The Tag Team Championship picture

[LODemolition]

To me, all signs point to the Outlaws winning the Tag Team Championship at the Royal Rumble on Sunday. And I understand why. For one thing, they'll need to get the ball rolling on the Cody and Goldust feud. I hope that's still the plan, because I would love to see them have a Mania match. The Rhodes brothers lose the belts on the pre-show due to some sort of miscommunication. Cody gets pinned, and after we see Goldust looking frustrated. Cody apologizes again like he did after he was pinned by Billy Gunn on Smackdown (after the Vickie interruption). Goldust hesitates, but eventually shakes Cody's hand and hugs him. Both men are entrants in the Royal Rumble match, so there will obviously need to be another incident there. One will eliminate the other (likely Goldust eliminates Cody as he'll be the heel), or if you really want to go deeper, you could have Dusty Rhodes be a surprise entrant and eliminate Goldust, but save Cody as he's about to be thrown out. This would send Goldust into a fit of rage and cut promos about how his father never cared about him the way he did Cody. "I'm the black sheep of the family", etc.

Back to the tag titles. I agree that Sunday is the right time to crown new champions, but I don't agree with the Outlaws being the team to win them. Yes, it's nice to have them back and they haven't really lost much of a step since their prime, but you have teams on the current roster that have been together quite a while and are actually over with the crowd.

My first choice would be The Real Americans. I absolutely hated the thought of Cesaro (one of my favorites) teaming up with Swagger when they first made that move, but I've done a complete 180. I like how they work together and feel this was the best move for both guys as they were heading nowhere in singles competition. I still believe in Cesaro to get a real singles push again somewhere down the road, but for now, I'm perfectly happy with how they're using him. I think a tag team title reign from the Rumble til Mania is much deserved for the Real Americans. Why depend on the Outlaws to carry the division? They've already got so many part-timers who will be dominating the main event scene, but now the tag teams too? Wrong call imo.

I'd set up a Fatal 4-Way Ladder match (maybe even a TLC) for WrestleMania XXX between The Real Americans (c), The Usos, New Age Outlaws, and Prime Time Players. 2 face teams and 2 heel teams. And this is where The Usos deserve to go over and become the champions. They've been over with the crowd for quite a while now, teaming with CM Punk and Daniel Bryan in six man tag matches. They even main evented Raw on their own last week. Their time has come.

Also, this is the hundredth time I've said this so I know I sound like a broken record, but put International Air Strike back together! It's so frustrating to me that they're doing nothing with Kidd and Gabriel. Book them as heels and I guarantee they'd put on excellent matches with The Usos. I had high hopes when Kidd came back and had matches with Fandango 2 weeks in a row. Then once again, like a fart in the wind, he up and vanished. Use your talent, Vince. You could even make Natalya their valet and turn her heel to make her a bit more relevant. If Tamina goes face again after her bodyguard gimmick with AJ, you can put her back with The Usos to even up the odds.

So even though it'll be the NAO winning the straps in 2 days, I have to believe it's for a good cause as they'll drop them to The Usos at Mania and give them their moment in the sun. They're clearly the best tag team in WWE at the moment and should be rewarded at the biggest event of the year.

 

[Ol'Canucklehead]

The split is definitely coming and should be a good feud with good matches. You might even see a heel Goldust get a singles title run if it's a success. After he turns I want Goldust to yell "I kicked your leg out of your leg!" Because that's what brothers do. lol

 

[#HELLNO]

The best thing for the division atm is to have the Outlaws go over! Everyone, about 2 years ago was begging that they return to give the division a bit of credibility, now I know that since then the division has really stepped up in that manner but having them in there really can't hurt all involved.

The Outlaws can still go in the ring, so they aren't going to look like a sloppy old tag team, like the Rock n' Roll Express, whenever they are wrestling the younger teams. Also this could be a way for the Usos to finally get over & get over big if they where to beat the Outlaws for the Championships.

Plus I can't wait for a Rhodes Brothers feud, it is too long overdue.

 

[laodaron]

I would rather the Brotherhood go over the NAO at Rumble and drop the straps at EC to Rollins Reigns. Then, Rollins Reigns drop to the Usos at Mania, solidifying their split. Reigns isn't ready for the spotlight just yet, but he will be. Plus, a Brotherhood split after Rumble is too much time for it to set up before Mania. It has to be a split at EC for it to burn just long enough to explode at Mania. But I'm in agreement that Dustin and Cody have to fight at Mania.

 

[Da Solo]

I'm pretty sure the NAO will go over Rhode's Brotherhood on Sunday. There's nothing much more to be gained, and I think it's time to get to building up Cody vs. Goldust at Mania, if it happens (which it should, in my opinion). Plus, it'd not only give the Outlaws one last deserved run, but it'd also give a little steam to the Authority storyline, what with HHH's buddies walking in on a title.

No matter what happens though, I think WWE is going to make the right call and give The Uso's that big tag title win at Mania. They've been loyal, put on some clinics in the ring and have the crowd fully behind them. Amidst all the hoopla of Bryan turning on Bray, people seem to have forgotten that The Uso's main evented a RAW in a cage match AND WON. That's a major boost if I've ever seen one.

 

[rbv13]

I for one am completely against spliting up the Brotherhood at this point. The only reason Goldust was pushing for the WM match was to get his final momoent in the spotlight. With the teams recent success Goldust has his career back and no need for a final WM moment. Going forward the tag division is a much better option to remain relevant. Save this match for Summer Slam or WMXXXI. Recently even Goldust supported this idea but saying he didn't want the match.

 

[laodaron]

Kayfabe is pretty tricky, huh?

Goldust is nearly 45 years old. While he can still work, there's a high likelihood that WMXXXI doesn't happen for him. This is the biggest stage that has ever existed in American Professional Sports Entertainment Wrestling. The Brotherhood has to become Goldust v. Cody at WMXXX or realistically, we never see that match.

 

[rbv13]

Kayfabe is pretty tricky, huh?

I'll come clean here. I did't actually read the report or his interview. I just glanced at the title. He may very well have been in character but I still think the match is a waste at WM XXX.

Goldust is nearly 45 years old. While he can still work, there's a high likelihood that WMXXXI doesn't happen for him. This is the biggest stage that has ever existed in American Professional Sports Entertainment Wrestling. The Brotherhood has to become Goldust v. Cody at WMXXX or realistically, we never see that match.

Goldust is on the back side of his career but at forty-five he is hardly finished in the ring. His is in the best shape of his life and preforming at an incredible rate. He easily could compete for another year if not longer. Breaking the team now most likely means Goldust gets jobbed out through the summer and eventually disappears. For Cody it is back to the mid card shuffle fighting for a meaningful program. If the brothers were smart they would push for the team to continue. They might not have the titles the entire time but will still be involved in meaningful matches on a weekly base.

With the star power rumored to be showcased at WMXXX this match would most definitely get lost in the shuffle. On the main card they would probably be given no more than five or six minutes. Then there is the chance the match gets bumped to the kick off show completely ruining the moment. Ideally there is never a small WrestleMania but realistically WMXXXI will be a significant downgrade from the XXX edition of the event. Next year’s stage would allow this “dream matchup” a true chance to shine.

The E should take their time and really build this feud. Following WM move the Brotherhood out of the title picture, allow them to work a few programs fighting their way back to the top. Slowly (key word right there) let the frustrations build as they can’t quite grab that success the initial had. At some point, maybe Summer Slam, have Cody turn and destroy his brother. Cody then goes on a wicked run until the return of Goldust and the climaxing match at WM XXXI.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

It's possible that the NAO go over Sunday, though I don't think it'd bother me for the Rhodes boys to have the titles to, at least, WrestleMania. It wouldn't bother me if the proposed feud between them, which was said to be happening once upon a time, has been pushed back. They're a good team, they work well together, they've got natural chemistry and they put on strong matches together. Goldust is probably wrestling better now than he has at any point in his life, he's also probably healthier than he's been in decades. I could see a feud happening with them at some point when the enthusiasm for them has started to die down, but that time isn't right now. As I said, they seem to have a good thing going right now, so I see no real reason to end it just for the sake of them having a match at WrestleMania.

 

[jeff_hardy_heel_is_awesom]

I'd rather have The Brotherhood retain over the NAO's. My main reason is because I just can't see the NAO's coming out and cutting their usual pre-match promo, and saying they're "6 time, 6 time tag team champs". it just doesn't sound as believable as when they say "5 time". That's just my opinion.

 

[Romer318]

I'm thinking the Outlaws get the titles at the Rumble and go on one last tour with the belts just like the old times. Then at Mania I'd like to see them drop the titles to the Usos in any type of match. I like the idea someone mentioned about maybe having a fatal fourway for the belts, that could be very entertaining if done right.