Top Ten Tag Teams

As I previewed in my Raw blog, John and I are tagging up to deliver a top ten list of the Greatest Tag Teams. We started the debate last week. We had trouble getting a list we could agree on, but eventual we settled on this one. We still have disagreements but that is what a top ten list is suppose to provide. The Tag division has been downgraded in the last few years to almost a joking level in the WWE. So what better time to talk about the greatest tag teams then right now.

10. The Rockers -

J Call: The Rockers come in at number 10 because I had to beg John just to get them on the list. I would have Shawn and Marty a little higher on the list. I loved the Rockers. They had plenty of charisma and added excitement into any card. The thing most fans remember is the fallout of the team. Shawn threw Marty through the barber shop window to elevate his career as a singles competitor. Although never mentioned in the record books as tag champs in the WWE, they did win the titles against the Hart Foundation but the ring rope broke during the match. Since the match was botched by the rope the WWE decided to give the belts back to The Hart Foundation.

John: They brought high-flying and tassels to wrestling. They used the energy of the crowd, and were one of the first to go off the top rope at the same time. Shawn Michaels, is what he is today, because of Marty Jannety and the tag team. He became a world class wrestler, and we know what he is today.

9. The Fabulous Freebirds -

John: Anyone from Texas knows about the Freebirds. They were the arch enemy of the Von Erichs. They had the brain (Michael P.S. Hayes), the whiner ( Buddy Roberts), and the muscle ( Terry Gordy). Their battles with the Von Erichs were legendary. Also, they were the first wrestlers with entrance music. That says a lot right there.

J Call: John knows more about these guys then I do. I knew more about the Freebirds when they came to WCW. Michael Hayes was sure innovative coming up with an entrance music way before it was cool. Michael is now a big part of the WWE as a head writer for Smackdown. There is also a Freebird Rule in effect. When the Freebirds were a 3 man group and owned the tag titles, they could use any 2 of the 3 to defend their titles. The rule is called the Freebird Rule and has only been used 6 times in tag team history. The most recent was the Spirit Squad a few years ago.

8. Harlem Heat -

John: This was a brother duo that was just dominant. Another team, that was a platform for 1 member to go onto greatness. Booker T and Stevie Ray paved the way for teams like Cryme Tyme. They had epic battles with the Nasty Boys and the Outsiders, before going in their separate directions.

J Call: Harlem Heat won the WCW tag titles 10 times. Do I need to say more? Once Sensational Sherri got her hands on Booker T and Stevie, they were destined for greatness. Harlem Heat were one of the most dominant tag teams in WCW history. As most tag teams, one man succeeds as the other falters.

7. The British Bulldogs -

J Call: The British Bulldogs were a phenomenal tag team. I loved Davey Boy Smith. As John mentions their mascot, I can remember him going after Bobby the Brain Heenan. They may have only been tag team champs once in WWF, they are still remember has one of the greats. Their in ring work with the Hart Foundation and Iron Sheik and Nikolia Volkoff were some of the best tag matches back in the 80's.

John: Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith formed a dynamic team. They wrestled in the same form as the Harts, and had a career very similar. The even had a bulldog mascot, but their wrestling defined them.

6. The Hardy Boys -

John: Matt and Jeff Hardy took high flying to a whole new level. Their fearlessness, and the way they teamed moves together is still one of the best I have ever seen. The brothers would play off one another in a time when tag team wrestling was at its peak. The feuds withe Edge and Christian, and The Dudley Boyz, are still talked about today. The introduced ladders to tag team competition, and helped form The great TLC matches we all loved.

J Call: The first of all three teams of the TLC matches had to make the list. Jeff is/was the dare devil and Matt is/was the smart, ring suave one. Team Xtreme took themselves and another team on the list to knew heights with the Terry Invitational Tournament or TIT Ladder Match back at No Mercy 1999. Now they are well known for their singles success as the first blood brothers to hold a World Title at the same time. This is what is suppose to happen to Tag teams, both go on to bigger and better things.

5. The Brainbusters -

J Call: If this was a top ten of who is the greatest tag team partner, the Enforcer Double A Arn Anderson would by my choice. Tully and Arn were part of the most elite group in wrestling history, the Four Horsemen. They wrestled in both WCW and WWF. The Brainbusters in ring work was perfect. Arn is a man that belongs in the Hall of Fame. Tully and Arn enjoyed success every where they went.

John: Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard had two jobs. #2 was to win tag team championships. #1, was to make sure Ric Flair held the NWA championship. They did both perfectly. They were the rock that people had to go through to get to Flair. They interfered, distracted, and just plain beat up anyone and everyone that got in the Four Horsemen's way.

4. Edge and Christian -

John: They brought the conchairto to the TLC matches. They could go high flying or they could go toe to toe. The part I liked most about Edge and Christian was the "5 second pose." They were funny, and wrestled well together. Edge went on to great things, and Christian is getting up there as well, but I would not rule out them getting back together for a match or two.

J Call: Time to get serious into the Top 4. Edge and Christian first came on the scene with Gangrel as the Brood. Laying eyes on these two for the first time, you knew they were going to be special. They get the nod over their counterpart, The Hardys, in this list because they won back to back Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matches at Wrestlemania 16 and 17. Their backstage promos when they added Kurt Angle were always hilarious. 7 time WWF/E tag champs gets them to number 4.

3. The Dudley Boyz -

John: D-Von and Bubba Ray have held more tag team titles than any other tag team. They brought tables to wrestling. While in the original ECW, they made tables apart of every one of their matches. They brought them with them to the WWE for the TLC matches. They have dominated everywhere they have been, and continue that today. Whats UUUUUUUUUUP?

J Call: They might be the most recognizable tag team of all time. 8 time ECW Tag Champs, 8 time WWF/E Tag Champs, 1 time WCW Tag Champs, plus now 2 time TNA Tag Champs. It is no suprise they got to number 3. John and I actually debated because I had these guys at number 2. The Dudleys were the perfect team during the attitude era of the WWF. Devon and Bubba Ray have many memorable table moments in the WWE archive. My favorite moment was Bubba powerbombing Mae Young off the stage onto a table below. Devon! Get the tables!

2. The Hart Foundation -

John: This was the ultimate contrast in styles. Jim " The Anvil" Neidhart was the brute. Bret Hart, was the most technical wrestler of all time. Together, they were unstoppable. They were managed by the Mouth of the South, Jimmy Hart. They had the entire package. They would out wrestle you, beat you up, and Jimmy would cheat. They produced another great singles wrestler in Bret Hart, but Bret always said he liked tag teams better.

J Call: John mentions it right away, their styles made them a unique and great tag team. Bret had the mat skills, brains, and could make anyone look good. The Anvil was in your face attitude and cleaned house. In my opinion, they were the most complete wrestling duo in history. If you don't know, I have a huge man crush on Bret. He is my favorite wrestler of all time. They only held the WWF tag titles twice, but they still go down as our number 2 tag team.

1. LOD The Road Warriors -

J Call: Something John and I agreed on was our number 1. LOD, The Road Warriors, Hawk and Animal were the best tag team ever. They had the look, with spiked shoulder pads, the power, both men, and their finisher, the Dooms Day Device. They may not own all the records for title reigns but it doesn't matter. The Road Warriors were the perfect tag team. Animal had the look and size. Hawk had charisma and a mouth. The Most Dominant Tag Team period.

John: This team was brute force. They would beat you up, then beat you up again. Their finishing move was one of the most devastating of all time. They were a well-oiled machine. When they wanted the championships, they took them. If they didn't, they just beat people up. It was unfortunate, the way they ended, but wow, when they were on...What A RUSH.

You think you can do better or have a problem with our list? Email John at jpconner9@yahoo.com or email J Call at mccall316@yahoo.com.

J Call and John C