or shocks that may have happened on either show. Then, at the end of it all, we'll be able to tell you who wins when it comes to WWE Raw vs SmackDown Live.

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#1. The Opening Segment

Raw: The opening of Raw saw the huge announcement that Shawn Michaels was back from retirement and was going to reunite D-Generation X with Triple H to take on the Brothers of Destruction at Crown Jewel, after the Undertaker and Kane attacked Shawn and Triple H at Super Show-Down. It was a money promo from both men and a huge announcement!

SmackDown: Does it matter? Will anything ever top Shawn Michaels announcing he's going to wrestle again after eight years? No it wont! But for what it's worth, the opening of SmackDown Live was the Becky Lynch Vs. Charlotte Flair Women's Title Match, which was great. I mean it was really, really good. But it wasn't Shawn Michaels coming out of retirement good.

Which was better?: I'm going to have to give it to SmackDown on this.... Are you kidding me? This one goes on Monday Night Raw.

Winner: Monday Night Raw

#2. The Mid-Card

Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins trying to spot the mid-card titles in the WWE at the moment

Raw: The Intercontinental Title was AWOL on Monday Night Raw yet again with current champion Seth Rollins still caught up in the Shield Vs. Dogs of War feud. To make matters worse it doesn't look like we'll be seeing an Intercontinental Title match anytime soon.

SmackDown: Some of you might now know this but Shinsuke Nakamura is the current United States Champion and he's actually a wrestler on SmackDown. I'm being sarcastic because quite frankly the WWE seemingly do not care one iota about Nakamura or the United States Title. Don't worry though, Nakamura is wrestling Rey Mysterio on next week's show ... For a spot in the WWE World Cup at Crown Jewel. Oh well.

Which was better?: Neither, neither show's mid-card was better this week. Come on WWE find a way to use these mid-card belts before we all forget about them entirely

Winner: Draw

#3. The Tag-Team Division

Yes, I know this is the third photo from Raw I've used, I'll use a SmackDown one for the next one. Promise!

Raw: Raw's tag-team division is also suffering because of the Shield Vs. Dogs of War feud because current champions Ziggler and McIntyre are lost in six-man tag-team matches (albeit good ones). With that in mind we get a variation of Chad Gable and Bobby Roode Vs. The Ascension for the fifth week in a row, complete with added Authors of Pain interruption.

SmackDown: Nothing, no New Day appearances, no Usos, nothing. See why I had to use a Raw picture now? I guess you could count Aiden English wanting to still be in Rusev Day as something. But no, not even a tag-team match.

Which was better?: Raw by default, simply on the basis that it actually had a tag-team appear on the show.

Winner: Monday Night Raw

#4. The Women's Division

Becky Lynch and Charlotte's feud gets out of control on SmackDown

Raw: We had a few developments here, Ronda Rousey teamed with the Bella Twins again against the Riott Squad, only to get attacked by the Bella's after the match. Trish Stratus and revealed her and Lita would team up to take on Alexa Bliss and Mickie James at Evolution and Ember Moon surprisingly beat Nia Jax in singles action.

SmackDown: SmackDown opened the show with its Women's Title rematch and boy was it good! Charlotte and Becky Lynch put on a great match that, at 23 minutes, broke the record for longest women's singles match on Raw or SmackDown. Plus it ended with that great spear through the video wall.

Which was better?: I've got to give it to SmackDown. The Becky Lynch and Charlotte feud has consistently been the best thing about either show in general and the pair really stepped up here and delivered an excellent match. The Last Women Standing Match at Evolution is also a really exciting prospect.

Winner: SmackDown Live

#5. The Main Events

Raw: Raw's main event was the Super Show-Down rematch between the Shield and the Dogs of War. If there's one thing we've learnt it's that these six men know how to put on entertaining six-man tag-team matches and this match had the added caveat of Dean Ambrose seemingly walking out on the Shield after getting pinned.

SmackDown: The Big Show made his return in the SmackDown main event, taking on 'The Viper' Randy Orton for a spot in the WWE World Cup. It was great to see the Big Show back but the match itself wasn't particularly great.

Which was better?: I've got to give this one to Raw, The Shield storyline is intriguing and the match was great whereas the Big Show and Randy Orton main event felt a bit forced and awkward.

Winner: Monday Night Raw

#6. Shocks and Surprises

Raw: There were many shocks and surprises on Raw. DX getting back together, Shawn Michaels announcing his return to the ring, The Bellas turning on Ronda Rousey, Bobby Lashley turning heel against Kevin Owens, Trish Stratus and Lita teaming up at Evolution and Dean Ambrose walking out on the Shield. The show was basically nothing but shocks and surprises.

SmackDown: Not a lot went on here in terms of shocks and surprises. The biggest thing probably being the announcement that Rey Mysterio would be back for SmackDown's 1,000th episode and had returned to the WWE full time.

Which was better?: Raw was the better show for shocks and surprises this week, hands down.

Winner: Monday Night Raw

#7. The Best Match

Was AJ Styles Vs Shelton Benjamin this week's best match? No.

Raw: Raw had a few decent matches but the best of the night has to go to the Shield Vs Dogs of War six-man tag-team match. There's something about Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre that just works in the ring. I truly think this, and the Super Show-Down match will go down as amongst the best Shield six-man tag-team matches in history.

SmackDown: It's a shame because AJ Styles Vs Shelton Benjamin and Jeff Hardy Vs Samoa Joe could easily be the best match of any wrestling week if done properly, unfortunately, they weren't here. Thankfully the women were around to show everyone how it's done with Becky Lynch and Charlotte undoubtedly stealing the show!

Which was better?: I think that record-breaking women's match between Charlotte and Becky Lynch was the best match on both Raw and SmackDown this week

Winner: SmackDown Live

That brings the scores to 5-3 in favor of Monday Night Raw

Winner and best show this week: Monday Night Raw

Which show do you think was better this week, SmackDown Live or Monday Night Raw? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!