SPOTLIGHT: TAG TEAM MONTHLY
By Joel C Croyle on 7/12/2008 9:27 PM
Welcome back Spotlighters! It seems like years ago that I used to write a little column called Tag Team Weekly for this great site, but alas with the state of tag teams as they were, I grew tired and weary and packed it in. I think Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka could say how I felt best… “There’s no earthly way of knowing, which direction we are going, there’s no knowing where were rowing, or which way the river’s blowing…” So I gave up, and I began writing less in general, and finally went down to my once a month Spotlight piece that Dave generously posts on this wonderful site. But now, the winds seem to be changing in the WWE and wrestling in general, I seem to be glued to my TV set more, and I am writing more often. And so, for those who read my tag team weekly column, I give you a blast from the past. We are going to check in on the WWE tag teams. When I used to do my Tag Team Weekly gig, I also talked about TNA’s teams but for this round I think WWE shall be enough. And who knows if the wind keeps blowing in a general uphill direction, maybe I will do a monthly or weekly Tag Team Column again, as that division is and always has been my favorite – we miss you Demolition…
Team Priceless – Rhodes/Dibiase
I may be crazy but aren’t these guys tag champs? Where were you on Raw? Maybe I missed it, which is possible. That said, this is a really exciting new team and I loved how they formed. What I don’t like is that they have done nothing with Hardcore Holly and what happened to him at Night of Champions. It is a great feud if Holly can get a partner and light it up with the young ones. Also, as a side note, Rhodes is a much better heel than he was a face and he is obviously currently the talker of the team. These guys are gonna be great tag team and singles stars…just wait for it.
Deuce and Domino
I am not crazy; I know that since the draft these two guys from the other side of the tracks are on separate shows. Domino was just fed to Kennedy last night while MVP and Umaga did a number. My point of them being here is just to say WWE is making a huge mistake. Did these guys need a new direction? Absolutely. But they shouldn’t have been broken up. I hope WWE realizes how good they were and changes their minds. They don’t need Cherry at their side, but they belong together. Neither is ready for solo work yet.
Cryme Tyme
They look to be starting a faction with John Cena. This couldn’t be better for these two. A rub from a prime time player like that is huge in this business. My guess is that if WWE creative isn’t going with a Holly/Rhodes tag feud than these guys are the next big feud for Priceless. Only time will tell where they go from here. In my opinion whether it be Smackdown or Raw stars, these two have the most solidified characters, are the most over, and are the best on the mike. In ring work is another story as they can be sloppy at times…but sometimes they are no less than brilliant.
Team Irish – Finlay and Horny
This is most definitely an odd pairing but their latest feud with Miz and Morrison has been excellent. They do more with just their comedic side than all the other teams do with whatever they have to bring to the table. I see them soon beating Miz and Morrison for the titles but I don’t see them having them long or staying a team very long as I think the father/son bit has run its course.
Jesse and Festus
I said Cryme Tyme had all the tools but the in ring stuff…This is where Jesse and Festus excel. Jesse is absolutely fantastic in his ability and can sell like crazy. In my opinion. Festus is the best big man to come along in a very long time. I think these two deserve a shot at a tag title and I also think Festus may be a main eventer one day. They happen to be hilarious too which helps.
Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore
I’m not all too sure if these guys are even a tag team anymore. But for my money, they had the best matches with anyone all year, especially Miz and Morrison. According to WWE.com they are still on the same show together. They need to revamp this team and get them out there again.
Hawkins and Ryder
It seems they have some talent. It seems they have gotten better. It seems they still need to work on their mike skills…and it MORE THAN SEEMS that they need to get AWAY from EDGE. These guys have no chance of breaking the glass ceiling by being in this family faction. I see them more than any other team on my screen yet I have no idea who these two are.
Miz and Morrison
To the point – After they lose to Finlay Morrison needs to do a Marty Jenetty and take a header through a window from his partner, turn face, go solo, take on Edge or HHH for the strap and Miz can float around the US title for a while These two are better than good, they are great but they are lost in the tag division right now even though they hold the straps.
The Highlanders
So apparently Rory and Robbie still exist because I just checked WWE.com and found that out. Who knew?
And so ends my Tag Team check in…thanks again for reading. If the tag teams start really working again I will begin at least a monthly breakdown with my old thumbs lists…I really hope that happens.
