Ok, bear with me people, this is the first column i've done in quite a while. So instead of working real hard to find a place to write a column and email the guys to get a very wanted spot, CRZ decided to be real nice and make slashwrestling a place where you can write guest columns. Everyone bow to CRZ *ahem* I mean me.

Anyways, I figured i'd actually go with the grain for once and write about the ever present RAW vs Smackdown debate. NO DON'T CLICK THE CLOSE BUTTON YET!!! For once i'm the only one with an interesting viewpoint on the subject. Most "brainless" people (I only call them brainless because they allow columns to change their minds to what the columnist thinks) believe the Smackdown side flat out has the better roster. In this case, I don't disagree. Yes, the Rock's and Angle's are the people to whom the ratings go to. BUT I think the more entertaining roster to watch is RAW. Please, gasp hard and say I offended you. Frankly, i'm tired as well as I think many other people are, of the brand name guys. For instance, the first Flair RAW boasted Bradshaw and Kane against the nWo. Kane has been ready to get a push for a LONG time. In no way am I a Kane mark, but the guy does have talent in the ring unlike every other big guy in the WWF. Bradshaw hasn't gotten his since the Acolytes story flopped. The Jackal was really cool for a while, but then the APA just turned into everything but wrestling (don't get me wrong, I love the APA skits, but it's about damn time). It's about time these guys get a push, they've paid their dues and they deserve it. Now you've got Brock Lesnar, a man who I believe doesn't deserve anything more than a mid card push and hopefully that's all he'll get. He needs to build more, but it's a fresh face. Booker T and RVD are other names that come to mind on this subject too. RVD is near time for his good clear push and Booker is coming back to where he was as WCW champion.

Now, i'm not saying Smackdown flat out sucks, that's not true. For a fact I wouldn't be suprised if it took over the ratings VERY soon. The only reason it wouldn't is because of UPN, let's face it, UPN is not TNN. What brings ratings is the name brand guys, obviously that means their going to have more impressive and cleaner matches than let's say Brock Lesnar vs Booker T. Most of the top guys know each other very well in the ring, with the exception of Hogan but without a doubt everyone is learning Hogan's technique. I do completely agree the better current roster is on Smackdown, that's what's going to bring the ratings and that's what people want to see. But in my book, the more interesting is going to be RAW, for the fact that today's RAW is literally tomorrow's Smackdown. If you want to, you could compare the current rosters at a terms of WCW vs WWF in the monday night wars where Vince was starting to put his trust into the new guys, the DX's, the Nation's, etc.

All in all, before you run your mouth about how Smackdown is going to be so much better and start sleeping through RAW, I suggest you start the tape recorder. If Vince isn't stupid and let's this thing run it's course instead of trying to get popcorn ratings, you may very well have these rising stars have a chance to get somewhere now. Lastly, for all of you looking forward to Smackdown's cruiserweight division, just watch and wait for it to be buried. Vince can't please everyone in 2 hours you know, and of course heirarchy rules in the WWF locker room. I'd love to see it as much as you, but it's going to be all ring all old school and the term cruiserweight is not going to mean what it once did. For the record, I hope I get to eat my words.