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November 28, 2006 – The next big tag team rivalry in WWE…

Ever since the roster split in 2002, tag teams have appeared to be unimportant to the WWE. The Dudley Boyz were broken up (and since the break-up didn’t work for either of them they were reunited at Survivor Series that same year), the APA were broken up (and although Bradshaw had some success in the Hardcore division, he didn’t find real success until the JBL character in 2004) and gradually tag team wrestling seemed less about actual tag teams and more about putting individuals together and seeing if they could be successful (see Reverend D-Von & Ron Simmons, Edge & Hulk Hogan, Christian & Lance Storm, Christian & Chris Jericho, Kane & Hurricane, Booker T & Goldust, Kane & RVD, Chris Benoit & Edge, William Regal & Eugene, William Regal & Tajiri, Big Show & Kane etc. etc. etc.). Over the last few years only a few teams have appeared that could be classed as ‘proper’ tag teams such as the World’s Greatest Tag Team, Los Guerreros, La Résistance, the Basham Brothers and Paul London & Billy Kidman. At WrestleMania XX there was enough teams to have a Fatal 4 Way tag team match from both RAW and SmackDown. Shortly afterwards, most of those teams had been broken up and things were back to the way they were a couple of years earlier. But in the last year or so things have changed.

In 2005-2006 we have seen a slow but steady arrival of new tag teams. Although the tag team division is still being treated like it’s a red-headed step-child (one of JR’s ever-so-famous lines), there is some light for the tag team division and some lights are shining brighter than others. The most notable of the last year and a half has been MNM (well, the MN part). Joey Mercury & Johnny Nitro were very successful on SmackDown, winning the WWE Tag Team titles on 3 occasions. They never really had a ‘proper’ tag team to feud with until earlier this year when Paul London & Brian Kendrick fired onto the scene and upset MNM for the gold. Immediately afterwards, the WWE showed their ignorance by breaking up MNM (okay, so Mercury needed time off and Nitro got pushed as a singles star but that push was still way too early). Since then, London & Kendrick has feuded with the Pitbulls. No, Anthony Durante did not come back from the dead and Gary Wolfe didn’t even get a new partner like they did with Animal & Heidenreich’s LOD. This version of the Pitbulls was the teaming of Kid Kash & Jamie Noble. This was clearly another attempt at putting two individuals together and seeing if they could be successful except this time they were given a gimmick that neither man was suitable for. London & Kendrick are great as a tag team but their title run has not been the best due to their lack of competition (and I’m sorry WWE, but Idol Stevens & KC James don’t count as competition). The return of ECW saw the return of the FBI but they have hardly wrestled together and have lost every match.

On the RAW side of things, Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch came in last autumn and although they don’t appear to be a ‘proper’ tag team at first glance, their characters fit well together and they work as a team. Unfortunately, they were given the World Tag Team titles too quickly and then got squashed by Big Show & Kane (who later feuded with Chris Masters & Carlito – another two individuals). The Spirit Squad debuted in 2006 and even though they are a stable and not a tag team, when there are only two of them they do appear and work as a ‘proper’ tag team. Later in 2006 we saw the debut of the Highlanders (fun to watch, but not likely to be a major success) and Cryme Tyme (also fun to watch but not likely to be huge due to their characters portraying a racial stereotype). Then most recently we have seen a team from years ago reunite. Not Edge & Christian (if only) but instead it was Matt & Jeff, the Hardy Boyz (or Team Xtreme as WWE now likes to call them even though we all know that was the name for their trio with Lita!) At ECW’s December To Dismember press conference, the Hardys issued an open challenge to any tag team in the world to face them this Sunday on pay-per-view. On RAW that night, their challenge was answered… by MNM!

Yep, MNM is back! Melina said it will be for one night only but I’m hoping that was just for the sake of the promo. Over the last several months, Jeff Hardy and Johnny Nitro have feuded for and traded the Intercontinental title. They have had some great matches and a really good feud and in my mind I thought that if Matt Hardy and Joey Mercury were added to this feud it would turn into one of the best tag team feuds since the days of Edge & Christian, the Dudley Boyz and the Hardys. And now hopefully I have my wish!

MNM put in some great performances on SmackDown during their run as WWE Tag Team champions and since reuniting last week, the Hardys have looked as sharp as ever. If I was booking this feud, I would build it up and keep adding to it as long as possible. All four men are capable of putting on some classic matches with the right opposition and now I think MNM have found the perfect opposition. If you saw the Jeff Hardy-Johnny Nitro ladder match a couple of weeks back you’ll be thinking the same thing I am now. Those two put on a very good match against each other – how much better will it be as a tag team match? If I could add one thing to this feud (or one team) it would be London & Kendrick. Those two must be bored on the SmackDown roster with nothing to do every week except shine up those tag title belts. MNM must surely want a rematch for those belts, right? And with the Hardys in the mix we could be looking at some of the best tag team matches in years. Okay, so London & Kendrick getting involved is maybe a long shot, but the likelihood of an MNM-Hardys feud is right around the corner and I can’t wait. Tables, Ladders, Chairs… get ready coz here they come!

So as the days of ‘proper’ tag teams might just be returning, it’s a pretty safe bet that we won’t ever see the likes of Demolition, the Hart Foundation or the British Bulldogs again, or even the Steiner Brothers and Money Inc, but we have seen other legendary teams like the aforementioned Hardys, the Dudley Boyz and Edge & Christian forge their way into history with a long-running feud and great matches. Only time will tell but I believe the Hardys will help MNM become a legendary team through the same method (and if I had my way, London & Kendrick too).

And even if Melina was telling the truth and MNM don’t remain as a team, I now have a 2^nd reason to watch the ECW pay-per-view on Sunday. I truly believe this match will be great and could lead to the next big tag team rivalry in WWE.