Eyes On Wrestlemania: Best Tag Team Matches

By @Phranchize19

Wrestlemania hasn’t been big on good tag matches as of late, but it used to be a staple. Today, we are gonna discuss the greatest tag matches in this history of the show. There are some matches you might feel are missing, but these are the choices that came to mind. Honorable mention to a match True mentioned recently, The Headshrinkers vs The Steiners at Wrestlemania 9, but let's take a look at my list.

*Hulk Hogan and Mr. T w/
Jimmy Snuka vs Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff w/ Cowboy Bob Orton
Wrestlemania 1

-While not a masterpiece in terms of technical wrestling, this match was probably the second most important match in the history of the event. The star power was strong here and it would become a classic in its own right in Mania history.

*The Hart Foundation vs Nasty Boys
Wrestlemania 7

-This is probably the best pure 2 on 2 tag match in Mania history. The Hart Foundation seemed to be on the verge of splitting and the Nasty Boys were a popular team in the world of pro wrestling, so this would definitely be an important match in Mania history.

*The Hardy Boyz vs Edge and Christian vs Dudley Boyz
Triangle Ladder Match
Wrestlemania 16

-This match was so great. This is the original TLC match (although it was intended just to be a ladder match) and these three teams stole the show. This is in the running for the best tag match in the history of the event honestly.

*The Hardy Boyz vs Edge and Christian vs Dudley Boyz
TLC II
Wrestlemania 17

-This is the best tag match in the history of Wrestlemania. The three teams upped their game from the previous year and stole the show on what is considered the greatest card of all time. It might not be the best match on this card, but it is one of the most memorable matches no doubt.

*Evolution vs Rock And Sock Connection
Wrestlemania 20

-Although this is a handicap match, this was contested under tag team rules. This match from an entertainment standpoint alone is worthwhile. Randy Orton has quite the performance in this match and it is always exciting to see The Rock in action.

*The Club vs Enzo and Cass vs The Bar vs The Hardy Boyz
Ladder Match 
Wrestlemania 33

-The returning Hardy Boyz made this match much better than it would’ve been. No disrespect to the other teams, but none of them have ladder match experience and the pop of the returning Hardys is one that will never be forgotten. The win for The Hardy Boyz made this even bigger as well.

-Phranchize

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Eyes on the Ring 1:43 AM  No comment

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 

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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

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Eyes on the Ring 1:26 AM  No comment

EOTR Tag Team Tuesdays: Cesaro And Sheamus

By @TrueGodImmortal

There are some teams that you never know about. When I say that, I'm referring to teams that come about and you're unsure about from the outset. Cesaro and Sheamus are exactly that. Now collectively known as The Bar, when they had Mick Foley put them together, I wasn't sure what to expect. It seemed like a short term thing. It was supposed to be. Cesaro deserved a solo run and Sheamus had been a singles run his entire career, so why should Cesaro and Sheamus become a full time tag team? I wasn't sold on this team and after they had their first few matches together, I didn't expect them to last. Fast forward a year later, and they might be the best team in the entire WWE. Perhaps this is for the best. Perhaps this means this team will be an important duo going forward and etch their name in tag team history. Whatever the case, The Bar has solidified themselves as a top tier tag team in the game today.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing early on. After a solid 7 match series that ended awkwardly, these two were put together much to the confusion of the audience. After some early matches against the New Day, Cesaro and Sheamus would get a big victory at Survivor Series 2016, ending up as the surviving team in the 10 on 10 match, which seemed to signal a longer run ahead for The Bar. After losing a match to the tag team champions The New Day again, they had a turning point segment where they would end up working together as a cohesive unit all of a sudden and this would lead to the two defeating the New Day and ending their historic tag team title reign and making this the first title reign for Cesaro and Sheamus as a team. They would beat the New Day in a rematch before dropping the titles to Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, and that seemingly led them to a period of stagnation heading into Wrestlemania 33.

After Wrestlemania 33, Cesaro and Sheamus would end up fighting against The Hardys, who won the titles at Mania. This would set up for the biggest turning point for The Bar, as Cesaro and Sheamus came up short at Payback and then decided to turn heel, making their team more in sync than ever. With their ring gear now matching and their heel run kicking off on the right note, Cesaro and Sheamus would end up winning the tag team titles in a solid Steel Cage match at Extreme Rules making them two time champions at the time. They would embark on a solid feud that saw them go to the limit with the Hardys in a two out of three falls bout on RAW, which then led to a pretty good 30 Minute Ironman tag team title match at Great Balls Of Fire, which Cesaro and Sheamus won. After retaining the tag titles over the legendary Hardys, Cesaro and Sheamus would follow that up with yet another great tag team feud, one of which that's still going on as of this writing. Cesaro and Sheamus began to feud with the newly reunited Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, as the two most popular members of The Shield came back together. This would lead to what I think is the 2nd best feud of 2017 between two amazing teams.

The first match took place at Summerslam and it was a near classic. Ambrose and Rollins won the tag belts, but The Bar put in a great performance that can't be denied. They would continue the feud at No Mercy, but come up short yet again, and at this event, we would see Cesaro suffer a brutal injury, as two of his teeth got pushed into his gums, but they finished the match anyway. After a few more matches between the two teams, Cesaro and Sheamus finally won the belts back for a third time from Rollins and Ambrose a few weeks ago thanks to interference from New Day. This set The Bar up for a clash with the other best team in the WWE, The Usos, at Survivor Series. The champion vs champion tag team match was actually pretty damn good and proved yet again why The Bar is one of the best and why The Usos are the best. Cesaro and Sheamus took a situation that many of us were confused by and turned it into gold. They took their singles struggles and combined to become a team that are currently three time tag champs and have been involved in main events of PPVs and huge matches and feuds. For that, Cesaro and Sheamus deserve all the credit in the world. Not only have they found something that works, they've become more comfortable in their roles than ever, and it's only a matter of time before these two go down in history as one of the best teams of this era.

-True 

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Eyes on the Ring 3:26 AM  No comment