5 Years Where SmackDown Was Better Than Raw (& 5 Years Raw Was Better)

WWE's idea of a brand extension continues to get watered down over time, it is always fun to throw on the WWE Network and watch what once were two must-see television shows. After WWE purchased WCW in 2001, WWE was left with no competition and decided to start a "civil war" with its two premiere shows.

Raw and SmackDown shared one large talent pool so the easy decision was made to turn each into its own brand with a unique roster to compete against each other in 2002. It was a competition for a short time with brand exclusive events, merchandise, and staff. Each show was better than the other at various times.

10 SmackDown: 2002

WWE John Cena Irish Whipping Chris Jericho During A Match

2002 was a very entertaining year for both Raw and SmackDown. Raw focused more on specialty matches and storylines whereas SmackDown drew attention to its standout wrestling. Although Raw had compelling segments, SmackDown is favored as the better show in 2002.

SmackDown had two Hell In A Cell matches featuring WrestleMania quality rivalries. "The SmackDown Six" drew the best ratings each week tearing up the tag team division and the show was featuring fresh, new talent that would become future franchise players for the company: Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Randy Orton, and Batista.

9 Raw: 2004

SmackDown's world title picture struggled in the latter half of 2004 to keep up with Raw. The year started off hot with Eddie Guerrero winning the WWE Championship but JBL's title takeover from June onward bittered the crowd's feelings towards the blue brand.

Chris Benoit and Randy Orton both had surprising World Heavyweight Championship wins. Raw's midcard and Intercontinental Championship pictures were strong thanks to Chris Jericho, Edge, and Shelton Benjamin. Undertaker's "resurrection" and return to his deadman character was promoted on Raw in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 20.

8 SmackDown: 2003

WWE Brock Lesnar Delivering A German Suplex To Kurt Angle

Raw in 2003 was more-so dominated by Triple H. Although Goldberg had his reign as Heavyweight Champion, it did only last three months with the other nine seeing the gold held by Helmsley. Raw in 2003 also featured the grand unmasking of Kane, which was a flop on arrival. The tag division was not too strong and the women's division was idling by.

SmackDown's WWE Championship picture saw the emergence and breakout of Brock Lesnar; Rey Mysterio also had a breakout year becoming Cruiserweight Champion. The WWE United States Championship was introduced and the tag division continuously saw sound wrestling, with the likes of Eddie Guerrero competing for both titles.

7 Raw: 2005

The top prospects for both Raw and SmackDown in 2005, Batista and John Cena, both won the top title on their shows, respectively. Although fans were behind Cena in his quest on SmackDown, the rivalry with JBL was underwhelming and fans were more invested in Batista breaking out against his Evolution stablemate Triple H.

Midway through the year, Batista and Cena switched brands with their titles; Cena's jump to Raw received a better response. Although SmackDown's showcase of Randy Orton vs Undertaker was memorable, Raw was more of the standout with matches and stories centered around Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, and Ric Flair.

6 SmackDown: 2008

WWE Jeff Hardy Posing With WWE Championship

Jeff Hardy's emergence as a singles megastar started off 2008 with an unsuccessful hunt for the WWE Championship. Hardy's chase continued on SmackDown later in the year, becoming the champion and WWE's most popular star. Undertaker's pursuit for Edge's World Heavyweight Championship led to TLC and Hell In A Cell matches for SmackDown.

On Raw, CM Punk cashed in Money In The Bank to become World Heavyweight Champion; underwhelming reign. The women's division became what is looked back on as cringy, the tag division was weakening and Kofi Kingston's breakout as a singles star was halted by the comedic Santino Marella.

5 Raw: 2006

WWE Edge Surrounded In The RIng By John Cena, Shawn Michaels And Triple H

Unfortunately, 2004 was not the only year SmackDown's world title picture struggled. 2006 kicked off with the World Heavyweight Championship being vacated, later won by Rey Mysterio to a mixed response, later won by Booker T and held for a reign fans would like to forget. Nothing special happened in the tag team, mid-tier, and cruiserweight divisions.

Over on the red brand, Edge broke out as a singles star and had a legendary rivalry with John Cena for the WWE Championship. The Intercontinental and Women's Championship pictures were strong for the most part; the return of DX occurred and Raw also hosted one of, if not, the best single-branded pay-per-views ever with Unforgiven.

4 SmackDown: 2009

WWE Edge Executing A Submission On Jeff Hardy In A Match

Raw formed a very unique new identity in 2009 that was really hit-or-miss with fans. Randy Orton became "psychotic" finding joy in punting his enemies in the head. Guest stars appeared weekly on Raw, becoming old incredibly fast, devaluing the once record-breaking wrestling show into a cross-promotional entertainment showcase.

SmackDown provided fans with new stories that drew on the personal lives of the wrestlers. Matt Hardy turned on his brother Jeff; Jeff also was tested by CM Punk leading to his company departure. Rey Mysterio's mask and identity were being threatened by Chris Jericho and investment began in a young Drew McIntyre.

3 Raw: 2007

WWE Shawn Michaels Pinning John Cena In A Match

SmackDown's main event picture was a tough pill to swallow in 2007. Undertaker took a short leave, Edge got injured, and The Great Khali was World Heavyweight Champion. MVP was a true MVP, maintaining interest in the United States and Tag Team Championship divisions.

On Raw, John Cena was giving his all in his wars with Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton. The Intercontinental and Tag Team Championship divisions were nothing to write home about but the women's division was seeing good matches from Melina and Beth Phoenix who broke out. Raw had a structured top title picture, making a big difference.

2 SmackDown: 2018

WWE Daniel Bryan Holding The WWE Championship; AJ Styles Lies Motionless

Brock Lesnar's stranglehold on the Universal Championship did not let up in 2018 and with reduced appearances, Raw did not have much of a top champion present. Raw's Roman Reigns left wrestling temporarily due to Leukemia; both absences stinging hard. Seth Rollins was more-or-less Raw's only standout star in 2018.

SmackDown's women division flourished in 2018 with Carmella, Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and the birth of "The Man" Becky Lynch. Rusev became a fan-favorite in his United States Championship hunt, New Day continued to be a popular tag division centerpiece but most incredibly, Daniel Bryan returned to the ring on SmackDown, drawing eyes to the show.

1 Raw: 2016

WWE Chris Jericho And Kevin Owens Looking At The List Of Jericho

The brand extension was long dead in early 2016 but later in the year, the second incarnation was announced. Raw received more picks than SmackDown, putting the latter at a disadvantage. Although SmackDown featured Dean Ambrose's lone WWE World Heavyweight Championship reign, it was short-lived and underwhelming.

Raw struggled at first with its then-newly launched Universal Championship but fans came around. Raw also had a stronger women's and tag division than their counterpart. SmackDown may have had the better mid-tier title picture with their Intercontinental Championship but Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho made Raw must-see.

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