TAG TEAM WEEKLY
By Joel C Croyle on 8/23/2007 11:03 AM
Introduction:
This week wasn’t the best of weeks in Tag Team history but it wasn’t horrible either. We got some build up for teams, we saw the tag champs in the WWE in matches, and we saw one team get their heel heat back. There were a few very good tag matches that featured singles stars in Melina and Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie and Candice, Batista and Kane vs. Finlay and Khali, Punk and Boogey man vs. Big Daddy V and John Morrison, and another ECW tag match featuring Punk and Boogey Man vs. Morrison and The Miz. One thing I’d also like to correct from last week is that I stated 3 of the 4 men in last weeks Raw match with Cena and Umaga vs. Carlito and Orton had major tag team experience. I had forgotten that Carlito tagged with Chris Masters and done really well in that roll. So, how did the tag teams fair this week? Read on to find out!
Cryme Tyme
They kept their feud going with the tag champs this week by costing Cade and Murdoch to lose, yet still didn’t score a tag team title match as I had predicted. I don’t know why this match isn’t taking place at SummerSlam unless it has to do with time. I hope next week on Raw they get their shot. Cryme Tyme gets a thumbs in the middle.
Cade and Murdoch
They had a fantastic match with London and Kendrick until Cryme Time caused them to lose. They also were one half of a botched pin segment. They also did not procure a spot at SummerSlam. Great match but bad ending = thumbs down for the tag champs of Raw.
Kendrick and London
The two high flyers gave it a real go this week and were in a high profile match with the tag team champions. They got the win yet are not being seen as the number one contenders because it seems Cryme Tyme has sown that spot up for themselves. They also helped in botching the pin at the end of the match. Thumbs in the middle
The Highlanders
They weren’t seen or heard from this week. Last week they got killed by Snitsky. Snitsky headlined this week’s Raw with champion John Cena while Rory and Robbie sat at home eating popcorn. Thumbs Down
WGTT
They finally got their heel heat back and in a big way! Yes, it was two on one but is there any better way for a tag team to get hatred from their fans? Answer; yes, take out the rookie, green, beloved son of the national wrestling hero Dusty Rhodes on National television and walk out as cocky as they could. Sorry Cody, you just got used for fodder. Shelton and Charlie get a huge thumbs up this week.
The Major Brothers
Last week I stated that the Major Brothers would no longer be on my list of tag teams to follow each week because they hadn’t been on Smackdown in any way for a long while. So of course when I finally make the decision to drop them they get a non-title match against Deuce and Domino. They also did very well even though they lost. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t Demolition or anything, but they did well for the rookies they are. Thumbs way up.
Deuce and Domino
D and D went toe to toe with the brothers Major and really held their own. They are a good championship team with no real solid talent to go against. I am glad they have moved out of their Batista feud and back to the tag scene. One thing I don’t like is that they don’t have a match at SummerSlam just like their Raw counterparts. It really is unfortunate. D and D gets a thumbs in the middle with one hand going slightly to a thumbs up.
Jesse and Festus
Their promo about McMahon was absolutely hysterical and I hear they might even have a match next week. They get a thumbs up.
VKM/LAX/Motor City Machineguns/Team 3d
None of these teams really did anything on the show this week and so I give them a thumbs down. It’s really too bad because for the exception of VKM, they all had a good outing at Hard Justice.
The Steiner’s
They found out that next week they take on TNA’s current everything champion, Kurt Angle. If they lose Angle goes away beating the top team possibly in the history of this business. If Rick and Scott win then they get five minutes with Karen Angle. Scott must be foaming at the mouth. Thumbs up for being in an angle with…well, Angle.
Ron Killings and Pacman Jones
Why dear god, why are these two men a tag team? Also God, while I have your ear, why is Pacman Jones involved with TNA? Oh….and one more thing, WHY ON EARTH WOULD THESE TWO BE THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS IN TNA? Thumbs in the middle to this team till I see what they can do. Thumbs as far down as they can go to TNA for me even having to ask God these questions.
XXX/Dutt and Lethal
So somehow now if you are in a tag match that has nothing to do with the x-division it can lead you to getting a shot at the singles x division title at the next PPV. I will say this, while I don’t understand the storyline and I wish XXX were taking on Angle for the tag straps, I do applaud both of these teams’ efforts for their vignette with Cornette and their singles match on Impact. All four really worked this angle to the best of their ability. Slight thumbs up.
In Closing
This wasn’t the best week in tag team wrestling. It wasn’t the worst week in tag team wrestling either. It had its ups and downs. In the end I have to give the TAG TEAM OF THE WEEK AWARD to WGTT, Haas and Benjamin. I really think they worked their Angle fantastically and I think they could be on the verge of a major push if they keep up this work ethic. Big props to the Major Brothers for competing on the professional level they did as well. See ya all next week.
