Despite having a reputation for developing or signing fantastic tag teams throughout its history (like the Shield, the Rockers or the Hardy Boyz), the WWE often likes to prematurely break up these units, and while sometimes it makes for shocking and entertaining programming, sometimes these breakups can be a bust and hurt both competitors in the process. Of course there are notable exceptions to this rule, as although many feel like the breakup of the Shield was premature, it has made three huge stars within the industry, and gave the fans the kind of shock factor that carried the main event programming even to this day. But more often than not, famous breakups leave one or both of the stars perishing in the mid or undercard of the company.
With that being said, and looking at the fantastic tag team division that WWE has finally started to assemble, here are the individual chances of success for the members of some of the hottest current tag team acts.
38 Breezango
37 16. Tyler Breeze
When Tyler Breeze made his debut on the main roster it was celebrated by the entire NXT roster, as he had worked hard for 3 years in developmental before finally getting that call. Upon arrival, not much was to be celebrated, as Tyler was treated like an after thought/enhancement talent, with no major story line after his initial feud with Dolph Ziggler. Despite this, Breeze has the in ring ability and a feel of his character that could make him an impressive addition to the under card following the brand split if this team ever goes their separate ways. Matches against smaller opponents such as Neville, Sami Zayn or even someone the level of AJ Styles would work in Breeze’s favor, as he has proven time and time again in NXT that he can put on a great match with the best of them, as well as being able to tell fantastic stories inside the ring.
Chance of success: Possible
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35 15. Fandango
Another former NXT talent (although the game show edition), Johnny Curtis was remade into ball room dancing Fandango, a gimmick which got over with the fans, while also having a great in ring ability, everything looked good for the young performer. However, after his defeat of Chris Jericho in his debut at WrestleMania (which had the world ‘Fandangoing’ for weeks), somehow everything went downhill from there, even though the crowd could sense his immense talent and potential. With the brand split, Fandango from 3 years ago would have been more than a valuable part of the mid-under card on either show, but after years of his talent being wasted and barely seeing him on television, it is hard to imagine that Fandango would have any major role within the company outside of this makeshift tag team.
Chance of success: Unlikely
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33 The Club
32 14. Luke Gallows
Despite a terrible run with the WWE where he was booked as the highly offensive Festus character, Gallows made his way to TNA and Japan, and began to prove that he was indeed one of the premiere big men in all of wrestling. With this amazing success in Japan, Gallows again caught the eye of the WWE while competing with the Bullet Club, and with his partner Karl Anderson, made his way back to the company in early 2016, creating WWE’s version of the Bullet Club in the process. While a singles run directly following the brand split, which saw the Club split up would be a terrible mistake on WWE’s part, there is potential in a storyline for these two members if WWE ever decide to make them part ways, as Gallows would be able to show both the wrestling talent which was so prominent in Japan, and the undeniable humor and charisma he possesses, which has reportedly made him popular back stage (check out the Talk is Jericho episode with the 2 to see for yourself).
Chance of success: Likely
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30 13. Karl Anderson
Out of the 3 members that were in the Club in WWE, Karl Anderson is the least known to the general audience, as unlike AJ and Gallows, he spent all of his 8 year career in Japan, where he became an incredibly respected member of the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster, having great matches with the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura, despite primarily being a tag team wrestler. Unlike Gallows, who primarily uses strength and intimidation in the ring, Anderson is more of a smooth blend between technician and brawler, and can easily adapt his style in the ring to suit opponents, which allows for optimal performance, which gives him the potential to break out as a mid card star if WWE indeed go down this route in the future. Although this is not likely in the near future, as the Club will be helping New Day & Enzo and Cass anchor the RAW tag division, there could be a great story to tell if one day they decide to pull the trigger.
Chance of success: Possible
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28 The Wyatts
27 12. Luke Harper
In the WWE in the past decade, no superstar’s wrestling abilities have been underestimated like those of Luke Harper, who worked on the independent scene as Brodie Lee, as he is surprisingly agile and technically giften, despite the weird, intimidating look he possesses. Unfortunately for Harper, he sustained a serious knee injury just as the Wyatts were finally looking to be pushed seriously, but when he comes back to join Rowan and Bray on Smackdown, there is no doubt the group could be looking to be booked as the dominant force on the entire blue brand. However, if the group is indeed going to be split up again, Harper faces an uphill, though not impossible climb, as he possesses the wrestling ability needed to be a star, and with the brand split giving more talent opportunities to rise to the top, it could be the chance for Luke to rise and become a dominant yet technically sound heel on whichever brand he would be competing for.
Chance of success: Possible
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25 11. Erick Rowan
When the Wyatt Family were first split up, Bray had some fantastic feuds and Luke Harper went on to win the Intercontinental Championship, but other than a minor pop for joining Team Cena at Survivor Series, Erick Rowan got completely lost in the shuffle of WWE, showing he was out of his depth as a solo competitor at the time. Nothing much has changed in the time since, as Rowan works better as a tag team performer or Bray Wyatt’s intimidating muscle, and while it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Rowan can improve enough to become a solid undercard performer in the event of another break up, it is highly unlikely that the company would have any significant role for him.
Chance of success: Unlikely
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23 10. Bray Wyatt
Has any star in the WWE been more underutilized than Bray Wyatt? A man with uncanny amount of charisma who frequently had the crowd firmly behind him (even when he was a heel), a unique look and character, and more than passable in ring ability, it is baffling that WWE have never found the time to truly pull the trigger on Wyatt and his intimidating cult, despite the fact that they are quite possibly the most entertaining group in WWE not named the New Day. However, this brand split, which sees Wyatt on the Smackdown brand with other top notch stars like Dean Ambrose, John Cena and AJ Styles, could spell the beginning of the long awaited push the Bray sorely deserves, and whether or not he does it with his henchmen by his side, the time is most definitely now to pull the trigger on Bray finally living up to the billing, and becoming the ‘New face of fear.’
Chance of success: Certain
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21 The Dudleyz
20 9. D-Von
Many fans did not know what to expect of the Dudleyz upon their return in 2015, whether they would be pushed as serious contenders (as they are one of the most decorated teams in over all wrestling history), or if they would just be a nostalgia act that would soon run dry and turn them into glorified enhancement talent. Unfortunately it was the latter, as many teams have risen above them, and while not many expected a top tier run from the duo, them remaining solid and credible would have made them much more valuable to the tag team division, but where to go from here? During the original brand split, the Dudleyz were split up, and that worked out for neither competitor, as they fizzled out and eventually went to TNA, where they again became stars. If a repeat of this would happen, do not expect D-Von Dudley to become a major, credible star for the company.
Chance of success: Unlikely