AsWWEfans enjoy the weekly programming of the post-Vince McMahon era, it has felt enjoyable to the point of being surreal to talk about all of the great things going on acrossWWE Raw, NXT, andSmackDown. Talking to friends about how cohesive the storylines are and that you’re able to trust the booking, and small things we might take for granted in 2025, like hearing Michael Cole say “New Japan Pro Wrestling” are the new norm. It has been great, but it has meant thatsome great things within WWE’s new landscape can go unnoticed.
It’s been a slow burn rather than an inescapable explosion, but it seems as thoughSmackDown’s incredible tag division is flying under the radarsomewhat. Motor City Machine Guns vs DIY being given a lengthy 2-out-of-3 falls match at theRoyal Rumblefelt like WWE acknowledging the good work being done on the blue brand. There is enough talent for the company to build even further on this, especially as we head intoWrestleManiaseason.
SmackDown Is WWE’s Home Of Tag Team Wrestling
Momentum Is Building For The Teams On SmackDown
It’s not very often that a single action can be pinpointed as the exact moment in time for a seismic sea change to occur, but it’s impossible to look past WWE signingMotor City Machine Guns changed Tag Team wrestling onSmackDown. Already a team with unmatched credibility, the work that Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin have put in has seen Motor City Machine Guns seem like a big deal whether you’ve seen their work in TNA before or not. Everybody stepped up their game, instantly.
As WWE continue to improve each area of their operations methodically, thescreen time for tag team wrestling has increased significantly. As such, Pretty Deadly have gone from a part-time comedy act who made Chelsea Green sparkle a little brighter, to slowly standing up to the evil, bully champions in DIY. The Street Profits just got a complete makeover, trading in smiles and acrobatics for grills and putting some attitude on asking “Who wants the smoke?”
Add in the future call-up on NXT’s incredible Fraxiom, Rey Fenix being able to join Penta to form the Lucha Bros, and Los Garza getting their shot, and things are looking healthy forSmackDown’s teams.
The Problem With WWE’s Tag Teams In The Past
A New Era Of Exposure Is Reaping Rewards
It was a source of annoyance for fans that so many tag team championship reigns have felt entirely pointless. The Bloodline and The Judgment Day both had long stints with the tag titles in 2024, buttag team Championship belts being trinkets for factions did nothingto promote tag team wrestling. It led to a stagnant scene, despite the immense talent within the company’s ranks, something that has largely been the case in WWE over the last decade.
As the chapter closes on month one ofMonday Night Rawbeing on Netflix, the flagship show has now settled on a runtime of around two hours and thirty mins. Friday’s show having a full three hours has meantSmackDown’s teams are being given the chance to show their personality. MCMG are the grizzled veterans who are loving their shot at the top, DIY are scheming masters of manipulation, and Santos Escobar and Los Garza are on the verge of snapping after being left out of the shuffle. There’s room for more, but these teams showing us who they are is making everything matter more.
How WWE Can Make Its Tag Division Even Better
Even More Talent Can Benefit From SmackDown’s Glow Up
It feels churlish to look at the brilliant weekly matches and increasing importance on the tag team division with anything but enjoyment, butRaw’s tag teams are currently losing by being on the wrong show. WWE finding a new home on Netflix has meant record-breaking numbers, as WWE are using all of their superstar talent to fuel the flagship show.
It’s great that Travis Scott and Quavo are bringing exposure to the company by making Jey Uso’s Yeet last an extra half hour, but the reality is that means things will lose out on TV time. This is whytag team wrestling should permanently live onSmackDown.
Personally speaking, I have always loved smash-mouth, powerhouse tag team wrestling, and so The War Raiders are very much to my taste. They have been booked as monsters since coming back, but don’t have MCMGs momentum because there aren’t as many opportunities to tell their story.
The Creed Brothers could still support Chad Gable in American Made onRaw, but thrive by living withinSmackDown’s vibrant scene. Perhaps a move likeunifying the tag team championships atWrestleManiamakes sense, with the winners moving toSmackDownas a result. After all, these teams have shown the world that tag team wrestling can matter inWWE.
WWE SmackDown!
Cast
WWE SmackDown! is an ongoing professional wrestling television program featuring superstars from the World Wrestling Entertainment’s SmackDown brand. Premiering in April 1999, the show delivers high-energy entertainment through athletic confrontations and storylines, continuing to engage audiences weekly with its dynamic presentation of wrestling talent.
