Who Is Better: Look at Tag Teams Matched Up

The one area TNA shines over the WWE is tag team wrestling. TNA is allowing its teams to grow and become major players and become a real part of the roster. WWE just seems to put teams together just to keep the titles around. When a good, or potentially great, tag team emerges in the WWE, it seems the writers are just looking how fast to break up the team to find the next 'HBK'.

Alex Shelley and Chris Saban at first did not impress me, but over the past few weeks and months, the team has really grown on this writer. I am convinced if they are allowed to mature, these two can go down as one of the greats in tag team wrestling, taking the fans back to the days of the Rock N Rollers, Midnights, Fabulous Ones, and others.

If these two superstars or Beer Money were in the WWE, the writers would be finding ways to break them up already.

I have taken to task comparing who was the better man on the team. What would have happened if some of these teams would have faced off? Some of the teams have fought each other and some are quite obvious, but others I need a little help. Chime in with your thoughts.

Beer Money

Here is an example of two mid carders not going anywhere being put together and have formed something special. This team seems to be together for the long haul.

Robert Roode has the potential to someday be a world champion singles wrestler. James Storm appears to be this generations version of Arn Anderson.

When Americas Most Wanted was broken up, Chris Harris appeared to be on the verge of greatness.

Verdict: Roode has the potential to go on to singles greatness. Both are great as a team and need each other, but in a battle between the two, the pick is Roode.

Demolition

"Here comes the Ax, here comes the Smasher...." Still an awesome tune for an entrance.

One of the most dominant WWF tag teams ever. The two actually had to beat on each other during the Royal Rumble as the two were 1 and 2. The two did not disappoint. Not a technical masterpiece, but a good brawl fest until Andre came out and the duo turned their attention to taking out the Giant.

Ax was once known as Masked Superstar and Smash was known previously as Krusher Krushev. The Masked Superstar was a journey man making life miserable for the regions top guy. Krusher was also known as Krusher Darsow and mainly a guy best suited for tag teams.

Verdict: Ax should be able to walk out the victor in this matchup. He is given the advantage due to his prior singles experience. Krusher went on to 'unforgettable' singles success as the Repo Man and Blacktop Bully.

***On a side note, if you believe WWE insults our intelligence now, back after the the demise of Demolition, two of the three former members, Crush and Smash, had a forgettable feud. Crush was known as Kakona Crush, a beach bum, while Smash played Repo. The good old WWF never once mentioned these two were former partners.

The Russians

"Unle ggr Ivan, er rrr  n Nikita will dessstroy you."

Krusher (Smash) was also a third member of this Cold War gimmick. He was brought in to team with Ivan so Nikita could further his singles career.

Ivan and Nikita took advantage of the Cold War hatred of anything Red. The fans truly hated these two from Russia.

Ivan was a former WWF champion, memorable because he was the man who ended the titles longest reign ever, that of Bruno Sammartino. After the match, the crowd appeared ready to riot, so Ivan was ushered to the back quickly, not even being announced the new champion. Bruno was left in the ring to try and quiet the crowd.

Verdict: These two actually battled in a feud after Nikita cried for Magnum and joined Dusty as the SuperPowers. Nikita dominated the feud. But analyzing these two, Ivan was the better of the two. Nikita was a beast, but Ivan was just an evil bastard.

Midnight Rockers

These two were the AWA answer to the Midnight Express and Rock N' Roll Express. The legacy of these two can be seen anytime a team is broken up, no teammate wants to be the Marty Jannety of the team. Both won gold in the AWA, but never became champions in WWF. They should have been, actually won the straps, but were fired and the belts given back to the Harts.

Verdict: I really have no clue as to who is the better of these two.............

Midnight Express

No matter the incarnation, the Midnights were one of the greatest tag teams of all-time. They also had a pretty cool entrance song. I am not going to discuss the Original Midnights with Randy Rose.

Loverboy Dennis, Beautiful Bobby, and Jim Cornette or Sweet Stan, Beautiful Bobby, and Jim Cornette were the Midnight Express.

All three were primarily tag team specialists throughout their glorious career. Condrey teamed not only with Eaton but with the aforementioned Rose. Lane was a member of the Fabulous Ones before his tour with the Midnights. Bobby teamed with both and later went back to tag teams with Steven Regal, forming the Blue Bloods. Eaton also had a tag title run with Arn Anderson with former nemesis Paul E. Dangerously leading the faction.

Verdict: Eaton broke loose from tag teams about the same time as Bret Hart. I recall an article in PWI discussing each could become great singles wrestlers. Beautiful Bobby never lived up to his singles promise, the best he achieved was a TV title run and actually pinned Ric Flair in the first fall of a best of three title match. Ric Flair once stated Stan Lane had all the tools to become a world champion singles competitor. Loverboy Dennis is and always will be a tag team specialist. I would have to go with Beautiful Bobby and the Alabama Jam on this one.

Rock N Roll Express

"Listen everybody, let me tell you about the Rock N Roll...." Before there was Jeff Hardy giving teenage girls panic attacks, Ricky and Robert had their eventual mothers doing the same 15 years prior.

One of the most popular, charismatic, and successful tag teams during the early days of WCW/NWA/JCP. These two had some awesome feuds with the Midnights, Horsemen, and Russians.

After losing steam in the late 1980's, they ventured to the AWA, then came back to WCW but this time Ricky joining Alexandra Yorks faction. He was renamed Richard Morton and teamed with Thomas Rich. The two even feuded for a time with Morton getting the upper hand.

Verdict: No one could take a ten minute ass whipping like Ricky. Their matches epitomized tag team wrestling where the good guy would take a pounding for a minutes, then finally get the tag, and then the fresh man would come in to enliven the crowd and even the score. I would have to say based on his matches with Ric Flair, and as long as he could stay sober long enough, Ricky Morton would win this matchup.

Dudley Boyz

"Devon, get the tables."

One of the greatest lines by one of the, if not the greatest, tag team of all-time. They are former tag team champs in ECW, TNA, and WWF.

These two will lock horns this weekend at Genesis. Brother Ray claims to be the better of the two.

The WWF tried this a few years ago. Devon was known as the Reverend introducing a young Deacon known as Batista. It did not work as these two were back together within a few months.

Verdict: Even though Devon has a pinfall victory over HHH, I would have to say Bubba is the better of these two and should win this matchup.

British Bulldogs

These two were considered the best in the WWF for along time as a tag team. Back in their prime, it could have been a WrestleMania main event if they had fought the Road Warriors for tag team supremecy. They complimented each other perfectly. Unfortunately after they lost the straps, they became more of a comic duo with the addition of Matilda.

They went their separate ways when Dynamite had to retire due to some back trouble. Davey Boy became even more chiseled and went on the singles tour. He had some good success in WCW challenging Vader for the gold and even beat Bret for the I-C title in England.

Verdict: Pick em'. If the match goes beyond 15 minutes, I would give the edge to Dynamite. But if the powerful Davey Boy could catch Dynamite with the powerslam before, give it to Davey Boy.

The Hart Foundation

Much like the Bulldogs, these two complimented each other perfectly to a few world title reigns. Neidhart was the powerhouse, while Bret was the technician.

Verdict: Just like the Rockers, this one is fairly easy. There is a reason Bret is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.

The Von Erichs

The most famous and perhaps most cursed family in the history of wrestling. Those familiar with this family knows the troubles. We will not even discuss Chris or Mike, as they had relatively zero success in the ring.

David was the yellow rose of Texas. He ventured to Florida and became a disciple of Dory Funk Jr. He was one of the first wrestlers to be loved and hated in two territories at the same time. Had he lived, David was picked to become a NWA World Champion.

As David was the technical wrester, Kerry was the beefed up brawler. He was a perrenial World Class champion and in the honor of David, was given a brief World title run, defeating Ric Flair at the David Von Erich Parade of Champions. Kerry left for the WWF and became I-C champion. His demons caught up to him as he was given just a brief run with the strap.

Kevin Von Erich was the high-flyer of the group. He was the eldest and perhaps most well rounded. He could have been given a NWA World title run, but did not want to leave the state of Texas for prolonged periods.

Verdict: Though Kevin was the most level-headed and Kerry had the most success with singles titles, David was the best of the trio. David would win in a three way dance between the brothers.

The Freebirds

"If I leave here tommorrow, will you remember me..." Everyone remembers when the Freebirds left the building. They usually left with good guys beaten down in a pool of blood.

"Badstreet, Atlanta, GA.....Baddest street in the whole USA."

Another threesome of a tag team, actually are the reason behind the Freebird rule, used by various teams such as the Russians, Demolition, and Cheerleaders of the WWE.

These three were regional warriors. They even ventured to the WWF for a time, but left quickly as it was rumored the wonderful WWF head wanted to break up the team. The threesome brought excitement and controversy to WCCW, WCW, UWF, GCW, and AWA. They were responsible for the Road Warriors losing the AWA titles. The most memorable feud had to be in WCCW against the Von Erichs. The bloody wars of these teams are part of Texas wrestling history.

Michael Hayes later became WCW tag champ with the unofficial fourth Freebird, Jimmy Garvin. Terry Gordy left us too early, but had great success in Japan with Dr. Death. Buddy Roberts just seemed like the little brother of the group.

These three actually feuded against each other quite a few times. In WCCW, Roberts joined with Gary Hart and Iceman Parsons to take on Terry and Hayes. Gordy and Hayes had some epic, bloody battles in GCW and WCCW.

Roberts was the weakest of the three. Gordy was the brawn and Hayes was the mouth.

Verdict: Tossup between Gordy and Hayes. These two never really got the better of each other. When Buddy did feud with his bigger 'brothers', he definitely got the worst beating.

Arn and Tully

Arn and Tully were tag team champions in WWF and NWA. They were also a member of this little group of four. Still to this day, what a stable should be; a top guy, a mid-card champion, and a tag team.

Both were excellent singles wrestlers winning various lower tier titles, such as the U.S. title and TV title. After a memorable run in the NWA, they ventured north and defeated the long reigning champs, Demolition. Arn eventually made his way back south and held the tag straps with Eaton and Zbysco. He even made Paul Roma respectable. How in the hell was Roma a Horseman still dumbfounds me to this day, but I digress.

Tully never made it back to one of the big boys. He went out on the indy circuit before becoming a minister.

Verdict: I always believed Tully to be World championship material, so he gets the nod here. As great as Arn was (and yes I know he pinned Flair and Hogan in consecutive weeks), he is mainly the tag team specialist or mid level champion.

Steiners

"Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof."

Considered by many to be the greatest tag team ever, these brothers won gold where ever they traveled. Multiple time WCW champions, WWF champs, and IWGP champs. These two were muscle bound freaks who could actually wrestle. The chemistry between the two was only matched perhaps by the Road Warriors.

Verdict: Big Poppa Pump gets the nod over his older brother in this matchup. If they matched up before the blond hair and softball sized biceps, the match would be a technical classic.

Miz and Morrison

"Awesome."

If these two could have stayed together a bit longer, they perhaps could have been mentioned in the same breath as the great teams of Edge/Christian, Demolition, and Bulldogs. But alas, the writers broke them up too soon. This was actually a case of two mid carders getting together which actually worked. With Morrisons athletic ability and Miz's mouth, these two were extremely over with the crowd.

Even though I feel the team was broken up prematurely, the writers seem to have Miz on track to greatness. But even through the IWC angst, Morrison is just not getting the push to the top.

Verdict: It is really, Really, REALLY, too soon to tell who is the better of the two. Miz seems to have the upper hand at the moment, but who knows in a few years if we will be talking about the Miz as a somewhat successful Marty Jannety.

Edge and Christian

"For those who have flash photography, take your pictures now, because it's time for our 5..second..pose."

These two reeked of awesomeness to the tune of 7 world tag team titles. Maybe at WrestleMania, the fans will finally get to see who is better between the two.

The two had epic TLC battles against the Hardys and Dudleys. Who won those feuds, the fans for being witness to some great tag team matches.

Verdict: I have to give it to the Ultimate Opportunist at the moment. Christian has had success winning a few TNA/NWA titles and the ECW title. Edge is a constant main eventer, while Christian is still struggling to break the glass ceiling. One thing is for sure, neither will ever be confused with Marty Jannety.

The Hardy Boyz

One cannot discuss the Dudleyz and E&C without mentioning the Hardys. These two brothers could compete with the Steiners and Von Erichs as greatest brother combination.

These two have held gold numerous times in the WWF. Both have won gold as singles competitors. Most will say Jeff is the more talented, but Matt, pre-youtube rant days, was the more level headed of the two. The WWF dropped the ball when these two feuded. It appeared each Hardy did not have that emotional connection which is needed in a family feud.

Verdict: Right now Jeff would win between the two. But like Miz/Morrison, who knows where the two will end up. Matt has some serious catching up to do, maybe TNA will do the feud right, as long as Jeff can stay out of trouble long enough to bring this matchup to TNA rings.

Harlem Heat

"Can you dig it, SUCKA."

Another great brother duo who dominated the tag team scene in the WCW. These two were managed by Sensational Sherri for awhile, winning 6 tag team titles. The team started out as the Ebony Experience in the failed Global Wrestling Federation, winning gold twice in that organization.

This was actually an example of perfect timing to breaking up the team. It does not happen often, as the Harts and Rockers seem to be the best examples of teammates going seperate ways at the right time.

Booker T was primed for a breakout role as he was the more talented brother. Stevie Ray was ready to hang up the tights as he was suffering from years of physical abuse to his body.

Verdict: Booker T wins this battle easily. The two actually fought in a short lived feud with Booker T going on to bigger and better singles success.

The Road Warriors

"I am Iron Man."

In this writers opinion, these two are the greatest tag team ever. These two never went at it in a feud and the fans are left wondering, what if. Personally, I am happy these two never engaged in a feud. Hawk and Animal were too much alike and should have never been broken up or feuded just to make a quick buck for a promoter.

Verdict: Pick em'. Both were powerful brawlers who could actually wrestle. Hawk was a bit more of a high flyer, while Animal prefered the ground game. Hawk's overhead press was one of the best, if not the best, in the business. Animal's powerslam was second maybe to Davey Boys. This would have been an epic battle as both knew each other so well, but I for one am glad it never happened.

****On a side note, I to this day do not know why in the hell they were not NWA World tag champs upon returning from the AWA. They if given the opportunity would have destroyed the Rock N Roll Express.

Old School Brawlers

For those of you who had the pleasure of watching these two bad ass brawlers, you seen Stone Cold, the Warriors, and Hogan without the paint, Hulk ups, and WHAT.

These two were genuine tough guys who were loved by the fans and hated by the opposition. They smoked cigars and usually used the lit butts to gouge an eye. They were beer drinking ass kickers before Stone Cold made it cool.

Crusher even had a cool catch phrase, "The man who made Milwaukee famous." In addition, he would talk about his "100 megaton biceps." Wonder if a young Terry Bollea was taking notes. Just like Stone Cold would have a few cans of beer on hand, the Crusher would have kegs of beer, carrying them on his shoulders.

William Afflis, Dick the Bruiser as he was known in the ring, began a wrestling career after playing for the Green Bay Packers. The Bruiser did not have the interview charisma as his cousin, mostly consisting of him telling his opponents how bad of beating they would recieve. His charisma was inside the ring. Fans loved him. Dick the Bruiser is the one who gave Bobby Heenan his Weasel nickname. He was also known as the worlds most dangerous wrestler. When King Kong Brody and Bob Brown decided they wanted the nickname the Bruiser as in Bruiser Brody and Bruiser Bob Brown, the real Bruiser would deliver a bruising beatdown to show the two who was the REAL Bruiser.

Dick the Bruiser ran the WWA territory out of Indiana for 25 years.

Sometimes after an easy victory, they would start to beat the hell out of each other.

Billed as cousins, the duo ran roughshot over the AWA territory, usually being targeted by the evil managers or bad guy tag team. Crusher and Bruiser always got the win over the baddies in the end.

The team won 5 AWA tag titles and one WWA tag title. As singles competitors, the two had great success as both held the AWA World heavyweight title. The Crusher had two reigns, while Bruiser had one.

Verdict: Toss Up. Just fun watching these two beat the hell out of each other was a real treat.

Poor Marty: Noone Wants To Be Jannetty

I know I have alluded to poor Jannetty a few times and it has become cliche. This guy had very little success after the Rockers, a I-C title run, but his legacy will always be for broken up tag teams, neither wants to become the next Marty Jannetty.

I welcome the community's opinion on who would win the battle between some of the greatest tag teams of all time.