The Regular Decline of Tag Group Wrestling in WWE and AEW

2024 has been one other rollercoaster for professional wrestling followers, however it hasn’t precisely been a banner yr of tag staff wrestling.

The most recent episode of AEW Dynamite concludes with a Tag Group On line casino Gauntlet match, which many viewers hoped would put its ailing division again on monitor. As an alternative, it raised some acquainted questions, as Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher earned an opportunity to problem the Younger Bucks for the tag titles at Grand Slam on Sep. 25.

This was the opportune time to foster a longtime duo like The Outrunners or Personal Occasion. In spite of everything, the EVPs might use some contemporary opponents, and the tag division wants a reset. So, it was disappointing to see one other makeshift staff advance even when it might result in some attention-grabbing developments for the Don Callis Household.

Sadly, WWE hasn’t been significantly better on this division attributable to its overreliance on its high two stables. It is arduous to spend money on anybody else when the tag titles usually revolve across the newest try to make Judgement Day or The Bloodline look dominant.

Each corporations have sturdy pairings, however they’re usually severely underutilized. The truth is, it is arduous to reconcile such an abundance of expertise with this stagnant interval for tag staff wrestling.

WWE’s Stifling Give attention to Factions Over Tag Groups

Though Nathan Frazer and Axiom’s emergence on NXT was one of many few vibrant spots this yr, WWE’s foremost roster has been devoid of significant tag staff feuds.

The corporate’s use of Fairly Lethal, The Road Earnings, Los Garza, and even The Authors of Ache has been fairly a head-scratcher. One might argue that Uncooked would not have a powerful sufficient division, however the model might all the time construct round The Creed Brothers.

The younger duo was an thrilling addition to the flagship collection final yr. Viewers shortly gravitated to them due to their power-based offense and exhilarating matches. Nonetheless, they appeared to be in a holding sample till they lastly teamed with Chad Gable to kind American Made.

Their present work with the Wyatt Sicks is a step within the path, however we need to see extra of them. As said earlier, it is tough to provide any staff a sustained push when the tag titles are nonetheless tied to The Judgement Day.

This drawback endured throughout Damian Priest and Finn Balor’s run because the undisputed WWE tag staff champions. A lot so, that many followers hoped splitting the titles at WrestleMania 40 would alleviate this concern and create alternatives for the opposite groups.

Nevertheless, that did not final lengthy as a result of Liv Morgan helped the group regain championship gold on June 24, and Balor and JD McDonagh have not defended the belts since.

In the meantime, SmackDown has a plethora of groups that might chase The Bloodline for The WWE Tag Group Championship. When Jacob Fatu cleared the ring after DIY received the titles on July 5, it grew to become abundantly clear that their reign could be short-lived and the upcoming gauntlet could be a automobile to showcase Solo Sikoa’s new enforcer.

Certain, Fatu has been a revelation as the most recent member of the secure, and it is encouraging that WWE instantly offered him as a giant deal. It is only a disgrace that it got here on the expense of the tag division.

To that finish, it is regarding that neither of the corporate’s tag titles has been defended at a premium stay occasion since WrestleMania. Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair are a enjoyable tandem, however the ladies’s tag division is not precisely thriving both.

AEW’s Stale Tag Group Division

WWE has a reasonably uneven historical past with tag staff wrestling, however the state of AEW’s tag division is far more stunning.

The corporate boasted a powerful roster throughout its maiden yr with a number of the greatest groups on this planet. As such, its quick goal to be a house of excellent tag staff wrestling set the brand new youngsters on the block other than their distinguished competitors.

Nonetheless, 2024 is a far cry from All Elite Wrestling’s humble beginnings and the memorable matches that put the brand new division on the map. Who would’ve guessed that 5 years later The Lucha Brothers could be reportedly leaving for WWE and this bastion of hope for the game would seemingly not have the ability to land The Motor Metropolis Machine Weapons.

Nobody anticipated the corporate to take care of its luster endlessly, however it’s fascinating to see how a lot the notion of it has modified. Sure, the product remains to be entertaining and its pay-per-views have been unimaginable this yr, however the tag division is probably colder than it has ever been.

The Younger Bucks are succesful champions, who can nonetheless produce distinctive matches, however their present reign has been lackluster. They have not accomplished something new or intriguing with the belts, and so they’ve confronted The Acclaimed and FTR too many occasions.

This was a staff recognized for its progressive tandem offense and uncanny skill to attract the very best performances out of their opponents. They pushed the game ahead and compelled the trade to reevaluate their outdated view of tag staff wrestling.

So, we anticipated a heel run the place they may elevate groups like Prime Flight, Personal Occasion, or The Gunns. We anticipated storylines and rivalries, however the brand new Elite sort of fizzled out with out a fascinating adversary after Blood and Guts. Onscreen authority figures sometimes solely work when there’s a scorching protagonist to face in opposition to them.

For instance, Mr. McMahon’s character wanted Steve Austin and The Rock to play off. The EVPs haven’t got that sort of counterpart as a result of Kenny Omega has been out indefinitely and nobody else has crammed the function.

AEW and the Bucks must get again to their roots. The Grizzled Younger Veterans are a promising addition to the roster, however the firm has to decide to its younger groups and construct new stars.

It is unclear what the long run holds for each corporations, however let’s hope its tag staff output improves by the tip of the yr.