The Usos VS The Dudleys - The State Of The Tag Team Division
Rey: So tell me Mr. Former King. What do you think of the current state of the tag division?
KK: Former King? You haven’t been paying attention. But to answer the more important question, I think highly of the tag division right now. Why, do you disagree?
Rey: No, not at all. I enjoy it very much. There’s a concerted effort to focus on tag teams right now, both on the main roster and in NXT. But, you know it ain’t the IWC if there isn’t something to bitch about.
KK: Well, I won’t argue that. I will say, that when you start looking at this Wrestlemania card, you do wonder why the Usos and the Dudleyz made the cut. Despite the revitalization of the tag division, this seems like small potatoes for a Wrestlemania card. What do you think?
Rey: Sometimes small potatoes is good. But I disagree. This feud has been building for a while. I’m not saying it has the best build ever, but it’s refreshing to me to see a standard tag match make the card. All the more better if it’s made a tables match like it’s rumored to be.
KK: Okay, well let’s talk about the match itself then. Unfortunately, and I think this will be a common theme throughout these dailies for me, the build feels lackluster. I’m sure you’ll disagree because you ate your Booty O’s, but the past few weeks, both Raw and Smackdown have seen these guys get involved in singles matches. But, the formula feels very repetitive. Bubba beats Goldust, attacks him after, Truth helps, gets beatdown, Usos make the save. They did that two shows in a row. That’s a little lazy to me. Each story for Wrestlemania, considering the importance of the event, needs to be fleshed out more. Try something different. What do you think?
Rey: Oh it’s definitely lazy. But with all these injuries this year, and a renewed focus on the Tag and Diva’s divisions, it’s a win that a standard, run of the mill feud is thought important enough to be saved for the big show. I’m curious to see where the Usos go from here though. Fans seem to be getting a little disenamored with them as of late. You all complain about Roman being stale, but the Usos have been the same basically since their debut. Can those damn Dudley’s bring something out of them? I’m curious to see.
KK: No arguments on the Usos. They haven’t changed much since their debut, and I actually think for them it’s time to change it up a little bit if at all possible. They have someone in the company they could stand beside as a heel or face, and maybe a turn at some point would be good for them. However, in this match, I’m more interested in the Dudleyz, believe it or not. We know what Bubba can do as a singles player, and he’s going to get good stuff out of the Usos in Arlington, I believe. My real question about this match is where it’s going to be placed on the card. This feels like it could be a hot opener, in the middle as a filler type somewhere, or even on the pre-show. It’s tough to figure out. Either way, I think the match will be solid and maybe we can see some new direction for the younger guys here in the long run.
Rey: Oh, it’ll be filler. The IC Title Ladder Match is tailor made to be the opener. Maybe if (when) the Dudleyz lose, they’ll split and Bubba can be the Bully we all know and hate. Would that diminish their legacy?
KK: I don’t believe it would. The Dudleyz have done it all in multiple promotions. I think their legacy is safe and sound.
Rey: Speaking of done it all, let’s talk about the W...W...E...TAG...TEAM...CHAMPIONS (yes, i thrusted while typing that).
New Day VS League of Nations - Are Stables Diminishing Tag Teams?
Rey: We just talked about the state of the Tag division, but this championship match isn’t really a tag match, is it? A 3 on 4 Handicap for the Tag Team Titles doesn’t exactly scream tradition. So I’ll ask you this. With The New Day, League of Nations, Social Outcasts, Wyatt Family, even the soon to debut Bullet Club...are stables diminishing tag team wrestling?
KK: It’s a good question, and one that I’m prepared to answer. I think to some degree, yes, stables are diminishing tag-teams. Part of that is with some of the current teams, you’re not getting much out of them. Lucha Dragons seem to be going their separate ways now, the Ascension has been a trainwreck from the word go, and some of the best tag teams actually seem to be floating around in NXT at the moment. I think the WWE is stable heavy. I prefer no more than two stables really. I think you could get away with splitting LON or the Outcasts, because I think most people would be fine seeing New Day as a tag-team similar to the Freebirds. They are like a mixture, and that would be okay. But you could have regular, solid teams with the four guys in the League and the Outcasts I believe. The Wyatt’s are in trouble, and that’s for later, but they don’t need to split yet. That answer your question?
Rey: Well, yes, but no. I love stables. I always have. I think it goes back to my affinity for the X-Men since I was a kid. But you have a great point in that stables wouldn’t diminish shit if the teams we have currently weren’t so shitty. There is a ton of potential in the Lucha Dragons and Ascension. But if the Usos and Dudleyz can’t even be booked consistently, what do those lesser teams have to look forward to??
KK: Not much right now, that’s for sure. I think part of the problem in the tag-team division right now is that the New Day are so far and above everyone else that nobody else even seems relevant or interesting. You know, and I hate to harken back to these days, but in the Attitude Era, a team like the New Age Outlaws may have been at the top, but so many of the other teams managed to stay neck and neck with them. I think it’s hard now when the New Day just seems to be so much more in tune with everyone. Luchas and Ascension seem like actual cartoon characters, whereas New Day seem like guys you would watch cartoons with. You feel me? And that’s not the New Day’s fault. They just took what they were given and ran with it.
Rey: I stopped reading after you said Attitude Era. My brain turned to mush.
KK: I’ll kill you.
Rey: C’mon man, last thing this country needs is a redneck killing another unarmed black man.
Anyway, I think the success of the New Day simply comes down to one simple thing: they don’t give a fuck. Not one single fuck. Zero. The say what they want, do what they want, dance when they want. And it’s been long reported that Vince likes men with big balls (take that however you choose), and NOBODY currently has bigger balls on the roster than the New Day.
Except Natalya. Because she’s a man.
KK: Trolling me, I see. But you’re right, the New Day seem to have taken control of their own situation. And good for them. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that all of these guys have that freedom, and if they do, shame on them for not taking advantage. What it comes down to really, is that as cool as stables can be, they need more direction I think. You feel the direction with New Day. Some of these other stables seem to be going in neutral. And that’s okay sometimes, but at some point we need to see some progress. And if you aren’t going to utilize the stable to the best of their ability, you might be better served to split them, stick them in the tag division or midcard, and continue to watch that portion of your show thrive.
Rey: Are you alluding to the League? Because I think a stable is exactly what all four men needed at the time.
KK: I’m referring to the League and to the Wyatt’s somewhat, but we will get to the Wyatt’s another day. Let’s stay with the League for a second. When they absolutely destroyed the New Day on Raw two weeks ago, that was the first time I’ve seen the League get some true heat. And I was happy about that. That’s what they need. With the exception of King Barrett, and to a smaller degree, Sheamus, the mic skills are limited, so they need to do what they do best; beat the everloving shit out of people and make their presence felt. So many great stables literally did just that. The Nation of Domination didn’t come out and talk out of their ass for twenty minutes. They kicked your ass. So, if the League is to be sustained, I think they need to stay in that lane. If not, all four of them would be successful as singles or tag wrestlers in the midcard, with maybe Sheamus hovering around the main event scene.
Rey: Let me expound on why I think they needed to be together right now. We are in an era now where more than ever, fans think they control the product. And they just won’t get behind Sheamus, Del Rio, or Barrett individually. There is blame to go all around, but that’s just what it is. But those three men are TREMENDOUS talents. Add in Rusev who was at his lowest point, and you put all four men together with one common goal: controlling the WWE in the name of their respective countries. See, that’s what a stable should be. A platform for multiple men to get over. So, it’s serving it’s purpose. Yes, they talk a little too much, but they have expressed themselves. That’s the way of this generation. But they’re four of the biggest ass kickers in the company. I think it works.
KK: I don’t disagree with that. Part of me hates the fact that three of the four can’t seem to get anywhere, because I’m such a big fan of them individually. Alberto Del Rio will forever suck ass, but that’s just preference more than anything else. With all this being said, I think we can conclude that there is work to be done not only within the stables, but within the tag division as well. It’s not perfect, but it’s not hopeless either. And with that, I look forward to seeing how this particular match plays out, and of course, the New Day’s entrance for Wrestlemania. Anything else you want to add here?
Rey: Two words. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady will save the tag team division.
KK: And you can’t teach that!
Rey: You didn’t notice that was more than two words. I’m so disappointed in you.
KK: I’m old. And married. And have kids. Eat shit.
FIN
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