There once was a time when good tag team wrestling dominated the television screen. This is something that WWE has truly forgotten about. TNA hasn't but TNA always seems to have 6-man tag matches, i.e, the upcoming PPV "No Surrender" where the Prince Justice Brotherhood goes against the Rock 'n Rave Infection including Christy Hemme. So, to a throwback to the good old days, here's my top-10 tag teams in the last decade.
1. The Hardy Boyz
The boys who made their dreams come true are one of the reasons why the Attitude Era for the WWE was so successful. Six-time tag champs, the North Carolina brothers, Matt and Jeff, took what they did in their backyard on trampolines and catapulted to stardom. They were ultimate risk takers (Jeff still does). Classic feuds with Edge and Christian and the Dudley Boys led to classic matches and the unforgettable TLC matches. Crowds go wild for the two and even after doing their singles thing, the two can reunite and go as if they never missed a beat. What makes them even more incredible is that these men garner some of the loudest pops in history. Amazing for two guys who it seemed would never get the chance to get into the main event picture.
2. Edge & Christian
If it wasn't for E&C, the Hardys probably would never be as popular. Emerging from the fire pit with Gangrel as members of The Brood, E&C, soon came into their own. TLC, conchairtos, 5-second poses, and hilarious backstage segments with Commissioner Foley made Edge & Christian a favorite to watch every week. Together, the "brothers" won 7 tag championships and will forever leave a mark on the industry.
3. The Dudley Boys
"Devon, get the tables!" Crowds erupted when that line was screamed. Kings of one of the most popular gimmick matches, Devon and Bubba-Ray Dudley, resident of Dudleyville changed the wrestling business as we know it. Their popularity started in the cult favorite, ECW, where they won 8 tag titles. They then jumped to WWE and won the titles 9 more times and all the while putting anyone who stood in their way through a table. Together, they have held tag titles almost 20 times in ECW, WWE, WCW, and TNA. 20 times! Take a second and digest that. If it wasn't for the table gimmick and how TNA may have tarnished them a bit, they might be #1. Plus, Devon was the one who brought Dave Batista onto the screen, when he was then known as Brother Devon and being accompanied by Deacon Batista.
4. The Rock 'n Sock Connection
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Mick Foley formed an unlikely ally, especially after all the wars they went through against one another. 3-time champions together, The Rock and Mrs. Foley Baby Boy, gave us the highest rated segment ever on WWE tv with "This Your Life", Mick's "birthday" gift to his partner. Comedy rained every time these two were on the mic and they weren't too shabby in the ring either.
5. Harlem Heat
10-time champs, Booker T and Stevie Ray, dominated the WCW tag title scene. Even though most of their reigns were in the mid-90s, these two brothers did not disappoint when they performed. Their theme was awesome and they were one of WCW's most memorable teams.
6. The Outsiders
This isn't really for what these two men, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, did as champions but what they did for the industry as a whole. Hall and Nash left Vinnie Mac's company and went to the competition as two rogue individuals coming through the crowd and causing mayhem on Ted Turner tv. They soon teamed with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan and the New World Order (nWo) began. They spearheaded one of the most controversial, popular, and memorable factions ever in pro wrestling. Oh, they won 6 championships together, just in case you needed more information.
7. New Age Outlaws
Road Dogg Jesse James and Billy Gunn were the controversial tag team WWE gave us when it was still WWF and in its Attitude Era. Everyone was repeating their catchphrases and with HHH, Shawn Michaels, X-Pac, and Chyna, Degeneration X ruled the E. DX was WWE's answer to the nWo and green and black was all over the place. The two were so accomplished as a team that it seems that when they are doing their singles thing, neither men are truly the same (as seen recently in TNA or even the whole Billy & Chuck angle).
8. Brothers of Destruction
Kane busted on the scene tearing down a steel cage to get to his "brother" The Undertaker. Seperately, these two were the the most feared and dominating men in the late-90's, early 21st century. They were also the only team to hold both the WWF and WCW tag belts simultaneously when they won the WCW straps 8/9/01 on Smackdown!.
9. Paul London and Brian Kendrick
Here's proof of quality over quantity. They didn't win the belts as much as the other teams on this list (only twice) but it's what they did with the WWE Tag Team Championships that got them here. They held the straps for 11 months before losing it to Deuce 'n Domino. The energetic, high-flyers took on all comers on Smackdown! and delighted those who watched.
10. MnM
No, I don't mean Mercury, Nitro, and Melina. This is John Morrison and The Miz. The Shaman of Sexy and the Chick Magnet held the WWE belts for 8 months on Smackdown! and ECW. Why make this list? Even though Morrison was a part of the original MNM and also an ECW champion, this title run elevated both men to greater levels. We saw drastic improvements especially from the Miz in the ring. Their webshows, "The Dirt Sheet" are the most viewed videos on WWE.com. "In life, there are winners and there are losers." These two are definitely winners, be jealous.
Honorable Mention:
1. LAX- Hernandez and Homicide are fan favorites in TNA and two talented individuals. Homicide was ROH champion at a time and it's always a treat when the big man, Hernandez flies.
2. MCMG- Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelly and Chris Sabin) are exciting young men who just have yet to be given the ball in TNA. In the ring, the two men do not disappoint but apparently they rub certain people the wrong way where it counts.
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