Is Smackdown! worth watching?

[nbda1997]

I gave up on Smackdown! years ago (a little bit before it moved to Friday nights). At the time, Smackdown! had become so inferior to RAW, that I was almost embarrassed to watch it. I'm not just talking about lack of star power; it was the actual production value that suffered as well. Sometimes, the storylines were as non-nonsensical as TNA.

I was wondering if things have changed. I'm starting to feel left out when people on here talk about guys who only appear on Smackdown! It does sound like some of them are good wrestlers and have interesting characters. I just don't know if I want to invest 2 more hours into watching wrestling if its going to be poor quality television.

So, looking for a consensus: Should I give Smackdown! another chance?

 

[Mr. Artistic guy]

Smackdown is big on re-playing half of what happened on Raw in a condensed version.

There's quite a few new guys that wrestle almost exclusively on Smackdown (Damien Sandow, Ryback, Antonio Cesaro) and with them a few new interesting characters. Sandow is an intellectual superior, degrading other with his articulation and graceful delivery ann in-ring work. Ryback is...basically... Goldberg in 1997 but not as effective because everyone can see that blatantly see they're trying to regenerate Goldberg (if you aren't already familiar with him from Raw). Cesaro is a former Rugby player who was too aggressive for the sport and joined wrestling because of his connection with Arksana who is his on-screen girlfriend.

Smackdown itself is not very storyline focused, most of it's time is spent furthering inroads made on Raw, usually by use of matches as opposed to other storyline related drivers like promos or other segments, although they do feature heavily as well.

There's currently a lot of matches that are basically squashes, or quick dominating matches at current. Sandow, Ryback or Clay matches don't usually last more than a minute or two. These are broken up by longer, more competitive matches from the tag division or the mainstay Smackdown guys.

From my perspective, Smackdown is a weaker programme now than it was a few years ago when you stopped watching as a result of the decision to intermingle both rosters. It means that Smackdown doesn't really get it's own exclusive stories, merely backs up the ones forged on Raw. So more or less the best reason to watch Smackdown is the chance of seeing good matches. There generally seems to be more wrestling time on the show and Jericho, Sheamus, Del Rio, Bryan and others get a good 10-15 minutes often to deliver good matches. And they often do.

I would watch Smackdown now if the wrestling side of wrestling appeals more to you.

 

[Unsold Bacon]

Yes. If you don't like it then you stop watchign it again. There isn't much of a risk.

I think Smackdown was beating RAW for a few years up until lately in my eyes.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I often watch it, but lately it has been pretty lackluster. They haven't had any great programs. Orton and Sheamus had a good potential feud brewing, but then Orton got his wellness violation and that killed it. Frankly, as much as I like Sheamus, his WHC run has been pretty lackluster due to poor feuds. And last Friday when ADR again won the #1 contenders match, I literally said to my TV, "you just lost a viewer." ADR is the most boring man in WWE. People say Diva's matches are piss breaks... Not for me. Anything involving ADR is. If I don't have to go, I'll change the channel.

Anyways, they're finally putting actual wrestlers on the roster against Ryback, so at least there's something potentially developing there.

Jericho and Ziggler's feud is being shown there as well since it's Ziggler's brand, so that's not bad to watch.

Frankly though, my biggest complaint with Smackdown!, besides ADR, is that 20% is nothing but Raw recaps.

So basically, it's hit and miss. Mostly I watch out of loyalty or nothing else to do. I still record it if I'm not home so at least then I can skip commercials and stupid stuff.

 

[LFC till i die]

At times I watch Smackdown but because its a taped show and because they have spoilers of it on wrestling sites I dont' bother watching it anymore. Raw is obviously the top show for the WWE and Smackdown has become boring to watch. It doesn't have many top names on the roster like Raw does. If I was to watch Smackdown it would be because of Sheamus or Randy Orton.

But if you don't want to watch it anymore, don't.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

If you like wrestling, then yes I advise you watch it again. Last few weeks Smackdown has been pretty impressive in-terms of content. I'm usually more entertained from an episode of Smackdown than Raw to be perfectly honest, sans the last two weeks with Raw 1,000th and the CM Punk explanation from Monday, but aside from that Smackdown has probably been the best wrestling show on television. And yes, I take IW into consideration when saying that.

And if you start watching again, some advice, don't watch it for a couple weeks, thinking its good and then when they have an off episode come to the conclusion the show is shit and never watch again, every show from every genre of television has a few shit episodes, doesn't mean It'll be shit forever.

 

[The Brain]

I just don't know if I want to invest 2 more hours into watching wrestling if its going to be poor quality television.

Yes. If you don't like it then you stop watchign it again. There isn't much of a risk.

Exactly. Instead of making a thread about it why not just watch the next show? The only thing you have to lose is two hours. Time is precious but I think you can spare it. You don't even have to watch it on Friday night. Record it and fast forward thourgh commercials and recaps and you will easily cut 30-45 minutes out of the show. I usually record it every week and watch it in pieces throughout the weekend. It's not like you have to make a commitment to watch every week. You obviously like wrestling so I don't see why it is such a big decision. Check it out and if you like it keep watching and if you don't like it don't watch it again.

Smackdown usually dedicates a lot of time to at least one match. It's common to see a solid twenty minute match on Smackdown. It is also shown three times on Saturday night on UHD. Starting at 6:00 (central time) Raw and Smackdown are replayed three times each. Although it might be cut to two now that Raw has gone three hours. Regardless, it's another opportunity to catch the show.

 

[Pera]

No. The word I would use to describe Smackdown lately is 'pointless'. It has the odd good match, but never furthers any meaningful stroylines and is more of a comedy show. Don't see what you'll lose though in giving it a crack.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Ask yourself:
Am I really a fan of WWE? If the answer is "Yes", then you should watch it. I mean I think that you don't skip an episode of HIMYM, and every now and then they make a shitty episode.

 

[I'mTheJanetty13]

Smackdown is still definitely the red-headed step child. As most have said, it can seem like a RAW rewind show at times. Then the actual SD parts have become pretty repetitve:

-Del Rio squashes Ryder or Santino
-Ryback squash
-Makeshift tag match

Maybe the new GM and Orton's return will stir things up a bit.

 

[helio]

Smackdown sucks nowadays.

 

[helio]

Only reason i tune in is beacuse of Ryback.