5 Most tragic WWE tag team breakups

Tag team matches have always been an exciting prospect for the sake of combined wrestling and perfect chemistry between two wrestlers with different styles. But the relationship and the mentality of individual superstars in the group sometimes turn sour. Some of these alliances have a limited shelf life, and sooner or later one member might turn against the other. Tag Team breakups have been a common storytelling trope to further singles acts.

Although some of the tag teams like D-Generation X and Brothers of Destruction have re-grouped even after their breakups, other teams haven’t had that fair luck. Tag teams like Stone Cold and Mick Foley’s comical face Dude Love could have gone to great heights, but they had to vacate the Tag Titles because of Austin’s neck injury. Popular tag team, MNM also fizzled out due to Mercury’s injury while Nitro moved to ECW and renamed himself as John Morrison.

Let us take a look at the 5 most heart-breaking tag team breakups.

Former WWE writer buries Judgment Day HERE

#5 Jeri-KO

Owens turned on Jericho after the former accepted a championship match on the latter's behalf

The pair of Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens went from a comedic patch-up to one of the most serious, dominant forces on the show. From the mid-2016 to early 2017, the duo had some serious matches against dominant tag-team partners. Owens won the Universal Championship by defeating Big Cass, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins with the help of Triple H.

Owens defended the title against Rollins and Reigns on consecutive nights on RAW. Both matches came to an end when Jericho distracted the opponents and Owens took the opportunity to get the win. This created tension between the two as the two had different views.

On the first episode of RAW in February, Owens was challenged by Goldberg for the Universal Championship at Fastlane, which was accepted by Jericho, much to Owen’s dismay. On the next episode, Jericho organized ‘The Festival of Friendship’. To his surprise, Owens turned on Jericho and brutally attacked, him marking an end to their friendship.

#4 Mega Powers

Hollywood sensation Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage formed the tag team, Mega Powers after WrestleMania IV. They feuded with many dominant tag teams and soon became a reckoning force. Hogan's charisma and Savage’s flawless attitude saw them break through big opponents with ease. Mega Powers was a crowd-favourite tandem too, as both Hogan and Savage had their individual fan bases as well.

But soon, problems arose between the superstars. In the Royal Rumble that year, Hogan accidentally eliminated Savage, which angered Savage more. Savage was previously angry about the fact that Hogan was using Miss Elizabeth as his manager. The final nail in the coffin was at The Main Event Pay-per-view.

The Mega powers were drawn against The Twin Towers. During a crucial moment of the match, Savage was thrown onto Miss Elizabeth and she was left unconscious at the side of the ring. Hogan carried her backstage as Savage was left alone to face Akeem and Big Bossman alone. Hogan would return but Savage would turn on him, slapping his face and challenging him to a match at WrestleMania V.

#3 Shield

One of the most tragic team break-up in the recent past

On pen and paper, The Shield was everything the WWE had to offer in terms of tag teams. They had an impactful debut and had a rocket strapped to their backs from the very beginning. With Rollins already the inaugural NXT champion, The Shield’s opening feuds were with famous stars like John Cena, Ryback, and Sheamus.

The group’s first Championship win was at Extreme Rules in 2014. While Ambrose defeated Kofi Kingston for United States Championship, Rollins and Reigns won the Tag Team Championships from Team Hell No. From that point, they went on an impressive unbeaten streak. But cracks seemed to appear as early as 2014.

The seeds of rebellion were formed between the three teammates as both Ambrose and Rollins felt that they had something better to offer. Their feud with The Authority was the final nail in the coffin. As Batista quit the WWE for a second time Triple H played a masterstroke as Rollins turned on his teammates, officially quitting The Shield.

#2 The Outsiders

Scott Hall and Kevin Nash's relationship continued outside the Wrestling Federation

Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were larger than life characters. They were popular as a tag team, 'The Outsiders', but their individual popularity was unparallel as well. Their relationship continued outside the Wrestling business. The two friends started out as The Outsiders in 1996. Their feuds with Steiner Brothers, Lex Luger, and The Giant were some of the most interesting feuds when WCW was at its peak.

Their friendship turned sour in 1998 when The Outsiders were scheduled to defend the tag team titles against Sting and The Giant. It was the time when The N.W.O was splitting into two warring factions. As Dusty Rhodes distracted the official, Scott Hall hit Kevin Nash with the Championship belt, leaving Sting stunned. Hall dissolved the tag team and decided to join nWo Hollywood, as Nash decided to join The Wolfpac section.

#1 The Rockers

For the first few years in WWF wrestling, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty were completely in sync with each other. The Rockers were a new tag-team, and both the members were difficult to think about without the other. But Michaels’ solo ambition and Jannetty’s irregular life led to a feud.

The cracks began in 1991, instigated by Roddy Piper. He when he said that Michaels had a great career in front of him. Jannetty took that as a personal insult and attacked Michaels as the latter passed out. The next and final split came up on Brutus Beefcake’s Barber Shop, where they worked their problems out. After they completely solved their problems, Michaels nailed Jannetty with a superkick and threw him into a glass window. Michaels also tore a picture of the two, signifying their separation.

The Rockers would reunite once in 2005 when Jannetty would reunite with his old tag-team partner to defeat La Resistance.

Edited by Anirban Banerjee