Part two of 'Mania's best: Tag Title matches

[Guest Daniel]

Greetings all,

 

Today will be the second installment of my own little Wrestlemania breakdown.

This continuation will look at the battles staged over the WWF Tag Team

Titles.

 

When looking back at my favorite singles encounters there were some that

immediately came to mind. However when considering my favourite Tag matches

ever, none really immediately came to mind, at which point it occurred to me

that WWF Tag teams haven’t ever received as much emphasis as singles

competitors, or staged as many classic matches. However that doesn’t mean

that there haven’t been memorable Tag outings at ‘Mania over the years.

We’ll start at the top, with the best of the lot, and go from there.

 

TLC II, Wrestlemania XVII: Hardyz vs. Dudleyz vs. Edge and Christian.

Awesome.  This may have been the best TLC match, because it was built up with the best parts of the previous two matches and involved Spike, Lita and Rhyno to add a little extra flavour.  Some of the spots were also given a little better set up and the bumps were off the scale.  The set up for the actual match itself was a tad weak, but that’s of less concern when the matches are looked at in isolation.  

 

Triangle Ladder Match, Wrestlemania XVI: Matt and Jeff Hardy vs. Edge and

Christian vs. The Dudley Boys.

The precursor to TLC at Summerslam, so perhaps this was like the blueprint.

An incredible display of risks and innovation that took stunt wrestling to a

whole new level. This stole the show on the biggest card of all time and

really established each competitor as a hard working, talented and deserving

WWF Superstar. Edge, Christian, Jeff and Matt had all established

themselves in the previous Ladder match at No Mercy 99, whilst Buh Buh Ray

and D-von had cemented their status as wood wrecking maniacs in the weeks

prior. Thus, it all came together in spectacular and destructive fashion

here for the right to named Champions. Shortly after Jeff Hardy stole the

show with the most amazing Senton ever, Edge and Christian managed to grab

the gold whilst standing atop the platform that the Dudley’s had set up for

themselves. This match is exhausting enough from a spectator standpoint.

 

Jeff’s senton should go down as one of the great Wrestlemania moments and

visuals of all time. Standing atop a 15 foot ladder with camera flashes

galore is an awesome sight. So was the dive. Take care Jeff.

 

Not much else comes within miles of the match. Not to my memory anyway.

Regardless, that doesn’t mean all other tag matches were bad, they just

can’t reach that level.

 

One match did come reasonable close though. The Dumpster match at

Wrestlemania XIV, another stunt and bump display, was also a good blend of

destruction and drama. It’s basically a casket match except with a dumpster

at ringside. The New Age Outlaws put their titles on the line against the

Hardcore Legends for this one: Cactus Jack and Terry Funk.

 

Although not as risky as the ladders, the dumpster outing was still an

anything goes brawl that featured powerful performances from all

participants. Billy and Cactus somehow wound up at the top of a ladder and

were subsequently deposited over the top and through the lid of the dumpster

at ringside in a spectacular and crazy spot. Equally as crazy was Terry

Funk getting powerbombed off the apron, into the dumpster, which left a

nasty bruise on his 53 year old back. After wandering backstage for some

more destruction the Outlaws wound up on a pallet, which Terry gladly raised

with the aid of a forklift, so Cactus could push the Outlaws into a

backstage Dumpster and claim the win. Chaotic and fun.

 

Looking past the gimmicks however, and Wrestlemania Tag team history is

blocked up with klutzes like the Natural Disasters, LOD, Andre and Haku, Men

on a Mission and other less talented but popular tandems. Thankfully then,

the following matches are on display in the Wrestlemania archives:

 

None of the following are standout matches, but they are good, and have a little perspective to them…

 

Wrestlemania II, The Dream Team vs. The British Bulldogs

I’ve seen very little of Dynamite Kid and none of him before his crippling back problems, but here’s what Bret Hart says:

“There’s people who talk about Chris Benoit and how good he is.  And he is very, very, very good.  But he’s not The Dynamite Kid.”.

Other expert opinion states that Benoit will never be as good as Dynamite.  He may have taken as many roids and drugs as the next guy at that time, but that opinion alone would rate him better than anyone of today.  You know where he is now?  In a wheel chair in England, in a flat.  This is the weirdest, most unforgiving business on earth.

Anyway, this was just a good match where the Bulldogs finally won Tag gold in the WWF.  Compared to other Wrestlemania Tag title matches, it’s golden.

 

Wrestlemania VII, The Hart Foundation vs. The Nasty Boys.

Again, not a particularly good match, but if memory serves me correctly, this is the last PPV match for the Hart Foundation, as in Bret and Jim.  The Hart’s get Nastisized by Jimmy Harts helmet and drop their final Tag Title reign.  Bret went on to become legendary, whilst Neidhart drifted from here to there, now and then.

 

Wrestlemania XI, The Smoking Gunns vs. Owen Hart and Mystery Partner.

The Mystery Partner would turn out to be the Mighty (overweight) Yokozuna.  This was Owen’s first title reign in the WWF and he certainly earned it.  Yoko’s 30 seconds of offense pretty much won them the match and Owen would go on to tag greatness, holding/dominating the title scene with Bulldog and Jarrett over the years.  God Bless you Owen…

 

 

That’s pretty much all there is to mention.  WWF Tag ranks have had some good and exciting matches, but it’s always been an after thought.  Case in point: 1996.  Sunny was the star of the Tag division by whoring her services around and the tournament final for the belts was held on the Wrestlemania XII Free For All.  What a Joke.  The Godwinns battled The Body Donnas and I’m pretty sure the Donnas won.  Worthless anyway.

 

Next up will be IC Title matches.