Can You Name The Members Of These 35 WWE Tag Teams?
- by Will Morgan
- – on
- in Sports
Tag Team wrestling has been around for almost as long as professional wrestling itself. Dating back to the early days, promoters would put a tag team match on the card so that the fans would have a variety of action. It became an art form unto itself, developing an automatic formula to get reactions from the audience. A beloved hero gets beat while his partner desperately reaches for a tag, all the while villains cheat behind the referee's back, destroying his partner. Eventually a tag is made and the place erupts. The basics are nearly the same in every match, but not just any wrestler can be inserted and make it work. The best tag teams spend years together, building chemistry and an unspoken bond, so that they move and work as a unit inside the ring.
After the fall of WCW, the WWE has had a monopoly on wrestling history. They get to decide what and who was important and develop their programming accordingly. Because of this, this list leans heavily to the WWE. Some of their teams are wrestling legends. Others just happened to be around and in the title hunt during a period where the WWE had no interest in tag team wrestling.
These are some of the best and worst tag teams in WWE history. Can you name the members? Let's see exactly how much of a wrestling nerd you are.
The Natural Disasters
When you think of natural disasters, you think of these guys! Unless of course you're not a wrestling fan. In that case, when you think of natural disasters you probably actually think about, you know, real natural disasters. The Natural Disasters, the wrestling Natural Disasters, are a shining example of a classic tag team combo: two fat guys. Yes, that's right. Take two obese wrestlers, put them together, and presto, you have an impressively morbidly obese tag team. It just makes sense.
Money Inc.
What at first seemed to be a random pairing of a mid carder and former main eventer actually turned out to be a formidable tag team and eventual champions. Money Inc. ended up winning the titles three times, surprisingly beating more experienced teams each time: Legion Of Doom, Natural Disasters, and The Steiner Brothers. They may be best known for their match at Wrestlemania IX, defeating a returning Hulk Hogan and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake by disqualification when the Hulkster used an international object.
The Lucha Dragons
The Lucha Dragons came up with their 'cool' team name by taking the word "lucha" from lucha libre and the word "dragon" because nerds think dragons are cool, and put them together. The Lucha Dragons are a couple of luchadores who didn't have anything else better to do, so they started teaming. They won the NXT tag team titles in 2014 and came up to the main roster in 2015. They were in the title hunt several times but never won.
3-Minute Warning
Were you watching Monday Night Raw back in 2002? Those were some odd days. The Attitude Era was most definitely over and Ruthless Aggression had yet to begin in earnest. Also, Eric Bischoff was the Raw general manager. I know. Weird, right? Bischoff started to do a bit were he would be talking down to someone and would warn them that they had "three minutes". Then two giant Samoan dudes would waddle to the ring and wreck shop. They became known as Three Minute Warning.
The Beverly Brothers
The Beverly Brothers are probably the most boring and forgettable tag team to have an incredibly impressive career. The Beverly Brothers also went by the names The Destruction Crew and The Minnesota Wrecking Crew 2. They won the 1990 PWI Rookie Of The Year Award. They competed in the AWA, NJPW, NWA, WCW, and WWF and they are former WWF tag team champions. And yet half the people that were actually there to watch them compete probably have no idea who they are.
The Ascension
Few teams have had a sharper and quicker decline that the Ascension. The team looked like world beaters during their time in NXT. From 2012 until 2014, The Ascension not only beat, but destroyed nearly all comers. Expectations were high when they made their Monday Night Raw debut in December of 2014. But along with a retooling of their look resulting in them coming off as Road Warriors ripoffs, The Ascension seemed to have lost their dominant streak. They are currently be seen wrestling occasionally on Smackdown Live and losing.
The Bushwhackers
It may not seem likely to those of us who watched their 1990's WWF run, but back in the day, The Bushwhackers were one of the most feared and hardcore teams around. They were first known as the New Zealand Kiwis and later as The Sheepherders. They were hated heels in Memphis, the AWA, and Jim Crockett Promotions before they got an unexpected call from Vince McMahon. McMahon pitched having them become lovable goofballs, and the gamble paid off. The Bushwhackers wrestled as a tag team for 36 years.
The Nasty Boys
The Nasty Boys were one the most hated WWF tag teams throughout the early 90's. They were two old, fat guys with missing teeth and funky haircuts and they actually beat several good tag team. Like i said, people hated them. You see them in the ring with the Legion Of Doom, or the Steiner Brothers and you think there is no way these guys will last a minute. Then they cheat and their manager, Jimmy Hart interferes and next thing you know they get the win. Jerks.
The Godwinns
Vince McMahon is known to change his mind at the drop of a hat. What at one point could be counted on as a sure thing one minute, can be thrown out as yesterday's news the next. Throughout his long, storied career, there has been one near constant for the boss man: his weird near obsession with backwoods hillbilly characters. Old Vinnie Mac loves him some hillbillies, and during the WWF's New Generation phase, the Godwinns scratched that particular itch.
Kaientai
Kaientai started in Michinoku Pro, a Japanese wrestling promotion, in 1994. As members changed, the group changed its name to Kaientai Deluxe, shortened to Kaientai DX. They made their stateside debut in ECW, wrestling as BWO Japan. Kaientai made their way to the WWE, and were originally called Club Kamikaze. They were paired with a manager named Yamaguchi-San, who was responsible for the infamous "Choppy choppy your pee pee" angle. Eventually the group was whittled down to this tag team.
Too Cool
Ah, the good old days. Remember the Attitude Era? Remember way back in the day when everyone was filled with attitude and even the lowliest of prelim wrestlers had an over bit that got a massive response for the audience? The quintessential example of this mid 90's phenomenon is the tag team Too Cool. They weren't exactly the most winning tag team of all time, but their pre-match shtick combined with "the worm" made them an audience favorite. They became legendary when they added Rikishi.
The Usos
The Usos made their debut on the May 24, 2010 episode of Raw. They were heels in their debut and have gone back and forth since. Their current iteration as the smarmy and cocky foils to the New Day have reinvigorated them and is generating the most interest for the team in years. The Usos are twins as well as Samoans, so they have two old school tactics to fall back on: they can not be hurt by headbutts, and twin magic. You better believe they use it to their advantage, uce.
The Headbangers
WWE has always been on the cutting edge of cashing in on trends that were popular 10 years ago. That is why they had The Headbangers debut in 1996. That's right, a couple of headbanging, grunge inspired wrestlers made their debut as grunge was dying. WWE may have had second thoughts because they quickly repackaged the duo as the Flying Nuns, complete with full nun garb. That didn't last long and soon the two were back to headbanging, but they kept the skirts.
Twin Towers
The Twin Towers were not around for long. But they were there at the precipice. In the 80's right when wrestling was taking off into the stratosphere and The WWF became a household name across the nation due to the Rock 'N Wrestling phenomenon, The Twin Towers came together. They were most definitely more well known as singles wrestlers, but they teamed on an episode of Saturday Night's Main Event that saw the Mega-Powers explode and set up Hulk Hogan against Macho Man. Never forget.
The Legion Of Doom
The Road Warriors made their wrestling debut way back in 1983. They dominated every territory they set foot in, leaving a path of destruction through Georgia Championship Wrestling, the AWA, NWA, and Japan. Tag teams where both member had so much raw power and strength were few and far between. They made their presence felt immediately in their 1990 WWF debut by dispatching Demolition. In their WWF run, they became known as The Legion Of Doom. Oh, what a rush!
The Quebecers
The Quebecers are one of those tag teams that have been around a while in several iterations and in several different eras, but you don't remember anything about them. Much like the rest of Canada, The Quebecers are instantly forgettable. They first competed in the WWF in 1993 and 1994, then made an inconsequential return in 1998. At some point in there they also showed up in WCW using the name The Amazing French Canadians. The Quebecers even won the WWF titles at one point. Yeah, I don't remember either.
The New Age Outlaws
These two performers were WWF/E workers for years before getting randomly paired up. When that happened, something clicked and a sleazy, trash-talking, legendary tag team was born. This is most definitely a case of the sum being greater than the parts. The New Age Outlaws had one of the favorite entrances of the attitude era. They joined up with D'Generation X and taught a generation of kids that if someone give you trouble, then you have two words for them: suck it!
The Revival
The Revival ran roughshod over NXT from 2014 - 2017 before being called up to the main roster in April of this year. This team is a favorite among the old school inclined fans, bringing to mind the classic pairing of Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. Their tried and true tactics and mastery of catch wrestling basics keep them constantly in the title hunt. They also seem to have a cross promotional rivalry with Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks, as indie wrestling fans shout disparaging remarks about the Revival in bingo halls across the country.
The Brain Busters
In the war between WWF and WCW, The Brain Busters were one of the first defectors. Back in 1988, a contract dispute led to two members of the Four Horsemen to leave what was then known as Jim Crockett Promotions. When they showed up in the WWF they called themselves The Brain Busters and were immediately welcomed into the Heenan Family. The Brain Busters were already two time NWA tag team champs, and won the WWF tag team titles by defeating Demolition.
American Alpha
American Alpha is yet another disappointing example of a mega hot NXT property coming up to the big time and then immediately being cooled off. Even though they are young, both members of American Alpha are highly accomplished wrestlers. They both competed at high levels as amateur athletes and they won Smackdown tag team gold shortly after their main roster debut. This made them the only team to win tag team championships in WWE and NXT in the same year.
The Bodydonnas
The Bodydonnas' only lasting contribution to wrestling history may just end up being introducing the world to Sunny. Sunny, real name Tammy Lynn Sytch and her then boyfriend graduated from Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling to WWF in 1995. The was the New Generation era, so the roster was filled with clowns and wrestling dentists. Sunny and her man were given the gimmick of fitness instructors bent on belittling their out of shape audience. Another member was added and the Bodydonnas were born.
The Hype Bros.
Hey, you know that thing, you've probably read it a couple of times already in this quiz, where two singles wrestlers aren't doing anything, so they put them together and magic happens? Well, the Hype Brothers are exactly that, except for the magic part. I guess in some cases two boring wrestlers being paired together creates a boring tag team. The Hype Brothers spread yawns to bored audiences across the NXT and Smackdown Live brands for the last year or so.
The Hardy Boyz
The Hardys started their WWE tenures as jobbers to the stars, appearing on early episodes of Raw and WWE's syndicated shows. They soon became icons and one of three tag teams associated with the Attitude Era. The Hardy brothers split and re-teamed several times over the years. Eventually they both wound up in TNA Impact Wresting, and kicked off the Broken Hady Final Deletion story line. This revived the Hardy's career and they were brought back in to the WWE fold, winning the Raw Tag Team titles when they re-debuted.
The APA
The APA, or Acolyte Protection Agency were a fan favorite and useful storytelling tool towards the end of the Attitude Era. They certainly took an odd way to get there. Originally, the pair were brainwashed followers of the Undertaker serving in his evil Ministry Of Darkness. Then Vince McMahon turned out to be the higher power. Then the corporation joined up and formed the Corporate Ministry. Then the APA started playing poker, drinking beer, and acting as hired hands for whoever had the money. It was a weird time. I guess you had to be there.
Men on a Mission
The ultra forgettable tag team Men On A Mission, or M.O.M. as they were known "on the streets", were similar to The Natural Disasters in that they were just a couple of fat guys. Where they differed greatly from The Natural Disasters is that The Natural Disasters had talent. Men On A Mission would make their way to the ring while "rapping", telling fans to put their "arms in the air and wave them like they just don't care". Fans arms stayed by their sides.
The Club
The Club, part of the now fabled Bullet Club during their stint in Japan, were one of the biggest free agent signings in wrestling in the last few years. Unfortunately, after an impressive debut, the Club has failed to live up to the hype during their WWE run. While they are a undoubtedly talented team, questionable booking, trading wins, and a lukewarm push has done nothing to endear them to the WWE audiences. The Club are a couple of tough, bad dudes. Let's hope WWE remembers that.
The Rockers
In the era of giants dominating up and down the card in the WWF, the Rockers had an unlikely and inexplicable rise to the top. Although they never officially won the titles, they consistently had the most entertaining match on the card. The Rockers introduced the first taste of high flying action to WWF fans that had been raised on lumbering behemoths slugging it out. It is a testament to the men on this team that they managed to beat bigger guys, and have the audience believe it.
T & A
T & A was put together as a team and paired with Trish Stratus as a joke about their initials. That's it. You see, the letters t and a can refer to parts of the female anatomy. Hilarious, right? That is the level of comedy that WWE writers were producing back in the year 2000 and, honestly, it's only gone down hill since. Shortly after the team started, they broke up and feuded, completing the tag team life cycle in just one year.
Los Guerreros
Los Guerreros so three things better that anyone else: lie, cheat, and steal. Oh yeah, and they are pretty great wrestlers, too. Los Guerreros were so entertaining playing up their heelish ways, that the audience came to appreciate their ingenuity and natural charisma and could not help but cheering them. The Guerrero family is one of the most decorated in wrestling. The two members of the family that formed this tag team, added to that legacy by being WWE tag team champions.
Breezango
It's the same old story. It happens again and again, through all eras in the WWE. There are two separate singles wrestlers. They are both floundering with no clear direction and seemingly nowhere to go. In an effort to keep both guys on the roster and not have to future endeavor anyone, the writes put them together to form a tag team. Something clicks and they simply take off. This had been the case with Breezango as they are currently having the most entertaining segments each week on Smackdown Live.
Demolition
In the 80's Vince McMahon seemed to take whatever he wanted , and if he could not take it, he would make his own version. That was the case when the Road Warriors were at their peak, tearing it up all over the NWA. McMahon saw huge dudes in post apocalyptic, Mad Max inspired bondage gear and wanted his own. And so Demolition was born. Demolition stuck around a while, eventually adding a third member, and absolutely pulverized all of their competition until the real deal Road Warriors showed up in the WWF.
The Hart Foundation
If you were around for the big wrestling boom in the 80's, you knew the Hart Foundation. While they weren't universally associated with the wild Rock 'n Wrestling phenomenon, the Hart Foundation were consistently in big matches on big cards over the course of those years and beyond. The team members came down from Calgary's Stampede Wrestling together and were eventually paired with "The Mouth Of The South" Jimmy Hart fresh from a hot run in Memphis. the Harts made their debut at Wrestlemania 2.
The Dudley Boyz
When all is said and done, The Dudley Boyz may end up going down as the most decorated tag team of all time. The Dudley Boyz, also known as Team 3D, first appeared in 1997 in the birthplace of hardcore, ECW. The Dudleys built their reputation by putting their opponents through tables and nearly inciting riots with the Philly fans. In 1999, the Dudleys made their way to the WWE. They are the only team to hold the WWE, WWF/World, ECW, WCW, NWA, TNA and IWGP Tag Team Championships.
The British Bulldogs
The members of beloved 80's tag team The British Bulldogs, began their careers in Stu Hart's Stampede wrestling out of Calgary. Back then, the Bulldogs were feuding with each other, rather than working as a tag team. The feud took them to NJPW where it was settled and the two started teaming, eventually defecting to All Japan. The team was red hot, racking up wins and fans until finally the WWF came calling. In 1984, Vince McMahon bought out Stampede Wrestling, and with that, the Bulldogs were in the WWF.
The New Day
After a rather stagnate couple of years in the WWE tag team scene, it is now a new day, yes it is! Take the old tried and true formula of pairing singles wrestlers with nothing to do, this time with three wrestlers, and let them go wild. The New Day breathed new life into not only the tag team division, but the entire WWE. They have some of the most popular merchandise as well. kids and adult are now outfitted in bright colors and unicorn horns, thanks to the power of positivity.