NXT Tag Team of the Year
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Nominees:
American AlphaAuthors of PainTM-61The Revival#DIY
While the women’s division was the story of the year in 2015, the tag team division was the standout division in NXT in 2016. Featuring several Match Of The Year candidates, NXT’s tag team division was on fire, from the start of the year to the end.
American Alpha was on absolute fire from the end of 2015 on through their coronation as Tag Team Champions at NXT Takeover Dallas. They had tremendous matches regardless of their opponents, and are now tearing it up on SmackDown Live as the Tag Team Champions of the blue brand.
The Authors of Pain had a pretty good year, as well. They made a statement when they introduced themselves to the WWE Universe by attacking American Alpha, and subsequently defeating the former Tag Team Champions.
They would then go on to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and are now headed on a collision course against #DIY for the Tag Team Championships at Takeover San Antonio.
TM-61 didn’t really take off like a lot of people thought they would. They finished 2016 by losing in the Finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic to the Authors of Pain. I’d call this a “bridesmaid” year for them.
The Revival had an amazing year and stayed true to their name by reviving the NXT Tag Team Division. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder had tremendous matches in 2016 with American Alpha, #DIY, and the team of Enzo Amore and Colin Cassidy.
#DIY got a team name and ended the year by becoming NXT Tag Team Champions. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa had two of the best tag team matches that I’ve ever seen in my life against The Revival in 2016, and are thus far continuing to be impressive in 2017.
I think this category is less cut-and-dry, when it comes to the fan vote. In my eyes, the case is pretty open and shut.
You can’t have a great tag team division without tremendous heel champions that people want to see get defeated. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder filled that role twice in 2016 and played it to perfection.
They were part of numerous incredible tag-team wrestling matches. They remained heels and continued to get booed in a day and age where it’s, “cool,” to cheer for the heels.
Hats off to them for their 2016, and they should win this award. I feel like this is a three-team race between them, #DIY, and American Alpha for who will win the award. Seeing as people actually hate The Revival, I think they end up losing out to #DIY.
Who Should Win: The RevivalWho Will Win: #DIY
