It seems just about every division of the WWE is stronger now than ever before. The women’s divisions on both Monday Night RAW and SmackDown Live have compelling feuds and interesting stories, as do the men on both brands. The tag teams are the weakest link on both shows, but SmackDown’s tag team division is all but pointless. Here’s what needs to happen to get things going again.
Current Roster
Right now, the SmackDown Live tag teams include the Usos, American Alpha, Slater and Rhyno, Breezango and the Ascension. There used to be the Hype Bros, but they seem to be done after Zack Ryder’s injury and Mojo Rawley’s Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal win. It seems Mojo is getting a singles push, regardless of when Ryder returns. The Vaudevillains are also done for now that Simon Gotch has been released by the WWE.
Realistically, this means SmackDown Live only has two serious tag teams, one comedy duo, and two jobber teams. You can’t build a division with nothing. It also makes matters worse when WWE doesn’t seem keen on making the SDL tag division important. It was the only uncontested belt at this year’s WrestleMania, and AA’s title reign was pushed off TV again and again, to the point that it became part of the story that AA had to call out management about not having any matches booked.
New Blood
Thankfully, the Superstar Shakeup can really help reset the division and get everyone moving forward together. What SmackDown Live needs is a few serious teams and some extra promo time with them. According to rumors, promo time will be coming in spades.
As reported by Dave Meltzer, it seems The New Day will be shuffled over to SDL. This is a great move, because The New Day are a legitimate threat, having broken the all-time record for tag team title reign. Xavier, Kofi and Big E on the mic will also make their matches feel more important and help any opponents who beat them.
Another rumor, from an unverified insider on the pro wrestling subreddit SquaredCircle, says Enzo and Big Cass will also be jumping over to the blue brand. If you thought The New Day was going to provide enough promo time for the tag division, now you also have Enzo Amore to deal with. The Usos seem like a cuppa haters to me.
If you really want to make the SmackDown tag team division awesome, I’d also bring over The Club. Hopefully AJ Styles will stay on SmackDown like he said he wanted to, because this would reunite the three good brothers. The Club vs. New Day would be some great 3v3 wrestling.
In exchange, I’d throw AA over to RAW. This will give them the ability to cozy up to Kurt Angle the way everyone wants them to, and could help them get over a bit more with the fans. Right now, they feel somewhat generic on the main roster as “guys who do the wrestling good.”
As for NXT callups, I don’t think any new teams will come to SmackDown Live. The only team left on NXT that is ready for the main roster is DIY, but I think they aren’t needed on the main show yet. With The Revival up, the Hardy Boys back and Sheamus and Cesaro more over than ever, RAW ’s division is pretty solid. Throw in DIY as the underdog babyfaces (if they get called up at all), and you’re set.
So what do you think? Do you want to see any new tag teams on SmackDown Live? Do you think any teams will go to RAW? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
