EOTR Tag Team Tuesdays: The Dudley Boyz vs Edge And Christian vs The Hardy Boyz

By @TrueGodImmortal

As the year 2000 began, the WWF Tag Team scene was amazing with three teams at the top of the ladder, figuratively and literally. After a tough ladder match between The Hardy Boyz and Edge & Christian at No Mercy 1999 and a big battle between The Dudley Boyz and The Hardy Boyz in a table match at Royal Rumble 2000, the road would lead to one road and one road only: A triple threat tag title match. As a result of those two previous matches, we would see these three teams embark on a journey that would lead them to four matches over a year's time, involving a ladder and sometimes, tables and chairs. Today, I wanted to take a look back at the feud between these three teams, but only the matches that feature all three teams and take place under special circumstances. Intrigued? You should be. Let's take a look.

*Wrestlemania 2000
Triple Threat Ladder Match 

-This is my favorite match between the three teams. Essentially, it set the tone for the future, as these teams put everything on the line to come away with the tag team titles. Originally billed as a ladder match, these teams would bring out the tables and chairs to make an impact and the result would turn out to be a true classic. What made this match so exciting was that it felt fresh, and there was no shortage of high impact moves throughout. While I was rooting for the Dudley Boyz to win, a precedent for their feud was set when Edge and Christian walked away with a victory and the titles draped over their shoulders. If I had to rate this match on a scale of 1 to 10, this gets no less than a 9 or 9.5. It's that good and really, without this match, TLC wouldn't actually exist.

*Summerslam 2000
TLC 1

-I am not the biggest fan of this match and I'll be honest. I think it's overrated by many because it's the original, but of the four matches I'll discuss here... It's my least favorite. This match managed to incorporate a few more elements that the first triple threat didn't have, including a huge Swanton Bomb from Jeff Hardy from the top of the ladder, but for the most part, this match didn't have the same fire as the original. Perhaps it was the fact that this match wasn't at Wrestlemania, but it just didn't have the big fight feel that their first encounter did. Still, I'm not mad at the action here, but at under 15 minutes, I can't help but think this match could have been given a bit more time to really flesh out. It was 8 minutes shorter than the first one, and perhaps that it is what it took down a notch to me. On the scale of 1 to 10, I would give this match a 7.5 or 8, as it was still good, but was missing what made the first an undisputed classic. Edge and Christian pull off yet another victory to make it two in a row.

*Wrestlemania X-Seven
TLC 2

-This has the same issue IMO that the first one had. It was too short. Don't get me wrong, this is better than TLC 1, but still doesn't have the vibe that you'd expect it to have. It is a good match and many people consider it a classic and I agree. It is a classic. It's a better match than the first TLC but not better than their initial match the year prior at Mania. However, what made me a fan of this one a bit more than the first TLC is that they managed to fit more into this match along with more interference and higher profile spots. Still, there was something about this match that felt important. It felt like the final chapter or the culmination of the feud and of course, as it was in the first two matches, Edge and Christian win with the help of Rhyno. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this an 8.5 or maybe a 9. If given more time, this would surpass the first contest between the three.

*Smackdown
TLC 3

-This was the last chapter. With Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho added as the fourth team, we got the first ever TLC match with four teams. This match was on par with the first TLC contest and while it wasn't better than the first triple threat match at Wrestlemania 2000, I think it was a bit better than the Summerslam 2000 first TLC encounter. What made this match a bit more exciting to me honestly is the inclusion of Benoit and Jericho as it gave their feud a bit more fire than it had prior. The three team feud was running its course and what better way to finish off their legendary battle than with Benoit and Jericho breaking the curse and winning, marking the first match that involved all three teams that Edge And Christian didn't win. This is a great match and I would rate it around an 8 or 8.5 and it was a great crowning moment for Benoit and Jericho and a silent, but powerful end to the best feud of the Attitude Era for tag teams.

-True 

Read More

Eyes on the Ring 2:51 AM  No comment

EOTR Tag Team Tuesdays: 5 Tag Team Matches At The Royal Rumble

By @TrueGodImmortal

With the Royal Rumble a few weeks away, and it being Tuesday again, I wanted to take a brief look at some of the better tag team matches that took place at the beginning of the year event. There hasn't been a classic tag team match in years so most of these will be at least 10 years old. Let's take a look.

*1-2-3 Kid and Bob Holly vs Bam Bam Bigelow and Tatanka
Royal Rumble 1995

-This match was for the vacant WWF Tag Team Titles and it was much better than it had any business being. Both Bam Bam and Tatanka were a part of the Dibiase Million Dollar Corporation, and this would be the final round of a vacant tag team title tournament. This match was fast paced surprisingly, and at the end, the unthinkable happened: Bob Holly and 1-2-3 Kid were the new WWF Tag Team Champions in a hot match that helped open up the Rumble PPV.

*The Smoking Gunns vs The Bodydonnas
Royal Rumble 1996 

-Another tag team title match that didn't seem promising, this would end up being a solid match on a weaker PPV. Both teams were solid in the ring and as a result, this would be a short but enjoyable contest that would end with the Smoking Gunns retaining the titles. There was a tease coming in this contest of perhaps Sunny leaving the corner of the Bodydonnas and eventually she would manage The Smoking Gunns, and the seeds were planted with this match.

*The Hardy Boyz vs The Dudley Boyz
Tables Match
Royal Rumble 2000

-There were three teams that were viable during this Attitude Era run and two of them were in this match. This was a match that I think deserves more credit for being a beginning point for the three way rivalry that changed tag team wrestling forever. With these two teams going at each other and trying to put the other through tables, this would showcase the brutality that made the Attitude Era so much fun. This was the first ever tag team tables match and it didn't disappoint at all. The Hardy Boyz would walk away with the victory and set another piece of the rivalry between the two teams into action and for the future.

*The Dudley Boyz vs Edge And Christian
Royal Rumble 2001

-The crowd was hot for this match, another tag team match that would open the show. With the tag titles on the line, The Dudleys would try to right their wrongs from last year and walk out victors. Though this match was a bit shorter, it had enough action to entice the live crowd who were firmly behind Bubba Ray and D-Von. At the 10 minute mark, after a huge 3D, the Dudleys got the three count and would be walking out of the area victorious and as the new tag team champions. Of all the matches on this list, this might very well be my personal favorite of them all. It has a fast pace, a great crowd, and the right winner. Dope match.

*The Hardy Boyz vs MNM
Royal Rumble 2007

-My last choice is a match between a team that was beyond their prime and a team that never really hit their prime. While MNM had a lot to offer in terms of ability and athleticism, they never quite got it right as a team IMO. They were tag team champions and had a decent gimmick, but they aren't as memorable as they should be considering, but this match was actually a highlight of their run. Kicking off the show with a mostly hot crowd, these two teams put on a high flying athletic show that would end with the Hardy Boyz having their hands raised in victory, but MNM put up a great fight. While the Rumble hasn't had a ton of classic or great tag team matches, you should take a look at all 5 of these battles before the big event.

-True

Read More

Eyes on the Ring 1:26 AM  No comment

EOTR Tag Team Tuesdays: 5 Of The Best ECW Tag Teams

By @TrueGodImmortal

In the ECW days, tag team wrestling wasn't the central thing. It was important of course, but it didn't carry the company quite like the singles division. That notwithstanding, ECW gave us some legendary tag teams, and some underrated teams in general. Today, for Tag Team Tuesdays, I wanted to take a look at the 5 Best Teams in ECW history. There may be a few teams missing that you were a fan of, but these are the 5 greatest.

*The Dudley Boyz 

-When we look at ECW, there is one thing that sticks out about that company, and it's the ability to create stars from interesting circumstances. This is one of those interesting circumstances. The Dudley Boyz started from the infamous Dudley family of ECW that featured a number of members. D-Von and Buh Buh Ray (who had a kayfabe stuttering issue during this run) would eventually dispose of the rest of the family and become true heels and villains. There was nothing quite like the heat that the Dudleys got in their ECW days and they are the greatest tag team in ECW period as it stands. With multiple tag title reigns, controversial moments, and promos that could invite riots, there's no question that the Dudley Boyz deserve to be on this list.

*The Gangstas 

-The most controversial yet entertaining team on this list is without a doubt The Gangstas. It's not even close. They were a rare breed, inciting a lot of reaction due to their gimmick and apparently, New Jack really lived their gimmick. The Gangstas started out in SMW as heels, due to the nature of the south, but in ECW, they would become popular. They were aggressive, bringing in weapons like guitars, chairs, trash cans, and more all within shopping carts, taking the hardcore motto of ECW to heart. They would win the ECW Tag Team Titles twice before eventually breaking up. Still, their impact was felt and they would leave their mark on the company.

*Public Enemy 

-So, the gimmick for this team was horrible. They were white boys with the gimmick of loving and embracing the hip hop culture, but it just felt so forced. Still, the gimmick instantly worked with the ECW crowd and Public Enemy would end up getting over hugely in the company. Their first big feud for me was against the Gangstas which featured some brutal and gruesome matches that are among the best in ECW history. Public Enemy was a part of so many legendary moments in the history of ECW that there's no way you can mention the company without talking about them. They are ECW, just as much as the Dudley Boyz were. That's a fact.

*The Pitbulls

-One team that doesn't get enough credit in ECW is the Pitbulls. It's almost as if they are forgotten, but real ECW fans know what's up. The Pitbulls were tough, rugged, and of course, hardcore. Their run was seen as one of the best in ECW Tag Team history and with notable feuds against Public Enemy, Raven and Stevie Richards, and of course, The Eliminators, they made their presence felt. The only downside that could be used against them is that they only won the tag titles once, but that's a travesty, as the Pitbulls were one of the most popular acts in the history of the company and deserved at least another run or two. Still, the facts remain, the Pitbulls were a legendary team and they made ECW better.

*The Eliminators 

-Aside from the Dudley Boyz, this team might be the most decorated team in the company... without the controversy really. The Eliminators were hardcore but also solid in ring workers who came to entertain the fans without question. After catching fire in USWA, they would come to ECW and instantly get over, becoming a surprise top tier team. They were brought in to job to the Steiners at first, but a change of plans for Paul E. Dangerously instantly made them a sensation in the company. They were presented as an unstoppable force in the company and that's exactly how they were. They had a huge feud with The Pitbulls that made me pay attention to the company as a kid and their matches were mostly classic. Their feud lasted for about 6 months off and on, and then The Eliminators would go on to feud with teams like Cactus Jack and Mikey Whipwreck, The Gangstas, and more. The Eliminators were a great team in the company and there's no doubt that like the other teams on this list, they deserve to be here.

-True 

Read More

Eyes on the Ring 2:29 AM  No comment

EOTR Tag Team Tuesdays: 5 Favorite Tag Teams

(Compiled By @Phranchize19, @AmeenKnows, and @TrueGodImmortal)

Introduction
Today, Ameen wanted to bring a whole new idea for Tag Team Tuesdays. A roundtable of sorts. We are here to discuss our 5 favorite tag teams of all time and compare our lists. Surprisingly, most of us don't have the same choices and Ameen decides to put three teams in one selection, but this is his article, so we will allow it. Now, let's take a look at the 5 favorite tag teams from the squad.

@Phranchize19
These are my 5 favorite tag teams of all time. I'll keep it brief.

*Road Warriors

-The most prolific tag team in wrestling history. While not the most technically sound, these brawlers from Chicago defined tag team wrestling. Holding the NWA, WWE, and WCW tag titles and being the only team to do so, tag team wrestling is nothing without these two.

*Hardy Boyz

-For a while I had them outside my top 5, but their work in the past year and a half has made me consider them the 2nd best ever. Separately they've both enjoyed success, but they have literally dominated tag team wrestling over the past year and it all parlayed into an iconic return at WrestleMania. They've held almost ever tag title available. I love the fact that they were able to reinvent themselves and become the most talked about thing in wrestling.

*Dudley Boyz

-Bubba Ray and D’Von Dudley were one of the most over acts in ECW then they came to WWF and helped created the TLC match. Their use of tables became a mainstay in wrestling and their rough style was a joy to watch. The Dudleys in my opinion have the greatest tag team finisher in wrestling history. Countless tag titles all over the world makes them one of the most decorated tag teams ever.

*New Age Outlaws

-The most charismatic tag team in wrestling was the New age outlaws. Two guys who were floating aimlessly in WWF formed arguably the greatest tag team in WWF history (meaning WWF made them). Road Dogg’s charisma and Billy Gunn’s athletic prowess made these guys household names.

*The Hart Foundation

-This is one of the best teams ever. Never before had wrestling seen a partnership where the two men wrestled a completely different style from each other. Bret was the technical guy and Jim Neidhart was the muscle of the team. It brought a new dynamic to tag team wrestling that we now see more often.

@AmeenKnows
There's a difference between the greatest and your favorites. With that, I present my top 5 favorite teams of all time.

*The Brain Busters

-The Brain Busters are my favorite tag team of all time. Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were bullies who grinded and pounded the great tag teams of the late 80's to dust. They were two time NWA World Tag Team Champions and one time WWF World Tag Team Champions. This team represents my two favorite styles of wrestling: Tully's Brawler style and Arn's ability to take opponents to the mat.

*The Miz and John Morrison

-Miz and Morrison are far from the top of the list of all time great tag teams but they had that instant chemistry that made me want to see more and more of them. They had the obnoxious narcissistic gimmick so they could gain heat on the mic. Morrison's versatility made it easier for Miz, who was still working on improving his overall skill set, to work with. They provided a boost to Smackdown and ECW's Tag Team Divisions that were suffering from a lack of credible tag teams.

*E&C, The Hardyz and The Dudleyz 

-I put all three of these teams together because I'm solely focused on what they did for tag team wrestling during the Attitude Era. Edge and Christian captivated audiences with their hilarious pranks and antics including the 5 second pose, but when it was time to throw down these guys shaped up and went to work. The Hardy Boyz stole whatever show they were on with their willingness to push the limits using their High Flying abilities. The Dudley Boys added that gritty rough and tough style to this rivalry and their signature use of tables led to the creation of the TLC match with the other two teams.

*BTE (Tyson Kidd and Ceasro)

-Although they only lasted a short amount of time due to Tyson Kidd's career ending neck injury, Cesaro and Kidd were one of the main reasons I tuned into Smackdown every week when the show had basically zero direction. Kidd's career rebirth in NXT gifted him a new life on the main roster and with Cesaro you were guaranteed a great performance from the two. Cesaro, who struggled to find a way to connect with crowds, was given Kidd's cocky attitude to work with. They both had an extensive skill set to work with so we ended up with unique moves like the giant swing into a drop kick.

*The Revival

-In my opinion the best tag team in all of wrestling today, Dawson and Wilder are two students of the game. They pick apart other teams like wolves. They keep the high flyers grounded and show no mercy with excessive limb targeting. Since coming back to TV full time during the first Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, The Revival has not had a bad match at an NXT Takeover event. There have been multiple times where they stole the show including their final match on the NXT Brand at Takeover: Orlando in a triangle ladder match (Made famous by some of my other picks on this list) against DIY and AOP. My favorite performance was at Takeover: Dallas against American Alpha. They showed off some of the best heel work as a team I've ever seen and showed off the influence that guys like a Tully Blanchard and an Arn Anderson had on their wrestling style in the ring and on the microphone.

@TrueGodImmortal
-For my list, I had to look at the teams I enjoyed watching the most and just go from there. That wasn't a tough task to accomplish honestly.

*Harlem Heat

-My all time favorite team. Booker T and Stevie Ray were amazing together and they helped to usher in an era for black wrestlers that saw Booker and Mark Henry become champions down the line. Harlem Heat gave us great moments, good matches, and epic promos. They are the BEST. Period.

 

*The Rockers 

-When I was really young, The Rockers had just started their breakup. It wasn't until I went back and watched the older WWF tapes that I began to take a liking to Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels, but their fast paced offense, high flying style, and ring awareness made them instant favorites to watch. Their feuds were fun to watch and their breakup was iconic.

*The Steiner Brothers 

-Before Big Poppa Pump existed, this team was the best in the business. The Steiner were great whether in WCW, WWF, or anywhere else over the world. I enjoyed watching The Steiners in their matches over the years and this team remains to be in my top 5 of all time and one of my favorites.

*The Hollywood Blonds 

-My list seems a bit WCW centered and that's for good reason. WCW had tag team wrestling done the right way. I hated the WCW main event scene as a kid, as the wrestlers seemed to be old and not as exciting. Sure, Flair and Sting were great, but Hogan vs Vader, Vader vs Cactus Jack, and all those matches didn't do it for me. However, when the Hollywood Blonds came about, I instantly enjoyed their work. Stunning Steve Austin and High Flying Brian Pillman had amazing chemistry as a team and I could watch their promos and matches for hours then and now.

*The Rock N Sock Connection 

-Keep in mind, this isn't a list of who I think is the greatest, just my personal favorite teams. While two of these teams listed would make my top 5 greatest teams ever, these are the teams that I enjoyed watching immensely throughout my wrestling fandom. The Rock and Mankind had some of the greatest chemistry that not even long term tag teams could replicate. Their matches were fun, their promos were highly entertaining, their dynamic was fun, but most of all, the team itself was fun to watch. This is definitely a favorite team of mine.

Have a list of your 5 favorite? Feel free to list your 5 favorites in the comments below.

-EOTR  

Read More

Eyes on the Ring 10:15 PM  1 comment