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SmackDown during the Ruthless Aggression Era is a perfect example of memorable WWE TV that fans still look back on in a positive light. For instance, SmackDown from the early years of the Ruthless Aggression Era was some of the best wrestling that fans could tune in to weekly, as there was a good mix of in-ring action and compelling characters. Although SmackDown is remembered fondly for the talent getting featured over the years of the Ruthless Aggression Era, some SmackDown talents have been forgotten despite garnering some success. Former WWE Tag Team Champions Deuce 'n Domino are two of the SmackDown talents that doesn't get much recognition, despite being former champions.
SmackDown's Tag Team Division Was In A Weakened State In 2006
Towards the later years of the Ruthless Aggression Era, SmackDown still had an impressive roster, stemming from legendary superstars like Batista and The Undertaker being prominently featured on the show. However, some on the SmackDown roster, despite having moderate success, didn't generate much interest from WWE fans.
One could look at SmackDown's tag team division during the late 2000s as an example, as many don't remember much of what went on in that division. Even as Paul London and Brian Kendrick held the longest WWE Tag Team Championship reign during that period, it's forgotten to an extent. It's not like SmackDown's tag team division in 2002, where it was among the main focal points of the show. Whhile Paul London and Brian Kendrick won the WWE Tag Team Champions and carried the belts for almost a year, the fact that the tag team division didn't feel that important was why them losing their championship belts didn't feel that special.
Deuce 'n Domino Rose To Become WWE Tag Team Champions
It's hard to believe that Paul London and Brian Kendrick lost the WWE Tag Team Championships to a rookie tag team act like Deuce 'n Domino, despite their reign lasting almost a year. With that said, Deuce 'n Domino was one of the more unusual acts during the Ruthless Aggression years of WWE because, despite how forgotten this act is, WWE attempted to make them seem like a threat in the tag team division. And credit to Deuce 'n Domino, they held the WWE Tag Team Championship belts for a few months before heading towards obscurity.
Deuce 'n Domino's personas were represented as stereotypical greasers. For those who don't know much about greaser culture, it was an American subculture that trended among young adults during the 1950s. Arguably best known for their rugged appearance with greased-up hair and wearing leather jackets, Deuce 'n Domino looked the part in their portrayal of that very subculture. Whether a gimmick like this would achieve a level of stardom, Deuce 'n Domino looked like guys that would come off as stereotypic greasers that one would generally see on TV.
Arriving in a classic car with their valet Cherry, Deuce 'n Domino made their debut on a January 2007 episode of SmackDown, winning their debut match. Soon after debuting, Deuce 'n Domino engaged in a series of bouts with Paul London and Brian Kendrick over the next few months, who were the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions. Although Deuce 'n Domino failed to capture the WWE Tag Team Championships at the No Way Out 2007 PPV, losing to Paul London and Brian Kendrick, they were the first team to dethrone them on an April 2007 episode of SmackDown.
Winning the WWE Tag Team Championships were the prime of their careers. During their reign, it's also worth mentioning Deuce 'n Domino got a win on PPV defending the WWE Tag Team Championships against Jimmy Snuka and Sergeant Slaughter, as it was an effective way to give them a rub.
The Downfall Of Deuce 'n Domino In WWE
Although Deuce 'n Domino rode high upon winning the WWE Tag Team Championship, their success didn't last very long. Despite being champions and racking up many wins on SmackDown in mid-2007, their fortunes halted after losing the WWE Tag Team Championships to Matt Hardy and MVP on an August 2007 episode of SmackDown. After failing to win back the WWE Tag Team Championships in a rematch against them at the Unforgiven 2007 PPV, it became the nail in the coffin for Deuce 'n Domino.
After losing the belts, Deuce 'n Domino lost most of their televised matches throughout the rest of their run as a tag team. As both men went their separate ways after dissolving on a June 2008 episode of SmackDown, the Deuce 'n Domino act mainly became a thing of the past, leaving behind a legacy as being one of the most unusual acts of the new millennium.