Tag team wrestling remains a cornerstone of professional wrestling, and the WWE exemplifies this with its dynamic duos. In a tag team match, two teams of two compete under specific rules, allowing teammates to switch in and out of the ring. This format not only keeps the action flowing but also adds layers of strategy to the competition, culminating in pinfall or submission to determine the victor.
While singles matches often headline events—especially those for the prestigious World Heavyweight Championship—tag team bouts have a unique ability to captivate audiences. Thanks to innovative athletes who have pushed the boundaries of the format, tag team matches frequently emerge as the highlights of wrestling cards, showcasing high-energy performances that resonate with fans.
The Rockers are an honorable mention, since their influence on tag team wrestling can’t be denied.
The Rockers may not have captured WWE titles during their tenure (excluding a controversial unaired match), but they undeniably shaped the tag team landscape, ushering in a distinct style and leaving a profound legacy. Their eventual breakup might overshadow their run, yet they paved the way for future teams in ways that still echo in today’s wrestling.
10 Paul London and Brian Kendrick
Unsung Pioneers of Modern Tag Team Wrestling
Paul London and Brian Kendrick redefined WWE’s tag team wrestling during their brief but impactful run. With their quick, high-flying maneuvers, they not only built on the revolutionary groundwork set by The Rockers but also elevated it to astonishing heights. While other teams like the Motor City Machine Guns made waves outside WWE, Londrick’s contribution stands as a testament to innovation within the company.
During their time in WWE, London and Kendrick became synonymous with thrilling action in the Cruiserweight division, helping to create a buzz around the tag team department. Their landmark achievement of being the longest-reigning WWE Tag Team Champions during the Ruthless Aggression Era solidified their legacy, proving that tag team wrestling can capture the spotlight just as effectively as singles competition.
9 Legion of Doom / Road Warriors
What a Rush They Gave to the Tag Division!
The Legion of Doom, known as the Road Warriors outside WWE, are iconic in their contribution to tag team wrestling. If The Rockers and Londrick wrote the rulebook for tag teams, LOD authored the entire narrative. Their innovation, exemplified through signature moves like the Doomsday Device, paired with their sheer physical presence, garnered them immense popularity across various promotions.
Despite some pitfalls towards the end of their WWE tenure, including controversial storylines around Hawk’s personal struggles, the resurgence of the team in the mid-2000s allowed them to pay tribute to a legacy that changed the landscape of tag team competition.
8 The Hart Foundation
Executing Excellent Tag Team Matches
The Hart Foundation’s legacy is remarkable for how they honed the foundational elements of tag team wrestling established by teams like LOD. Bret “The Hitman”Hart, not only a superstar but also a keen strategist, collaborated with his partner Jim Neidhart to craft refined variations of existing moves, most notably the Hart Attack as a safer alternative to more dangerous spots.
The duo maintained a significant impact on the wrestling scene long after their split, remaining in the minds of fans as a standout team. Uniquely, the Hart Foundation separated amicably, allowing Bret to pursue a successful singles career while later reuniting to form the bigger Hart Foundation stable in the late 1990s.
7 Laycool
A Standout Women’s Tag Team
During a period when the women’s tag division was virtually non-existent in WWE, Laycool emerged as a dynamic force. Their ability to engage audiences with captivating ring performances and memorable promos effectively reignited interest in the concept of a women’s tag division. Their contributions were pivotal in the eventual reinstatement of women’s tag team titles in WWE.
Dominating the singles division, both women shared the Women’s Championship at one point, proving their prowess as formidable competitors. Although comparison to TNA’s Beautiful People is often levied against them, Laycool’s impact on women’s wrestling cannot be understated.
6 Demolition
An Overdue Hall of Fame Spot
Despite their monumental legacy, Demolition remains absent from the WWE Hall of Fame. Long considered one of the most dominant teams, Ax and Smash held the record for the longest tag team title reign in WWE history. They mastered the LOD formula, providing thrilling matches while claiming their place as fan favorites.
Demolition was not merely about flashy gimmicks; they showcased impressive in-ring skills that produced memorable contests against great teams like the Hart Foundation and The Rockers. Their legacy is important in any conversation regarding tag team excellence within wrestling history.
5 The Dudley Boyz
The Dudley Boyz rank among the most celebrated tag teams not only in WWE history but across the entire wrestling landscape. Although The New Day tops the record for the most WWE-branded tag titles, the Dudleys hold the prestigious title of having the most tag team reigns across various promotions, including ECW and NJPW.
Impactful wherever they went, their presence defined an era, particularly with their incredible rivalries against Edge and Christian and The Hardy Boyz, revolutionizing tag team wrestling along the way. They are undoubtedly trailblazers who changed the game.
4 Edge and Christian
A Reign That Totally Reeked of Awesomeness
The Edge and Christian duo found themselves at the forefront of an iconic trio’s rivalry, frequently emerging victorious against top contenders despite being underdogs. Their journey through the Triangle Ladder Match and two seminal TLC matches established not only their names but also elevated the entire tag team division in WWE history.
Breaking records at the time with seven Tag Title reigns, Edge and Christian subverted stereotypes associated with tag team breakups, succeeding both together in the ring and individually as World Champions.
3 The Hardy Boyz
Human Highlight Reels
Matt and Jeff Hardy are emblematic of tag teams that achieve vast success in both groups and individual careers. Despite numerous breakups, the duo has consistently reunited, showcasing a remarkable resilience that few can match. Their relentless pursuit of excellence has allowed them to capture titles across four different decades, earning them a unique place in wrestling history.
The Hardy Boyz continually adapt their characters, maintaining their status as “human highlight reels”while showcasing unparalleled chemistry as a tag team.
2 The Usos
Among the Best Since Day One Ish
The Usos have continuously proven their undeniable status within WWE’s tag team division. Their evolution, which included shedding their face paint and adopting a more serious persona, catapulted them into the spotlight. The period when they redefined their characters opened the door for more significant opportunities and recognition.
With a notable feud against The New Day and a series of epic matches, including one of the best Hell in a Cell encounters, the Usos solidified their status, demonstrating why they deserve to be mentioned among wrestling’s elite tag teams.
1 The New Day
A Decade of Greatness
Even after losing the record for the longest tag team title reign to The Usos, The New Day stands out as the most decorated tag team in WWE history. Once perceived as an unremarkable ensemble, they transformed into a cultural phenomenon, deeply embedding themselves in pop culture through ventures outside the ring, including collaborations with media icons.
A decade in the spotlight has only refined their skills, with current storylines keeping fans engrossed. Notably, The New Day exhibits a rare case in which the members have maintained their tag team unity while achieving tremendous individual success. Their unique blend of creativity, longevity, and unwavering enthusiasm cements their position as the greatest tag team to ever compete in a WWE ring.
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