Could we be seeing the start of the tag division revival?

[Strong Style X]

The Dynasty could have split after Wrestlemania, but there was no need to keep them teaming for that long.

It's that sort of mentality that WWE has as well, hence the death of tag team wrestling in the company. If WWE built a new division while The Dynasty (Natalya included, who says you can't have a stable with people in different divisions?) remained champions, not that WWE would do that, and give tag teams a boost in terms of working time and getting them over with the crowd instead of being a card filler; WWE could have a division. But they don't care and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Kidd and/or Smith end up as talent cuts in the next few years unless WWE builds them up properly. And what's the chances of that happening? Slim to none.

 

[Remix]

It's that sort of mentality that WWE has as well, hence the death of tag team wrestling in the company.

Because what's the point of dragging something on that's gone on long past its expiry date?

If WWE built a new division while The Dynasty (Natalya included, who says you can't have a stable with people in different divisions?) remained champions, not that WWE would do that, and give tag teams a boost in terms of working time and getting them over with the crowd instead of being a card filler; WWE could have a division.

Except that what used to be the Dynasty got over more in one match against each other than they did in 2 years as a team. They are a good team, but they're better individually.

But they don't care and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Kidd and/or Smith end up as talent cuts in the next few years unless WWE builds them up properly.

Which WWE seem to be doing. Also, Smith's got his name which protects him to a degree.

And what's the chances of that happening? Slim to none.

Pretty good actually, considering that Kidd's been given a giant to hide behind and DH Smith is a fucking beast. An uncharismatic one, but a beast none the less.

 

[fenfool]

One team of comedy wrestlers does not a tag division make. Let me see at least 4 teams that aren't in the "underused guy #1 & underused guy #2" format, then we'll talk.

 

[Strong Style X]

Because what's the point of dragging something on that's gone on long past its expiry date?

Like I said, if they wanted to actually have a tag division, having a legitimate tag team is a good way to start.

Except that what used to be the Dynasty got over more in one match against each other than they did in 2 years as a team. They are a good team, but they're better individually.

It's because it's the first interesting feud they've been put in. Also, two good people put together can be made into a GREAT team. Two good people alone are just that: good.

Pretty good actually, considering that Kidd's been given a giant to hide behind and DH Smith is a fucking beast. An uncharismatic one, but a beast none the less.

I can name several people from the past ten years who've been paired with a giant-like character and ended up fading into obscurity. As far as DH is concerned? He's a fairly good wrestler, which doesn't matter much in WWE. Has a good physique, which does matter. Hardly any charisma = his downfall. His name may keep him in the company longer in the long run (in fact, it already has since his debut was a complete flop a few years ago), but I doubt that's enough for WWE to keep him. Name value of a past superstar to WWE's current direction of making a new generation of fans isn't exactly important.

 

[Remix]

Like I said, if they wanted to actually have a tag division, having a legitimate tag team is a good way to start.

And why would they? Tag teams don't draw and are nothing more than a way to give two guys who otherwise wouldn't get any TV time some TV time.

It's because it's the first interesting feud they've been put in. Also, two good people put together can be made into a GREAT team. Two good people alone are just that: good.

But on their own those two good people will make more money for themselves and the company because nobody gives a shit about tag teams.

I can name several people from the past ten years who've been paired with a giant-like character and ended up fading into obscurity.

Most of whom were shit or fucked themselves over with regards to their WWE career. Kidd isn't shit or a moron.

As far as DH is concerned? He's a fairly good wrestler, which doesn't matter much in WWE. Has a good physique, which does matter. Hardly any charisma = his downfall. His name may keep him in the company longer in the long run

Depends if his good ring work can get him over, which it can and of he's combined with a mouth piece manager his negligable mic skills can be negated. He's young and he's going to continue to get better and for that reason is worth keeping around, eve if it's just as a midcarder.

(in fact, it already has since his debut was a complete flop a few years ago)

That and asking to go back to FCW. Don't forget that for most of his first run he was working on Heat, which nobody watched so nobody knew who he was.

but I doubt that's enough for WWE to keep him. Name value of a past superstar to WWE's current direction of making a new generation of fans isn't exactly important.

No. But the combination of a name (which probably helped him get hired), a good look, good in ring skills and youth is worth keeping around.

 

[Strong Style X]

And why would they? Tag teams don't draw and are nothing more than a way to give two guys who otherwise wouldn't get any TV time some TV time.

But on their own those two good people will make more money for themselves and the company because nobody gives a shit about tag teams.

This quote alone sums up the fact that you have a WWE/Sports Entertainment mentality. Nothing wrong with that, to each their own. But tag teams DO draw. MCMG, Apollo 55, Road Warriors, Hansen & Brody, The Funks, The Hardy Boyz, D-Generation X, The Dudley Boyz, TenKoji, NO LIMIT, and the list could go on and on. The fact is that WWE doesn't bother making tag teams and giving time into tag teams anymore; hence why the division is dead and nobody cares about it. The division is dead by choice, not because it doesn't draw. It's because they don't care about it.

Regarding WWE's handling of tag teams: If you give people crap, they can't make a soufflé out of it. Not a good tasting one anyways. WWE gives the tag team division a crappy treatment; hence it being crap and no one giving a crap about it. Sounds like ShitFest 2010 doesn't it? Because it is.

 

[Eyebrows]

And why would they? Tag teams don't draw and are nothing more than a way to give two guys who otherwise wouldn't get any TV time some TV time.

If the WWE got rid of everyone that didn't draw they'd only have about 7 or 8guys. The key is to create an undercard with variety so that it can draw as a collective or things just end up looking stale. Tag-team wrestling can be and should be a part of that variety.

And if they're built to look important tag-teams can draw. The Road Warriors drew. New Age Outlaws drew and sold a shitload of merchandise. The Rockers drew. I'm willing to bet that the Dudley Boyz/Edge & Christian/Hardy Boyz drew circa 2000, the latter especially proving a draw with female fans.

I'm willing to bet that Motor City Machine Guns draw a portion of TNA's audience. Do tag-teams draw as much as the main event? Of course not. But they can still draw.

To the original poster, I don't think the tag division is being revitalised. Once there's some teams that come together organically as opposed to Henry/Tatsu, with a tag-team name then it might look better.

 

[hdchz013]

I kind of agree with one thing Remixie Steamboat said...David Smith is protected to a degree because of his name...Just like Superfly's son...oh wait...he's gone. Just like Ted Dibiase Jr., Cody Rhodes...Oh wait...the WWE has given them both aweful gimmicks after breaking them up...which will eventually cause the fans to lose interest in them...then what?
The bottom line is that it's a neverending circle...The WWE will continue to break up good tag teams and not use them for good storylines as long as the fans continue to show no interest....and the fans will continue to show no interest in the tag team (and cruiserweight) division as long as WWE continues to break up/give awful/no storyline to good tag teams.

 

[nbieclkl91]

If the WWE got rid of everyone that didn't draw they'd only have about 7 or 8guys. The key is to create an undercard with variety so that it can draw as a collective or things just end up looking stale. Tag-team wrestling can be and should be a part of that variety.

And if they're built to look important tag-teams can draw. The Road Warriors drew. New Age Outlaws drew and sold a shitload of merchandise. The Rockers drew. I'm willing to bet that the Dudley Boyz/Edge & Christian/Hardy Boyz drew circa 2000, the latter especially proving a draw with female fans.

I'm willing to bet that Motor City Machine Guns draw a portion of TNA's audience. Do tag-teams draw as much as the main event? Of course not. But they can still draw.

To the original poster, I don't think the tag division is being revitalised. Once there's some teams that come together organically as opposed to Henry/Tatsu, with a tag-team name then it might look better.

That's why I said "The Start" not "The Tag Team Division is Revitalised." But I do agree with you and everyone else that in order to have a successful tag division you actually need tag teams. Santimir Kozella (aha i'm so clever ) is just the beginning.

 

[Jackiz Kirey]

I do not think so. Santino and Kozlov are just comedy characters. The WWE is disgracing the tag team division. The tag team titles should have gone to John Morrison and R-Truth. They are the more deserving superstars.

 

[TheAbsolute1]

I do not think so. Santino and Kozlov are just comedy characters. The WWE is disgracing the tag team division. The tag team titles should have gone to John Morrison and R-Truth. They are the more deserving superstars.

PAY ATTENTION! Santino brougt back his move set over the past month, he can not be seen as simply a comic superstar anymore, he's now well balanced between in ring talent and awesome mic work. Give respect where it is due. And Jo-Mo is much better off without a tag title, he's passed that point in his career.

 

[Lying Retarded Crybaby Troll Bitch]

PAY ATTENTION! Santino brougt back his move set over the past month, he can not be seen as simply a comic superstar anymore, he's now well balanced between in ring talent and awesome mic work. Give respect where it is due. And Jo-Mo is much better off without a tag title, he's passed that point in his career.

I agree JoMo is past the Tag Title point of his career... But it would be better than no Title at all.

I see the Cobra as a mix of Santino's wrestling talent (which I don't even attempt to rank) & his comedy (such as the Tea Party, etc.) Hard to take it seriously, or any of the rest of the moves he's shown lately.

 

[TheAbsolute1]

I agree JoMo is past the Tag Title point of his career... But it would be better than no Title at all.

Morrison is alot closer to the main event now tan he would be if he were carrying a partner.

I see the Cobra as a mix of Santino's wrestling talent (which I don't even attempt to rank) & his comedy (such as the Tea Party, etc.) Hard to take it seriously, or any of the rest of the moves he's shown lately

.

I don't think you've been watching his matches lately. Tremendous Shoot grapples and throws, the Cobra is simply to pander to the fans.

 

[Lying Retarded Crybaby Troll Bitch]

Morrison is alot closer to the main event now tan he would be if he were carrying a partner.

I always thought he was the more-talented member of his teams. But when he didn't win KOTR, I really wondered if even WWE "creative" had any clue what they were going to do with him to showcase that talent.

I don't think you've been watching his matches lately. Tremendous Shoot grapples and throws, the Cobra is simply to pander to the fans.

I thought that... But I then though they'd faze it out, & show us the talent he has more (as his intro would've led fans to believe), which they seem in no hurry to do.

 

[TheAbsolute1]

@TJChurch Morrison was always better than Miz and Mercury, and I'd hate to see him waste time in another tag team. And I really wish he won KOTR and went heel, because his voice could be better used in a heel promo. Santino has been dusting off more and more of his OVW move-set every week. I'd say give it another month in a half and we'll be shocked.

 

[LSN80]

While it may keep it the tag team division INTERESTING during Santino and Kozlov's reign, I dont see how it could bring credibility back to the division. Santino uses the worst finisher in the history of the WWE, and its done comedically. Kozlov, well, he's Kozlov. He was a badass who was virtually unstoppable and turned into a comedy act quickly just due to his association with Santino.

A comedy run with the title is never going to add credibility back to any belt. No matter how beloved or well received a wrestler is, it doesn't make him credible. That's the case here with Santino. He's as over as he's been in 2 years, because hes been as funny as he's been since he's been a face. But there-in lies the problem. He's over because he's funny, not because of his in-ring work or his mic acumen. And that simply won't bring the needed credibility back to the tag team belts.

 

[TheAbsolute1]

While it may keep it the tag team division INTERESTING during Santino and Kozlov's reign, I dont see how it could bring credibility back to the division. Santino uses the worst finisher in the history of the WWE, and its done comedically. Kozlov, well, he's Kozlov. He was a badass who was virtually unstoppable and turned into a comedy act quickly just due to his association with Santino.

A comedy run with the title is never going to add credibility back to any belt. No matter how beloved or well received a wrestler is, it doesn't make him credible. That's the case here with Santino. He's as over as he's been in 2 years, because hes been as funny as he's been since he's been a face. But there-in lies the problem. He's over because he's funny, not because of his in-ring work or his mic acumen. And that simply won't bring the needed credibility back to the tag team belts.

Santino's team won't bring credibility, it will be the teams that form and feud with them. While Santino's team make people wanna watch, the feuding team will bring credibility with there tag team prowess.

 

[LSN80]

Santino's team won't bring credibility, it will be the teams that form and feud with them. While Santino's team make people wanna watch, the feuding team will bring credibility with there tag team prowess.

It takes two teams to make a good match, or a credible one. It will be even harder to get over or bring back respectability in an already almost worthless tag team division by having Santino doing his antics during a team with "prowess." I dont care if it was the Hart Foundation in their heyday, without a credible opponent, they wouldn't have mattered. Santino and Kozlov don't provide that credible opponent that even the most credible of opponents could bring respectability back to the tag belts.

 

[TheAbsolute1]

It takes two teams to make a good match, or a credible one. It will be even harder to get over or bring back respectability in an already almost worthless tag team division by having Santino doing his antics during a team with "prowess." I dont care if it was the Hart Foundation in their heyday, without a credible opponent, they wouldn't have mattered. Santino and Kozlov don't provide that credible opponent that even the most credible of opponents could bring respectability back to the tag belts.

You're ignorant. The WWE is done making Santino look like a pussy in the ring, they gave back his OVW move-set which is Shoot style wrestling. Watch RAW, watch Superstars. Open your fucking eyes before you criticize. He's been doing great in the ring for over a month now, so we do have good tag team champs. So whatever team goes against them can make a credible match.

 

[Strong Style X]

You're ignorant. The WWE is done making Santino look like a pussy in the ring, they gave back his OVW move-set which is Shoot style wrestling. Watch RAW, watch Superstars. Open your fucking eyes before you criticize. He's been doing great in the ring for over a month now, so we do have good tag team champs. So whatever team goes against them can make a credible match.

I'd hardly call Santino's style "Shoot Style". But his style is slightly inspired by Judo, which he has a background in, but the similarities stop there. That's about equivalent to calling Undertaker a Strong Style competitor just because he strikes. Just because a moveset has a few martial arts moves/takedowns does not mean he is a Shoot Style wrestler, nor was he in OVW. His style has always been very Sports Entertainment, with a few Judo moves thrown in.

But does that make him and Kozlov's team legitimate? No. You can't have a comedy duo as a legitimate team, in my opinion. It's just stupid, just like their "comedy".

Either way, WWE has done it and there's nothing we can do about it. People will hate on the idea for WWE making the art of wrestling look like a sideshow soap opera where belts are props and the ring is the set, while other people will somehow enjoy it and support it. Despite WWE being the biggest "wrestling" company of all time, it's also the company that's damaged wrestling's image more than any one other company as well.

 

[Viola Moonlight]

You're ignorant. The WWE is done making Santino look like a pussy in the ring, they gave back his OVW move-set which is Shoot style wrestling. Watch RAW, watch Superstars. Open your fucking eyes before you criticize. He's been doing great in the ring for over a month now, so we do have good tag team champs. So whatever team goes against them can make a credible match.

Actually, I'd say that the WWE is in the process of making Santino look credible as he isn't there yet. They only gave him back his moveset because of his association with a Sambo master in Kozlov, and the same for Kozlov gaining more charisma and comedic type deals as he learned off Santino... but, I digress.

KozTino winning the championships is not the revival by any stretch of the imagine and the only way they can be considered the "beginning" of this second revival that the E has had to complete in the last 3 years is by building up other credible teams such as my Mickie James avatar counter-part, LSN80, has suggested. KozTino are becoming a credible act together and people are emotionally invested in their characters... in other words, they are over and have the potential to draw. You say the name Santino Marella and people will pay attention to the screen... it should be a wake-up call to the E that if they did the same for other teams that have something to care about (which I feel the Uso's have that quality) then they could revitalise the tag team division centered around KozTino.

At this point, the E doesn't care much for the division so their win can be considered as the darkest point in the history of the belts due to Santino being known as a comedy act for the better part of his career. If they did something to the division, they'd be something to build around. All the E needs are tag team veterans (Curt Hawkins) and/or people who aren't going anywhere (Drew McIntyre) to form teams and give them something to do, using their experiences/gimmicks to form interesting duo's like KozTino.

 

[hdchz013]

I have probably an off the wall question. Some people in this thread are saying that Santino and Kozlov will NOT bring credibility to the tag team division. I might be wrong...but with the short time that they have been tag champs, wouldn't that be the same thing as another thread where people are saying The Miz is the worst Heavyweight champ ever? Isn't really too soon to tell?
I do agree with TheAbsolute1, WWE has been giving Santino his moveset back. He has been looking different in the ring than he has in the past. As for Kozlov...well, he's always been a beast. I also think it's weird (In my opinion) that some people are saying that Santino and Kozlov WILL NOT bring credibility to the division based on the fact that they are comedic. How can you base credibility on a sports ENTERTAINMENT show by that? Not only that...but haven't there also been other comedic tag teams? This might only be my opinion...but what about the Godwinns? And they were around when tag teams were WAY more relevant. The New Age Outlaws were funny as well...the difference (to me) is...that's during a time where tag teams mattered more to the WWE. Now, not so much...so when they don't have a team to face Santino and Kozlov...at least they have something else they can do to ENTERTAIN the fans. Then again, I could just be talking out my rear end. I could be one of those "off the wall" people that watches the Sports Entertainment show for the entertainment as well as the sport.
I think if people want to constantly complain about the background vignettes, comedic wrestlers and anything else that is not directly wrestling inside the ring...they should just go watch MMA.
Only time can truly tell if Santino and Kozlov will truly be a credible tag team.

 

[Alastor]

I feel that WWE need at least three credible tag teams to revive the division. By credible I mean three teams that the crowd can legit see as being tag champs. Besides those three teams you would need a few jobber teams for the three to feed on.

The potential is there but the company would have to invest heavily in the three teams like they did with E&C, Hardys and the Dudleyz. From what I can see, on Raw they have Gabriel/Slater, Santino/Kozlov, as the legit team while the Usos and Tatsu/Henry are the jobbing team for now. I can see the Usos being promoted to being legitimate contenders soon. On Smackdown they can easily pair up a couple of the heel mid-carders to form a team to job to Santino/Kozlov. If Big Show has nothing to do he can drop back to the tag division with (horror of horror) Hornswoggle to job to one of the top heel teams while beating the heel jobbers. Tyson Kidd and his bodyguard can participate in tag matches on Raw to job to the face teams once in a while too.

 

[TheAbsolute1]

So here's a little bit of proof that there is gonna be a riival of the Tag Team division real soon. Xavier Woods(Formerly known as Consequences Creed) & Wes Brisco are in a tag team in FCW, tag team champions up until a couple weeks ago. This team was suppose to lose their titles and be moved up to the main roster, but Wes suffered an untimely injury. Why NOW of all times did the WWE decide they were bringing up this team? Tag Team revival.

And I have a theory that involves Curt Hawkins, Vance Archer, Trent Barreta, Caylen Croft, DH Smith, Jackson Andrews and Tyson Kidd. The WWE saw Jackson was ready to be moved up to the roster, thus no NXT, so they thought they'd break up the Dynasty 'cause they weren't really getting over anyways and pair Kidd with Andrews. But there was already a speed power team in the Gate Crashers and Archer was fired. With cuts coming at the end of that month, the WWE decided that Kidd and Andrews would make the better speed power duo. So Dynasty is broken up and so are the Gate Crashers. Now for the Busters. Trent is an extremely talented wrestler, Croft was not so good. The WWE saw that Hawkins wouldn't get over as a singles wrestler, and Croft was holding Barreta back, so they broke up the Busters fired Croft and now we are waiting for Hawkins and Barreta so make up and join forces.

Second part, theory. First part, fact.

 

[nbieclkl91]

Tag Teams We'll most likely see in the next few months...

Santimir Kozella (Santino & Kozlov)
Dudebusters-Hawkins & Baretta
Tyson Kidd & Jackson Andrews
The Usos
Ted Dibiase & Joe Henning (Hopefully he changes his name back and joins Dibiase.)
Truth & Consequences-R-Truth & JTG
Evan Bourne & Justin Gabriel (WWE version of MCMG)

Now alot of these teams are just guys that aren't doing anything or can't get over. But at the same time, they'd make good tag teams. The top 4 are already pretty much gauranteed so don't say I didn't tell you so when we all see the tag division rise again.