The Future of the Tag Division in Jeopardy?

[It's Damn Real!]

Based off the foregone conclusion that Beer Money will be splitting at some point in the near future, likely at Bound For Glory when the two could potentially go head-to-head, TNA's once dominant tag division is likely to be gasping for air if new talent isn't injected soon.

As it stands right now with Team 3D split and the Young Bucks gone, the entire division is made up of Mexican America, Beer Money and technically The Motor City Machineguns once Sabin returns from injury. However with Sabin not likely to return until December or January of 2012, come Bound For Glory, if things keep up as is, we could be looking at Mexican America essentially being the only tag team in the entire company. What a mess that would be...

Something will need to be done to rectify a situation that could turn ugly pretty quick. I'm not sure what that something is, but I sure as hell know what wont' work, and that's some WWE-esque approach where random singles stars not doing anything are pinned together and called a tag team to bolster the ranks.

Any ideas? Free agents you'd like to see brought in? Teams you'd like to see return?

 

[klunderbunker]

I've been saying it for a long time but no one would pay attention: this division has been in trouble for a very long time.

Until tonight, since last June two teams (The Guns/Beer Money) have held the titles. That's it. Who has their competition been? The Brits (together for what, 2-3 weeks at a time max), a random Immortal team (Harris and Hardy? Seriously?), Ink Inc (jobbing tag team, had like one tag title match), Team 3D (split) and each other. In other words like IDR said, you have about three regular (including one that is injured) teams at the moment. That's equal to what WWE has at the moment (champs, Usos, Bourne/Kofi). This division means almost nothing right now and unless some team randomly forms, either the Mexicans will have the titles for a good while or it'll be some thrown together team taking the titles, because there aren't any teams that I can see around right now.

 

[wrestlemaniac]

idk if anyone has twitter...but for what it's worth...today i saw shannon tweet about aiming for tag championship w jesse

 

[flairisoverated]

twitter sucks. Its easy to aim for the titles when your off TV cause you never have to actually shoot. And in my personal opinion Mexican America sucks and its only going to get worse with JJ and Karen.

 

[CaptainZaltan]

The division definitely needs to have some new blood injected into it. Beer money and MCMG couldn't carry the whole thing forever.

I think the British Invasion are still around, and 'should' be in a great position now for a strong tag push after all three members were fleshed out during their singles runs. Right now, they would be my choice for TNA's top heel team, particularly if they can incorporate parts of 'London Brawling' image into their stable. That being said, I don't see any faces around to take them on at this point.

As Immortal is supposed to be the main heel faction, and has several members doing nothing else but wasting air-time, I'd like to see a tag team assembled from current Immortal members. Gunner and Abyss could work, preferably with a manager. I suppose Bully and Steiner could also be paired together, given the strong tag history of both individuals, but I'd rather see Bully stay in the singles division. If the Hardy's ever get back on TV, they would be the logical choice for Immortals tag representatives; this would have the added benefit of keeping Jeff Hardy away from the main event.

All of those are heel options of course. In terms of face teams, it's a little tougher. AJ/Daniels could reunite, but they always felt more like a temporary pairing than a real tag team. An RVD/Lynn pairing might give the two of them something to do for a while, but again, it would feel temporary. I think Pope and Devon are going to be paired soon, but that's not a very interesting prospect. If TNA could get Homicide back, I'd love to see an LAX reunion (especially given how awful Mexican America is). Other than that, TNA is going to have to think outside of the box and create some brand new teams. Take some guys with limited singles success but loads of potential and throw them together, and see what sticks. Some of the best pairings seem to come about that way. There are plenty of new faces in the X division that could be placed in a tag team, for example. And I wouldn't mind seeing Kendrick put in a tag team for a while to make room in the X division title picture for more interesting wrestlers like Austin Aries and Alex Shelly.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

i have seen this slowly happening all along but there still hope for it...right now we have 3 teams there Mexican America who just won the tag titles,Beer Money who might split but they will get a shot at winning the belts back first i think and The British Invasion who currently are face so they could fued with Mexican America...in a few monthes we get the guns back in the mean time i could see Pope and Devon possibly teaming up for a fued against the mexicans i think they should sign The Briscoe Brothers and if possible the worlds greatest tag team from ROH (i know wwe is insterted in the briscoes as well so they most likley will be done with ROH by the end of the year if possible)

 

[Papa Pillman]

I'm not sure what that something is, but I sure as hell know what wont' work, and that's some WWE-esque approach where random singles stars not doing anything are pinned together and called a tag team to bolster the ranks.

That's not really a fair statement, because isn't that essentially how Beer Money was formed as well? Hell, TNA did the same thing with Morgan and Hernandez and put the straps on them. It seems some randomly created tag team is sure to be in the works.

In the meantime, I found it interesting that Tenay was referring to Jose and Jos-b from last week as the "Lopez" brothers this week, despite the fact that no last name had previously been bestowed on them. That makes me figure that TNA still has some plan to have those guys involved in this storyline- so, with them being an independent tag team, I could see them being featured in a match against Mexican America.

As for the longterm of the division... I think that the division will go through some struggles until Sabin is healthy, but once that occurs things should be fine. With the MCMG in tow the division will look strong again and surely a team or two will emerge over the course of the next few months to work against them.

I also agree with CaptainZaltan about Kendrick. I've always seen him as a guy who works best in a tag team, so once his current X-division title run is over I'd like to see him teamed with someone; perhaps, Abyss. Abyss could become like a "student" to Kendrick, who would become like his spiritual guide or "guru" of sorts. He could be enthralled and motivated by Kendrick's mindless gibberish. They're the classic big man/small man tag team combo, so it could work well.

 

[jaceynightheat]

They sure could use some more tag teams. I don't like Ink Inc at all. I've never been a Jesse Neal fan. I'd rather Shannon Moore team up with Shane Helms again.

Scott Steiner isn't doing anything, bring back Rick Steiner for a final hurrah, let them have a short reign with the TNA Tag Titles. Put together some young X Division guys.

Try to hire: The World's Greatest Tag Team, The Colons, The Naturals. After Kendrick drops the X Division title, could see if Paul London can come in & they reform their tag team. All of that would be more than enough. Could even rehire the New Age Outlaws to let them have the tag titles.

It drove me crazy that the Dudleys, Steiners, NAO were feuding & yet Samoa Joe was the single holder of the tag titles. Made no sense.

 

[Rayne]

Tag team wrestling simply isn't the draw it used to be. Less focus on the tag divisions, both in the WWE and TNA/IW, is a result of lower viewer interest.

Professional wrestling has become much more character-oriented over the past decade. It's a rare thing when you find two guys that have 'a' personality. If you want to make a star, you can start them out as a tag team, have them develop their characters, introduce friction, then have the tag team breakup, have the blow off singles match, and bam- new singles stars. It's no longer about the competition being the completion of a storyline; the competition is only used in furtherance of a storyline now.

When was the last time a tag team match headlined a PPV? (Answer: July 2007, Kurt Angle + Samoa Joe vs. Team 3D, unless you want to count that 14-man match at last year's SummerFest, thank you Jeremy Piven.) It's a side draw. I'm not saying there can't be good tag teams still. But the days of us seeing a division capable of giving us the two TLC matches (I of course refer to the only two good ones) are dead and gone. In the rush to create singles stars, the tag divisions never get hot enough these days to provide for the kinds of feuds they used to.

 

[Straight-Edge]

When Jeff gets back, whenever that may be, stick him with Matt.
As someone else said, sign Paul London, put him with Kendrick.
Or you could put Crimson with Kid Kash.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

Tag team wrestling simply isn't the draw it used to be. Less focus on the tag divisions, both in the WWE and TNA/IW, is a result of lower viewer interest.

Professional wrestling has become much more character-oriented over the past decade. It's a rare thing when you find two guys that have 'a' personality. If you want to make a star, you can start them out as a tag team, have them develop their characters, introduce friction, then have the tag team breakup, have the blow off singles match, and bam- new singles stars. It's no longer about the competition being the completion of a storyline; the competition is only used in furtherance of a storyline now.

While I largely agree with what you're saying, Beer Money and MCMG's series did draw a lot of support on here and seemed to get a lot of good reaction from the crowds. It wasn't too long ago that I'd frequently read that TNA/IW's tag division was one of the main (granted, not THE) reasons to tune in but then it all seemed to fall apart gradually.

I understand the focus on the BFG series, the regeneration of the X Division as well as the Hogan/Sting story which has led to a reduced focus on tag-wrestling, but it is a shame that it just seems to have faded out having been on a roll in the last few years.

 

[Rayne]

While I largely agree with what you're saying, Beer Money and MCMG's series did draw a lot of support on here and seemed to get a lot of good reaction from the crowds. It wasn't too long ago that I'd frequently read that TNA/IW's tag division was one of the main (granted, not THE) reasons to tune in but then it all seemed to fall apart gradually.

I understand the focus on the BFG series, the regeneration of the X Division as well as the Hogan/Sting story which has led to a reduced focus on tag-wrestling, but it is a shame that it just seems to have faded out having been on a roll in the last few years.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. You can still have good tag team matches, but what happened to the two teams after that?

The Best of 7 series is what a lot of people still point to when you talk about the strength or weaknesses of TNA/IW's tag division. It happened last year, and there hasn't been much strong to point to since.

 

[tnabigfan]

my dream to join tna is american wolve i know they split but that in roh not tna

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. You can still have good tag team matches, but what happened to the two teams after that?

The Best of 7 series is what a lot of people still point to when you talk about the strength or weaknesses of TNA/IW's tag division. It happened last year, and there hasn't been much strong to point to since.

Yeh the aftermath was what was the most disappointing thing about it as they failed to capitalise on such a good series, or maybe even raised the bar too high?

I'm maybe out a couple of months, but it seemed there was a lot of uncertainty with what to do with Gen Me and MCMG. One week it seemed there were reports saying Shelley would turn on Sabin, then another week vice versa, then something about Gen Me breaking up etc. Coupled with the injuries to Shelley then Sabin it was a very start-stop period

As of right now things don't look so good for the division, but I'm hoping post BFG the tag division will get built up again what with the series being over. I'd even take a Hardy Boys reunion as of right now

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Truth is, the tag team picture in TNA has looked very bleak for a while. Mexican America & Beer Money are really the only two relevant tag teams in TNA and that's not a good thing. Beer Money has long since done everything that can possibly be done in TNA as a team and, truthfully, I think they're stale and would like to see them move onto singles careers. As for Mexican America...well they just kinda downright suck. Whether it be in the ring or on the mic, these guys just aren't all that good.

I never really thought I'd say this but, in all honesty, TNA's tag team division really isn't in any better shape than WWE's is and WWE has made some very, very minor progress.

 

[MWRedskins]

Well luckly there's a way to fix it. first off they have Immortal guys like Gunner and he can team with someone in the group. the Pope and Devon can become a team and should in my book and they have the Guns, they also could team James Storm up with someone else (maybe even Kazarian) and hopefully TNA looks into signing other wrestlers they can use and team them up, but as of now (unless TNA does this) then yes they are in trouble. it seems like Bobby Roode will get a push in TNA and likely should and if they dont push James Storm then get him a new partner.

 

[Awesome_Miz]

The british invasion is still there but they will have to step up their game if they want to be taken seriously. Now this division might be getting in some really bad shape but who knows what will happen.

 

[lakersyr09]

I agree tag teams are becoming nothing now, or if there are teams together then they are made up teams, but i do agree they need to bring in more teams or make more teams, since you got immortal, you can make like 2-3 teams out of them, if tna kept red, then you could have had a brother team of crimson and amazing, they can even make pope and devon a team, and etc

 

[Zeedeevel]

When was the last time a tag team match headlined a PPV? (Answer: July 2007, Kurt Angle + Samoa Joe vs. Team 3D, unless you want to count that 14-man match at last year's SummerFest, thank you Jeremy Piven.) It's a side draw. I'm not saying there can't be good tag teams still. But the days of us seeing a division capable of giving us the two TLC matches (I of course refer to the only two good ones) are dead and gone. In the rush to create singles stars, the tag divisions never get hot enough these days to provide for the kinds of feuds they used to.

Actually TLC 2009 had DX vs Jeri-Show for the tag team titles as the main event. You are right in the fact that tag team wrestling isnt as much of a draw as it once was. I don't regularly watch TNA and in fact only stumbled upon this thread from a link on the wrestlezone main site thinking it was a WWE thread, but I do keep up with TNA via reports on here. Honestly, I think they will have to start pairing some random guys that aren't doing anything together. Look at the New Age Outlaws, it worked for them.

 

[ABMorales787]

There's still the British Invasion, Ink Inc and any guy from Immortal. Not to mention Los Bendejos who just showed up as well and any team from AAA they might solicit. Yeah, the tag team scene is in trouble. But it's not really deep trouble, or something with no immediate fixture. If anything, the teams aren't gonna quite as "credible" as the Beer Money duo or MMG. I'm not worried about it.

 

[ramblinroy682]

Beer Money seems to be ending and I'm okay with that. I want to see those guys in some singles action. I think James Storm is the Arn Anderson of this generation. I don't see him moving to the main event, but a run with a TV title would be great. I think Roode is a champion and a run with the WHC would be a fresh product. We'll see, but back to tag teams, that would leave

Mexican America: They are terrible. Bring back Homicide. Fire Anarquia and they'd be better.

British Invasion: I like them. I think they are fine, but they aren't going to carry the division the way Beer Money did.

Ink Inc: Jobber Tag Team at best.

Pope/Devon: I like Pope in a tag team, but what I would do is bring in a wrestler to be his partner. A guy that would fit better with his character. I would bring in MVP. Change his name to Vincent Isiah Phillips and call him VIP. VIP and the Pope. I think they would make a great team.

Daniels and ____________: I think Daniels is the perfect guy for a tag team also. He isn't ever going to be a world champ in TNA. He's just not, but he could be one of the best tag team guys. I would put him with a big guy in a body guard like role to begin with and then work them as a team slowly. Possible option, Murphy, but not as Murphy. He should break out the Mikal Judas character he used in the Indy's. The priest of darkness. The could call themselves the Darkside Saints or Angels of Darkness. Whatever, I think Daniels needs a partner and could move into the tag division to freshen it up.

Also, I liked when Kid Kash and Lance Hoyt teamed together in the earlier days of TNA, they've signed cash already, bring back Hoyt and have them pair up.


As for teams that I know of out there, if they could bring in Haas and Benjamin that would be fine or reunite the American Wolves. I wouldn't mind seeing a Hart Foundation reunion whenever Tyson Kidd gets future endeavored.

 

[killer425]

some of those new x division guys could team up and challenge I think would be the best idea and make a feud with Mexican America

lets face it British Invasion and Ink Inc had there time been there done that out with the old in with the new

make it fresh