Kanefabe Weekly: Tag team wrestling is on the rise

Tag team wrestling can sustain some great rivalries. FTR and the Young Bucks have established a long-term feud at this point, one that started long ago before they were even in the same promotion. Their battles continue to be front and center among the company’s most intriguing stories.

We’re all better off when there is a variety of stories across the various wrestling shows. That’s happening at the moment, and the recent rise in quality tag team action across the board is a big reason why.

AEW always promised tag team wrestling as a central part of their appeal. They lost the plot in that regard a little bit when they added trios belts in addition to like 50 Ring of Honor belts. Now it feels like we’re getting back to basics with solid tag team action and compelling rivalries.

This development, if it holds, is unfolding at the same time that WWE is upping the quality with their tag team divisions. Put it together, and we’ve got a fun time if you enjoy that side of wrestling.

Fun with tag teams

It feels like vintage Dynamite to me when there is at least one stellar tag team match on the card. That trend seems to be returning, with matches like the one this week between the Young Bucks and the team of Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal.

In the meantime, WWE’s new era looks like it will include the restoration of some glory to the tag team divisions. Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill won the Women’s Tag Team Championship to a great deal of fanfare. Over on the men’s side of things, we’ve got the Awesome Truth (R Truth and the Miz) as champs in a division that seems to deliver outstanding multi-team matches every week.

In that context, let’s do a quick rundown of some of the favorite tag teams here at Kanefabe.

The Young Bucks drive some people crazy, but they introduced a different style and are a big part of how AEW hooked me. They are a great team, and getting people to hate them is part of it.

FTR loves tag team wrestling more than anybody. It comes through in one classic match after another.

DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa) hold a special place for NXT fans everywhere. They’re great as a team, even greater when they turn on each other. It looks like that’s coming.

Judgment Day deserve their due here. Finn Balor seems to be in the perfect spot these days as part of their tag team.

Imperium is split up at the present moment, but they are an underrated faction and team.

The New Catch Republic is an old team with a new name. Pete Dunne never misses. The main roster crowds seem to finally be warming to Tyler Bate, the big strong boy.

This is far from a comprehensive list, and I might have missed a team or two. Let me know who’s on your list with tag team wrestling enjoying a moment.

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