WWE: Smackdown Shines Again, Can Raw Turn It Around?

Last week's episode of Friday Night SmackDown was simply put one of the best episodes of either of WWE's cable programs in recent memory. Highlighted by excellent matches such as Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton in a street fight, Wade Barrett vs. Sheamus and the Main Event Mark Henry vs. Daniel Bryan, SmackDown did a fantastic job of furthering existing rivalries and creating new ones through actual matches and smart angles, instead of sloppy and pointless promos. 

To begin the night we usually are "treated" to either John Laurinaitis, Teddy Long, Mark Henry or John Cena coming out to ramble on about something; this week on SmackDown we got instead a fantastic 25-minute street fight, between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. Although I would have preferred a Rhodes win, he looked great in defeat, and it was a perfect way to start the show that most believe outshone the two's singles match at Vengeance. 

We also got to see a rare enhancement match from Ted DiBiase who hasn't been seen on TV recently, but getting him a win over the always excellent Tyson Kidd made me happy. 

While I could have done without the Big Show-Christian back and forth, the end result turned out to be great when Wade Barrett took Christian's spot in a match versus Sheamus. After some assistance from Captain Charisma, Barrett continued his recent momentum with a huge victory over the Great White Sheamus. 

We also go to see the introduction of a new superstar Epico. While it was a bit strange for him not to get any kind of hype or even an entrance, Epico looked good in the ring and a tag team with him and Hunico could have a lot of potential. The fact of the matter is the WWE needs heel tag teams. Right now the only viable one they have is Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler, but Ziggler still has the United States Championship around his waist. Once they get done with their angle with Sin Cara, I'd love to see these two shine in the Tag Team division.

Finally, the Main Event between the World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry and Daniel Bryan was exactly what we needed. It laid the foundation for a future rivalry between the two which the IWC has been hoping for for ages. It also helped further the feud between Henry and The Big Show, and you have to admit even if it was only for a split second you had to think there was a chance D-Bry was going to cash in his money in the bank briefcase on Henry after their match. 

All in all it was a great episode. Raw this week? Well they had, The Muppets, a sloppy boring match between The Big Show and Alberto Del Rio, more rehashing of the unwanted Kevin Nash-Triple H angle, and Santino Marella going all Tajiri on Jack Swagger.

Raw's episode was silly and did little if anything to get us excited for Survivor Series. The Rock's pre-taped promo was okay, but even he failed to spark the show. The CM Punk-Alberto Del Rio feud is needed and we are all happy to see Punk get a title shot, but the way they created building up this feud makes Del Rio look extremely weak and beatable, which is not how your WWE Champion should be booked, heel or not. 

The rest of the show was very forgettable. I understand the Muppets needed to be featured if their going to be on the show but give me SmackDown's matches over Raw's any day. Zack Ryder winning was good, but how many times can he beat Ziggler in non title matches before he takes the Title away? Swagger-Marella was absolutely awful and a terrible way to end a match.  The Main-Event between John Cena and The Miz was descent, but SuperCena taking over at the end of the match and R-Truth's interference almost ruined it.

Raw is supposed to the premiere show in the WWE, but recently SmackDown has been a much more watchable brand. This is not to say SmackDown should change, but Raw needs to emulate what SmackDown has been doing so the WWE can present a more consistently excellent product for their fans.