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TAG TEAM WEEKLY

For the week of November 4th

Introduction:

The most annoying thing to me right now is the lack of tag talent being used on Pay Per View’s.  More importantly, we never even see tag matches of singles stars anymore.  Cyber Sunday was no different as the only tag match was a dark match before the airing of the PPV. 

Something you may notice is that in this edition of Tag Team Weekly I don’t cover TNA.  I have been a TNA regular for about a year and a half now and I am not enthusiastic at all about the company currently, with the exception of a very good Female talent pool.  I watch every week to see unoriginal storylines and great wrestlers not at the top of the card because they weren’t a former WWE mid-card talent.  I will someday resume watching TNA, maybe even in the next couple weeks, but for now I need a break!

One more thing…this steroid thing is getting old.  Chris Masters and DH Smith?  I just don’t get it.  Smith is a rookie, and on top of that a 2^nd generation wrestler with a heck of a legacy to live up to.  Why ruin it?  His dad made up ½ of one of the greatest tag teams of all time, and this is his return investment?  What about our investment in these people we watch every week?  I really am glad WWE and others are cracking down, but it seems to be a regular disappointment now and I hate drugs for being the beasts they are and wish they didn’t infect our beautiful world.

Cyber Sunday PPV

(Dark Match) Jesse and Festus defeat Deuce and Domino

I didn’t see this match as I don’t live in the area but all the reports said it was a good bout.  Obviously WWE is putting a lot of push on to Jesse and Festus and this match being the opening live bout at a PPV says that D and D still are important to WWE and creative knows they can carry a match and get the crowd going.

RAW

Highlanders Defeat Super Crazy and Hacksaw Jim Duggan (Heat)

It was a quick little bout to put more heat on the supposedly evil Highlanders.  It is strange, it’s like the highlanders are now a cross breed between Luke and Butch and the Nasty Boys without the verbal talent.  I actually have always liked Duggan in tag team warfare, just wish Crazy was more prevalent in RAW right now.

WGTT lose to Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly

I think it is a mistake to have WGTT lose week in and week out.  Shelton and Charlie lose all their credibility, when in truth, they are probably the most talented in the ring and not half bad on the mike.  Rhodes and Holly worked well together and furthered their storyline.  I think both these teams will be eventually lifted up to contention status in 2008. 

Promo with Tag Team Champion Murdoch and M. James

I absolutely loved this.  I am sad to see Cade and Murdoch possibly going down the road of a split.  However, both are talented men and could make great singles stars.  They have held the title for a long time with very few title defenses.  Mickie was pure gold in this segment and made both men look very strong.  

Tag Team Champion Lance Cade defeats Paul London (Highlanders at end destroy L and k)

This match was a lot of fun.  I hated the ending with the Highlanders looking all bad and grim.  Through the fans eyes London and Kendrick, Cade and Murdoch or practically any other team on any roster (with maybe the exception of the Major Brothers) should make quick work of Robbie and Rory.  I can’t wait for that story line to be done.

Jeff Hardy and DH Smith defeat Kennedy and Carlito

This was an excellent bout.  Neither team are ever going to be in the tag division permanently as they are all singles stars, but it was a good bout with a great ring general (assuming Hardy here).  Smith has some greenness to overcome but I think he can.  Carlito always looks to me as he doesn’t want to be there.  Hardy and Kennedy are destined for an IC feud in the near future and if it is done right could rival and maybe even intertwine with Matt Hardy and MVP’s feud over the US title. Anywho…good solid match from these four.

Dark Match Main Event – DX vs. Orton and Umaga

I heard it was very well done.  I actually wish Michaels wasn’t taking on Orton at the Survivor Series as I think it would have been better to let it go for a PPV and do a 5 on 5 classic bout at the Series with DX teaming up with say London ,  Kendrick and Jeff Hardy vs. Orton, Umaga, Cade, Murdoch and Kennedy. 

Smackdown

Festus defeats Deuce

This was a better match than I thought it would be.  Don’t get me wrong, I actually am a huge fan of both teams as I think D and D are just about the best heels in the division today and I think Jesse and Festus have a very fast rising star they’ve latched themselves too.  I also think though that for some reason these two teams don’t have a chemistry together.  As for the match it was better than a squash and had some cool moments.  Jesse’s leap off the steps to nail Domino…that was great, as was Festus’ finisher.

The Major Brothers beat McIntyre and Taylor (Dark Match)

Obviously I wasn’t in Long Island this week and I didn’t see the match.  I think this match was about having two teams who are still very green get their stuff together in front of a live audience before going back to the television.  Neither team debuted well on Smackdown, maybe they’ll get another shot, maybe they won’t.  Also, since the brothers Major are from Long Island , they won, yeah them…Foley beat coach too, do we care?

Batista/Undertaker defeat Henry/Khali via DQ

This match really came across well on TV.  It had a big feeling to it.  I honestly wish it were on PPV.  Henry sold everything he got and Khali is improving.  UT and Batista tagged much better than they have before in other big profile angle set up matches.  The JBL DQ was confusing at best.  It even took me a bit to remember why he would interfere.  Layfield keeps getting involved in story lines and matches and even interviews he conducts in a physical manner.  I really hope he is planning a return because if he isn’t and doesn’t ever get his butt handed to him on a Friday or a Sunday, it is all for nothing and they are wasting his and others talent.  I will say this however; Layfield’s signature clothesline looked just as good as it did with the APA 15 years ago.  He gave it all he had and it was sold like a million dollars.

Tag Team Champions MVP/Hardy Promo and Kane over MVP match

The promo this week from the two best performers in the business, with the best angle of the year really…………….sucked it this week.  Sorry to say but they did nothing for me and then MVP had a fair but meaningless match with Kane who has now beat the US and tag team champion and yet isn’t in line for either title at this point.  Makes no sense to me.

ECW

Note: There weren’t any tag team matches at all this past Tuesday. but of course we got a great big helping of HORIBLE MAIN EVENT for our pre-Halloween viewing pleasure.

The Thumbs List

Cade and Murdoch – Thumbs up for the great Promo

Super Crazy/ Duggan -  Thumbs down looking at Jobbers R Us

The Highlanders – UGH!  Thumbs Down

WGTT – Thumbs Down

Rhodes/Holly – Thumbs in the middle and rising

London and Kendrick – Thumbs down, they need a win

Major Bros – Thumbs down

Taylor/McIntyre – Thumbs down

Deuce and Domino – Thumbs down for getting fed to the sharks

Jesse and Festus – Thumbs up again, I love this team right now

MVP/Hardy – It could have been worse, or better. Thumbs in the middle

DX – Thumbs up  

The Tag Team of the Week Award goes to Cade and Murdoch

The Best Match of the Week Award goes to Hardy/Smith vs. Carlito/Kennedy

To talk to Joel e-mail him at -

www.myspace.com/joelcroyle

To talk to Joel e-mail him at - www.myspace.com/joelcroyle