The WWE has brought wrestling entertainment into our live for decades with two major shows. The first being Monday Night Raw and the second being Smackdown. Is Smackdown an equal show or a little brother to the older longer running show? Now with barely a week until one of the more exciting pay per view shows of the year, both shows bring things to the table. Let’s compare the two and see what makes each one a unique show.
TIME CAN TELL
Time is a thing that we all need and never have enough, however it is also a great factor in any tv show. Smackdown is the second longest running sports entertainment show on tv. Second only to its parent show RAW. One of the biggest differences between the shows is the length of them. Smackdown runs for two hours exactly, while RAW runs three hours with a grace period of anywhere from three to almost twenty minutes on the rare occasion, pushing the programs afterwards to accommodate. So obviously RAW is still the premiere show.
FROM STRONG BEGINNINGS TO STRONG ANCHOR SHOW
When Smackdown first premiered Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was at the apex of his popularity, laying the smackithdown on candyasses all across the country. So it was hardly surprising how well he used the name of the show and the show used his popularity. Of course, in the beginning, it was Friday night Smackdown. Another major difference was, it was a taped show, where RAW was always a live show. This was good for those wrestlers who didn’t have the mic skills yet and would flub a line here or there. Or even for a missed move in the ring, they would simply regroup and say or do it again.
Only the in person audience knowing they used a different take on the show. As the shows evolved, the wrestlers were split into ‘brands’ and instead of being on both shows they would stay on one or the other. Again this helped those who had a harder time with live tv, It gave them an opportunity to hone their skills. Now, both shows are live and both offer intense competition with each show trying to outdo the other. Now the newest wrestlers have an opportunity to hone their skills with the NXT. Which can be called the minor league of the WWE, run by Paul “Triple H’ Levesque. Who hand picks who will move up and helps them become the newest talent in the WWE. Already producing some of the best new talent including current woman’s champion Nia Jax. Also challenger to the WWE championship Shinsuke Nakamura.
LAST WORD
Smackdown has grown into a powerhouse show of its own over the years. Bringing powerful entertainment to our televisions every week. The WWE who has had ups and downs like any other company has stayed strong and has two of the longest running shows ever. They don’t have an off season, they don’t do reruns. They have some of the best fan interaction with crowds. And with barely a week until one of the most daredevil pay per views of the year, Smackdown will give one final push this week to come out ahead on it. Get your snacks ready and enjoy.
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